12.30 p.m. EDT, UNHQ, Press Briefing Room S-237 and online

UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs will launch Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2026, which focuses on leadership and shows that progress towards women’s equal participation in political leadership has lost momentum. The report underscores that achieving gender equality in leadership is about increasing women’s representation as much as it is about ensuring they have equal access to positions of real authority and influence.

3.30–3.50 p.m. EDT, SDG Media Zone

Drawing on the latest findings from the Gender Snapshot 2026, this conversation explores what the data tells us about the state of women’s political participation, why inclusive leadership is essential to restoring public trust, and what governments, institutions, and citizens can do to accelerate change. Bringing together global leadership, political experience, and independent voices, the session examines why achieving the SDGs requires women equally represented, wherever decisions are made.

1.15–2.45 p.m. EDT, UNHQ, closed meeting

Co-hosted by the President of the General Assembly and the Executive Director of UN Women, this year’s meeting focuses on “Women's leadership in restoring trust and managing transformation for a United Nations that delivers for all.” Discussions will identify actions to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including through women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership, gender-responsive policymaking and financing, and more inclusive and accountable global governance.

2.00–3.30 p.m. EDT, UNHQ, CR 19-25 and online

UN Women and the European Union will launch the EU-funded programmes under SWEI – an ambitious regional flagship aiming to surge women’s employment in MENA by 5 percent by 2030 in economies of growth, including the green economy, STEM, and care work. The initiative brings governments, development partners, IFIs, academia, media, and business together through public-private partnerships for policy reforms, catalytic finance, and private-sector action. Speakers include EU, AECID, UAE, Egypt, Palestine, IDRC, IsDB, Diversey and CNN Arabic.

2.30–2.50 p.m. EDT, SDG Media Zone

Amid a growing global backlash against women’s rights and the weaponization of technology to harm women and girls, the fight for gender equality is more urgent than ever. UN Women’s SDG Media Zone discussion, “AI and Feminism”, brings together advocates, experts, and global leaders to examine how artificial intelligence is fueling a backlash against women and girls, while exploring its potential to help dismantle it.

3.00–4.45 p.m. EDT, UNHQ CR6

UN Women and the Republic of Croatia will co-host the G77 and Emerging Partners Ministerial Roundtable on Addressing Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls (TF VAWG). Bringing together senior government representatives, ministers, and technology sector leaders, the event will examine the new risks created by technology, including AI-enabled abuse and the growing impact of TF VAWG on gender equality, women’s leadership, and inclusive digital transformation.

3.30–5.30 p.m. EDT, UNHQ CR1 and online

At "Delivering on WPS: Consolidating Implementation and Accountability in a Fragmented Security Landscape," the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network (WPS-FPN), currently co-chaired by Italy and the Philippines, with UN Women as Secretariat, will mark its 10th anniversary and secure high-level political commitments to strengthen the WPS agenda within national institutions and multilateral processes. Registration required for in-person participation.

3.30–4.30 p.m. EDT, SDG Media Zone

This session will explore the qualities that tomorrow’s global leaders – and particularly the next generation of UN leadership – must embody to respond effectively to today’s interconnected challenges. This Town Hall will feature Helen Clark, Irina Bokova, Susana Malcorra, and more in a discussion on female leadership and multilateralism. 

3.30–5.00 p.m. EDT, Victor Borge Hall, Scandinavia House, New York

The UN Women Leaders Network brings together emerging and established women leaders for an afternoon of high-level strategic dialogue elevating intergenerational leadership as a priority for advancing gender equality, implementing the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, and SDG 5. The event will convene speakers from across the global membership of the UN Women Leaders Network for a fireside chat and panel discussion, focusing on developing concrete commitments to expand women's access to leadership and decision-making across regions, sectors, and generations.

4.30–5.30 p.m. EDT, UNHQ, UNGA81 Goals Lounge

"From Playing Fields to Global Goals: Gender Equality in and through Sport" will bring together leaders from sport, business, and multilateral institutions to explore how sport can accelerate progress on gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals. UN Women’s growing collaboration with the sport sector, including the Play On campaign implemented in partnership with Standard Chartered and Liverpool Football Club and #equalplay campaign, demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships can challenge stereotypes, amplify girls’ voices, and create pathways for women and girls to thrive on and beyond the field.

3.30–5.00 p.m. EDT, UNHQ and online

The Government of Mexico, UN Women, and Karama, in collaboration with Member States and regional and civil society partners, including FEMNET, FFP Collaborative, ARROW, and Women’s Environment & Development Organization (WEDO), will convene a high-level public dialogue to focus on the criticality of centring women’s leadership globally.