CUNY CREST & R-SIRUS Join the Women’s Empowerment Roundtable at the United Nations

The City University of New York Remote Sensing Earth System Institute (CUNY CREST) and the United Nations University Hub at The City College of New York-Remote Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems (UNU-Hub at CCNY R-SIRUS) participated in the G77 and Emerging Partners Ministerial Roundtable: Pathways for Accelerating Sustainable Financing for Gender Equality for All Women and Girls, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York as part of International Women’s Day 2026 and the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).

The high-level roundtable convened Ministers, financial leaders, Ambassadors, and development partners to explore actionable strategies for advancing sustainable financing mechanisms that support gender equality. Discussions centered on mobilizing public and private capital, strengthening gender-responsive financial systems, and increasing investments in key areas such as care infrastructure, digital inclusion, and women’s economic empowerment.

Representing CUNY CREST and R-SIRUS were Dr. Shakila Merchant (Deputy Director, CUNY CREST), Dr. Karin Sjöstrand (Deputy Executive Director of Operations, R-SIRUS), Dr. Vartika Chandra Saman (Research Scientist, CUNY CREST), and Ms. Srishti Tyagi (Communication Manager, CUNY CREST). Their participation reflects the institutions’ continued commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, and global partnerships that address pressing sustainability and equity challenges.

As the 2030 deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches, participants underscored the urgency of closing persistent financing gaps and accelerating investments that enable inclusive and resilient economic growth. The roundtable highlighted the importance of coordinated national actions and cross-sector partnerships in ensuring that gender equality remains central to sustainable development efforts.

Engagement in global forums such as CSW70 reinforces CUNY CREST and the UNU-Hub at CCNY R-SIRUS’s dedication to fostering partnerships and advancing solutions that drive inclusive, resilient, and equitable futures.