Darwin to host ACWW World Conference
Darwin has been selected to host the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) 33rd Triennial World Conference in 2032. This major international gathering will bring together the voices of rural women from around the world, ensuring their challenges and proposed solutions are recognised by national and global policymakers and legislators.
Tourism and Events NT’s Business Events unit, in partnership with the Darwin Convention Centre and the Country Women’s Association of the Northern Territory, successfully secured the hosting rights for the 2032 conference. The announcement was made at ACWW’s 31st Triennial World Conference in Ottawa earlier this month. In a further win for the Northern Territory, Darwin has also been confirmed as the host city for the ACWW Pacific Area Conference in 2027, which is expected to welcome approximately 200 delegates.
Australia secured the 2032 event ahead of strong international competition, including New Zealand, Iceland and Kenya. The congress is anticipated to attract more than 500 delegates and generate an estimated $3.5 million in delegate expenditure, supporting the Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy 2032.
The Pacific Area President of ACWW, Mary Pocock, is excited that the global conference is coming to the Territory.
“On behalf of the Pacific Area, we are delighted that Darwin has been selected to host the 2032 ACWW Triennial Conference. This is a proud moment for our region and highlights the strength and leadership of rural women across the Pacific," Ms Pocock said.
“We look forward to welcoming our global community to Darwin for a conference that will foster connection, collaboration and lasting impact."
Founded in 1929, ACWW unites rural women and their organisations worldwide to address issues stemming from geographic isolation, gender discrimination and limited political representation. Today, ACWW’s mission centres on empowering rural women in all their diversity, with membership spanning 82 countries.
A key policy priority for ACWW is its advocacy to UNESCO for equitable access to quality education for women at all levels, the preservation of traditional and inherited knowledge, the protection of Indigenous languages and the promotion of global citizenship.
The Northern Territory Government supports the attraction of international association conferences through the NT Business Events Support Fund, which provides financial assistance to eligible organisations considering the Territory for their events.
In the 2025–26 financial year, Tourism and Events NT’s Business Events unit has influenced the conversion of 51 conferences scheduled through to 2032, generating more than $80 million in estimated delegate expenditure and reinforcing the sector’s growing contribution to the NT Visitor Economy Strategy 2032.
Further information about ACWW is available at acww.org.uk.