What an honour it is to join you for the Women in Leadership Summit 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland—an event that brings together incredible leaders, advocates, and changemakers to drive meaningful progress toward gender equality.

The insights and stories shared last year were deeply impactful. We had the privilege of learning from both emerging and established female leaders, and, just as importantly, the proceeds from the summit have been critical in supporting UN Women’s work across 102 countries, particularly in the 40 most crisis-affected regions, home to over 500 million women and girls. UN Women works on the ground in emergencies, providing dignity kits with vital supplies to support women and girls when they need it most.

We are incredibly excited about this year’s summit and the powerful conversations it will foster. Diversity in leadership is central to achieving gender equality, ensuring that decision-making reflects the full spectrum of perspectives and experiences. Amplifying diverse voices is not just about representation - it’s about dismantling systemic barriers that continue to persist in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

With recent international discourse around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) facing heightened scrutiny and debate, it is now more important than ever to reaffirm its value. True inclusion strengthens workplaces, fosters innovation, and drives sustainable change.

UN Women Aotearoa NZ is privileged to stand in partnership with the Women in Leadership Summit, knowing that together, we are advancing UN Women’s vital initiatives—ensuring equitable opportunities for all women and girls, everywhere.

Let’s continue to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

We look forward to welcoming you to this special event.