Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, announced today that she will co-host a women foreign ministers’ meeting (WFMM) in Toronto on September 19 and 20, 2024.
The event, co-chaired with Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, aims to address critical issues facing women in governance and public life.
A Platform for Progress and Solidarity
The WFMM will serve as a unique forum, bringing together women foreign ministers from across the globe to discuss and promote women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in governance and public spaces.
This gathering holds particular significance as it occurs against the backdrop of what Minister Joly describes as “an ongoing backlash against women’s rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ2+ rights.”
Topics of the meeting include:
- Sharing lived experiences and formal insights on women’s roles in public spaces
- Addressing challenges faced by women leaders
- Combating disinformation and online violence targeting women in leadership positions
- Engaging with civil society representatives and academics to explore innovative solutions
The timing of this meeting is particularly poignant, as it precedes two significant milestones in 2025:
- The 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
- The 25th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security
Building on a Legacy of Collaboration
This Toronto summit builds upon a series of meetings within the informal network of women foreign ministers, including gatherings at the UN General Assembly in New York and the Munich Security Conference.
It also follows the 2018 meeting co-hosted by Canada and the European Union in Montréal, underscoring Canada’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality on the global stage.
Minister Joly expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating,
“I am delighted to co-host this meeting with Minister Johnson Smith and to welcome my colleagues to Canada. We will discuss pressing global issues and the critical role women play in addressing them.”
A Call for Continued Action
As the ministers prepare to convene in Toronto, the message is clear: the work towards gender equality and inclusive societies is ongoing and crucial.
Minister Joly emphasized the forward-looking nature of their efforts, saying,
“Going forward, we will continue to build bridges and work with other countries and with civil society to expand the global commitment to gender equality, inclusive societies and a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous future.”
The WFMM in Toronto represents not just a meeting of minds, but a rallying point for continued progress in women’s leadership and gender equality worldwide.
As the event approaches, all eyes will be on Toronto, watching for the outcomes and initiatives that may shape the future of women’s participation in global governance.
For more information and updates on the Women Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, please visit the official Global Affairs Canada website.
Sources: THX News & Global Affairs Canada.
