The Four Questions

Four panels sat between 11:30 and 15:00 — one to each theme. Each is set out below with the panel that took it, its place in the day, and the record of the room it was argued in.

The four texts are the conference's own published descriptions of its panels, written before the day and reproduced here in the tense they were written in.

Theme 01 11:3012:00

Alliances for the Future

Connecting Generations. Crossing borders. Creating Opportunities. RISE 2026 creates space for dialogue and cross-generational alliances that give young women the networks, confidence and opportunities to lead.

The panel

Michelle Cameron Moderator

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Umida Abdullayeva First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Family and Women of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Sadagat Gahramanova Deputy Head of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dr. Viktorija Trajkov Deputy Minister of European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia

Darja Bavdaž Kuret Ambassador at Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

32 photographs of Panel 1

Theme 02 12:3013:00

Her Voice

Her Voice. Her Strength. Her Impact. RISE 2026 explores how political participation, mentorship and international cooperation can create stronger pathways for women to lead.

The panel

Florence Ferrari Moderator

Randa Mohamed Ghraib Minister of State for Women's Affairs of the State of Libya

Dr. Miriam Ganzfried Couderc Head of Gender Equality at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation

Dr. Anahit Manasyan Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia

Josie Christodoulou Commissioner to the President for Gender Equality of the Republic of Cyprus

Dr. Ramona Mihaila Head of the Secretary of State's Office at the National Agency for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men, Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity of Romania

42 photographs of Panel 2

Theme 03 13:0013:30

Louder than Violence

We are Stronger Together. RISE 2026 brings together institutions, experts and advocates to strengthen prevention, improve protection and build societies in which every woman and girl can live free from violence.

The panel

Anne Lugon-Moulin Moderator

Irena Ignjatović Minister of Family, Youth and Sport of the Republic of Srpska (BiH)

Dr. Matilde Mordt UN Resident Coordinator, Serbia

prof. JUDr. et Mgr. Jana Šimonová Deputy Director of the Public Order Police Division and Head of the Public Order Police Department of the Slovak Republic

Milica Ljubičić Public Prosecutor at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade

Sabine Olthof Country Director, GIZ Serbia

19 photographs of Panel 3

Theme 04 14:3015:00

All Women on Board

When Women Rise, Economies Grow. RISE 2026 puts women’s entrepreneurship, access to capital and leadership at the heart of building stronger, more innovative and resilient economies.

The panel

Violeta Jovanović Moderator

Dr. Una Sikimić President of the Executive Board of ALTA Banka

Jelena Drakulić CEO and General Manager of Ringier Serbia

Dr. Sanja Radojević Škodrić Director of the Republic Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of Serbia

Milica Milićević Operating Partner & Board Adviser, Founder of NexaStrategic and Wings of Legacy

Dr. Jelena Sadler Executive Director, Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce

18 photographs of Panel 4