Saengduean Chailert Addresses Asia Women Leaders Forum 2026
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by
scott
On September 17, 2026, our founder, Saengduean ‘Lek’ Chailert, addressed the Asia Women Leaders Forum (AWLF) at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
The forum brought together hundreds of women leaders and participants from across Asia to exchange ideas and experiences for meaningful, lasting change. It aims to strengthen women’s leadership, foster collaboration across borders and generations, and empower a new generation of women leaders to advance sustainable development and build more inclusive and equitable societies.
Speaking under the theme “A Beautiful Earth for the Next 1,000 Years: Women’s Wisdom and Action for a Sustainable Asia,” Lek delivered a stirring call to action in response to the severe climate crisis threatening global ecosystems.
Pointing to increasingly erratic weather patterns and more frequent natural disasters, Lek reminded the audience that the Earth can no longer endure endless exploitation. “When a home begins to deteriorate, we repair it,” she observed. “If we neglect it long enough, eventually it will collapse. And because this planet is the only home we all share, there is nowhere else for us to go if we destroy it beyond repair.”
Lek emphasized that women hold a unique capacity to shape a more compassionate future. Drawing on generations of wisdom centered on care, nurturing, and sustaining life, she urged delegates to imagine a world where women’s voices are given greater prominence in guiding societal development. Challenging the audience to reflect on the world being passed down to future generations—whether one ravaged by environmental degradation or one rich with natural life—Lek urged women to recognize their individual agency. “Never think that your voice is too small. Never believe that the actions of one person cannot make a difference. Every great transformation begins with someone who decides to no longer stand by and do nothing,” she stated.
“A beautiful Earth for the next 1,000 years begins with what we choose to do today. Because this Earth is not an inheritance meant for our generation alone. It is our home—entrusted to our care before we pass it on to those who come after us.”—Lek Chailert
The Asia Women Leaders Forum provides a valuable platform for women across Asia to share their strengths, inspire one another, and collaborate toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
Following her powerful address, AWLF officially appointed Lek as Chairwoman of the Asia Women Leaders Forum in Thailand—a distinction recognizing her lifelong commitment to compassionate leadership, wildlife protection, and social advocacy.
Save Elephant Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the Asia Women Leaders Forum for honoring Lek with the role of Chairwoman for Thailand. This position will serve as a vital platform for connecting women leaders across Asia, cultivating empathy, and building a unified network dedicated to creating lasting social and environmental progress. Together, we can ensure that future generations inherit a thriving planet where forests remain standing, rivers flow freely, and wildlife lives in safety and dignity.
