JICA took part in the session "2X Challenge Full Circle" at the 2X Global Summit 2026 in Montréal, Canada. The 2X Challenge is an international initiative launched in 2018 at the G7 Summit by development finance institutions, including JICA, to increase investment that advances women's economic empowerment.
The session noted that the shared standard, the 2X Criteria, has been established and that about US$34 billion in investment has now been mobilized. Participating development finance institutions also issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to expanding investment in women, spreading the 2X Criteria, paying attention to women's safety and inclusion, and integrating a gender lens into everyday investment decisions.
Emi Hirose, Senior Advisor at JICA's Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction Division, spoke for JICA. She said JICA is developing 11 2X projects worth about US$560 million in total during the 2024–2027 target period, and aims to incorporate a gender perspective into 80% of JICA projects by 2030. She also explained that JICA promotes women's economic empowerment through technical cooperation and capacity building, not only through investment and financing.
Key points
- The 2X Challenge has mobilized about US$34 billion in investment
- JICA is developing 11 2X projects worth about US$560 million for 2024–2027
- Goal: a gender perspective in 80% of JICA projects by 2030
Why this news deserves attention
Women's ability to work, start businesses and access finance is essential to reducing poverty and growing local economies. It is encouraging to see the efforts of public institutions extend to private investors.
The session also shared examples such as support for women entrepreneurs and gender integration in infrastructure, confirming that investing in women brings economic as well as social returns.
Editor's comment
Spreading gender equality not just as an ideal but as concrete standards for investment and projects is a reassuring development for NGOs and citizens' groups, too.
Large institutional investors such as pension funds are expected to be brought in next, so let's keep watching how this grows.