At the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women which took place from Monday to Tuesday in Beijing, participants from across the world called for renewed commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment.
Co-hosted by China and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the two-day meeting brought together a diverse array of global leaders, including heads of state, ministers, international organization chiefs and parliamentary figures, who were united in their commitment to gender equality.
In its role as the host, China presented a summary of the consensus positions in a chair's statement issued on Monday, calling for the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system.
Many delegates echoed this call.
"In Nicaragua, we have achieved a gender equality in our government positions. We can see women who are heading many institutions," said Camila Ortega Murillo, minister director of the Creative Economy Secretariat of Nicaragua.
The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women was convened to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in the Chinese capital.
As a landmark event for the global advancement of women's cause, the 1995 conference adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which has served as guiding documents for global women development and gender equality.
The two-day meeting urged all parties to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and inject new momentum into the promotion of global gender equality and the all-round development of women.
Sindisiwe Chikunga, minister in the presidency responsible for women, youth, and persons with disabilities of South Africa.
"We're looking at our progress that we have made in the areas of the 12 priorities of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. We think we've made some progress, but definitely we're not where we're supposed to be," said Sindisiwe Chikunga, minister in the presidency responsible for women, youth, and persons with disabilities of South Africa.
Acknowledging that women's all-round development still faces complex challenges and that achieving gender equality still remains a long-term task, delegates engaged in deep exchanges on safeguarding women's rights and interests and strengthening global cooperation on women's development.
The summit has conveyed a message of partnership. From education and health to technology and leadership, delegates agreed that empowering women is key to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
World delegates reaffirm commitment to women's development at Beijing summit
