Bari, Italy – The first-ever ACES Women & Allies Global Summit 2026 successfully took place at the Polytechnic University of Bari, bringing together institutional leaders, sports organizations, universities, experts and stakeholders from across the world to discuss the future of women’s participation, leadership and empowerment in sport. The event was promoted by ACES, the Region of Puglia and the BOLD Global Alliance for Women, Girls & Sport.

As European Region of Sport 2026, Puglia once again demonstrated its commitment to using sport as a powerful tool for social transformation, inclusion and equal opportunities. The Summit gathered representatives from major international institutions and organizations, including the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), the European Olympic Committees, UNESCO and UN Tourism.

Throughout the event, participants explored key topics shaping the future of sport, including women’s leadership, health and wellbeing, safety in sport, gender equality, social inclusion and economic empowerment. The discussions highlighted the need for concrete actions and stronger international cooperation to ensure that women and girls have equal opportunities to participate, lead and thrive within the sporting ecosystem.

One of the most significant outcomes of the Summit was the advancement of the “Puglia Commitment”, a strategic document designed to provide practical recommendations and policy guidelines for sports organizations, institutions and local authorities worldwide. The commitment aims to become a global reference framework for promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls through sport.

The Summit also represented a historic milestone for ACES, coinciding with the organization’s 25th anniversary and marking the first global edition entirely dedicated to the Women & Allies network. Speakers and delegates from more than ten countries contributed their experiences and expertise, reinforcing the international dimension of the initiative and creating new opportunities for collaboration across continents.

The success of the event confirms ACES’ commitment to building a more inclusive sporting environment and strengthening the role of sport as a catalyst for social progress. Following the achievements of Bari, attention now turns to the next stages of this growing international movement, which will continue to promote women’s leadership and empowerment through sport across the ACES network and beyond.

The ACES Women & Allies Global Summit 2026 has established Puglia as a global meeting point for dialogue, innovation and action, demonstrating that sport can play a fundamental role in building a fairer, safer and more inclusive society for future generations.