Leaders' Summit 2020, New York
NGO CSW64 Forum Cancellation Notice
It is with a heavy heart that we have to share this regretful news with you.
Following the recommendation by the UN Secretary-General on the coronavirus sent on Friday, 28 February, and the 64th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) briefing held on 2 March, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York (NGO CSW/NY) Executive Committee has decided to cancel all NGO CSW64 Forum events due to the current threat posed by the coronavirus as per recommendations by the UN Secretary-General, UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO).
NGO CSW64 Forum events include: the Consultation Day, Reception, Conversation Circles Space, Artisan Fair, Rally and all 550 Parallel Events scheduled through our office.
Reimbursements will be given for all events. Please be advised that as it may take up to 4-6 weeks to process everyone’s reimbursement, we ask for your patience in the process. Further instructions will be sent separately to those who have purchased event tickets or venue spaces.
The only refunds we will not be able to honor will be for any ads purchased. Handbooks are in the process of being printed and will be mailed out to those who purchased an ad. Your ad will be available on the NGO CSW/NY website and will be highlighted through our social media channels.
A formal letter by the NGO CSW/NY stating the reason for cancellation is attached to be helpful with hotel and/or airline reimbursements.
We were heartened by the power of women to mobilize at the critical moment! Within 48 hours, we had over 50,000 individuals raising their voices regarding the CSW64. No CSW without NGO CSW and no NGO CSW without women of the world!
Cancellation of BPW International Leaders' Summit 2020
Feb 29, 2020
Cancellation of the BPW International Leaders Summit scheduled in New York 6-7 March due to Corona Virus outbreak
Dear BPW Sisters
As the Corona virus outbreak is now a very big risk to lives and many International meetings have been already cancelled around the world. And as BPW International can not endanger the lives of our BPW members to attend the Leaders summit and have 90 members coming from allover the world meeting in the same room for 2 days. So BPW International executive have voted to cancel the Leaders' Summit in spite of financial implications as BPW International can not risk the safety of the lives of our members over the financial implications .
However the members who choose to attend the CSW, it will be by their own choice and on their own responsibility .
It is really a very unfortunate situation and we wish this outbreak would soon be over for a better safer world.
With all my warm regards for all of you, my dear BPW sisters
Dr Amany Asfour
International President
BPW International 2017-2020
CSW64 Advisory
Many of you may be aware of the advice given by the SG in regard to CSW. And the advisory note on the UN Women CSW website.
The decision about CSW will be made on Monday 2 March.
This is a summary of the information we have to date.
1. SG has requested the CSW Bureau ask member states to reduce CSW or to
postpone it.
2. The Chair of the Bureau has written to member states sharing the request of the SG.
3. An existing CSW prep meeting will be used to make the final decision (on Monday).
4. States Parties have been requested not to send any delegations from capital.
5. CSW will continue in its formal UN process with only USA based diplomats involved.
6. There will be no side events in the UN
7. Governments are making their own decisions as to advice to civil society. Some countries have shared the letter from the Chair of CSW to
Ambassadors, with their delegations including civil society representatives. It seems that all countries are awaiting the decision on Monday before making definitive suggestions.
8. The information is on twitter, Bloomberg and Reuters (and no doubt other news networks)
9. There will be no formal communication from UN agencies including UN Women until after the meeting in the UN on Monday-
10. It is unlikely that States Parties they will go against the SG advice – but that might happen.
11. The SG has stated that the UN schedule is full. It is as yet unclear when CSW might take place if postponed.
The core group wrote directly to WHO and UN Women and has asked States Parties for information, in order to be able to advise you.
We have not received any formal response.
We feel that we must share with you the information we have to date – as above.
Please be aware that the formal confirmation will not be made either way until Monday.
As soon as there is any other information, it will be shared.
It is therefore probably wise not to take any action until the decision from Monday is communicated to us."
The NGO CSW Geneva Secretariat will relay any new information shared,
Dr. Catherine Bosshart-Pfluger
BPW International Vicepresident UN
UN Women
Feb 29, 2020
In light of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the UN Secretary-General has suggested to the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) that Member States consider amending the format and conduct of the session. Options could include holding a scaled-down, shortened session with the participation of New York-based delegations only, or postponing the session to a later date.
Member States will meet on Monday 2 March to discuss the matter and take a final decision. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
