On 8–9 October 2025, Club de Madrid held the regional meeting “Transformative Leadership and Inclusive Democracy: Inspiring Experiences and Necessary Consensus towards Equality” at the AECID – Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation Training Centre in Montevideo (Uruguay).
The event brought together former Heads of State and Government, national and local authorities, gender experts, and representatives of international organisations to share experiences and build collective commitments towards gender parity and inclusive democracy in Latin America.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action (Beijing+30), the meeting contributed to the implementation of the Beijing agreements and CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40 in the region. It provided a space for dialogue and reflection on how to strengthen women’s political participation and leadership at all levels of decision-making.
Opening remarks were delivered by Carolina Cosse, Vice President of Uruguay; Javier Salido, Ambassador of Spain to Uruguay; Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile (2006–2010, 2014–2018) and Vice President of Club de Madrid; and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President of Spain (2004–2011) and Member of Club de Madrid.
Over the two days, discussions focused on key issues such as political violence against women, young women’s participation in politics, local representation, and the role of care policies and multilateralism in advancing equality. Among the speakers were Bibiana Aído, Regional Director of UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean, Ana Güezmes (ECLAC), Paola Pabón (Prefect of Pichincha, Ecuador), Antonia Orellana (Minister for Women and Gender Equality, Chile), and Beatriz Argimón (former Vice President of Uruguay), among others.
This regional meeting built on Club de Madrid’s longstanding commitment to promoting inclusive leadership and advancing women’s participation in democratic processes. By bringing together policymakers, former leaders, and experts, the event inspired concrete actions and partnerships aimed at creating stronger, more representative, and equitable democracies in Latin America.
