Dear Community,

Please join us during Women’s History Month on March 31 for the “Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout,” a virtual global assembly with women leaders in all of their diversity in preparation for the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Colombia.

Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

1:00 - 5:00 PM EDT New York Time

Interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, French, English

From April 28-29, Colombia and the Netherlands will host the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels —coordinating governments to institutionalize global cooperation for a managed, equitable fossil fuel phaseout. This is a breakthrough opportunity to convene committed countries after the failure to include a transition away from fossil fuels in the final outcome documents of the UNFCCC COP30 at the end of last year. 

Aligned with the 2025 International Court of Justice’s ruling that nations have a legal duty to address fossil fuel production, licensing, and subsidies, the Colombian conference will reinforce the Paris Agreement and mark a critical step toward a just and equitable global transition away from fossil fuels. While the conference is specifically organized by and for governments, civil society and other stakeholders have been invited to have meaningful engagement. WECAN serves on the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative Steering Committee and is honored to participate in organizing events and advocacy in the lead-up to and during the conference.

Decades of research demonstrate that women’s global leadership is necessary to achieve equitable and successful climate policies and solutions. Yet, data reveals that women remain underrepresented at all levels of political decision-making worldwide. At the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, a successful outcome requires the leadership and experiences of women leaders within a climate justice framework.

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In support of this vital gathering, on March 31, 2026, WECAN is hosting global women leaders at a virtual pre-conference assembly to strategize and generate momentum for action on a fossil fuel phaseout and a Just Transition. During the “Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout,” policymakers, frontline leaders, global advocates, and parliamentarians will discuss the challenges to ending the era of fossil fuels as well as successful policies, campaigns, and solutions to ensure a just and equitable path forward. For more details about the Assembly, see the website here.

Please continue below for the Assembly schedule,

partner shoutout, and list of speakers.

Everyone is welcome to the virtual Assembly as we collectively build momentum for the conference in Colombia and call for government action to stop fossil fuels and build a healthy and just future for all generations.

Amplify and Share with your Networks!

We invite you to share the Assembly with your communities and network! In our outreach toolkits, please find downloadable graphics, social media posts, and an email template to support you in sharing the event. 

Toolkits available in: English  –––  Español  –––  Português  –––  Français 

This month, we are sharing two articles from WECAN on why women must be at the decision-making table to ensure a just fossil fuel phaseout. Check out the articles below and be welcome to share with your communities!

Why women’s leadership is central to unlocking the global phaseout of fossil fuels

When Women Forced Global Climate Talks to Face the Truth

The panel times are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Convert to your time zone here

1:00 PM EDT | Welcome & Opening Remarks

Osprey Orielle Lake, Assembly Convenor, Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network, USA

1:15 PM EDT | Women on the Frontlines: Ending Extraction of People and Planet

Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Senior Advisory, Fossil Fuel Treaty, Philippines

Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco, Member, Alianza Colombia libre de Fracking, Colombia

Patience Nabukalu, Climate and Environmental Rights Activist, Fridays for Future Uganda & Fridays for Future MAPA - Stop EACOP, Uganda

Rosa Shiguango (Kichwa), Indigenous Leader from the Ecuadorian Amazon, Ecuador

Tishiko "Tish" King (Masigalgal, Kulkalaig, Kulkalgal Nation), Founder, Just Futures Collab, Island of Masig

Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member and Project Coordinator, Turtle Island/USA

2:15 PM EDT | Intervention

Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, Member, The Elders, and Co-Founder, Project Dandelion, Ireland

2:25 PM EDT | Government Leaders for a Fossil Fuel Phaseout

Cohosted by Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, Parliamentarians For a Fossil-Free Future, and Women's Earth and Climate Action Network

Moderation and Comments by: Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, Canada

Daniela Durán González, Head of International Affairs, Colombian Ministry of Environmental and Sustainable Development, Colombia

Pepetua Latasi, Director of the Department of Climate Change and Disaster, Office of the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Tuvalu

Esther Nicholas Matiko, Member of Parliament of Tanzania, Global Steering Committee member for Africa, Parliamentarians for a Fossil Free Future (ParlFossilFree) Network, Tanzania

Célia Xakriabá (Xakriabá), Federal Deputy in Brazilian Congress in the State of Minas Gerais, and Co-founder, National Association of Indigenous Women Warriors of Ancestry (ANMIGA), Brazil

Cielo Krisel Lagman, Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Philippines, Global Steering Committee member for Asia, Parliamentarians for a Fossil Free Future (ParlFossilFree) Network, Philippines

Olivia Bisa Tirko (Chapra), President, Autonomous Territorial Government of the Chapra Nation (GTANCH), Peru

Nessa Cosgrove, Senator in the 27th Seanad House, Recent Councillor on Sligo County Council, Ireland

3:45 PM EDT | Building a Just Transition

Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network - International (CAN-I), South Africa 

Mela Chiponda, Director, SHINE Collab, Zimbabwe

Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), President, Indigenous Climate Action (ICA), and 2024 Climate Breakthrough Award Winner, Turtle Island/Canada

Rhoda Boateng, Program Coordinator Climate Change, Just Transition & OSH, ITUC-Africa, Togo

Majo Andrade Cerda (Kichwa), Member of the Council of CONFENIAE, Leader of the Economy and Community Development area, Member of the Kichwa peoples of Serena, Federation of Napo Indigenous Organizations (FOIN), Ecuador

Ayshka Najib, Just Transition Lead and Campaign Coordinator, People's Climate Diplomacy Program, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

4:45 PM EDT | Intervention

Alysia Reiner, Artist, Storyteller, Actor, and Fossil Fuel Treaty Champion, Turtle Island/USA

4:50 PM EDT | Closing Remarks

Osprey Orielle Lake, Assembly Convenor, Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network, USA

Thank you to the wonderful partners of the Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout!

Each organization is doing vital work to build a more just and resilient world, and we are grateful for their partnership. Please visit the Assembly webpage to learn more about all 40+ partners of the Women's Momentum Assembly.

The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) seeks a long-term Policy and Communications Manager to join our dynamic team working for climate justice, systemic change, and women’s and feminist leadership in global climate solutions. 

The Policy and Communications Manager will lead the organization’s policy analysis, advocacy strategy, and external communications, with the support of the Executive Director. This role will shape WECAN’s public messaging, support policy engagement at the national and international level, and ensure alignment between policy goals and communications strategy. This role requires a creative and strategic thinker who can manage multiple communications platforms, create compelling content, and analyze complex climate and environmental policies and programs. Additional responsibilities include, partnership engagement, representing the organization and its work publicly, and communications staff management. 

The vision for this role is to have a deeply passionate, detail oriented, and grounded leader join the WECAN team to ensure that all WECAN programs, projects, campaigns, and internal efforts flow with clear, professional, critical, and engaging communications. Read the full description and apply by April 1! More details here.

Please consider supporting WECAN as we continue to uplift the leadership and solutions of women worldwide fighting for climate justice and the defense of the planet for current and future generations.