1st meeting, UN Women Executive Board, Annual Session 2025

Good morning, Excellencies and distinguished delegates. It's my pleasure to declare open the Annual Session 2025 of the UN Women Executive Board. Please allow me to acknowledge and welcome among us Madame Sima Bahus, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. I also welcome to the podium the following colleagues. Kirsi Mähti, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships. Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, Human System Coordination and Programme Results. Director, Policy Programme and Intergovernmental Division. Director, Strategy Planning, Resources and Effectiveness Division. And Jean-Luc Bourris, Secretary of the Executive Board. The Executive Board will start with agenda item 1 on organizational matters for the adoption of the annotated provisional agenda and work plan for this session and the report of the first regular session of 2025. For the adoption of the annotated provisional agenda and work plan for the current session, I now invite the Secretary of the Board, Mr. Jean-Luc Bourris, to outline the agenda for the session. Mr. Secretary, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Very good to see you this morning. Dear Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I wish you a very good morning. Following the adoption of the provisional agenda and work plan for this session, as well as the adoption of the report of the First Regular Session 2025, The session will continue with official statements by you, Madam President, followed by the Executive Director of UN Women. The Executive Director, in her statement, will also make a presentation on item 2 on her annual report to the Executive Board on the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Then the floor will be open this morning for member states' intervention managed by a speaker list. I hope you have received already the draft of this speakers list. We remind all delegations that you will have 3 minutes for individual delegation statements and 5 minutes for speakers group— speakers on behalf of a group. At 1:00 PM, the Executive Board will adjourn the morning session. Hopefully, we have finished the speakers list, although we have a lot of speakers on the speakers list this morning. We have about 37, but we hope we'll be able to exhaust it in the morning. And then we will— if we don't, we will resume at 3 PM in this room to continue the list. But if we do manage to finish the list, then we'll have negotiations going on in the afternoon from 1:30 at the UN Women Headquarters. Please register online if you haven't already to be able to enter the UN Women building. The plenary meeting will resume tomorrow on Wednesday, the 18th of June at 10:00 AM with agenda item 3 on evaluation. With the Board, we receive briefing on the annual report on the evaluation function for 2024, the report on the corporate thematic evaluation of UN Women's support to women's participation in peace processes, and the related management responses and perspective. Then the Board will turn to agenda item 4 on audit and investigation matters, and will consider, one, the report on the internal audit and investigation activities for 2024, the report of the Advisory Committee on Oversight, and the management responses. The Executive Board will then turn to consider— to consider, sorry, agenda item 5 on ethics, with the report on the activities of the UN Women Ethics Function, and its management response. At 1 PM tomorrow, the Executive Board will adjourn the morning session and reserve the following couple of hours for informal negotiation on the draft decisions. In the afternoon, the Board will reconvene for item 6 on the GIU review of governance and oversight of the Executive Boards of UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF, and UN Women, and receive an update from the Working Group on the progress made on the implementation of the GIU recommendations. The Board will then be seized with Agenda Item 7 on the Draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029, followed by Agenda Item 8 on the Draft Integrated Budget 2026-2027. The Executive Board will then consider also Agenda Item 9 on addressing racism and racial discrimination. The Executive Board will then turn to informal consultation on the draft decision as needed. To come to the last day, which is Thursday the 19th of June at 10 AM, the Executive Board will reconvene with Agenda Item 10, on policy and program matters to receive several briefings under this agenda item. One will be the briefing on UN Women's response— operational response in Europe and Central Asia, as well as an update on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 72/279 on the repositioning of the United Nations Development System And finally, an update on UN Women's policy and procedures to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. Then the Board will consider back Agenda Item 11, Other Matters, to take decision and action on draft decisions. We will return to Agenda Item 1 on Organizational Matters, whereby the provisional agenda agenda and work plan of the 2nd Regular Session 2025 will be discussed with the Board for their approval. The Annual Session will conclude with statements by the Executive Director of UN Women and the President of the Executive Board. Before concluding, Madam President, allow me to inform the Executive Board that we will be tweeting or Xing on the Executive Board activities So that everyone can follow up in real time on its proceedings, please follow us at @UNWomenBoard as shown on the screen at the moment. I thank you very much. I would like also to say that our Executive Director will not be part of tomorrow's session because she has another meeting with the UN SDG Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. May I take it that the Executive Board now wishes to adopt the annotated provisional agenda and work plan for the Annual Session 2025? I see no objections. It's so decided. Thank you. The agenda and work plan, hence adopted, will guide us for the rest of this session. Let us now turn to the adoption We now move to the adoption of the report of the First Regular Session 2025. May I take it that the Executive Board wishes to adopt the report of the previous session? I see no objection. It is so decided. Then it is now my pleasure to turn to the official opening of the session. Madam Executive Director, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Dear colleagues, it is my honor to welcome you to the Annual Session 2025. I greatly look forward to several rewarding days of discussion and consultation. Please note that the Annual Session adheres to the Code of Conduct to Prevent Harassment, including sexual harassment, at UN system events. This document is of integral importance to ensure the safety of all personnel and participants during our events, including the Executive Board. You can access the Code of Conduct online. Before turning to the agenda of the Annual Session, I would like to begin by introducing a short video highlighting the recent field visit of the Executive Board to Zimbabwe. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the government and people of Zimbabwe for the hospitality and for facilitating meaningful engagements including with high-level dignitaries. Our deepest appreciation also goes to the UN Women Country Office in Zimbabwe, the Regional Office for Eastern Southern Africa, and the Executive Board Secretariat in New York for their thorough preparations and support in ensuring a successful visit. So please go ahead and show the video. Thank you, Sorry about this. I'm sure the video will turn up shortly.

Yeah. The UN Women Executive Board arrives on a mission not to observe from afar, but to listen closely, engage directly, and walk alongside the women shaping the country's future. The week began with insights from the Government of Zimbabwe in meetings with the President, Speaker of Parliament, and Ministers of Women's Affairs and Foreign Affairs and partners in the UN system. Strategic priorities were laid out, but more importantly, so was the spirit of collaboration. Civil society leaders, many of them strong women's rights defenders, gathered to engage with the Board, share victories and vulnerabilities, from policy advocacy on gender equality

This was an important entry into the country, the sharing, especially their understanding of our context and situation in relation to gender equality and women's rights and women's empowerment.

At a meeting with Zimbabwe's private sector, the UN Women Executive Board explored how innovation and investment can drive gender equality. At the Airport Safe Mode market, the executive board saw firsthand the transformative impact of grassroots action in creating safe spaces for women and children. Morewa's Feminist Knowledge Hub serves as a sanctuary of learning and empowerment. Board members listened to young women speak boldly about identity, leadership, and the future they are determined to create. At the Umzingwane Safe Market, safety and dignity go hand in hand. The board interacted with women traders working freely and emboldened by economic opportunity. Technology meets tenacity at the Makerspace, where women design their way into the future. Board members engaged with creators and innovators rewriting gender norms. This visit was not simply about projects or policies. It was about people, about women with grit and grace, whose everyday courage is shaping a more just and inclusive Zimbabwe.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, as you saw in the short video, the Bureau got the opportunity to visit several UN Women projects in Zimbabwe. At the Rosaria Memorial Trust, founded by Deputy Executive Director Niaransai Gumbozwanda, we met with remarkable young women who had participated in a coding camp under the African Girls Can Do Code initiative. The young women They spoke with clarity, courage, and conviction, and they shared their aspirations to pursue higher education and careers in technology. They envisioned a world where their voices are heard, their choices respected, and their potential fully realized. They reminded all of us of a simple but powerful truth: when girls and women are empowered, they can achieve anything. And that is why we are here, to ensure that every woman and girl can dream boldly, live freely, and shape her own future. This is why our work matters. We owe it to every woman and girl not only to uphold their rights, but to ensure she can turn her aspirations into reality. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, this session brings forward key reports, including the Annual Report of the Executive Director, the Draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029, And the integrated budget 2026 to 2027 documents that will shape UN Women's global impact in the years ahead. We have before us six draft decisions: annual report of the Executive Director of UN Women on the implementation of the strategic plan 2022 to 2025, report on the evaluation function of UN Women 2025. Report on the Internal Audit and Investigation Activities for 2024, the Annual Report on the Ethics Function, the Implementation of General Assembly Resolution 72/279 on the Repositioning of the United Nations Development System, and Update on UN Women Policies and Procedures to Tackle Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the delegations of Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and Uganda for the facilitation of these decisions. As we move into negotiations, I urge all delegations to approach them with flexibility and constructiveness. I very much thank the Executive Board Secretary and his team for their tireless preparation With your continued support, I'm confident we will achieve a successful outcome. And now it's my pleasure to invite the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director to present her annual report on the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2025 to 2025. Executive Director Sima Bahus, the floor is yours.

Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished members of the Executive Board, I am pleased to welcome you to the annual session of the UN Women Executive Board. Please allow me to begin by thanking the Executive Board President, Her Excellency Nicola Klasse, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations, for her strong leadership this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Vice Presidents of the Bureau, Her Excellency Ms. Suela Janina of Albania, His Excellency Mr. Walton Alfonso Webson of Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Mr. Omitsu Shigiru of Japan, and His Excellency Mr. Godfrey Kuwaba of Uganda for their steadfast support to UN Women. Let me also congratulate the Bureau and delegates on a successful field visit to Zimbabwe this May, where the Executive Board witnessed firsthand UN Women's work to advance women's rights, as you have just seen in the video presented. My thanks also to our UN Women colleagues in Zimbabwe and the Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa for their support. And my thanks always to all UN Women colleagues here in Headquarters and across the world who work every day to advance women's rights and empowerment. To the teams on the front lines, working tirelessly in humanitarian and crisis settings, standing hand in hand with women's networks to deliver support where it's most needed, they have my gratitude, as I know they have yours. Excellencies, we meet at a time when global peace is fragile, our values questioned, and the promise of gender equality hanging in the balance. Our thoughts are with the women and girls across the Middle East, in Afghanistan, in DRC, in Myanmar, in Haiti, in Sudan, and many more countries whose hope remains peace. We must carry their hope with us, a hope for peace to prevail. For justice, and for a world where rights and dignity belong to every woman and girl, to all peoples. Excellencies, in this increasingly complex world, gender equality remains our great unrealized solution. Global challenges require global solutions, but grassroots solutions matter too. Whether it is pursuing peace, rebuilding economies, tackling climate change, or navigating technology's gains and risks, women are key. Where afforded the opportunities, which are their rights, women's contributions are game-changing. And yet, we are denying them these opportunities. Of the 14 indicators under SDG 5, only 2 are close to target. Today. The remaining 12 remain well off track. Excellencies, 30 years ago, Member States promised, through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, they promised full and equal participation for all women and girls. This promise remains urgent today. As we look towards the Beijing+30 High-Level Meeting this September, our task is clear: Build momentum, prepare effectively, and deliver. UN Women is supporting Member States, civil society, and women's movements across regions to translate the Beijing Agenda— the Beijing Action Agenda— from commitment to change. We look forward to working with you to deliver on the promise of equality. Excellencies, at CSW69, Member States adopted a strong political declaration reaffirming the Beijing Platform and its relevance as we look towards 2030. The declaration sent a powerful message that even in a polarized world, the United Nations can come together for women and girls. Let me remind us why this matters. Gender equality is not only Goal 5. It is the great enabler for every Sustainable Development Goal. We cannot end poverty without investing in care. We cannot build peace without women at the table. We cannot protect the planet while excluding half the world's population. That is why the $420 billion gender financing gap is so frustrating, and why the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville is so important. It must be an opportunity to recommit and to invest. In 2024, contributions to UN Women rose to $593 million. This support reflects not only commitment to our mandate, but trust in us as a vehicle for multilateralism. For that, I sincerely thank you. But we are also acutely aware of today's funding realities. Tough cost-containment decisions are being made. Scenarios, including worst-case, are being planned. Women's organizations and their crucial work are being made unviable by these cuts. Our partners, are struggling. Our peers across the UN system, whose work we are mandated to coordinate, are under duress. These cuts undermine progress, reduce opportunity, jeopardize peace, and leave us all worse off. Excellencies, this multilateral system remains our best hope. We must strengthen it, reform it, and ensure that it maintains a focus on the rights of all women and girls. We will continue to adapt so that we can continue delivering for women and girls. We will work on ensuring greater efficiencies, reducing costs, exploring cost-sharing with other sister agencies, and as you will hear in our new Strategic Plan, we will become more focused and streamlined. The Pivot to the Countries and Regions initiative has given us an advantage. We are all well on our way to meet the target of 200 personnel moving by the end of 2026, reducing our New York footprint by 33%. Excellencies, my annual report before you charts the 3rd year of implementing our Strategic Plan 2022-2025. It tells a story of real, measurable, hard-earned progress. In 2024, UN Women worked in 109 countries and territories, investing over $622 million to advance gender equality. Across our 4 impact areas, the results should make us all proud. 325 laws adopted, revised, or repealed to advance and protect women's rights. Nearly $220 million channelled to civil society, including women-led organizations and feminist grassroots groups. Gender data now covers over half of SDG indicators, up from a quarter in 2016. Across 71 countries, electoral processes, political inclusion, and legal reforms supported to better open doors to women's leadership. In debt-stressed economies, UN Women worked with 70 governments to prioritize gender in budgeting and to transform care systems. Against the rising tide of gender-based violence, we strengthened survival-centered services in 29 countries and saw increased access in 30. We established a global programme to tackle technology-facilitated violence— efforts that informed the first-ever UN General Assembly resolution on ending digital violence. We supported over 60 disability-inclusive projects. And we continue to support humanitarian response response through our membership in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. As a result, in 19 countries, humanitarian teams routinely seek guidance from local women's organizations and gender experts. We are increasing the availability of gender data and analysis, supporting a more inclusive response. In conflict and crisis contexts, from Gaza to Sudan, from Haiti to Ukraine, From Myanmar, the DRC, the Sahel, and many more, UN Women remains on the ground, working with women's organizations. Across crisis contexts, UN Women supported national action plans for women, peace, and security, helped shape disaster legislation, and expanded humanitarian responses in at least 24 countries. Excellencies, all of this was achieved while improving transparency, governance, and agility as a UN entity. We welcome the latest Multilateral Organization Performance Assessment Network, MOPAN, the review of it, which affirmed UN Women's strong performance across management, results, and organizational effectiveness. Reflecting growing partner trust, its recommendations are informing our strategic plan 2026-2029. Looking ahead, this new strategic plan is an opportunity to consolidate progress, to sharpen focus, and to apply lessons from the midterm review. Consultations are ongoing, and we thank you all for the inputs we have already received. Grounded in international agreements, including CEDAW, the Beijing Platform, and the WPS Agenda, it will reflect the voices of Member States, civil society, youth, the private sector, and UN partners. And it will remain proudly anchored in UN Women's triple mandate: normative, coordination, operational. Because this is how ambition becomes delivery. Excellencies, we discuss our new Strategic Plan alongside the broader UN80 process. Its theme, Building Our Future Together, is as apt as UN Women's role within it. It is clear. We will provide our best advice and support to colleagues across the system and to you all. Member States, to realize the promises made to women and girls. UN80 is an opportunity to make the UN more effective, efficient and aligned with the mandates you entrust us through our Executive Boards and the General Assembly. UN Women, born of UN reform, is fully engaged in this effort. We are co-coordinating the UN Systems Development Cluster and contribute actively to the peace and security, humanitarian, and human rights clusters. Across each of these, we are making the case that any credible reform must have women's rights and empowerment at its core, because gender-blind reform will be failed reform. And we are offering concrete and practical ways to make that happen. Let me be clear. There are many ways to organize the system's work. But a UN system that delivers on gender equality is one with a strong and empowerment gender equality entity with a broad triple mandate. One equipped to add value across the system, that supports critical intergovernmental processes, delivers for women and girls in your countries, and drives system-wide coherence through cost-effective coordination. One that women and girls can count on because it belongs to them, it works for them, and it stands with them. Excellencies, we are proud of the results we have shared. While we are never complacent, we believe we have earned your trust, and it is valuable trust to us, because we have shown what our mandate transparency and collaboration, together with your support, can achieve. We also know difficult times lie ahead, not least financially, and we know they come amidst a new Strategic Plan, amidst UN80 and more. We cannot offer more with less, but we will offer better with less. And we will do our best with less. We will be more coordinated and more focused. We believe we can still do much better, even with fewer resources, if we seize this moment of reform. A reformed system truly holds that promise if you choose it. Excellencies, this is a crucial year on many fronts. We will be judged by how we rise to it. Let us mark it by listening to rural women, women with disabilities, women peacebuilders, women-headed households, those living in crisis, climate defenders and survivors, youth, and more. Let us mark it by reinvigorating multilateralism so that it delivers more, not less, for women and girls, so that it delivers better for women and girls, by moving from pledges to progress, aspiration to investment, rhetoric to results. Let us deliver progress that women and girls can hold in their hands, progress they can see, progress that we in these rooms can look to and be proud of. This is our task, and as I promise you, UN Women will play its part to the fullest. I thank you, and I look forward to our time together in this session. Thank you.

I thank Madam Executive Director for her very informative and comprehensive remarks. Now, before opening the floor for your statements, I wish to gently reiterate that the time limit set for delivering statements during the general discussion is 5 minutes for group statements and 3 minutes for individual delegations to make efficient and optimal use of the time, as we have very many countries on the speaker lists. Delegations are invited to send your statements to estatement@un.org. Without further ado, I would like to give the floor to the first speaker on my list, the distinguished delegate from Sweden, you have the floor. Oh, my apologies. So I invite the distinguished delegate from Antigua and Barbuda to take the floor.

Yes.

I don't know.

Okay.

Now we then invite the distinguished delegate from Albania to take the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, for giving me the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. I will take the floor as my colleague is getting ready to take his floor. Madam President, let me begin by thanking the Executive Director for her compelling statement and for the strong direction she and her team continue to provide in advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls worldwide. We fully share your conviction: gender equality is not a side issue. to inclusive development and to a sustainable future for all. When women are excluded from decision-making, climate action, technology, or peacebuilding, the world loses solutions we cannot afford to miss. Madam President, as we look ahead to the Beijing+30 High-Level Meeting, Albania reaffirms its commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This milestone must serve not only as a moment of reflection, action, but as a launchpad for bolder commitments and more decisive action. We welcome the results achieved under the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and commend UN Women for its work in 109 countries and territories, including through important support to our own National Strategy on Gender Equality. Albania has prioritized investment in the care economy, strengthening services for survivors of gender-based violence, and expanding opportunities for women in leadership and digital innovation. These efforts are enriched by UN Women's partnership on the ground. However, we recognize that progress remains uneven and fragile. The global gender financing gap is staggering, and it is growing. If we are serious about accelerating results, We must close this gap. Madam President, I would like to join you and the Secretariat in highlighting the recent field visit of the UN Women Executive Board to Zimbabwe. This visit offered a clear picture of UN Women's impact on the ground, particularly in supporting women's economic empowerment and strengthening local systems for gender equality. What we saw there enforced a. Simple truth: UN Women can deliver lasting change where it matters most— in the lives of women and girls. Madam President, looking ahead to the next Strategic Plan, Albania strongly supports an inclusive consultation process that brings in the voices of civil society, youth, and all Member States. We believe the Plan should be more focused, data-driven, and responsive to today's complex challenges. While staying true to UN Women's Triple Mandate. Colleagues, we are all reminding ourselves that this is a defining year, and this is the time to move from rhetoric to results. Albania stands ready to work with you all to ensure that UN Women continues to lead, adapt and deliver, and that every woman and every girl sees her rights not only recognized, but also fully realized. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate from Albania for her comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished delegate from Antigua and Barbuda.

Thank you, Madam President, colleagues, Excellencies. Antigua and Barbuda wishes to express our deep appreciation to the Executive Director for her presence with us here this morning, for her leadership, and express our appreciation to the staff. It has been a continued honour for me to serve as Vice President of UN Women during this period, on the Executive Board, as we pivot a year for a very interesting year, as noted by the Executive Director. As Vice President, I had the rare privilege of participating with colleagues to the recent Executive Board field visit to Zimbabwe. What a trip that was! I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the UN Women country team and the Executive Board Secretariat for such meticulous organization of that visit. Field visits, as I have said before, are vital components of the Board's work, bridging our efforts here in New York with the realities and needs on the ground in member countries. We were particularly encouraged to witness UN Women's Triple Mandate in action, especially the Agency's coordination role and its collaboration with the Resident Coordinators System and the UN Country Teams. We look forward, Madam President, to the forthcoming report of the visit, which will be presented in September to the Executive Meeting. Colleagues, as we advance through this year of milestones, the importance of UN Women's Triple Mandate to achieve gender equality and promote the empowerment of women has proven itself more vital than ever before. We reaffirm our support as Antigua and Barbuda for the UN Women and call on others to do so, both politically and financially, so that the agency can continue to serve its mission and uphold the principles of leaving no one behind. The 69th Commission on the Status of Women is proof that multilateralism is a viable path towards achieving progress on gender equality and the SDGs. The forthcoming review of the Beijing Declaration in October marks an important milestone. Important opportunity for Member States to take stock of the progress after 30 years of implementation and recommit to areas which require further support and further development. Madam President, looking ahead, Antigua and Barbuda are eagerly anticipating the discussion on the UN Women's Strategic Plan 2026-2029. This final strategic plan before the 2030 Agenda ends will serve as a critical tool to drive progress on the SDGs while integrating the outcomes of Beijing+30. We are also looking forward to learning how the Strategic Plan will incorporate and reflect key initiatives such as UN Women's pivot to regions and countries, the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, and the UN80 initiatives. In this unfolding story. This UN Women Executive Board, Madam President, must ensure that UN Women is a strong voice at the UNAT table, asserting that no UN reform will be successful if women and girls and their empowerment and rights are not at the center of most of these significant reforms. Their Secretary-General understood this when he included UN Women as a co-chair in the UN80 Initiative development cluster. Allow me to conclude, Madam President, by reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda's firm commitment to gender equality. The achievement of gender equality is vital, now more than ever, to realizing the ideals laid out in the UN Charter to create a peaceful, just, and prosperous world for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Antigua and Barbuda for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Uganda.

Thank you, Madam President, distinguished members of the Executive Board, Excellencies, and colleagues. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the African member states of the Executive We thank UN Women, the Executive Director and her team for their leadership and for the comprehensive presentation of results and priorities. The African Group reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, an ambitious plan aiming at empowering women and achieving equality between women and men. Women's contribution to peacebuilding building, environment protection, economic transformation, and innovation need to be acknowledged and encouraged. Empowering women strengthens communities. It is therefore urgent to scale investment for women, economic empowerment, universal health coverage, education, and training, including in science, technologies, engineering, and mathematics. Madam President, equality between men and women is a crucial factor for achieving SDGs. Progress cannot be made in reducing poverty and inequality, addressing climate change, and building inclusive societies without targeted investment in women's empowerment. The African Group firmly believes in the catalytic and multiplier effect of women's economic empowerment and its impact on improving the status of women and potential for social transformation. We are of the view that poverty is the greatest threat to women's political participation, to the fight against violence, and to women's empowerment in general. The group welcomes the activities conducted with regard to women economic empowerment under the current strategic plan, including the Women Economic Empowerment Strategy and the dedicated resources allocated within UN Women headquarters. We commend the achievements under the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, including the reach across 109 countries and substantial investment. We recognize the internal development that has enhanced UN Women's ability to respond effectively in a changing global environment. The recent trip by the UN Women— by UN Women to Zimbabwe was a remarkable success. Coordinated by UN Women Country Office and the Secretariat, and it offered powerful insights into the transformative impact of UN Women programs on women's empowerment and poverty eradication. Through direct engagement with local communities and beneficiaries, the visit highlighted how targeted initiatives are fostering economic independence, boosting confidence, and creating sustainable opportunities for women. The tangible progress observed on the ground stands as a testament to the effectiveness of UN Women's commitment to inclusive development and gender equality. And on a lighter note, Secretary-General, look, your dancing strokes have been well noted. We call for increased flexible funding for UN Women, particularly to support the Women, Poverty and Education job creation, capacity building, and women's access to financing and grassroots women's organizations. Strengthening gender-responsive approach across all UN programs, the collection of disaggregated data and impact assessments, and accountability are also essential. Madam President, racism and racial discrimination remain critical issues that require ongoing attention within all institutions, including UN Women. These injustices can hinder the organization's ability to achieve true gender equality. UN Women must continue to address these challenges with transparency and urgency, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented. We appreciate the efforts already undertaken to confront racism and racial discrimination, and we encourage sustained action to build a truly equitable environment for all. Looking ahead, we support the inclusive approach of 2026 2026-2029 strategic plan. It must be grounded in the 12 critical areas of the Beijing Declaration, shaped by lived realities, aligned with the SDGs, and sharpened for real-world impact. We look forward to its articulation— to its articulation of women's economic empowerment. Madam President, 2025 will be a pivotal year. We urge a shift from rhetoric to results. Through stronger partnerships, reforms, and renewed multiple cooperation. The African Group stands in full support of UN Women and the vision of a world where every woman and girl can live in dignity, freedom, and equality. A world where equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal access to resources, equal sharing of family responsibilities, and a strong partnership between women and men leading to their well-being and that of their families. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative from Uganda for her comments and I now have the following 3 countries on my list: Japan, Sweden and South Africa. The distinguished delegate from Japan, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to start by expressing expressing my sincere appreciation to you for your introductory remarks and to Madam Executive Director for her opening statement and comprehensive annual report. As highlighted by the Executive Director, gender equality and women's empowerment serve as multipliers for sustainable development. I saw this firsthand when I observed observed UN Women's projects in Zimbabwe during the field visit I joined in May as a Bureau member. The official detailed report will be shared during the 2nd Regular Session, but I would like to express my renewed conviction on this point and sincerely thank the Executive Board Secretariat and the country and regional offices for their effective organization of this visit. In response to the global challenges affecting the human security of women and girls, Japan has already contributed approximately $13 million to UN Women this year. The contribution supports the global operations and projects, including WPS Thank you. Japan welcomes the WPS program that assists the development of regional and national WPS action plans in, in the Asian Pacific region. Japan commends UN Women's ongoing efforts, particularly in responding to crisis situations, and trusts that UN Women will continue its effort in assisting the needs on ground. I am pleased to hear that the Strategic Plan 2022 to 2025 is bringing tangible results globally and improving organizational efficiencies and effectiveness. Building on the assessment of the current Strategic Plan, Japan expects that the next Strategic Plan will be more focused and impactful, further improving organizational performance Japan reaffirms its support and commitment to engaging constructively in the discussion to finalize the plan. Madam President, as this year marks Beijing+30 and the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325, Japan reaffirms its unwavering dedication to working closely with the UN Women, Member States and stakeholders to implement commitments outlined by these landmark frameworks.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate from Japan for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sweden.

Thank you, Madam President, Madam Executive Director Sima, and the whole UN Women team on the podium. Nice to see you. Sweden recognizes the powerful impact of UN Women in advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls across the globe. We welcome the key results achieved so far during 2022 to 2025 strategic plan period, including progress on global norms and standards, women's economic empowerment, governance and participation in public life, women, peace and security, as well as humanitarian action. Achieving these results, despite global challenges and increased pushback against gender equality, is truly commendable. However, the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. With less than 5 years remaining, much work lies ahead. UN Women holds a vital mandate in advancing this agenda. Women's economic empowerment is a powerful tool to strengthen women's rights across various areas, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, protection from sexual and gender-based violence, and the elimination of harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation. We welcome the launch of the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan. Through its guidance and coordination efforts within the UN system, UN Women continues to push boundaries and plays a key role in strengthening the UN's capacity to deliver on gender equality. Sweden welcomes the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative. Reform must be about protecting the UN's core values while adapting to new realities, building a more efficient and effective UN. This demands genuine coordination, firm prioritization and committed action across the entire system. Full implementation of already agreed reforms and active engagement in the UNAIDS Initiative are central in this regard. We expect UN Women to effectively lead efforts towards a more impactful UN in the promotion of gender equality. Sweden remains a steadfast partner to the UN development system. Our contributions are accompanied by the highest expectation of effectiveness, transparency, and achieving clear and tangible results, especially at country level. In this regard, we welcome the implementation of the pivot to regions and countries, bringing UN Women closer to the women and girls that it serves. UN Women can count on Sweden's continued support and engagement.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished delegate from Sweden for his comments. I now have the following 3 countries on my list: South Africa, Bulgaria, and Montenegro. The distinguished delegate from South Africa, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, Executive Director, and your team. South Africa aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Executive Board members of the African group. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and we mark this through the adoption of a strong declaration during CSW. On this note, we applaud UN Women in its important supportive role, as well as coordinating and advocating for gender mainstreaming throughout the UN system. We are in the midst of trying times. Geopolitical developments threaten to undermine the importance of multilateralism amidst increasing resistance to advancing gender equality across all issues. Additionally, conflicts continue to leave vulnerable populations at heightened risk due to displacement and disrupted services, whilst the path of development continues to exclude women. Regardless of this uncertain setting, setting, we should appreciate the significant achievement from 2022 to 2024 whereby UN Women supported countries on gender equality initiatives and women's and girls' empowerment. From the revision of laws to protection of women's rights to empowering civil society and women-led organizations, and also working with countries to adopt national violence prevention strategies. Working within the QCP, We are that the entity will remain. We hope that the entity will remain agile on its operations by adapting to an evolving world. South Africa commends UN Women's effective implementation of its strategic plan 2024 to 2025. For the past three years, the entity has established robust mechanisms for accountability and increased transparency. currency with impressive results. We also wish to recognize the positive financial statements and unqualified audit opinion for the 13th consecutive period, and we look forward to a similar implementation of the Strategic Plan 2026 to 2029, utilizing a multi-stakeholder approach in the final push towards 2030. We can attest to the positive impact of the entity— that the entity has ahead in South Africa through close cooperation with the government, UN Women, and key stakeholders. Last year, we spoke of the Women's Economic Empowerment Strategy, and it forms a key focus area of our cooperation as we work together to strengthen women's entrepreneurship and access of women to the broader economy. Joint projects in South Africa have supported small, medium, and micro enterprises of women and provided critical exposure and opportunities. Madam Chair, South Africa will continue to support UN Women and places its trust in its leadership role on the Secretary-General's system-wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan for the increased commitment of the United Nations to advancing gender equality and women's rights.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate from South Africa. for her comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bulgaria.

Madam President, I extend my gratitude to you and the Bureau for your leadership. You can count on Bulgaria's continued support. To the many anniversaries we mark this year at the UN related to the global movement for gender equality, I would like to add 2 anniversaries from the national perspective of my country: the 70th anniversary of Bulgaria's membership to the United Nations and the 80th anniversary since the election of the first female members of the parliament in Bulgaria. My country is fully committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and confirms its support for the implementation of the UN Women Strategic Plan and its Triple Mandate. We have all come a long way, but the challenges the world faces remain stark. Women continue to be vastly underrepresented in peace processes and leadership roles, and rising anti-rights backlash threatens hard-won gains. Next, the global gender financing gap remains at $420 billion annually. Violence against women is rising worldwide and is getting exacerbated by the digital technologies that are in fact meant to assist us in our endeavor for peace, security, and sustainable development. Yet UN Women's efforts reaffirm the resilience and strength of the global movement for gender equality. I would like to cite out in this regard the support that the UN Women is providing in the area of legal reforms in over 80 countries and in securing access to life-saving services in crisis settings. We commend the UN Women's efforts to localize gender-responsive financing, dismantle discriminatory social norms, and extend access to care and protection services. We also recognize its role in driving intergovernmental coordination, notably as Secretariat of the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan and through active support for the Pact of the Future and the Global Digital Compact. Looking ahead at Beijing+30, CSW70, and the adoption of the next Strategic Plan, Bulgaria reaffirms its full commitment to the UN Women's mandate and mission and to the core— to the predictable core contributions. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate from Bulgaria for her comments. I have the following 3 countries on my list: Montenegro, China, and Paraguay. The distinguished delegate from Montenegro, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Montenegro is pleased to participate in today's sessions— session. We thank Mrs. Bachus for the comprehensive briefing, which reflects UN Women's continued commitment to advancing gender equality across all regions. This year marks key milestones: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 15th anniversary of UN Women, and the final 5 years before the 2030 the Agenda deadline. Montenegro reaffirms its strong dedication to the Beijing commitments and supports its accelerated implementation globally and nationally. We welcome the 2024 Annual Report and commend the organization's broad operational reach and investment impact. UN Women's presence in over 100 countries and its targeted focus on women's political participation, economic empowerment, and humanitarian response are clear demonstrations of its importance. Montenegro remains strongly committed to gender equality at home and abroad. At national level, we have taken meaningful steps to align policies with international standards, strengthen institutional support for women's rights, and promote women's leadership. We recognize the importance of UN Women's forthcoming Strategic Plan 2026-2030. And encourage that it be focused, ambitious, and responsive to realities on the ground. As the plan is developed, we call for a results-driven approach grounded in the Triple Mandate and informed by evaluations and lessons learned. In this context, Montenegro sees the UNAT reform as an opportunity to revitalize the multilateral system and make it more coherent, effective, and gender-responsive. We acknowledge the rationale behind the decentralization process and support efforts to strengthen delivery at regional and country levels. At the same time, we stress the importance of preserving UN Women's normative leadership and coordination role while ensuring transparency and inclusivity throughout the transition. We also welcome the Executive Board's attention to institutional culture, anti-discrimination, and accountability. A safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment is essential for both internal integrity and the credibility of the organization's work. Madam President, Montenegro remains a dedicated partner of UN Women. As a candidate for membership in the Executive Board 2027-2029, we look forward to continued cooperation in support of a multilateral system that delivers meaningful progress to all women and girls. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Montenegro for her comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from China.

Madam Chair, China thanks Edith Bahus for her briefing on the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2022-2025. And fully acknowledges the extensive work carried out by UN Women under her leadership in areas such as women's economic empowerment, elimination of discrimination and violence, and humanitarian response. China supports the development of the Strategic Plan 2026 to 2029 by UN Women. We hope the new plan maintains an ambitious level of commitment, advances the triple mandate in a balanced manner, strengthens communication and cooperation with member states, fully leverages the role of intergovernmental governance bodies, and aligns more closely with the BDPA and its 12 critical areas of concern. In a world of intertwining changes and turmoil, the global women's cause is facing risks of regression. The important role of UN Women is therefore more prominent and must not be diminished. China supports UN Women in enhancing its impact and efficiency through reform to better practice multilateralism, serve member states, in particular the Global South. We hope that during the reform process, UN Women will take into account the needs of both donor and recipient countries from different regions in a balanced way and avoid focusing on one at the expense of the other. Due to well-known reasons, UN agencies including UN Women are currently facing varying degrees of financial constraints. China has long actively supported the work of the UN Women through, inter alia, timely financial contributions. The final batch of China's current pledge, that is $2 million, will soon be delivered. We hope Other donors will also maintain their financial support to help UN Women overcome these funding challenges. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women. In the second half of this year, China will co-host the Global Women's Summit with UN Women in Beijing to reaffirm the spirit of the Beijing Conference and discuss plans for women's development in order to make new contributions to the advancement of the global women's cause. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative from China, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Paraguay.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Madam President. Excellencies, UN Women Executive Director, members of the Bureau, members of the Executive Board, observers. We particularly thank the Director, Seema Bahus, for the presentation of her report that underlines the significant progress made by UN Women, as well as the challenges that we still face in the promotion of gender. Equality and the empowerment of women and girls the world over. The road is still long and difficult. However, we will travel along this road with a sense of pleasure and commitment. We value the UN's sustainable commitment on the ground supporting states in line with its strategic plan. And the respective country program documents. We underscore the valuable technical support provided to my country, Paraguay— I apologize, one second please— in the inter-institutional and territorial architecture for the strengthening of our public policies to achieve meaningful equality, in particular for rural and Indigenous women, women without families, among many other women in situations of vulnerability. We're aware that we are living through difficult times, which is why we need to meet the needs to reform the system, to continue to make headway in establishing solid alliances and providing adequate policies and financing. That's why this, this year we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Programme of Action, and we reiterate our firm support to multilateralism and the work of UN Women. We applaud the manifest willingness to do more with less, and in this endeavor you can count on Paraguay's support to continue to cooperate closely to achieve more just equitable and inclusive societies. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Paraguay, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Latvia.

Excuse me, we are not ready to speak yet.

Then we have the following 3 countries on the list: Denmark, Vietnam, and Côte d'Ivoire. So, the distinguished representative of Vietnam, you have the— oh, we do have Denmark now on the list. So, distinguished representative of Denmark, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam Executive Director, Excellencies. Let me begin by congratulating UN Women on the progress achieved over the past year. Denmark appreciates the tireless efforts of UN Women staff and implementing partners who continue to deliver results under increasingly challenging circumstances. Madam President, Denmark has been a steadfast supporter of UN Women since its creation and remains committed to its mandate. UN Women and the wider UN development system stands at a pivotal juncture. Funding constraints, protracted crises, and a growing backlash against fundamental human rights, including gender equality, threaten to erode hard-won gains. Several important processes are particularly critical at this juncture: UN Women's finalization of the next Strategic Plan, follow-up on the Pact for the Future and the broader UN80 initiative, all of which must lead to a leaner UN system that can improve the lives of women and girls, in all their diversity, leaving no one behind. Reform must respond to a changing aid landscape, where both core and non-core funding from traditional partners are expected to decline in the short, medium and long term. UN Women must adapt by becoming more agile and continue its focus on gender mainstreaming, while aligning with the One UN approach and the Resident Coordinator System to ensure effective delivery. Madam President, Excellencies, Denmark is deeply concerned by the growing pressure on fundamental rights and the principles of gender equality. Let me therefore be clear: reform must not come at the expense of the ambition to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. On the contrary, reform must place gender equality and human rights at the very heart of development. It is precisely in this context that UN Women's unique Triple Mandate to lead, to coordinate and to implement, must be safeguarded and fully resourced. Denmark will continue to encourage UN Women and advocate for the central role of gender equality within the UN development system, while supporting the full implementation of the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan. Madam President, in closing, allow me to thank the Executive Director, dear Seema, for her leadership and for the annual report which provides a clear overview of both achievements and challenges. Denmark remains a committed partner of UN Women and the fight for gender equality and the rights of all women and girls. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Denmark for her comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Vietnam.

Madam President, my delegation wishes to thank you and members of the Bureau for your stewardship and express our appreciation to Madam Executive Director for the comprehensive and insightful annual report, which highlights achievements under UN Women's leadership in promoting gender equality and empowering women. At the same time, the report also underscores the various adversities that women and girls are facing in today's increasingly complex global landscape. Inequalities persist, challenges are mounting, and the gender financing gap continues to widen. Madam President, the year 2025 presents a pivotal moment for both reflection and action. As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325, and the 15th anniversary of UN Women, we are called to reaffirm our commitments and act with renewed urgency. Fulfillment of the Beijing Declaration and SDG 5 must be accompanied by forward-looking strategies such as Beijing+30 Action Agenda and the forthcoming Strategic Plan for 2026 and 2029, which marks a significant step forward. However, to ensure truly inclusive progress, more attention must be paid to specific needs of developing countries, through targeted capacity building, fair financing, and inclusion in global digital and climate governance. Expanding support to grassroots and women-led organizations and adopting flexible, context-sensitive approaches are essential for delivering real change. Madam President, Vietnam is proud of its achievement, with women accounts for 30% of parliamentary and 28% of business ownership. In 2024, we ranked 72nd on the Gender Equality Index, up from 87th in 2021. With UN Women's support, we also adopted our first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in 2024. And as a member of— the current member of UN Women's Executive Board, Vietnam remains committed to working closely with all partners towards a future where gender equality is a lived reality. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished delegate from Vietnam for his comments, and I have the following 3 countries on my list: Côte d'Ivoire, France, and Myanmar. So, the distinguished delegate from Côte d'Ivoire, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, Madam Executive Director, Excellencies, my delegation aligns itself with the statement by Uganda on behalf of the African Group. In our national capacity, we would like to make the following observations. Madam President, Côte d'Ivoire welcomes UN Women's significant contribution to progress that has been made in many countries of the world in areas such as political representation, education, economic emancipation, the acquisition of rights, and access to financing. My delegation does, however, note with concern that in an international context marked by worsening tensions, violence against women and girls persists, and it is sometimes indeed being exacerbated by digital tools. For its part, Côte d'Ivoire has established a robust institutional and legal framework that strengthens the protection of the rights of women. The flagship measures include reform of the law on marriage, which strengthens the rights of women; the law on the political representation of women, which encourages their access to elective offices; and the reform of the criminal code that incorporates gender-based violence. Côte d'Ivoire has also taken Robust measures to promote the economic empowerment of women and girls. Madam President, my country is of the opinion that investments in the education system, the fight against poverty, and the development of public health infrastructure go a long way to supporting the empowerment of women and girls. However, my delegation notes that in developing countries, The question of gender equality continues to be marked by a lack of financing. That is why my country very much hopes that the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, which will take place in a few days' time in Seville, will open the door to a reform of the international financial architecture. So as to encourage a better mobilization of the resources that are needed for the implementation of SDG 5. With this in mind, my delegation encourages UN Women to intensify its efforts in the context of implementing the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan to place a particular focus on issues that have a strong transformative impact in the lives of women and girls. To conclude, Madam President, Côte d'Ivoire would like to reiterate its full support to the mandate of UN Women and to its strategic plan for the full prosperity of women and girls. And my country reiterates its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls and would like to ensure the entity that we stand ready to work to ensure the proper implementation of its mandate. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Côte d'Ivoire, and I have the following three countries on my list now: France, Myanmar, and Belgium. The distinguished delegate from France, you have the floor.

Madame la Présidente, Madame President, Madame Executive Director, dear colleagues. First of all, I would like to thank you, Madame Executive Director, for your. Engagement at the head of the United Nations entity that is devoted to gender equality and the empowerment of women. I would like to commend the teams of UN Women on their efforts to mainstream women's rights and gender equality within the UN system and for their commitment on the ground. As we know, this session comes in a never-before-seen context Our ambition is for the UN80 initiative to be a UN reform tool that preserves the mandate while at the same time making the organization more effective and also better to— more understandable in its response to major issues, and that a particular attention continue to be given to the role of women. The reform that we want is a reform that aims to achieve greater efficiency, coherence, and impact on the ground while respecting the entirety of the UN's mandate. We must build active multilateralism that improves the condition of women and girls in the long term. We are not trying to break with the projects that have been carried out in recent years in the area of gender equality, but rather to ensure that the— we make the most of them, to ensure that they are better readable, accountable, and that they have a real impact for our fellow citizens. Madam President, Rely on UN Women, as we rely on all of the UN system agencies, to join forces and to continue to make proposals to overcome impingements on the rights of women and gender equality. Madam President, France supports UN Women's triple mandate: coordinating the United Nations system, encouraging the production of norms, and developing projects on the ground. These are major responsibilities. We know how committed the teams are, and they enjoy France's support in order to overcome these challenges. The elaboration of a strategic plan of work must take into account what we have learned about the implementation of the previous plan. The 4 main pillars are relevant: the participation of women, their economic empowerment, the fight against violence, and lastly, humanitarian action. Those 4 pillars are key in order to achieve inclusive, peaceful, and resilient societies. Madam President, Madam Executive Director, dear colleagues, France is mobilizing this year as we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Conference and the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 of the Security Council. On the 7th of March, 2025, we launched our new strategy for feminist diplomacy. It maintains among its priorities the participation of women, their economic empowerment, their access to healthcare, the fight against violence, as well as the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The elaboration of the 4th National Plan of Action for Women, Peace and Security in France 2026 to 2030 should contribute to preventing violations of the rights of women and girls, to protect them against all forms of violence, and to strengthen the participation of women in decision-making processes. The Conference of Feminist Foreign Policies that will take place in Paris in October will be a key moment.

I thank the distinguished representative from France for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative representative from Myanmar.

Madam President, I wish to thank you and the Bureau for your hard work. I also thank Madam Executive Director for her comprehensive statement and presentation on the annual report, as well as her able leadership. We are particularly encouraged by the results achieved from implementation of the Strategic Plan 2022 to 2025. especially on the 4 impact areas. As we confront the current challenging global context, we thank the work of the UN Women for carrying out its mandate and bringing in tangible results impacting women and girls across the world. Madam President, the plight of women and girls in Myanmar has been immense due to the unlawful military coup and the military junta's atrocities. Even before, the successive military regimes had grounded on patriarchal norms in the society and violated basic human rights of women and girls. To this date, the concept of the military hunters remains unchanged. The military has been well known for using rape as a weapon of war. They have been perpetrating sexual violence against women and girls throughout their illegal Thank you, Mr. President. Since the military coup, women and girls as young as 4 years old and as old as 84 years old have become their victims of rape. Our women and girls bear the heaviest brunt of military hostility as the junta intensifies its war of terror against civilians. Amongst the 20 million people who are in need of humanitarian assistance, women and girls count for 10.5 million.

4 million.

Another prominent issue is the shortage of funding, which has raised challenges on the existing dire humanitarian conditions. Delivery of fundamental healthcare services and other critical humanitarian aids has been prominently interrupted. Over the last 4 years, the illegal coup and the junta's atrocities created the country's political security economic, humanitarian, and human rights situation dire, and the rule of law has been destroyed. The prevailing conditions have heightened risk of human trafficking for women and girls. In this regard, Myanmar appreciates the intervention made by UN Women in collaboration with other UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and women's CSOs. Our courageous women CSOs and human rights defenders have also been acting in the frontline. The NUG, together with EROs, remain committed to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls. Therefore, we request our development partners to work closely with them so that the humanitarian assistance could be reached to all those who are in need, to bring justice peace and safe environment, and bright futures for women and girls, it is essential to address the root cause effectively. Ending the military dictatorship and the unlawful military coup, as well as its culture of impunity, is not an option but an end. We therefore urge the international community to act with a coherent and decisive manner in this endeavor to guarantee peace, security, and equality for all women and girls in Myanmar. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Myanmar for his comments. I have the following 3 countries on my list now: Belgium, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea. The distinguished delegate from Belgium, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Excellencies, Madam Executive Director, Belgium thanks UN Women for its 2024 Annual Report and commends its continued leadership in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. In a world facing multiple crises, persistent inequalities, and growing resistance to women's rights, UN Women's mandate remains more relevant than ever. We welcome progress in strengthening global normative frameworks and acknowledge UN Women's coordination efforts across the UN system. As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action and the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, it presents a timely opportunity to renew and reinforce our collective commitment to gender equality. In this regard, Belgium reaffirms its unwavering support for UN Women's unique mandate and recognizes its key role in achieving SDG 5. Gender equality is not only a moral imperative, but also a key driver of peace, resilience, and sustainable development. Human rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion must remain at the core of our collective efforts. This is why I am pleased to announce our commitment to maintain our core funding to UN Women at the current level for the next 4 years. We also call for maximum pragmatism regarding the budget, given the limited resources and the restructuring efforts within the UN system. Finally, we reaffirm our strong support for multilateralism, especially in this current global context of pushbacks on values and principles, and severe funding cuts. These challenges make the necessity of the UN AT reform even more pressing. While we recognize the progress made through the pivot to the field, further efforts are needed to ensure the UN system remains effective, resilient, and capable of delivering on the SDGs. Belgium remains firmly committed in advancing gender equality, And will continue to stand alongside UN Women in this pivotal year and beyond.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Belgium for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Mexico.

Muchas gracias, señora presidenta.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Mexico thanks UN Women and its executive director, Miss Sima Bahus. For their decisive efforts to promote the empowerment of all women and girls. We particularly recognize the progress that UN Women has made to reduce the digital gap, also to combat poverty and to stamp out gender-based violence, including violence in the family environment, to promote the leadership and political participation of women to strengthen commitments to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and to prioritize women and girls in climate justice. In a particularly relevant year for gender equality where we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Platform of Action and in which we are engaging in a process to revitalize the Commission on the Status of Women. The comprehensive approach of UN Women to gender equality is absolutely essential and is something we must support. Now I'd like to focus on interagency coordination. Mexico supports the vision according to which UN system agencies are cohesive in their ability to safeguard their response to new global challenges and slipbacks we're seeing to human rights, and particularly the rights of women and girls. This unity is essential in the uncertain financial context of the organization and in a global environment that requires ever more support and assistance and more efforts to achieve and to keep peace. Mexico urges the agencies funds and programs to work together in a coordinated manner, incorporating technological innovation to foster efficiency and versatility in its programs and operations. What's more, I would like to recognize UN Women's participation in the United Nations Development Group with its 3-pronged mandate. Focusing on ensuring that the UN system is able to comply with gender equality and women's empowerment through its operational functions, as well as normative and coordination work. It's necessary to continue to implement safeguards, processes, and systems to ensure transparency and accountability, in particular when there are endeavors or threats to cut contributions to the system as a whole. Mexico also recognizes the work of UN Women to increase the efficiency in its work. In this regard, we recognize the progress made in the drafting of the 2026 to 2029 strategic plan for UN Women, and we take note that during this quarter, progress is being made to plan for the relocation of some functions to Bonn and Nairobi. Lastly, I'd be remiss to conclude without recognizing the support that UN Women has provided to Mexico to help us to prepare for the 16th Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean. Thank you for that. That's taking place in Mexico City on August 12th next, and we hope to count on the assistance of all member states, and we commit to continue to work from New York and Mexico City to support all of the actions of UN Women. Thank you very much.

Mexico, for her comments. I have the following 3 countries on my list now: the Republic of Korea, Norway, and then Finland. The distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Earlier this year, all member states gathered to reaffirm their political will. And commitment to full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, celebrating its 30th anniversary. However, our commitment is being challenged like never before. While we fall behind on our path towards SDG 5, the UN system overall is being confronted with unprecedented financial constraints. While the role of the UN Women becomes more critical than ever, we appreciate that UN Women has been proactive to improve its institutional effectiveness, including the staff relocation which is underway. With regards to the strategic plan from 2026 to 2029 being prepared at this critical moment, let me make the following points. First, measures should be suggested to implement the strategic plan in a more coherent and integrated way. UN Women's next strategic plan is the last one before the deadline of the SDGs, and will be carried out by a more decentralized UN Women. In light of this situation, it is crucial that the actions of UN Women and its partners, including all of us here, are more coordinated and focused to achieve maximum impacts. Second, our efforts to achieve SDG 5 should be more agile to adapt to the changes in circumstances. In recent years, the world has experienced conflicts and divisions on a scale not seen in decades, which have disproportionately affected women and girls. To be sure, the increasing conflicts have further hampered our efforts to achieve SDG 5, which were already lagging behind. In conflict-affected situations, wider gaps remain in most of the targets, including the elimination of violence against all women and girls and women's full and effective participation in decision-making processes. Given that women and girls in armed conflict should be a priority in implementing the next strategic plan of UN Women. In that regard, we would like to hear how the efforts of UN Women to pivot to the field will focus more on these conflict-affected women and girls. Madam President, as an institutional leader of the More Penal Assessment of UN Women published this year, The Republic of Korea recognizes that UN Women has made meaningful progress in enhancing inter-agency collaboration and transparency. Korea will continue to support these efforts, which will ultimately contribute to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative Korea for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Norway.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Madam Executive Director, thank you for your remarks on the results achieved by the UN Women this past year and on the opportunities and also the challenges ahead. Allow me to highlight 3 points. First, Norway would like to emphasize our appreciation for UN Women's work, your effort to implement your mandate, and obviously the results achieved. Protecting and promoting women's rights and gender equality is a top priority in Norwegian foreign and development policy. Both politically and financially. UN Women is therefore our steadfast partner in this endeavor, also looking ahead, which is why Norway maintains a high level of core support to the organization. We are therefore deeply concerned about the political backlash against women's rights globally, regionally, and locally. UN Women plays an important role in standing firm and fighting back against this pushback. It is crucial that you continue to prioritize your important normative work and also your mandate to coordinate. You have our strong support in this regard. Secondly, the SG's UN80 initiative must lead to meaningful change and sustainable reform. A well-functioning, inclusive, and representative multilateral system and a world order based on international law is a core interest to my country. We are therefore supportive of bold and ambitious organizational changes and innovation that will enable the UN to act more efficiently with less duplication. We expect UN Women to contribute constructively to ambitious reform proposals as well as helping to ensure that women's rights and gender equality are well safeguarded in this reform process. Norway will actively work towards this goal together with you and partners. Third, the draft of the new Strategic Plan is ambitious and well-founded on human rights. Coordination is of fundamental importance. and is integrated across all outcome areas. It is therefore a bit concerning to us that coordination within the UN system is no longer a separate outcome area. Without this, we are worried UN Women's work on coordination may become less visible. How will you ensure, Madam Executive Director, that coordination efforts are prioritized and adequately documented. Madam President, finally, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. We count on UN Women's continued leadership to advance women's equal and meaningful participation in peace processes, and mediation efforts. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative from Norway for his comments, and I now have the following 3 countries on my speaker list: Finland, Switzerland, and Canada. The distinguished representative from Finland, you have the floor.

Madam President, Finland thanks the Executive Director for her compelling report and for UN Women's steadfast leadership. The results are inspiring and should be further built upon. Gender equality is not just a goal, it is a prerequisite for achieving all the SDGs. Without measurable progress on SDG 5, we will fall short across the board, from climate to peace, education and economic justice. We welcome UN Women's efforts to strengthen normative, and legislative frameworks. UN Women's support to 67 countries in this regard is fundamental and must continue with full political and financial backing. UN Women's coordination role in gender equality and women's empowerment across the UN system is vital. The Gender Equality Acceleration Plan signals system-wide commitment. Now we need leadership and accountability to ensure implementation. Madam President, looking ahead, UNAIDS reform should not be a cost-cutting exercise, but a chance to reaffirm the UN's commitment to gender equality. We must invest in impact, not retreat from responsibility. Generation Equality remains a critical platform for bridging generations and sectors. Enhanced cooperation with all stakeholders, especially the private sector, is key, from gender-smart investments to inclusive supply chains. Progress must be measured, reported, and built upon. At the same time, we must address the gender-digital divides, where huge gaps persist. Technology can empower, but— It can also exclude and endanger. The digital space must be safe and inclusive. We welcome UN Women's growing work on technology innovation, AI, and combating tech-facilitated violence. These efforts should be at the heart of the next Strategic Plan and linked to the implementation of the wider UN commitments and work on technology and innovation. Such as the Global Digital Compact and the World Summit on the Information Society. Sustainable peace is not possible without women's full and meaningful participation at all levels in peace processes. We welcome UN Women's continued focus on peace— women, peace and security agenda. Finally, Finland reaffirms its strong political and financial support to UN Women. We continue to prioritize core funding, and we call on others to do so. Madam President, let's meet this moment with determination. Let's build forward, with gender equality at the centre. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Finland for his comments. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Switzerland.

Madam President, Madam Executive Director, we thank the Executive Director, Madam Sima Bahus, for her opening statement. Switzerland congratulates UN Women for the positive results of the current strategic plan to strengthen the legal and political environment. This mandate is essential for promoting universal norms in gender equality. It's essential that this role is supported and strengthened. We applaud the firm position adopted in this regard by the new strategic plan. In a difficult context, Switzerland insists on the urgency of the UN system being more agile, and we applaud the emphasis placed by the new strategic plan on digital transformation, adaptability, and proactive risk management. Switzerland is convinced that courageous reforms are possible and that the acceleration of the implementation of existing reform mandates is essential in order to strengthen the impact of the multilateral system. When it comes to the reform of the UN system, Switzerland fully supports an improvement of the operational capacity taking account of the comparative advantages of each agency respectively. This involves enhanced interagency collaboration, better use of shared services, and better coherence in interventions. UN Women must continue to play a leading role in this transformation and fully harness its coordination mandate. Quality financing remains a key tool, and we call for predictable, flexible, and plurianual funding. It's also necessary to plan and act effectively, in particular in these complex contexts and situations of crises. We also welcome the commitment of UN Women for solid, robust accountability mechanisms including audit, ethics, evaluation, and prevention of sexual exploitation, of abuse and harassment. We also applaud the pivot of the UN Women plan to transfer more personnel to Geneva in order to better harness the advantages of the ecosystem. We wish to recall the importance of International Geneva as an essential global hub for multilateralism, humanitarian law, and human rights. Its unique ecosystem is conducive to global dialogue, political innovation, and operational coordination. Switzerland reaffirms here its resolute support to the mandate of UN Women to achieve gender equality, the full achievement of fundamental rights for women and girls, and the empowerment of women. In these difficult times, the work of UN Women is more important than ever. Thank you.

The distinguished representative from Switzerland for his comments. I have the following 3 countries on my list now: Canada, Zimbabwe, and Colombia. The distinguished representative from Canada, you have the floor.

President, um, Madam President, Madam Executive Director, dear colleagues, That SDG 5 is lagging far behind at the global level. We are deeply concerned by the increasing reversal of gender equality, which threatens not only the rights of women and girls, but also the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals more broadly. Faced with this reality, the normative and accountability roles of UN Women are more essential than ever. And together, we need to do everything we can to promote transformational change.

Madam President, in a time of growing needs and limited resources, we commend UN Women's leadership on gender-transformative financing and its role in the Financing for Development process. Flexible, predictable funding is essential, not only to increase investment, but to ensure that resources reach those best positioned to drive lasting change. Equally important is the need for inclusion. UN Women's work to dismantle systemic barriers faced by marginalized and structurally excluded groups is essential. Ensuring that no one is left behind requires constant commitment to inclusive practices at every level. As the ongoing UN reform efforts including UNAID, progress. We must ensure that gender equality remains at the heart of this transformation. Gender-responsive policies are not only foundational to just and inclusive societies, they are also catalytic in achieving a more effective and sustainable development. Looking ahead to the 2026 to 2029 Strategic Plan, Canada recognizes the importance of a focused flexible, and results-oriented approach in alignment with the Quadriennial Comprehensive Policy Review. We value high-impact, scalable interventions and streamlined operations that seek to deliver measurable improvements in the lives of all women and girls. Excellencies, colleagues, Canada remains a proud and committed partner, partner to UN Women. Our collective leadership is vital in our ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality, and it is more critical than ever that we work together, continuing to advocate for a world where all women and girls have the freedom, safety, and opportunity to shape their own future with pride and dignity. I thank you.

Merci beaucoup.

I thank the distinguished representative from Canada for his comments. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Zimbabwe.

Thank you, Madam President. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Executive Director for a comprehensive report and for underscoring that gender equality remains an unfulfilled solution to many of the world's pressing challenges, including peacebuilding, climate action, economic transformation, and digital inclusion. This reaffirmation is both timely and profoundly important. We note with satisfaction the strides made under the Strategic Plan 2022-2025, particularly in strengthening global normative frameworks, advancing women's leadership, and improving access to gender-responsive services in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings. We are especially grateful for UN Women's support in the development of Zimbabwe's first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in 2024. The visit to Zimbabwe by the Executive Board in May further testifies to the growing and productive partnership between our government and UN Women and provided us with the opportunity to demonstrate the results of this life-changing cooperation. Notwithstanding the progress achieved, we note, however, that structural challenges persist, including entrenched discriminatory norms, underrepresentation of women in decision-making, and high rates of gender-based violence. As highlighted by the Executive Director, investing in care systems is not just a social necessity, but it is a powerful tool for ending poverty. In the context of Zimbabwe's constrained fiscal space and vulnerability to climate shocks, we emphasize the importance of embedding gender equality efforts within resilient, nationally owned systems, which could provide some cover to programs and projects in the face of funding shocks. With regards to the proposed strategic plan for 2026 to 2029, we commend its evidence-based its direction and welcome the emphasis on economic empowerment, leadership, and violence eradication. These priorities reflect the lived realities of women in our region and are consistent with our national agenda. However, the shrinking pool of gender financing requires a fundamental shift toward program sustainability. Future interventions must include program sustainability must include built-in exit strategies, national capacity building, and mechanisms for local resource mobilization to ensure continuity in the face of funding gaps and to avoid disruptions when external funding contracts or ceases. In line with the Executive Director's call to action, we echo the urgency of closing the global $420 billion gender financing gap and call for reforms in global financing frameworks. UN Women's next strategic cycle must also foster stronger partnerships with the African Union and regional economic communities. I wish to conclude by reaffirming Zimbabwe's unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This commitment is clearly demonstrated through the substantial progress we have made in policy reforms and the implementation of targeted transformative programs aimed at dismantling systemic barriers to equality. Our national efforts continue to focus on unlocking the full potential of women and girls, ensuring their meaningful participation in every sphere of socioeconomic development. We stand ready to continue partnering with UN Women in the realization of a more just and equitable future for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Zimbabwe for her comments. I have the following 3 countries on my list: Latvia, United Kingdom, and Colombia. The distinguished representative from Latvia, you have the floor.

Thank you. Madam President, Executive Director, Excellencies, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to UN Women and to Executive Director Sima Bajos, for your steadfast leadership in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. You can count on Latvia's unwavering support for the entity's Triple Mandate. Let me begin by acknowledging the reality we cannot overlook: the growing constraints on the UN budget. Maintaining every programme at its current scale may no longer be feasible. Therefore, we must adopt calibrated, evidence-based responses that prioritize measurable impact. These deliberations should recognize that human rights, including gender equality, have historically received one of the thinnest shares of resources. Encouragingly, UN Women's 13th consecutive audit, with assets outpassing liabilities 9 to 1 attests to exemplary financial stewardship. In this context, Latvia will continue to place gender equality at the center of its national policy and at the heart of our upcoming term on the UN Security Council. Madam President, this year has already brought tangible results. In May, Latvia hosted Women, Peace and Security capacity-building workshop under the Asia-Europe Foundation , translating the principles of Resolution 1325 into practical mediation tools for practitioners across both continents. Additionally, the Latvian NGO Riga TechGirls, together with local partners in Egypt, successfully implemented a project that equipped over 100 girls with advanced coding and cyber hygiene skills. Madam President, during our Security Council term, Latvia will prioritize women's rights and leadership by promoting their meaningful participation in peace processes, embedding gender perspectives in climate security responses, and addressing digital threats such as gender disinformation. We take this approach not only because it is right, but because it works. Evidence shows that gender-equal societies are more resilient, less prone to conflict, and better equipped to sustain long-term peace. In conclusion, Latvia reaffirms its steadfast commitment to gender equality and to UN Women's mission. We will continue to provide stable financial support and remain a constructive partner in strengthening the entity's impact. As we navigate a period of difficult decisions, let us not lose sight of what truly drives long-term change. With political will, shared responsibility, and smart investment, we can turn today's commitments into lasting progress for every woman and girl. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from Latvia for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from the United Kingdom.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Executive Director Sima Bahus, for your remarks. As a steadfast advocate for gender equality, the UK appreciates UN Women's continued commitment to advancing gender equality and women and girls' rights globally. In times of increasing political headwinds, your work is critical. Across regions, political and public space for gender equality is shrinking. With widening inequality, protracted crises, and gender equality rollback stalling SDG progress, UN Women's mandate is more important than ever. The UNAT process offers an opportunity to shape a modernized, focused, and impactful UN system. It is critical that gender equality remains central to this. Reform is inevitable and essential, but renegotiation of rights is not. UN Women's active involvement in this process is vital. We would like to ask how UN Women is pushing for accelerated progress on gender equality within broader UN reforms and the 2024 QCPR roadmap? What is your vision for embedding gender equality across interagency reforms, and how can we advance collective impact on this important issue? Looking ahead to the next strategic plan and the progress that needs to be made to deliver the SDGs, the UK supports deeper partnerships and funding models that support grassroots women-led rights organizations. We commend your leadership on women, peace, and security and encourage stronger engagement with human rights mechanisms. Financing remains critical, and like other agencies, UN Women is also under pressure. In that context, we ask that while you continue to look at finding efficiencies, that you do not reduce ambition and or your normative leadership. Continued and revitalized efforts to mainstream gender equality across agencies are also more important now than ever before. Finally, UN Women's effective, credible delivery depends on the highest accountability standards, oversight, robust risk management, and a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment. We encourage greater openness with the Board about the challenges that you face on this. The UK remains an advocate for the work that UN Women does, and we will continue to defend the principles of gender equality. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from the United Kingdom for her comments. I now have the following three speakers on my list: Colombia, the UAE, and Germany. The distinguished representative from Colombia, you have the floor.

Gracias, señora.

Thank you, Madam President, Madam Executive Director, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Colombia thanks you for the annual report on the implementation of the strategic plan for UN Women in a global. Context that is ever more challenging for women and girls. We underscored the aggregated results on participation, economic empowerment, elimination of violence and discrimination against women, and we reaffirmed the importance and validity of the mandate of this institution. What's more, we underscore the fact that we thank UN Women for the close collaboration with Colombia that has enabled, among other things, the following results in terms of taxation policies with a gender approach. We have worked with many different regions to increase by 41% the budget allocated for gender equality. Under Women, Peace and Security, UN Women has provided technical support to the first National Plan of Action in this regard adopted in 2024. When it comes to the peace agreement, the UN Women has supported the efforts of the national government on land issues to implement the agreement, including transferring land ownership deeds to rural women. This is in line with the priorities of the government of President Gustavo Petro, focused on gender equality, strengthening provisions for women with a feminist policy to support women and girls in all their diversity and placing them at the heart of the actions of the state. Madam President, the report also lays bare some of the challenges that we must address: the persistence of violence against women, including their digital expressions, underrepresentation of women in decision-making spaces, and lack of social protection with a gender approach. In this regard, it's crucial for the 2026 to 2029 strategic plan to be built on lessons learned to enable us to more efficiently respond to the new challenges and opportunities in a crucial period for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this in a context of reforms in this organization, we call for prioritizing programs and actions that support gender equality, avoiding unfunding that would lead to setbacks in these measures, and to engage in efforts to ensure that UN Women is efficient so that it can respond to its triple mandate. Lastly, in this same vein, we reiterate measures taken by UN Women to accelerate gender equality with measures to help to achieve this with all the Sustainable Development Goals. Madam President, Madam Executive Director, the UN Women has been and will remain key in achieving concrete results with our commitments to meaningful equality. You can count on our voice and our work in Colombia to ensure that together we can transform the lives of all women and girls and with this, the future of our societies. Thank you very much, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative from Colombia for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from the UAE.

Madam President, Madam Executive Director, colleagues, thank you for your statements and for your unwavering commitment to uplifting women and girls around the world. We commend the Bureau and the Secretariat for their continuous support of this mission and the remarkable results laid out in the Executive Director's penultimate report on the implementation of UN Women's Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2025. The occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action offers us a moment to reflect on the global progress made in advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls. As the UN system adjusts to become more fit for purpose and capable of delivering on its mandate in today's world, we must ensure that the hard-won gains over the past 3 decades are at the heart of this reform. This requires a robust institutional framework that places gender equality and the rights of women and girls at its core. This Board, in close coordination with UN Women, plays a critical role in achieving those objectives, and we support UN Women's efforts in this regard, as well as its unique triple mandate. The United Arab Emirates commends UN Women for its achievements over the past year as presented by Executive Director Bahrouz, especially the serious work improving the agency's organizational effectiveness. UN Women's impact, as evidenced by its broad support to 83 countries where it has strengthened gender-responsive norms and garnered the commitment of both public and private institutions addressing the needs of women and girls reaffirms its vital relevance. Achieving these tangible results despite the difficult operating environment is a testament to the Agency's strength and perseverance. The extensive consultations that UN Women has undertaken in preparing the draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029 are critical to further strengthen the Agency's foundation especially in the final years leading up to 2030. In the face of increasing and cascading challenges, it is all the more essential that the Plan garners the support of Member States to ensure its effectiveness. In closing, the UAE will remain a dedicated partner of UN Women, and we look forward to a constructive session with fellow Board Members over the next 2 days. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative from the UAE, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Germany.

Thank you.

Madam President, Madam Executive Director, Excellencies, dear colleagues, 10 years ago we all together adopted the Agenda 2030, which remains our most important universal guideline for achieving peace, security, prosperity, and justice for all. Germany is firmly committed to the Agenda 2030 and believes that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a greater focus on women and marginalized groups. Women make up half of humanity. Women and girls need equal rights, resources, and representation in society. The fact that they lack rights, resources and representation is not only unfair, but endangers peace, stability and economic potential. Inclusion of all groups of society is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Therefore, our development cooperation remains committed to feminist principles, such as transforming discriminatory structures using an intersectional lens, and the participation of civil society. We commend UN Women for its unwavering commitment to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls in all their diversity everywhere. The findings in the annual report highlight the significant impact of UN Women's efforts and emphasizes the importance of continuing this work. Despite a decline in core contributions, the organization achieved achieved positive results in 2024. The growing number of supported countries and high program expenditure demonstrate that UN Women has continued to refine its organizational processes and is making significant progress towards achieving the goals of the current strategic plan. However, funding pressures and the need for most— for cost containment mean that work on diversifying diversifying the funding base must continue alongside further program and geographical prioritization measures. The draft strategic plan for 2026 to '29 showcases UN Women's strategic focus. We encourage you to continue on this path. We also commend UN Women's active role in the UNAED process and its readiness for reform. Germany supports the ambition of the UNAED initiative to make the United Nations more efficient, transparent, and effective, and to encourage focus and comparative advantages. UN Women's normative mandate is key for establishing and promoting global standards and norms for gender equality. Also, UN Women's coordination mandate is a strategic advantage. In line with the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, the organization should therefore continue to leverage its position to push for system-wide gender mainstreaming, fully integrating gender perspectives across all UN agencies and mechanisms. We are convinced that this will also contribute to the effectiveness of those agencies and their programmes. Finally, I would like to thank the management and staff of UN Women for their dedication and hard work in very difficult times. Germany is fully committed to supporting the organization's mission and vision and looks forward to continuing to work together to achieve SDG 5. I thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative from Germany for her comments. I have the following 3 speakers on my list now. It's Panama, New Zealand, and Burkina Faso. The distinguished representative from Panama, you have the floor.

Muchas gracias, señora presidenta.

Thank you very much, Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. We thank the Executive Director, Seema Bahus, for her leadership and her firm commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the world. We also congratulate the Bureau of the Executive Board headed up by Her Excellency Ambassador Klass of Sweden. This year marks an historic juncture when we are commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform of Action and the 25th anniversary of the historic Resolution 1325 of the Security Council, which established the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Today, more than ever, the commitment of all states to meaningful equality for women, their rights and their autonomy is fundamental. In Panama, we very much share this commitment. In this regard, we have promoted concrete policies and actions that seek to transform the structures that perpetuate inequalities. We'd like to share that we have a national gender equality policy that is implemented through the Public Policy for Equality of Opportunities for Women 2024 to 2034, which also strengthens the political participation of women in parity in the electoral system. Furthermore, since 2023, Panama has been strengthening its mechanism for the furtherment of women through the establishment of the Ministry for Women, tasked with articulating programs geared towards economic autonomy, the prevention of different forms of violence, and the inclusion of women in key sectors, in turn strengthening mainstreaming gender in the national the Security Council and the UN Women's High Commissioner to the Cabinet. What's more, during the Commission on the Status of Women, the CSW, we participated actively encouraging the integration of the women, peace, and security approach. And we have also been doing this in the Security Council as signatories to the shared commitments on women, peace, and security. We firmly believe that women must be protagonists in dialogue processes, in peacebuilding, in the prevention of conflicts, and in humanitarian responses. Peace will only be sustainable if women are fully and effectively included. Madam President, distinguished delegations, it's necessary to continue to encourage the implementation of the Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2025. Also working towards 2030 by strengthening its 4 systemic results: governance, economic empowerment, elimination of violence, and participation in peace and security. Also ensuring that we close the digital gap, as highlighted in the political declaration and the report Beijing+30. Also promoting effective leadership of women in all bodies, supporting initiatives that protect human rights defenders and fostering alliances including all social stakeholders and amplifying the impact of gender policies. Panama reaffirms its commitment to the principles of this Executive Board with the work of UN Women, and we're convinced that through dialogue, cooperation, and decisive action, we will be able to build more equitable peaceful, and inclusive societies for all women and girls without exceptions. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative from Panama for his comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from New Zealand.

Thank you, President, and New Zealand thanks you, Executive Director, and all UN Women staff for your leadership and commitment in what has been another challenging Year for Global Gender Equality. As so many of us have stressed already, we are meeting at a time of unprecedented uncertainty for the UN system. New Zealand remains committed to protecting the norms and values of the UN, and we support action that will enable the UN system to deliver on its core mandates in this fiscally constrained environment. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we are reminded that gender equality remains fundamental to the UN's founding vision. UN Women's work to deliver on its normative, coordination, and operational mandates remains as critical as ever. In that regard, we commend UN Women's achievements across its Strategic Plan. They are impressive results delivered in a highly complex global environment. We also recognize UN Women's expanding humanitarian role. In the Pacific, our shared experience with increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters underlines the importance of gender-responsive disaster preparedness, early action, and recovery systems that strengthen women's agency and protection before, during, and after a crisis. As a Pacific country, New Zealand is deeply committed to ensuring that the voices and priorities of Pacific Island countries are heard and in global processes. We will continue to work alongside our Pacific partners to ensure that issues of particular importance to our region are considered in major decisions and negotiations across the UN system, including those shaping the future of development cooperation and humanitarian action. As UN Women prepares its next strategic plan, we encourage continued focus on building institutional resilience and strengthening partnerships with women's organizations, and ensuring that climate action, peacebuilding, and social protection are gender-responsive, locally led, and inclusive of Small Island Developing States. New Zealand reaffirms its strong partnership with UN Women and remains committed to working together to ensuring that global— that gender equality, including in the Pacific, remains at the center of sustainable development, peace, and prosperity. prosperity. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative from New Zealand for her comments, and the remaining speakers on my list are as following: Burkina Faso, Qatar, Bolivia, the Russian Federation, and the European Union. The distinguished representative from Burkina Faso, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, Madam Executive Director of UN Women, distinguished members of the Board, Burkina Faso aligns itself with the statement by Uganda on behalf of the group of African states that are members of the Board and would like to make some comments in our national capacity. Burkina Faso thanks UN Women for its commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women around the world. My delegation in particular welcomes the results achieved in the framework of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan for the implementation of the new 2026-2029 strategy, which addresses current challenges and includes resilience, economic and climate justice. We encourage and support the Executive Director and all of her team. Madam President, despite the achievements of UN Women, there are still many challenges. In a global context marked by crises and conflicts, the effects of climate change, and economic inequalities, women and girls unfortunately and all too often continue to be the worst affected. For its part, Burkina Faso reiterates its commitment to continuing actions to advance women and girls in its public policies, with a particular focus on education, healthcare, and access to economic resources. My delegation reaffirms its support for the principles of the Beijing Declaration and calls for increased resource mobilization to fill the financing shortfall estimated at $420 billion. To fill that gap— filling that gap, rather, would allow UN Women to strengthen its support for countries in difficulties, including those in the Sahel, where the security situation is making inequalities worse. Also, increased international cooperation would help make sure that each woman and girl has the opportunity to fully and with dignity participate in building a prosperous and just future. To conclude, we once again commend UN Women's leadership. They continue to play a key role in technical assistance, advocacy, and resource mobilization for gender equality and the empowerment of women. We encourage UN Women to continue and to strengthen its presence on the ground, including, as we hope— very much hope, in Burkina Faso. Thank you.

Thank the distinguished representative from Burkina Faso for her comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Qatar.

Madam President, Excellencies, members of the Executive Board, ladies and gentlemen, we express our gratitude to the President of the Executive Board for her tireless efforts to lead the Board. We commend the driving role of Ms. Sima Bahus, the Executive Director and USG for UN Women, and we commend the tireless efforts made by UN Women for gender equality and the empowerment of women. The thorough report presented to us today regarding the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan demonstrates the many achievements of UN Women and the fundamental role that this entity plays in giving pride of place to gender equality and also to the protection of the rights of women and girls. We also commend the support provided to states to prepare for the review of the Beijing Declaration and Program of Action 30 years after its adoption. The State of Qatar attaches particular importance to the empowerment of women. It occupies pride of place among my country's priorities. Enormous progress has been made indeed in promoting the rights of women in the context of Qatar's National Vision 2030. This is reflected in various political and program initiatives in Qatar that have contributed to the empowerment of women and to strengthening their participation in every area. Our National Development Plan 2024 to 2030 highlights the participation of women and their fulfillment in every area. We also call for international efforts in this regard. In particular, we make our contribution to international and regional organizations for gender equality and the empowerment of women, and we continue to support UN Women. Recently, a multi-year agreement was reached for a $1 million core contribution for 2025 and 2026. That agreement will allow the entity to continue its important efforts for women. In conclusion, The State of Qatar will have the honor to host the 2nd World Summit for Social Development in November. This summit will be an opportunity to accelerate global efforts for the empowerment of women. Given the frontline role played by my country in this area and also given the leading role played by women for social development and sustainable development, Through our participation on this executive board, we will continue to cooperate with colleagues to achieve our goals.

Thank you for her comments, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative from Bolivia.

Muchas gracias, estimada presidenta.

Thank you very much, distinguished president, excellencies, distinguished colleagues. At the outset, we express our gratitude for the report protected by presented by the Executive Director and for the constant commitment of this entity to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls the world over. Bolivia, as a plurinational state, recognizes the fundamental value of gender equality, not only as a human right but also as an essential pillar for building just societies with solidarity and sustainability. Our political constitution is one of the most advanced when it comes to rights and clearly establishes equality between men and women and also recognizes the collective rights of our indigenous women, reevaluating their fundamental role in land, culture, and the identity of all indigenous peoples. This commitment has led to public policies that seek to ensure the full and effective participation of women in all parts of life and also through regulations that sanction gender-based violence and promote justice with an intercultural approach. Bolivia has taken up the challenge of building an inclusive development model in which the voices and wisdom of women in all of their diversity are recognized as fundamental to achieve a future with equality, dignity, and well-being for all people. Madam President, the struggle for gender equality is something that cannot be decoupled from the fight for self-determination and social justice for peoples. We cannot remain silent when faced with the situations that we're seeing in other parts of the world. Bolivia expresses its profound sorrow regarding the situation faced by women and girls in Palestine who are victim to disproportionate violence. Faced forced displacement and systemic violations of their human rights. Palestinian women are not only resisting the direct impact of the conflict, but they are also upholding life, protecting their families and communities, and seeking justice in the midst of destruction. My country rejects all forms of violence against women in the context of occupation and armed conflict, and we demand that international humanitarian law be respected and that hostilities be immediately halted, and an emergent— an urgent response from the multilateral system with a gender and humanity-based focus. Madam President, to conclude, we launch an appeal to this Executive Board to shed light on and make a priority Indigenous women and girls, respecting their cultural diversity, their ancestral knowledge, and their indigenous languages, guaranteeing their effective inclusion in all public policies. To broaden support for women and girls in contexts of crisis and conflict, like in Palestine, where human suffering, injustice, and gender-based violence continue to be entrenched. Dear colleagues, gender equality will not be a reality while millions of women and girls live under the shadow of exclusion, violence, and occupation. Indigenous women, Palestinian women, and women from across the world do not just need love, they need justice and a true commitment. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative from Bolivia for her comments. The final 3 speakers on my list are, as things stand now, the Russian Federation, the European Union, and Egypt. The distinguished representative from the Russian Federation, you have the floor.

Madam President, we thank UN Women and its Executive Director, Sima Bahus, for her strong statement and for the leadership that the organization is shouldering when it comes to achieving gender equality and coordinating the activities to improve the status of women within the UN system. We look forward to further cooperation, and we would like to underscore that we value any of UN Women's cooperation with States when that is carried out with their consent, in the amount and at the level that has been authorized by States, including in the context of cooperation with civil society. Madam President, the Russian Federation has always noted the importance of the entity's mandate to coordinate efforts to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women. We are convinced that UN Women has everything it needs to successfully continue fulfilling its mandate, even in the difficult financial circumstances. We are grateful to the entity for detailed briefings, expert assessments, and support for states during negotiations, and we're not going to ask the entity to do more, certainly as long as UN Women continues to successfully carry out the task entrusted to it. However, what we should not see in the entity's work is the willful expansion of the mandate with activities on human rights, humanitarian affairs, climate, and other unrelated areas. The empowerment of women must be done on a comprehensive basis and include economic and social measures, as well as support for the family, traditional values, mothers, and children. It is also important that the promotion of women be based on their professional qualities rather than the pursuit of artificial quotas. We are asking for the principle of the division of labor in the UN to be observed and to not duplicate the efforts of other organs and offices in the UN system, particularly given the liquidity crisis. We also call— ask it to not promote dubious initiatives and concepts and to pay more attention to advancing consensus wording that would be acceptable for all UN member states. We are convinced that that is the only effective way to overcome the so-called gender pushbacks. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative from the Russian Federation, and now I give the floor to the representative of the European Union.

Thank you, President, Excellencies, colleagues. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union as a donor. Let me begin by expressing our gratitude to the Executive Director of UN Women, Mrs. Sima Bahus, and her dedicated staff. Under Mrs. Bahus's leadership, UN Women has continued to advance gender equality and empower women worldwide. In the current global context, UN Women plays an indispensable role in advancing gender equality, championing initiatives that have significantly improved the lives of countless women and girls. Amid growing resistance to gender equality principles and in line with our Gender Action Plan 3, the EU remains committed to promoting and intensifying efforts towards gender equality, ensuring full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls, contributing to their empowerment. An ambitious and transformative approach is essential to address the root causes of gender disparity and tackle the risk factors contributing to gender inequality, discrimination, and violence against women and girls. We will never waver on our commitment to support women's and youth's equal, full, and meaningful participation in the public and political spheres through a comprehensive and whole-of-society approach. As we look ahead to UN Women's Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, The EU supports the organization's forward-thinking and adaptive approach, not only aiming at enhancing women's leadership and decision-making, but also striving to promote economic empowerment and foster resilient economies where women benefit equally. Initiatives boosting access to information, resources, and services while preventing and eliminating sexual and gender-based violence, both online and offline, are crucial as well, in line with the Spotlight Initiative and and ACT program. As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, the EU continues to promote good governance and the rule of law, justice and accountability, international humanitarian law, and human rights, including gender equality. As we look toward 2030 and beyond, we will remain a constructive partner to the UN, its leadership, and its member states. In this perspective, we firmly believe that the future of the UN development system must be shaped by the momentum created by the 2024 QCPR and by the collective vision embodied in the UNAID initiative. This process is a transformative opportunity for a renewed multilateral architecture that is more effective, transparent, accountable, efficient, and results-driven. As the largest non-governmental donor to the UN development system, the EU places significant value in reinforcing a strategic and system-wide perspective to delivery on the ground. This requires aligning mandates and capacities, enhancing resident coordinators to support integrated system-wide action, reducing overlaps, and improving financial accountability and transparency. Madam President, Madam Executive Director, together we can build on the achievements of the past and create a more equitable and just future for all women and girls everywhere. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union, and I now give the floor to the final speaker, the distinguished representative from Egypt.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, Madam Executive Director, distinguished members and observers of the UN Executive— UN Women Executive Board. Firstly, I thank USG, Ms. Sima Bahus, for the briefing and the introductory remarks, and we also thank her and take note of the Executive Director's report on the implementation of UN Women's Strategic Plan 2022-2025. There is no denying the fact that it has been a challenging time for UN Women and for the international community as well to live up to the commitments we made for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, but also for the wider commitments regarding the achievement of the SDGs with a deadline of 2030. It is a cause for concern that while we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of UN Women itself, data indicate lack of progress or even regression in the fulfillment of commitments towards the achievement of SDG 5, with less than 5 years to go before the target deadline of Likewise, gaps remain due to the unequal emphasis and fulfillment of commitments made in Beijing in the 12 critical areas identified towards the advancement of women in all spheres. Madam President, amid geopolitical tensions, wars, and proliferation of conflicts with varying magnitudes and degrees of violence, in addition to other global challenges and crises, women and girls remain disproportionately affected. According to UN Women estimates, more than 28,000 women until May— women and girls were killed since October 2022 in Gaza. And the war machine is still operating. Women and girls in Gaza are additionally subjected to starvation as a method of war, forced displacement, and being denied their basic human right to life. Health, food, and education, just to name a few, where their safety, security, and dignity are jeopardized on an hourly, not only a daily basis. Women and girls in other armed conflict situations suffer from lack of shelter, water, sanitation, food, basic security and safety, and other basic human needs required for survival, in addition to being subjected to sexual violence. The report indicates that more conflict-related deaths occurred from 2021 to 2023 than in the prior 3 decades, which is a staggering number. From 2013 to 2023, the number of women and girls living within 50 kilometers of armed conflict soared by 50%. Again, another very worrying number. Against this backdrop, there is always the risk that conflict situations overshadow development considerations. However, this should not be the case. The continuum of building and sustaining peace is interlinked with achieving sustainable development for all and ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights, the pillars of the UN system. Extreme poverty remains the greatest global challenge. With a huge debt crisis impairing the ability of developing countries to allocate sufficient resources to finance policies and programs for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. On the eve of FFT4, the fulfillment of commitments towards financing for development, including effective solutions to remedy the debt problem and alleviate the debt burden suffered by developing countries, is a prerequisite for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women This goal is part and parcel of the Sustainable Development Agenda. We cannot—

Well, sorry about that, but thank you so much to the distinguished representative from Egypt. And with that, we've heard the last speaker on my list, and I will invite the Secretariat to respond.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam President, and my thanks to all delegates for your reflections, your comments, and most importantly, your support to our mandate and to the critical work that all UN Women colleagues are doing every single day. Your support is not taken for granted, and we will continue to work to ensure that we meet the demands of us during this critical time, and that we advance the rights of all women and girls. I thank those Member States who have pledged to maintain our critical core resources. Now is the time to step up, not to step back. Excellencies, I heard strong echoes for our critical work on peace, security, humanitarian response, economic empowerment, leadership, and violence. And in this critical year of the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325, we look forward to continuing our work with you all to ensure this agenda is not weakened, and that WPS commitments are strengthened. We do not really have much time left this morning, but we will have an opportunity tomorrow to discuss our new strategic plan. But let me please briefly touch on some of the issues that were raised. Uganda, South Africa, and others have raised the criticality of economic empowerment. The economic empowerment strategy that has enabled UN Women to crystallize our approach to economic empowerment. As you know, for example, UN Women supported over 50 countries in 2024 to transform care systems through long-term financing, data collection, normative and policy frameworks, and shifting discriminatory social norms. As part of the Strategic Plan 2026-2029, we will continue to advance women's economic empowerment by tackling structural barriers, discriminatory laws, policies, norms, and practices that prevent equal participation and benefits from the economy. Additionally, we intend to take forward our work with the private sector, also with the IFIs, to increase the quality and the quantity of financing aligned with SDG 5, and to work closely with governments to support gender-responsive macroeconomic policies. I heard Bulgaria, Côte d'Ivoire, Mexico, and others' appreciation on the focus on violence against women and girls. Violence against women and girls continues to be a priority, both in terms of service delivery, and also in the responses that we have, and critically in prevention. This includes advancing, again, policy reform, ensuring an end to impunity, and inclusive service delivery. We are also responding to new and emerging areas in this sphere, such as technology-facilitated violence, as you heard me say this morning. Excellencies, several of you have asked about the UNHCR. UN80, the Secretary-General's Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, and their link to our new strategic plan. UN80 is, among other things, a call for coherence, for rationalization, and for efficiency. It is a call for a strengthened multilateral system. To the UK question, UN Women is firmly embedded in the UN reform and UN80 process. We are co-chairing the UN Development System Cluster along with UNDP, UNOPS, DCO, and UNICEF, and we are feeding into the work of the other clusters, including the Peace and Security Clusters. We are doing this in our capacity as the system's backbone on gender equality, working to ensure that the UN reform processes generate a system better able to tackle issues of gender equality and women's empowerment. These same principles have guided the development of our forthcoming strategic plan. We have made a concerted effort to streamline and focus our work, to better articulate what we do in our areas of focus, and to ensure that we are not trying to do everything, but that we are leveraging partnerships to deliver impact for women and girls. Girls in a comprehensive manner. As I noted in my opening, we will focus our efforts and do better with less. Our new Strategic Plan builds on our coordination mandate, of course, and the UN system-wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan. This also further reinforces our mandate in holding the rest of the UN system accountable to deliver on gender equality and women's empowerment. Allow me to briefly touch on the pivot process, which you have also asked, and the link to our strategic plan. Well before the current financial challenges the multilateral system has faced and is facing today, we have also been working diligently to achieve cost savings, to streamline operations, and to generate efficiencies. Our new strategic plan speaks to this. It is more focused and clearer in purpose, and I look forward to our discussions tomorrow. Another example of this is also our pivot to the regions and to the countries, which we estimate will yield between €7 to €12 million in annual cost savings starting in 2027. We are also looking closely at other efficiency measures, in line with our sister and are working to reduce duplication and silos where they exist. To Norway, Switzerland, and other partners who have underscored the importance of our critical coordination mandate, again, I want to reaffirm that this remains a top priority for me, and it is firmly embedded, as I mentioned earlier, in the new Strategic Plan. We will be of course, continuing to support the UN system by advancing the coordination agenda, by hosting the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan Secretariat, by strengthening our coordination theory of change, and by providing expanded coordination leadership at the country level. Coordination will continue to be cross-cutting in all we do, ensuring that the results we deliver for women and girls stem not only from our direct normative and operational delivery, but also from our efforts to drive the UN system to deliver more effectively on gender equality. So our triple mandate is key in every single area where we are working, in every single country, and coordination remains a priority alongside the normative and the operational. So Excellencies, I also want to thank China and Mexico, Vietnam and many others for recognizing the pivotal year ahead, not least with the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. I also want to thank Russia for your remarks and would like to reiterate that efficiencies and addressing duplication are at the core of our UNAT engagement. I also want to thank the EU and to say to the EU, we thank you for your support and for your reflections, and especially our new strategic plan. As you know, is more— as you have heard just me saying now, and you will see tomorrow even more— our new strategic plan is more integrated, more focused, and seeks to integrate our mandate more effectively. We also thank you for your support.

Thank you.

Support to the Spotlight Initiative, which remains an example of UN coordination and collaboration in action. And finally, I look forward to seizing this moment and this opportunity with you all at HLPF next month, at UN UNGA 80, and this also in October when we celebrate the Beijing Declaration and 30 years beyond Beijing when we— in China. So we do have now many things coming up for us to look forward to, but a lot of work also for us to continue to address the needs and the aspirations of all women and girls across the globe. Thank you so much for your attention, and thank you so much also for being with us here today and for all your support. Thank you.

I thank the Executive Director for her response. If there are no further requests for the floor, we can close the list of speakers now. I, I see none. Thank you. So, dear colleagues, as we begin to approach the end of the morning session, I would like to suggest that we suspend here and break for lunch, as well as informal consultations on draft decisions. And before suspending the morning segment, please allow me to give the floor to the Secretary for some quick reminders.

Yes, thank you very much, Madam President. Yeah, just to remind everyone that since we managed to, under your leadership, Madam President, finish the list of speakers, this morning. The negotiation will now resume in person at the UN Women Headquarters, which is 220 East 42nd Street, as you probably know. We'll be in Conference Room 1925 on the 19th floor of our headquarters. Thank you very much, Madam President.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. The plenary meeting is hereby adjourned. We will resume Tomorrow at 10:00 AM in this room.