IWG Summit concludes UK four-year women in sport hosting mission
Over 800 delegates gathered in Birmingham for the International Working Group Global Summit to mark the end of the UK's historic four-year stewardship. The event celebrated unprecedented progress in gender equality within global sport before passing leadership to Brazil.
IWG Global Summit Concludes Historic UK Hosting Period
More than 800 delegates representing 80 nations converged on Birmingham last week for the International Working Group (IWG) Global Summit, bringing to a close the United Kingdom's four-year tenure as host of this pivotal initiative. The gathering marked the final chapter of the UK's stewardship of the IWG Secretariat from 2022 to 2026, returning the organisation's flagship event to its roots more than three decades after the movement originated in Brighton.
As the world's largest network dedicated to advancing gender equality in sport and physical activity, the IWG connects global leaders, organisations, and advocates to share ideas and accelerate progress for women and girls. The UK's hosting period has been instrumental in strengthening collaboration between major bodies including the IOC, UN Women, and UNESCO, while supporting continued growth in signatories to the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration.
Key Themes and Discussions
Over three days, delegates examined critical opportunities and challenges facing the sector through discussions on leadership, investment, visibility, innovation, and participation. Highlights from the Olympic and Paralympic movement included visionary speeches from:
- Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee, who outlined a new model of leadership where female leaders forge paths with empathy and care rather than mimicking male styles.
- Professor Laura McAllister CBE, Vice President of UEFA, who emphasised the importance of listening, patience, and timing in driving change.
- Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, who encouraged federations to replicate constitutional reforms that have mandated equality within their own structures.
- Sally Munday, Chief Executive of UK Sport, who highlighted the necessity of resilient sporting systems sustained by long-term investment and strategic partnerships beyond individual funding cycles.