Director-General's remarks at the Opening of the Annual General Assembly of the United Nations Women's Guild

United Nations Women’s Guild Geneva General Assembly 2025
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, at 2.00 p.m.
Room XXV, Building E, Palais des Nations

Madam President (Ms. Ajkuna Thanati),
Excellency (H.E. Mr. Jürg Lauber),
Dear members of the United Nations Women’s Guild,

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations for your General Assembly. It is also a privilege to address you as your Honorary President - a title I proudly share with Ambassador Lauber.

Today, we meet in unprecedented times. Eight decades after the founding of the United Nations, the international community faces an array of challenges: from global economic insecurity to growing violent conflicts and nuclear threats, from record levels of humanitarian needs to the increasingly urgent consequences of climate change, from deepening inequalities to increasing mistrust and the spread of misinformation. These challenges have put the multilateral system – with the United Nations at its core – to the test.

In times like these, alongside renewed diplomatic efforts, we need more collective solidarity. It is here that entities like the United Nations Women’s Guild have much to offer.

Since its foundation in 1968, the Guild has played an important role in supporting the work of the United Nations. One of its key contributions lies in raising awareness of and mobilizing resources for projects focused on the rights, education, and economic empowerment of women and children.

Every year your International Bazaar at the Palais des Nations not only raises essential funds in support of women and children in need around the world, but it also serves as a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity. It facilitates dialogue and mutual understanding between communities and promotes peace and social cohesion. I very much look forward to UN Geneva hosting the bazaar again this year, on Tuesday, 9 December, and to working with the Chairperson of this year’s bazaar, H.E. Mr. Tovar Da Silva Nunes, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva.

Another important initiative is the Guild’s annual Children’s Walk, which encourages children from local schools to engage in physical activity while also raising funds for the Guild’s scholarship programme to provide secondary education for students who might otherwise be unable to attend the school. We are pleased to be welcoming this special event to the Palais next week.

On top of this, the Guild fosters friendship and collaboration among women from diverse nationalities here in Geneva, building a sense of solidarity and mutual support. It also serves to amplify the voices and concerns of women within the wider UN family.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Through its activities here in Geneva and in over 100 countries, the Guild is a torchbearer for positive change. Your spirit of cooperation and humanitarian action is very much in line with the values of the United Nations and International Geneva. I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank all the members of the Guild for your work and dedication. While our multilateral system faces immense strain, you are a powerful reminder that each and every one of us can make a real and lasting difference.

Thank you.