WECAN AT NYC CLIMATE WEEK 2026

Join WECAN at New York Climate Week this September as the escalating impacts of extreme heat, wildfires, flooding, and biodiversity loss underscore the urgent need for systemic change and transformative climate action. This political moment calls for strong leadership rooted in justice, care, equity, and solidarity. During this NY Climate Week, WECAN is convening global women leaders who are advancing bold, innovative, and community-led solutions to the climate crisis.

This Climate Week takes place amid an especially challenging political landscape. Around the world, governments and companies continue to expand fossil fuel extraction and to advance the large-scale build-out of data centers, which we, along with many citizens oppose because of the negative pressures they place on already scarce water and energy resources, in addition to social harms they cause to our communities. At the same time, the root causes of record-breaking heatwaves, devastating wildfires, and flash flooding are being overlooked despite the science linking them to the climate crisis.

We gather during this New York Climate Week, alongside governments, Indigenous leaders, civil society, and frontline communities to strengthen partnerships, amplify solutions, and build momentum toward a just and regenerative future. WECAN remains committed to uplifting the leadership of women in all their diversity, Indigenous Peoples, and frontline communities. Through our events, roundtables, and partner meetings, we will convene women around the globe who are leading climate solutions. We will also be advocating for the Rights of Nature, a Just Transition, the phaseout of fossil fuels, and community-led climate solutions that build a more equitable, resilient, and regenerative future.

WECAN will be in New York City during Climate Week 2026 from September 20-26, organizing alongside movement partners at public events and strategy sessions with policymakers. Please be welcome to join us!

We will continue to update this page soon with our confirmed speakers as well as highlights of our events in collaboration with our partners and colleagues.

WECAN CLIMATE WEEK EVENTS

Women Building a Resilient World: Implementing a Just Transition and Fossil Fuel Phaseout

Wednesday, September 23

5:00 - 8:00 pm ET NYC Time

307 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018

Luma Studios, Studio 1505

Amid a growing polycrisis of geopolitical tensions and climate disasters, women leaders in all their diversity are speaking out. As the international community prepares for COP31, where the focus must shift from climate commitments to implementation, WECAN invites you to join us during New York Climate Week for an inspiring and solutions-oriented WECAN event, "Women Building a Resilient World: Implementing a Just Transition and Fossil Fuel Phaseout."

During this event, frontline women in all of their diversity, Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and climate justice advocates will come together to explore the bold actions and solutions needed to accelerate a Just Transition and an equitable phaseout of fossil fuels. Through gender-responsive climate policy dialogue, frontline experiences, and community-led solutions, speakers will examine how to translate climate commitments into meaningful implementation while raising ambition to meet the urgency of the climate crisis on the path to COP31 and beyond.

Discussions will highlight women's leadership in advancing renewable energy, phasing out fossil fuels, protecting and regenerating ecosystems, advocating for Rights of Nature, resourcing Indigenous-led stewardship models, dismantling false solutions, strengthening care economies, and building equitable, regenerative solutions that leave no one behind. We will also delve into what is ahead for feminist climate advocacy and goals at COP31.

Event Schedule:

Fireside chat with Ambassador Ilana Seid, Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Permanent Representative of Palau to the United Nations, Republic of Palau, and Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Turtle Island/USA

PANEL 1

Jacqueline Patterson, Founder and Executive Director, The Chisholm Legacy Project, Turtle Island/USA
Bridget Burns, Director of Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), Turtle Island/USA
Patricia Gualinga (Kichwa), Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, WECAN Coordinator in Ecuador, Spokeswoman for Mujeres Amazonicas, Ecuador
Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), President of Indigenous Climate Action (ICA), Founder of The Woven Project, Turtle Island/Canada
With moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Turtle Island/USA

PANEL 2

Sharon Lewis, Executive Director, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ), Turtle Island/USA
Larissa Baldwin-Roberts (Widjabul Wiabal/Bundjalung), Co-Chair of the Indigenous People Caucus for COP31 & COP32, Co-founder and CEO of Common Threads Indigenous Peoples Organization, Australia
Sandra Chindoy (Kamëntšá), Colombian Senate Member, Indigenous Leader, and Journalist of the Kamëntšá, Colombia
Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, Canada
Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member and Project Coordinator, Turtle Island/United States
With moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Turtle Island/USA

Women’s Leadership: Cultivating Health and Harmony for People and Planet

Hosted by WECAN, If Not Us Then Who?, and Health in Harmony

Tuesday, September 22

3:00 - 4:00 pm ET NYC Time

Home Studios Inc., Studio 1
873 Broadway 301 401, 410, New York, NY 10003

Join us for a powerful and inspiring afternoon exploring what it means to be healthy—individually, collectively, and as a living planet. Frontline and Indigenous women leaders and global advocates will share diverse frameworks, approaches, and solutions rooted in reciprocity, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and the recognition that human well-being is inseparable from the well-being of the Earth and all living beings. Together, we will broaden our understanding of health beyond the individual to consider the deep interconnectedness of human, community, spirit, and planetary well-being. The conversation will center the leadership and wisdom of women defending, protecting, and healing their communities, lands, and sacred ecosystems. Together, we will create space for reflection, connection, and transformative action. Please join us for this special opportunity to deepen our commitment to collective action and to honor the relationships that protect and defend planetary health.

Speakers include:

Lucia Ixchíu (Maya K’iche’) – Journalist, Indigenous storyteller, and Impact Producer, If Not Us Then Who?, Guatemala
Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation) – Environmental Ambassador for Ponca and WECAN Board Member & Project Coordinator, Turtle Island/USA
Luana Kaingang (Kaingang), Indigenous leader, and General Coordinator of the Articulação dos Povos Indígenas da Região Sul (ARPINSUL), Brazil
Osprey Orielle Lake – Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Turtle Island/USA

GARN Indigenous Council Global Meeting & Celebration of Inter-Tribal Rights of Rivers Alliance

Hosted by Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN), GARN Indigenous Council, Movement Rights, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Pa’thata

Monday, September 21, 2026

12:00–2:00 p.m. ET

Luma Studios - Studio 1418

307 W 38th St. New York, NY 10018, USA

Indigenous leaders from around the world will discuss the intersection of Indigenous rights, the Rights of Nature, and climate justice. The meeting will explore shared policy priorities and strategies for advancing Indigenous-led solutions and the Rights of Nature framework in the lead-up to COP31 and other key international processes.

Led by Indigenous Council Chairwoman Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation, Turtle Island) and coordinated by Indigenous Rights of Nature Organizers Julia Horinek (Ponca Nation, Turtle Island) and Leonardo Cerda (Kichwa Nation, Global South), the Council fosters knowledge-sharing, convenes quarterly meetings, and supports Indigenous representation in key international forums. Their leadership strengthens collaboration among Indigenous communities while advancing global advocacy for the Rights of Nature.

Speakers:

Casey Camp-Horinek, Movement Rights Board President and Indigenous Council Chairwoman
Julia Horinek, Movement Rights Indigenous Program Director and GARN Indigenous Council Global North Organizer
Leo Cerda, GARN Indigenous Council Global South Organizer
Quetza Ramirez, Council Member

Rights of Nature Roundtable with Island Nations

Hosted by WECAN and Ocean Vision Legal

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Vanuatu, WECAN and Ocean Vision Legal

Friday, September 25, 2026

This invitation-only roundtable will convene government representatives from island nations, legal experts, and civil society organizations to explore how the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Nature can strengthen international governance of climate, oceans, and biodiversity. Government leaders will learn about an initiative for a Universal Declaration on the Rights of Nature and explore successful case studies from around the globe that have implemented Rights of Nature frameworks to protect ecosystems.

Indigenous Peoples' Leadership within the Fossil Fuel Treaty

Hosted by Ponca Nation, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, and WECAN

Thursday, September 24, 2026

This invitation-only gathering will convene Indigenous leaders, government representatives, and advocates to discuss the critical role of Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and leadership in advancing the Fossil Fuel Treaty. As governments prepare for COP31 and the Second Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in 2027, participants will explore opportunities to strengthen Indigenous-led rights-based approaches to fossil fuel phaseout, climate justice, and a Just Transition.

PARTNER EVENTS

WECAN is honored to collaborate with a diverse network of partners during New York Climate Week who are advancing bold, justice-centered solutions to the climate crisis. We encourage you to explore the events below and join our allies in conversations and convenings that uplift Indigenous leadership, women's leadership, climate justice, biodiversity protection, a Just Transition, and community-led solutions.

Investing With Purpose: Uncovering Deforestation Risk in Your Portfolio

Monday, September 21, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM EDT

Ethic, 99 Hudson St., 17th floor

This panel will connect the dots between major financial institutions, the projects that they finance, and the effects those investments can have on local communities and ecosystems.

The event will be followed by a Q&A and networking happy hour.

Featured Speakers:

Patricia Gualinga, Kichwa Amazonian Indigenous Woman Leader from the Sarayaku, Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Amazon Watch Board Member.
Leila Salazar-López, Executive Director, Amazon Watch
Ginger Cassady, Executive Director, Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
Kellen Parker, Head of Sustainability, Ethic

Hosted by Amazon Watch, Ethic, and Rainforest Action Network (RAN)

Dandelions in the Field

Tuesday, September 22, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT

Sahola Flowers, 106 E 31st St, NY

We know some of the best conversations at New York Climate Week happen between sessions and over impromptu coffee meetings. This year, Project Dandelion’s Annual NYCW Community Event, Dandelions in the Field, is designed to be that “in between”. Join us for an open afternoon of community, intelligence sharing, and brainstorming what’s next. The Project Dandelion team will be there all afternoon, so stop by whenever your schedule allows.

Hosted by Project Dandelion

A Call to Action for the Amazon:
BELO SUN OUT with Amazon Watch and Instituto Juma

Tuesday, September 22, 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT

Reciprocity House at Home Studios Inc., Studio 1
873 Broadway

Join Juma Xipaia, Indigenous Woman Defender from the Xingu River Basin in the Brazilian Amazon, key protagonist of the award-winning film Yanuni ,and founder of Instituto Juma and join her call to action to Stop Belo Sun, the Canadian mining company proposing to build the world’s largest gold mine on the Xingu.

Hosted by Amazon Watch

Join WECAN at New York Climate Week, September 20 - 26