The Gender Budget Watchdog Network (GBWN) actively contributed to key regional dialogues in Geneva from 20–22 April 2026, engaging in both the Civil Society Forum and the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2026. These events brought together governments, civil society, and international organisations to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda in the UNECE region.
Strengthening Civil Society Voices at the CSO Forum (20 April)
At the Civil Society Forum, hosted by the Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism, GBWN joined CSOs representatives from ECE region addressing challenges such as shrinking civic space, geopolitical tensions, and challenges to multilateralism. The Forum created a critical platform for shaping joint civil society advocacy ahead of the Regional Forum.
Discussions focused on the SDGs under review: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cites and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). GBWN representatives, Ivana Petriskova (CRPM) and Alexandru Gribincea (Keystone Moldova) particularly contributed to the discussions on the SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities highlighting the importance of inclusive, equitable, and gender-responsive public policies. They have emphasized the importance of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), underscoring how public budgets can be leveraged to ensure that climate, transport, and urban policies address the differentiated needs of women and men. Overall, during the CSOs forum, the civil society actors emphasized the need for rights-based approaches, stronger participation in decision-making, and more transparent public finance systems.
Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (21–22 April)
During the Regional Forum, GBWN engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for gender-responsive approaches to sustainable development. The Forum provided a key accountability space for countries reporting on SDG progress and preparing Voluntary National Reviews. GBWN’s participation focused on bridging gender equality, climate action, and public finance, which are the areas that remain insufficiently integrated in policy frameworks across the region.
Side Event: Care, Climate and Mobility
A key highlight of GBWN’s engagement was the side event: “Care, Climate and Mobility: Why Gender-Responsive Transport is Essential for Just Climate Action.”
This discussion brought together representatives from governments, civil society, and international organisations to explore how transport systems can better reflect the realities of care work and contribute to fair climate transitions.
Agenda of the side event
Moderator: Ivana Petrisková, Gender Budget Watchdog Network, Program Coordinator
Opening remarks (8:30-9:00am):
– Kire Ilioski, Director Directorate for multilateral issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of N. Macedonia
– Ștefania Deák, Head of Service, Sustainable Development Coordination and Implementation Service, Government of Romania – Department for Sustainable Development
– Elisa Fernandez, UN Women Deputy Regional Director
Civil society perspective (9:00-9:30am):
– Alexandru Gribincea, Keystone Moldova, GBWN Project Coordinator
– Sylvia Beales, Regional Civil Society Coordination Mechanism of the ECE (ECERCEM) Governing Body Member, Gray Panthers
– Dragana Dardić, Helsinki Citizens Parliament (online)
The conversation emphasized that:
- Transport systems are not gender-neutral and must reflect diverse mobility patterns;
- Unpaid care work significantly shapes how women access and use transport;
- Climate policies in mobility risk deepening inequalities if gender, age and disability aspects are not integrated;
- Gender-responsive budgeting offers practical tools to align investments with people’s real needs.
The event reinforced the urgency of designing transport systems that are accessible, affordable, safe, and climate-resilient ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to greener economies.
GBWN’s participation in these regional processes highlights the growing role of civil society in shaping inclusive and accountable sustainable development policies. As countries move toward the High-Level Political Forum 2026, GBWN will continue to advocate for gender-responsive budgeting as a key mechanism to deliver just climate action and equitable public services.
More photos from the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2026: https://www.flickr.com/photos/98046700@N04/albums/72177720333207657/
