Conference on Beijing +30 Review kicks off with a strong call for collective actions on achieving Gender Equality

By Fredrick Kusu in Bangkok, Thailand

The 3 days Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review has started in Bangkok today with a strong call for collective actions by Asia Pacific countries towards achieving gender equality in all aspects of life.

Opening the conference this morning Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Armida Alisjahbana said the conference provides the opportunity for leaders to discuss the way forward to implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action towards Gender Equality.

Evaluating progress, raise ambitions, foster collaboration and seek innovative solutions to successfully implementing the Beijing declaration is the main focus of the conference in the coming days.

She said women and girls must be positioned to thrive where there is an opportunity for them.

“Women must be at the forefront of the issues that define our common future, climate action and transformation.”

“We must provide women with the right tools, training and resources to lead in these areas to ensure they not only participate in but also drive forward the solutions of tomorrow.

She said the future of gender equality in the Asia and the Pacific and beyond depends on the steps taken at the current conference.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand His Excellency Varawut Silpa-archa said achieving gender equality requires the active participation of all stakeholders.

The conference opened with statements from Asia Pacific countries on the achievements, challenges and the way forward to achieving gender equality.

It brought together more than a thousand delegates from governments, civil society, youth groups, private sector and academia.

ENDS///

This story was produced with the support from the UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office.