New York : The International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit was held in New York from September 20-23 to take bold action on climate change and craft a Women’s Climate Action Agenda.  The summit brought together 100 woman delegates from all the world–grassroots activists, business leaders, former heads of state, scientists, government officials, indigenous leaders, teachers and community organizers and culture shapers.

Among the participants were  Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary to the UNFCCC; Marina Silva, former Brazilian Minister of Environment; Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland; Dr. Jane Goodall, Dame of the British Empire, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and United Nations Messenger of Peace; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams; Dr. Sylvia Earle, marine biologist; May Boeve, 350.org Executive Director; Dr. Vandana Shiva and leaders from Global Gender Climate Alliance, Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), 1 Million Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and other grassroots organizations.

Pasang Dolma Sherpa, National Coordinator at NEFIN Climate Change Program, was also among the women taking part in the event. The 100 women were selected by coordinating organization The International Women’s Earth and Climate Initiative .

Summit delegates gathered on the eve of Climate Week and the United Nations General Assembly session, and as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) prepared to release its much anticipated Assessment Report.  The Women’s Climate Action Agenda  was to build momentum for substantive action on, increased funding for and the meaningful policy changes necessary to address the global climate crisis. Summit delegates will host a press teleconference on September 24^th following the Summit to detail the outcome of the proceedings and discuss the Women’s Climate Action Agenda.