Global leaders at the Women Deliver 2026 Conference in Narrm (Melbourne) have called for greater accountability from governments and stronger representation of women in global leadership, as discussions turn to the role of states and institutions in delivering gender equality.
The conference, which has drawn more than 6,500 advocates, policymakers and civil society leaders, is focused on commitments under the forthcoming Melbourne Declaration for Gender Equality, with speakers emphasising that progress depends on governments being held to account.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said international organisations continue to play a critical role, but responsibility ultimately rests with member states.
“States need to uphold their responsibilities, but then you have the UN of the many organisations which do good work, you know, UN Women, UN Population Fund, fantastic, UNICEF working for children and for girls, UNDP, so many that are doing their best to uphold norms and standards and build a better world.”
She said accountability must remain central to global commitments.
“So I think the accountability part lies with the Member States, and the Melbourne Declaration goes over and over this, they make commitments, we have to hold them accountable.”
Clark’s remarks come as the conference agenda places strong emphasis on public systems, governance and the role of states in delivering outcomes for women and girls, alongside civil society and grassroots movements.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said leadership gaps continue to affect progress, pointing to the need for greater representation of women at the highest levels.
“A huge drought in leadership, and perhaps if we had more women leading as we had at the time that Right Honourable Helen Clark was, we would make a difference.”
She said the issue goes beyond representation.
“And it’s very real, it’s not about just equal numbers of men and women, it’s about what we come to deliver. Women deliver differently, and they need to be part of that equation.”
Mohammed also addressed criticism of global institutions, saying responsibility lies with member states.
“I look there and I see member states, and member states who have a responsibility to hold peace in the world, and the rule of law and the values and the principles of the Charter are the first to step back from it, but I look at the leadership, I don’t see any women there.”
She expressed support for the appointment of a woman Secretary-General in the future.
“So I hope that we can push for the first woman Secretary General, I know Right Honourable Helen Clark is in the forefront of advocating for that, and maybe we’ll begin to see differences.”
The discussion also turned to progress within the United Nations system, with Mohammed outlining recent changes in leadership representation.
“What we have been able to do, and I said that today, in the last decade we put 219 women in senior positions of leadership, heading agencies, funds and programs, missions in the field, and I think that we need to engage with them more to see how we can support them to do more in the United Nations in giving more to people.”
She pointed to measurable gains in specific areas, including efforts to reduce female genital mutilation.
“And then I would say that on FGM we have made gains. There are many places in the disaggregate where countries have actually made huge gains, 50-60% decline. We need to see what worked, and to bring that into the rest of the body of work, so that we can see the aggregate itself as a global decline and not see the increases that we’re seeing.”
Mohammed said more targeted approaches would be required to sustain progress.
“Better targeted is what you have to go after. Better targeted is what we have to do for the people who are following.”
The remarks from both speakers align with broader themes emerging at the conference, including calls for stronger accountability mechanisms, more effective use of public systems and a renewed focus on leadership.
The Melbourne Declaration, expected to be released at the close of the conference, is set to outline commitments aimed at strengthening state responsibility while supporting civil society and feminist movements in holding governments to account.Global leaders at the Women Deliver 2026 Conference in Narrm (Melbourne) have called for greater accountability from governments and stronger representation of women in global leadership, as discussions turn to the role of states and institutions in delivering gender equality.
The conference, which has drawn more than 6,500 advocates, policymakers and civil society leaders, is focused on commitments under the forthcoming Melbourne Declaration for Gender Equality, with speakers emphasising that progress depends on governments being held to account.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said international organisations continue to play a critical role, but responsibility ultimately rests with member states.
“States need to uphold their responsibilities, but then you have the UN of the many organisations which do good work, you know, UN Women, UN Population Fund, fantastic, UNICEF working for children and for girls, UNDP, so many that are doing their best to uphold norms and standards and build a better world.”
She said accountability must remain central to global commitments.
“So I think the accountability part lies with the Member States, and the Melbourne Declaration goes over and over this, they make commitments, we have to hold them accountable.”
Clark’s remarks come as the conference agenda places strong emphasis on public systems, governance and the role of states in delivering outcomes for women and girls, alongside civil society and grassroots movements.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said leadership gaps continue to affect progress, pointing to the need for greater representation of women at the highest levels.
“A huge drought in leadership, and perhaps if we had more women leading as we had at the time that Right Honourable Helen Clark was, we would make a difference.”
She said the issue goes beyond representation.
“And it’s very real, it’s not about just equal numbers of men and women, it’s about what we come to deliver. Women deliver differently, and they need to be part of that equation.”
Mohammed also addressed criticism of global institutions, saying responsibility lies with member states.
“I look there and I see member states, and member states who have a responsibility to hold peace in the world, and the rule of law and the values and the principles of the Charter are the first to step back from it, but I look at the leadership, I don’t see any women there.”
She expressed support for the appointment of a woman Secretary-General in the future.
“So I hope that we can push for the first woman Secretary General, I know Right Honourable Helen Clark is in the forefront of advocating for that, and maybe we’ll begin to see differences.”
The discussion also turned to progress within the United Nations system, with Mohammed outlining recent changes in leadership representation.
“What we have been able to do, and I said that today, in the last decade we put 219 women in senior positions of leadership, heading agencies, funds and programs, missions in the field, and I think that we need to engage with them more to see how we can support them to do more in the United Nations in giving more to people.”
She pointed to measurable gains in specific areas, including efforts to reduce female genital mutilation.
“And then I would say that on FGM we have made gains. There are many places in the disaggregate where countries have actually made huge gains, 50-60% decline. We need to see what worked, and to bring that into the rest of the body of work, so that we can see the aggregate itself as a global decline and not see the increases that we’re seeing.”
Mohammed said more targeted approaches would be required to sustain progress.
“Better targeted is what you have to go after. Better targeted is what we have to do for the people who are following.”
The remarks from both speakers align with broader themes emerging at the conference, including calls for stronger accountability mechanisms, more effective use of public systems and a renewed focus on leadership.
The Melbourne Declaration, expected to be released at the close of the conference, is set to outline commitments aimed at strengthening state responsibility while supporting civil society and feminist movements in holding governments to account.
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