UN Women Opens Global Office at the UN Campus in Bonn

A New Hub for Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Through Global Collaboration

UN Women Opens Global Office in Bonn

Since November 2025, Bonn—the German City of the United Nations—has hosted a new member of its UN family. In the presence of Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, the third UN Women global office (after New York and Nairobi) was officially opened at the Bonn UN Campus on November 21, 2025. The UN Campus, situated close to the River Rhine, provides an inspiring environment for international collaboration.

Advancing Gender Equality Globally

This global strategy allows for a more flexible agenda to advance women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls. Moreover, as UN Women is the lead UN entity on gender equality, collaboration with other UN agencies in Bonn offers strong potential. These include the Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Volunteers Programme (UNV), the World Health Organization / European Environment and Health Hub (WHO), and the SDG Action Campaign. Such collaboration offers a strong opportunity to accelerate the empowerment agenda for women and girls.

UN Women’s Mission in Action

The press release states: “As the lead UN entity on gender equality, we shift laws, institutions, social behaviours, and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. We keep the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress—always, everywhere.”

Germany’s Support and Bonn’s UN Hub

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has supported UN Women since its founding in 2010. In addition, Germany is the organization’s second-largest donor. Furthermore, Bonn is home to more than 25 UN agencies, alongside federal authorities, ministries, and numerous scientific institutions and internationally active development organizations. Most of these institutions work on global sustainable development themes. Also based in Bonn is the UN Women German National Committee, whose president, Dr. Angela Langencamp, served as the master of ceremonies during the programme.

Welcoming UN Women to Bonn

Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as other state and UN representatives, cordially welcomed UN Women. Following a German tradition, the Mayor of Bonn presented bread and salt to Ms. Sima Bahous. She responded warmly: “We will make Bonn our home.” She also stayed for private photos and short conversations with participants including NGO representatives.

Local Partnerships and Peace Initiatives

Annegret Krueger and Heide Schütz, President and Honorary President of the Women’s Network for Peace and both IAW members, were invited to participate in the inauguration ceremony. They also attended the panel discussion on “Gender Equality in the Digital Age – Ending Digital Violence Against Women”. Later, they spoke with Ms. Sima Bahous and presented her with the English brochure of the project The Peace Trail Bonn. This is a joint project of the Women’s Network for Peace (Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V., IAW Associate) and the Network of the German Peace Movement (Netzwerk Friedenskooperative e.V.), both of whose national offices are located in Bonn.

This photo captures a moment during the inauguration of the UN Women Bonn Global Office. Setting: The image is taken on a stage, in front of a backdrop displaying the event title, logos for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Federal Foreign Office, and the date "Friday, 21 November 2025". A microphone stand is visible on the left. Individuals: Dr. Angela Langenkamp (left), Chairperson of UN Women Germany, is standing with her arm around her colleague. She is wearing a bright orange blazer over a black top, black trousers, a colourful striped scarf, and black ankle boots. Abigail Erikson (right), Head of the UN Women Office in Bonn, is speaking into a microphone. She is wearing a long, dark brown ruffled dress with button details and brown boots. The image provided displays a promotional banner for UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The banner uses the slogan and campaign title "For ALL Women and Girls". The banner features three distinct images of women and girls from various cultural backgrounds and professions, illustrating the organization's global focus on women's rights and empowerment in different areas of life, such as economic empowerment (the woman in the bus/truck), and community engagement. The "For ALL Women and Girls" campaign is a global initiative by UN Women that calls for action to accelerate progress on gender equality, focusing on rights, equality, and empowerment, particularly in areas like freedom from violence, economic security, and equal decision-making power. Reem Alabali Radovan, Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, speaking at the inauguration of the UN Women Bonn Global Office. Annegret Krüger (left), President of the Women's Network for Peace (Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V. - IAW Associate) and individual member of IAW, and Sima Bahous (right), Executive Director of UN Women, pose for a photograph at the inauguration reception. They are standing in front of a large screen displaying the logos of the German Federal Foreign Office, BMZ and UN Women, alongside the slogan 'FOR ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS'. Annegret Krueger (left), President of Women's Network for Peace (Frauennnetzwerk für Frieden e.V.), and Sima Bahous (right), UN Women Executive Director, talking in front of a large screen displaying logos for the German Federal Foreign Office, BMZ, and UN Women, along with the slogan "FOR ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS". Heide Schütz (left), Honorary President of the Women's Network for Peace (Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V. - IAW Associate) and individual member of IAW, and Sima Bahous (right), Executive Director of UN Women, pose for a photograph at the inauguration reception. They are standing in front of a large screen displaying the logos of the German Federal Foreign Office, BMZ and UN Women, alongside the slogan 'FOR ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS'. This is the Conference Room at the UN Campus in Bonn, which has floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the surrounding buildings and greenery. Rows of contemporary, empty chairs have been arranged for the inauguration of the UN Women Global Office Campus Bonn. Recessed and linear overhead lighting provides bright illumination. On the far left, an informational banner displaying the 'UN Women' logo is visible. The image displays an agenda for an event co-hosted by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Federal Foreign Office, and UN Women. The event focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment. 11:00h: Inauguration Segment and Ceremony 11:40h: UN Women Image Film 11:50h: Interactive Panel Dialogue 13:00h: Reception The image shows a modern conference room at the UN Campus in Bonn. The room is set up in a theater style with rows of wooden chairs. A stage is visible at the far end with a presentation screen and podium. The lighting is contemporary, with a mix of recessed and panel lights, and purple accent lighting on the back wall. Large windows along one side offer natural light and a view of the outdoors. The venue has been prepared for the inauguration of the UN Women Global Office. The image captures an event setup at the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany. The venue features a large, bright atrium with a glass roof and a distinctive, large, wooden art installation hanging from the ceiling, titled "Nest" by artist Tadashi Kawamata. Numerous cocktail tables draped in white cloths with lime green overlays are arranged in rows for the auguration of the UN Women Global Office in Bonn. A long table with a white tablecloth is set up in the center of the room. The image features the art installation "The Illuminator" by Wafae Ahalouch el Keriasti, a female artist from Morocco. The installation is located in the former German parliamentary building in Bonn, which now serves the UN Campus. The work is a large, illuminated orange sphere set against a backdrop of black-and-white stripes. The sphere represents the sun. The artist used the contrast of black and white stripes with the orange sphere to symbolize global warming.

COMMENTS

One Response

  1. This opening in Bonn is timely as the United States, home of the UN Headquarters, repudiates UN Women, along with other UN agencies dedicated to the advancement of human rights and the sustainability of life on earth.
    The list of organisations the USA has announced that it no longer wishes to be associated with is long and stunning: https://passblue.com/2026/01/08/the-us-has-yet-to-notify-the-un-about-washingtons-withdrawal-from-entities/
    It is as if they are preparing to violate the agendas of most of these…

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