Finance Minister Paula Cox is in Montreal along with 70 other female leaders for the International Women's Forum (IWF).

The conference will focus on Water, Wealth & Power for the Eco-Century and has attracted up to 1000 attendees.

Ms Cox said: "Montreal, the world's third-largest French-speaking city, has long punched above its weight when it comes to global vision and influence.

"This three to four day meeting provides attendees an inside look at the state of the world's political, economic and religious climates. From the informative plenary sessions to the intimate breakout rooms, the conference brings together the masters of business, invention, creativity, science & technology, and artistic expression for a rare insight at a global level."

She continued: "This week, IWF members will come together, exchange ideas, and share insights with other leaders whose decisions move industries, shape economies, and define government policies.

"The theme this year is Water, Wealth & Power for the Eco-Century. And through a series of discussions and intense dialogue, the focus will be on the basic resource of water, and how as an essential element of the biosphere and the social sphere, it is at the centre of how enterprises, economies, societies and nations will be built in an eco-century that is reshaping wealth and power."

The IWF is a global organisation of preeminent women of significant and diverse achievement.

It is a one-of-a-kind organisation that fosters and furthers dynamic leadership, leverages global access, and maximises opportunities for women to exert their influence, and each year, IWF conducts its World Leadership Conference and Gala.

Members include Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Janet Napolitano, US Secretary of Homeland Security, Madeleine Albright former US Secretary of State, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Home Affairs South Africa and Judy Woodruff an acclaimed journalist.