The Women’s Forum Global Meeting 2019
For three days, the Women’s Forum Global Meeting and its president Kristin Scott Thomas will bring together more than 2,500 influential business, institutional and political leaders from over 90 countries to debate global social and economic challenges for a more inclusive society.The Paris edition of the Women’s Forum is intended to present all the concrete advances and plans for action resulting from regional meetings and “Daring Circles”, which took place during 2019.
Under the theme “Taking the lead for inclusion: accelerating impact”, the forum’s objective is to determine the accelerators for a more inclusive future.
On the programme: plenary sessions, conferences and networking.
- Scalable Climate Action // #Women4Climate
Climate change affects different groups, such as women, disproportionately and differently. But women are not just climate victims - their actions, perspectives and leadership have the potential to drive progress on tackling climate change. - Equal Access to Health // #Women4Health
Current healthcare treatments, practices, education and awareness are not available to all in an equitable manner around the world. For instance, when women face limited access to healthcare, their families and communities are affected in turn. - AI For Good // #Women4AI
AI has a growing influence on the way we work and live, but it can reflect and reinforce existing biases, errors and inequalities. Conversely, if designed by diverse teams and governed appropriately, AI can help shape a more inclusive world even beyond the developed world and the workplace. - STEM for a shared future // #Women4STEM
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) are transforming the world in many ways. That also means the demand for technological skills will balloon. However, not all groups are represented equally in STEM education, careers and roles. Greater inclusion will strengthen innovation and advancement in STEM. - Economic empowerment // #Women4Biz
Entrepreneurship is a ready path towards economic empowerment: getting a foothold in major corporate or government supply chains can accelerate entrepreneurs along this path, with a multiplier effect for wider communities and economies. How can corporates and governments advance the economic empowerment and inclusion of under-represented groups through deliberate and dedicated procurement strategies and other supply chain policies?
Women's Forum Global Meeting 2019: Discover the programme !
Discover
BNP Paribas, at the Women’s Forum Global Meeting
A committed player in energy transition, women’s entrepreneurship and gender equality, BNP Paribas has supported the Women’s Forum for five years and has been a member of its strategic committee since 2018. The Group is involved in all five "Daring Circles" of the Women’s Forum.
Within the framework of the forum, the Group is in particular co-leader of the "Women & Climate Daring Circle" with L’Oréal. The purpose of this working group is to identify the necessary levers and initiatives to speed up the transition to a green economy and make it work for women’s empowerment. In 2019, at the margins of the G20 in Kyoto, this working group also signed a charter for engagement and women’s contribution to combating climate change.
In addition, BNP Paribas made a commitment to Senegal by signing a partnership with UN Women to developing climate change-resistant agriculture and female entrepreneurship in Northern Senegal. It also provides support to scientific research in Africa, through its Foundation, thanks to the One Planet Fellowship programme.

#Women4Climate: BNP Paribas speeches
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Thursday 21 November
9.15 am to 9.35 am
How have leaders taken a courageous and inclusive stand on thorny societal challenges and how are they empowering others to do the same?With Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, CEO, BNP Paribas and Oulimata Sarr, Deputy Regional Director, UN Women.
Plenary Session11.35 am to 12.20 pm
Buying power: a deep dive on sustainable consumptionWith Laurence Pessez, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, BNP Paribas ; Antonella Centra, Vice President, Gucci, Virginie Helias, Chief Sustainability Officer, P&G and Ann Marchant, CEO The Walker Marchant Group.
Plenary Session2.00 pm to 3.30 pm
Highlighting women climate researchersWith Antoine Sire, Director of Company Engagement and member of the BNP Paribas Executive Committee, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Director of AWARD, Sabrina Speich, Professor of Geosciences at the Ecole Normale Supérieure and Coordinator of the Southern Ocean Climate (SOCLIM) project supported by the BNP Paribas Foundation and Anna Peregon, researcher at the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement.
Discovery Session -
Friday 22 November
10.50 am to 11.40 am
In the long run: how women’s leadership is changing impact and institutional investingWith Sofia Merlo, Co-CEO, BNP PARIBAS Wealth Management ; Elizabeth Corley, Vice Chair, Allianz Global Investors ; Suzanne Biegel, Founder, Catalyst At Large ; Caren Grown, Senior Director, Gender, World Bank.
Plenary Session10.50 am to 11.40 am
From microfinance to entrepreneurship, a tailored journey for women acting for climate protection
With Myriam Beque, Head of Development and Innovation at BNP Paribas Retail Banking ; Alexandre Nayme, Investment Officer - Microfinance & Social Business at BNP Paribas and Julie Davico-Pahin - Ombrea.
Discovery Session - Hub Women4Climate
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