On March 8, 2026, leaders from diplomacy, civil society, culture and international organizations gathered at the historic Morgan Library & Museum to commemorate International Women’s Day with a high-level discussion titled “What Leadership do we need for the Future?”. The event, organized by the Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations, co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Albania, Cabo Verde, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uruguay, and in collaboration with the President of the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Foundation and the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, took place on the eve of the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) – the UN’s largest annual gathering dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The evening was especially important for Switzerland, as we were honored by the presence of Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, who is in New York for the high-level segment of CSW70, underscoring Switzerland’s commitment to advancing gender equality at home and globally. The event explored how responsible leadership can shape the future of societies, with particular focus on the role of women in leadership, protection of women’s rights, and empowerment. Opening remarks were delivered by the Federal Councillor and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, both of whom emphasized that advancing women’s leadership is essential not only for equality but also for sustainable development, peace and democratic resilience.
The centerpiece of the program was a panel discussion moderated by sports journalist and philanthropist Marion Reimers. The three panelists – Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, Viviana Krsticevic, Director of the Center for Justice and International Law, and Renata Koch, Youth Fellow at the UN Foundation – discussed the qualities required of leaders in an increasingly complex global environment, highlighting accountability, inclusiveness, and resilience. The discussion also underscored the importance of supporting young leaders and strengthening legal and institutional protections for women’s rights worldwide.
The choice of venue added symbolic resonance to the occasion. The Morgan Library was led for decades by Belle da Costa Greene, one of the most influential librarians in American history and a pioneering advocate for women scholars. The event opened with a piano composition performed by Swiss-born, internationally acclaimed pianist Sylvie Courvoisier, created specifically for the occasion. The program concluded with the launch of the Women’s Jirga for Afghanistan, an initiative aimed at amplifying Afghan women’s voices and advocating for their rights amid the country’s ongoing political and humanitarian challenges. The initiative reflects growing international efforts to ensure that they remain represented in global conversations about the country’s future.
On the eve of CSW70, the event served as both celebration and call to action. In a world facing geopolitical tensions, technological change and growing social inequalities, the evening’s message was clear: the future will depend on leadership that is inclusive and grounded in the full participation of women and girls everywhere. By convening leaders from across sectors and generations, the gathering demonstrated how diplomacy, culture and civil society can come together to advance that vision.
