Dear friends,
We acknowledge the rapidly evolving global situation, particularly in the Middle East, and the impact this is having on travel, safety, and stability across multiple countries.
We recognise that this is creating uncertainty and concern for many of our Member Organisations (MOs) and for our Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting community worldwide. While words cannot fully reflect the complexity of what many are experiencing, please know that you are in our thoughts and that we are navigating upcoming global decisions with care, solidarity, and responsibility.
Over the past weeks, the World Board and staff, in partnership with the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia, have been actively reviewing contingency plans and carefully considered all possible scenarios for World Conference, guided by our commitment to inclusivity, safety, and the unity of our Movement.
We extended decision timelines as much as possible to monitor the evolving context. Due to the World Conference venue’s requirement to confirm arrangements and the inability to extend the deposit deadline, it became necessary to take a decision at this stage.
World Board Decision on the 39th World Conference 2026
Following careful consideration, the World Board has decided to proceed with the World Conference as an in-person event in Cambodia, with the additional provision of online participation for MOs that are unable to attend physically due to exceptional circumstances.
We recognise that there is no perfect solution, and that each option considered carried its own set of challenges and opportunities. While we cannot control the broader global context, we remain hopeful that the situation will stabilise in the coming months. We believe it is important to create opportunities for connection and to enable each MO to make its own informed decision on how to participate.
The strong level of preliminary registrations—exceeding 500 participants—reflects the Movement’s commitment and a collective willingness to look ahead with hope. This encouraged the Board to maintain the face-to-face dimension of this important moment, while ensuring that participation remains accessible to all.
At the same time, we fully recognise that not all MOs may be able to travel. To ensure inclusivity, all governance sessions will be accessible online, enabling full participation in the decision-making processes of the Conference.
We are navigating a highly volatile global context, and while we sincerely hope that the situation will stabilise in the coming months, we must also recognise that circumstances may change. Should the situation significantly deteriorate or participation drastically reduce, we may shift the Conference fully online.
We strongly encourage all participants to make informed decisions based on their local situation and to take appropriate precautions, including arranging travel insurances and considering booking refundable travel, where possible.
Next Steps & Registration
On Tuesday 31 March, an email will be sent directly to all registered participants. If your organisation is facing exceptional circumstances and requires online participation, please use the link in that email to modify your existing registration. The deadline will be 8 April 11:59pm UTC so that we can ensure the necessary arrangements are in place.
If your MO has not yet registered, a member of the Global Team will email you on Tuesday 31 March, to provide a registration link and your ticket options.
Because we must commit funds to the venue in mid-April, registration would only be partially refundable in the event that WAGGGS is required to move the Conference fully online at a later date. Please find the link to the latest Refund and Cancellation Policy here.
We are deeply aware that this is not an easy moment for our Movement. This decision has been taken with care, responsibility, and the intention of holding space for both connection and inclusion. As always, we move forward together—with solidarity, flexibility, and a shared commitment to one another.
We sincerely hope that many of us will be able to meet in person in Cambodia. Our thoughts remain with all our Members, with your safety and wellbeing at the forefront of our minds.
Yours in Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting,
Candela Gonzalez Nadine El Achy
Chair of the World Board Chief Executive