Women diplomats, senior government officials, development partners and representatives of the international community gathered in Georgetown on Friday to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, using the occasion to highlight the growing role of women in shaping global affairs through leadership, cultural diplomacy and international cooperation.
Held under the theme “Women in Diplomacy: Culture, Soft Power and Inclusive Leadership,” the event was jointly organised by the United Nations in Guyana, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and TEDx Turkeyen.
The forum celebrated the contributions of women to diplomacy while exploring how culture, identity and storytelling can strengthen dialogue, foster mutual understanding and build stronger international partnerships.
The event also came as Guyana advances the candidature of former Foreign Affairs Minister and Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for the post of United Nations Secretary-General. Organisers said her nomination reflects Guyana’s longstanding engagement in multilateral diplomacy and underscores the increasing influence of Caribbean women in global leadership.
The International Day of Women in Diplomacy, observed annually on June 24, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to recognise the critical role women play in diplomacy and to encourage their full, equal and meaningful participation in international decision-making.
Opening the programme were United Nations Resident Coordinator Jean Kamau, Chinese Ambassador Yang Yang and Ambassador Donnette Streete, Director of the Frontiers Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The speakers underscored “the importance of women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in diplomatic leadership and decision-making,” while describing diplomacy as an essential tool for building trust, advancing common interests and responding to increasingly complex global challenges.
A highlight of the event was a series of TED-style presentations by female representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Embassy of China and the High Commission of Canada.
Wearing traditional, national and culturally significant attire, the presenters shared personal stories about the history, symbolism and values embodied in their clothing, illustrating how cultural identity can become a powerful diplomatic asset.
According to the organisers, the presentations demonstrated how culture serves as a form of soft power by communicating national identity, preserving heritage and creating meaningful connections across borders. The storytelling format also enabled women diplomats to share their professional journeys and personal experiences in a way that resonated with diverse audiences.
Through its partnership with the event, TEDx Turkeyen provided participants with coaching on storytelling techniques and presentation skills, equipping them with communication tools that organisers said could strengthen both diplomatic engagement and public leadership.
The organisers said the event reaffirmed that women diplomats are “not only representatives of institutions and countries, but also negotiators, bridge-builders, cultural ambassadors and leaders whose perspectives are essential to more inclusive and effective diplomacy.”
The United Nations in Guyana reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Government of Guyana, development agencies and national stakeholders to promote gender equality, strengthen inclusive leadership and expand women’s participation in decision-making at every level.
The forum attracted diplomats and officials from the embassies of Argentina, Chile, China, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, along with representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and several United Nations agencies.
Also participating were representatives of the University of Guyana’s Institute of Gender Studies and International Relations programmes and young women from The Imperial House, reflecting the organisers’ emphasis on mentorship, cultural exchange and preparing the next generation of women leaders in diplomacy.
