With the support of CMA Media, the Global Leadership by Women Summit, held under the high patronage of the European Commission, offers Chiara Corazza an opportunity to reflect on what a women-driven vision of global governance can bring. An interview conducted for The Women’s Voices, media partner of the event.
How did you come up with the idea of “leadership by women” rather than “for women”?
The world is facing unprecedented challenges and can no longer be governed by a small group of men, often driven by personal interests, ego, and power. It’s clear that the multilateral system born from the Bretton Woods agreements no longer works. I am convinced that global governance must be rethought, and that this new architecture must include all talents — women, naturally, among them. This is why we have set high ambitions for a renewed form of leadership.
We do not want leadership designed only for women, but leadership imagined and embodied by women, for the benefit of all humanity. Women are ready to lead and transform: they have the ambition (48% aspire to executive roles compared with 44% of men), the education (45% hold higher degrees, compared with 40% of men), and the vision. The goal is to take a step further and demonstrate that their contribution complements and strengthens that of men in building balanced and sustainable governance.
What major issues do you want to highlight during this first edition of the Global Leadership by Women Summit, and how did they shape the program?
I wanted to design the program around the most urgent challenges: responsible finance and investment, the energy transition, climate and biodiversity, inclusive artificial intelligence, sustainable trade and transport, balanced governance, value-driven influence, and feminist diplomacy for peace, security, and crisis prevention.
All these themes stem from a conviction: we must turn ideas into action and ensure women have a central place in strategic decisions and negotiation arenas. In every session, we will identify not only the challenges but also concrete solutions and levers for action in both public and private governance, including within the G7, the G20, and beyond.
Why choose Marseille for this first summit?
Marseille is a city that connects worlds. At a time of isolationism and protectionism, it embodies openness, dialogue, and exchange. For centuries, it has been a port where civilizations met, where languages were spoken and understood.
Located at the heart of the Mediterranean — the cradle of our civilization — Marseille links Europe and Africa, cultures and peoples, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Hosting the first Global Leadership by Women Summit here means choosing a city that fully reflects our ambition: connecting worlds to build a fairer and more visionary global leadership.
With more than 500 participants, 70 speakers, and a strong editorial vision, what concrete results do you hope will emerge from this day?
This summit is designed as a place for action and achievement. It is an opportunity to reaffirm that women’s leadership has a measurable economic impact: up to 28 trillion dollars added to the global GDP, according to the World Bank.
Each plenary session brings together high-level speakers from the public and private sectors, civil society, and the media. I know I can count on their inspiring contributions. These committed leaders generously share their challenges and successes, to encourage emerging leaders and show them that everything is possible — and that it is more necessary than ever to engage and influence strategic decisions for the good of all.
The summit includes a dedicated moment for launching a global movement for a Global Leadership by Women. What do you envision?
Marseille will be the starting point of a long-term international dynamic. We are launching a collective movement: “The world is changing. So must leadership.”
The movement for a Global Leadership by Women aims to be universal, beyond borders and cultures. It affirms that the future must be shaped by everyone — women and men, together, each playing their full part in transitions, innovation, governance, and peace.
International platforms — Women Economic Forum, G100 Mission, 100 Women @Davos, Women In Tech® Global, Cercle des Subversives, Arab International Women’s Forum — are involved to ensure worldwide reach. This is a mobilisation carried by determined leaders across five continents, paving the way for fair, balanced, visionary, human-centred governance.
The event will take place in Marseille on 26 and 27 November 2025.