At the heart of one of the world’s most influential institutions, the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, the G100 marked a significant milestone with its international conference titled “The Role of Women for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future.” Held on 12 September at the Vienna International Centre and in cooperation with UNIDO, the event served as a beacon of thought leadership, global collaboration, and visionary dialogue. Exactly 100 change-makers gathered in person, with many more joining via live stream from across the world.

 

With deep pride and a firm belief in the movement’s impact, the G100 community came together to highlight the transformative role of women across four key pillars: Sustainability, Circular Economy, Finance, and Peace. These are not abstract ideals; they are today’s most pressing challenges, and women are leading the response.

 

The conference opened with keynote speeches by Gunther Beger, Managing Director at UNIDO; Bodil Valero, President of G100 2025; and Irena Radovic, Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro and G100 Global Chair for Financial Inclusion, who addressed the audience via a powerful video message setting the stage for a platform of global relevance.

 

Welcoming participants with gratitude and resolve, G100 Global Chairs Brunhilde Schram (SDGs) and Ursula Oberhollenzer (CSR) set the tone for a day defined by vision, purpose, and international impact. Their leadership in organizing the conference to the highest ethical and professional standards is a testament to G100’s rising influence on the world stage.

 

Through four dynamic panels and a unified voice, international experts, academics, and business leaders explored actionable strategies for advancing sustainability, equality, and peace. Discussions ranged from women and the sustainable future, to women in the circular economy, financing a sustainable and peaceful future, and a call to collective action for peace.

 

Speakers from business, academia, civil society, and the UN made it clear: women are not just stakeholders, they are catalysts for sustainable development. From corporate social responsibility to inclusive leadership, the panels showcased how women’s empowerment accelerates progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Within the finance system, many improvements were reported, ranging from Impact Investing to Social Bonds. It was also emphasized that women-led companies and start-ups were on average three times more successful in generating revenue as well as positive impacts for environment and society. Just one impressive figure: IFM calculates the loss for the world economy by underfinancing women-led businesses at globally USD 3.47 trillion every year. Read more here.

 

Innovators in technology, academia, and environmental science emphasized that circular systems are transforming industries and that women are driving this change with resilience and foresight. The message was unequivocal: circularity isn’t a trend; it’s the future of responsible economic design.

 

Peace was not treated as an abstract concept, but as a practical, achievable goal requiring collaboration, diplomacy, and grassroots leadership. Through powerful stories of advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and journalistic courage, the forum demonstrated that women are often the first to lead in conflict resolution and peacebuilding across the globe.

 

The conference also marked the kick-off of a global petition to bring women to the decision table in peace negotiations. Please join us in signing this important document in order to get UN Security Council’s Resolution 1325 into action: No Peace Without Women Global Petition.

 

The day culminated in an Award Ceremony recognizing exceptional sustainability initiatives and individuals who exemplify leadership in corporate responsibility, innovation, and peace advocacy. These awards celebrate not only achievement but a collective commitment to a better world.

 

Leading the ceremony was Brunhilde Schram, whose lifelong dedication to women’s empowerment and the creation of the internationally respected eccos22®️ Management Assessment embody the very spirit of the G100 mission.

 

The G100 is not just a forum, it is a force. And this conference made one thing clear: when women lead, the world moves forward. Limited to just 100 in-person participants, the sold-out event brought together world-class expertise, high-level discourse, and a global community deeply rooted in action. A live broadcast ensured the ripple of inspiration and knowledge extended far beyond Vienna, reaching the global G100 family and beyond.

 

This was not a one-time event; it was a milestone in a growing movement. A powerful reminder that when diverse, committed voices unite behind a shared purpose, change is not only possible but inevitable.

 

As the world stands at a crossroads of crisis and opportunity, the G100 proudly demonstrates: women are not waiting for change, they are leading it.

The Pride is Real. The Work is Ongoing. The future is sustainable. The future is peaceful. And women are at the forefront.

 

Convenors:

Brunhilde Schram, G100 Global Chair, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Wing

Ursula Oberhollenzer, G100 Global Chair, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Wing