Former UN General Assembly President Espinosa Garcés visits CCG
July 25 , 2025Former UN General Assembly President Espinosa Garcés visits CCG, for dialogue with CCG Secretary-General Mabel Lu Miao on women’s leadership in global governance.
▲ Video | Mabel Lu Miao in Dialogue with Espinosa Garcés
During the conversation, themed “Inclusive Leadership for a Fragmented World: Women in Global Governance,” Espinosa Garcés discussed her experiences and perspectives on global leadership and the role of women in multilateral institutions.
Espinosa Garcés said the UN and other international bodies must adapt to a “polycentric” and “multipolar” world, emphasising that “what we are experiencing is high multipolarity, but low multilateralism.” She warned that today’s institutions, largely designed after World War II, are struggling to address new threats such as climate change, technological disruption, and inequality. She called for reforms in UN decision-making and financing, as well as stronger accountability, to deliver for the people as was promised in the UN Charter.
Both speakers discussed the underrepresentation of women in international leadership. Espinosa Garcés, now Executive Director of Global Women Leaders (GWL) Voices, cited research showing that only 7% of UN ambassadors since 1947 have been women. “What you see is a chronic underrepresentation of women in positions of power in the international system,” she said.
Miao pointed to China’s progress in women’s education—women make up over 45% of the country’s scientific and technical workforce and 50.6% of all graduate students—but acknowledged ongoing gaps in senior roles. She also recalled the legacy of the Beijing Declaration 30 years ago and noted that China will soon host another major international women’s summit.
On environmental governance, Espinosa Garcés urged a more systemic, ecosystem-based approach instead of fragmented, issue-based treaties. She praised China’s well-organised green transition, saying, “They act as they say,” and cited its leadership in multilateral climate efforts. Miao agreed, highlighting recent China-EU cooperation on climate and renewable energy.
Addressing questions from the audience, Espinosa Garcés praised China’s “spirit of true cooperation and generosity” and commented on the U.S. withdrawal from international organisations like UNESCO, noting that the multilateral system must remain resilient and be prepared to process the right to dissent.
Espinosa Garcés also encouraged young women to pursue leadership roles and “never shy away of opportunity and really fight for it,” sharing that her own appointment as defence minister in Ecuador was seen as unconventional for a woman.
Transcript: Espinosa Garcés at CCG
