Brazil Olympic Committee to Host IWG Secretariat and Global Summit on Women & Sport

BIRMINGHAM, UK / RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport is delighted to announce that the Brazil Olympic Committee (COB) has been selected as the next host of the IWG Secretariat for the quadrennial period 2026-2030, marking a historic move to South America for the first time. 

Following a competitive international bid process, COB was chosen to lead the global network’s strategic operations for the four-year term. This prestigious tenure will culminate in the hosting of the 10th IWG Global Summit on Women & Sport in Rio de Janeiro in July 2030.

Building on the legacy of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and looking ahead to hosting South America’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027, Brazil is uniquely positioned to leverage these major events to amplify the IWG’s mission. 

The COB will lead the IWG’s global operations for the 2026-2030 quadrennial, tasked with driving the organisation's Strategic Plan and managing the IWG Insight Hub. This tenure will also focus on strengthening ties with partners such as UN Women and UNESCO to promote the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, culminating in the delivery of the 10th IWG Global Summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2030.

"Over the past four years, we have built a lasting legacy of strengthened partnerships, shared learning, and global momentum within the IWG that we are proud to pass on to Brazil,”

says Annamarie Phelps, CBE OLY, Chair of the IWG UK Secretariat and Co-Chair of the Global Executive.  

“Their bid was exceptional, demonstrating a profound understanding of the global landscape for women in sport as well as a clear, strategic vision for driving equity across the Americas.

"We are excited by the energy, expertise, and passion the Brazilian team will bring to this role, building on the momentum of the UK Secretariat to accelerate change and ensure that sport is a place where every woman and girl belongs."

The Secretariat will benefit from the high-level leadership of Yane Marques, Olympic Medallist and COB Vice-President, who will serve as Co-Chair. 

"This partnership represents a strategic opportunity for the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) to expand the work carried out through its Women in Sport area”, says Marques. 

“COB’s involvement with the IWG strengthens the exchange of experiences within a global network that is consolidated through forums held every four years. By assuming the IWG Secretariat until 2030, we will coordinate the organisation’s global actions, allowing us to continuously deepen the discussion on gender equity in sport in Brazil and across the Americas."

The IWG is the world’s largest network dedicated to advancing gender equity and equality in sport and physical activity. As the "network of networks," it connects governments, global agencies, and sports organisations to share insights and drive systemic change.

The COB will officially commence its four-year term following the 9th IWG Global Summit in Birmingham, UK, in July 2026.