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STATEMENT

by the Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, the Deputy Minister

of Labour and Social Development of the Russian Federation

Mrs. Galina KARELOVA

at the 23rd United Nations General Assembly Special Session Entitled

"Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace in the 21St Century"

June 5. 2000

Mr. Chairman,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This meeting now taking place in New York is not just yet another special session of the United Nations General Assembly. It is indeed a global international forum which would make a substantial contribution to the outlining of the social development strategy of the 21 St century.

When we are discussing the role of women in the modern world and the contribution they make to economic and political life, creation of civil society and democratic institutions ‑ in fact we are talking about the future of the humankind. Responding to the burning issues of nowdays without full involvement of women is simply impossible. Intellectual and creative potential of women must be recognized as an invaluable contribution to the enhancement of social development.

The historic mission of the United Nations is to assist women in becoming creators of their own fate. We highly appreciate the efforts of this organization to eliminate gender discrimination and improve the social and economic status of women. Russia stands for and will continue to stand for increasing the role and strengthening the authority of the United Nations in the 2 I 't century as we consider it to be a unique mechanism for maintaining intergovernmental dialogue and facilitating international relations.

Mr. Chairman,

Today we have to make an appraisal of the progress made 5 years after the Beijing Conference.

I regret to say that the global processes taking place in the modern world are not conducive to the achievement of the goals set up in the Beijing Platform for Action but make it even more difficult.

Such disgusting realities of our days as international terrorism and organized crime, militant separatism and inter‑ethnic hostility, illicit traffic in arms and narcotic substances directly affect the lives of millions of women in different regions of the world.

In addition to that the status of women is being aggravated by such factors as widening economic inequality between the world's richest and poorest nations, deteriorating environment, fast spreading of HIV/AIDS and other highly dangerous infections.

The number of women and children‑victims of armed conflicts is not decreasing. It is them who lose their bread‑winners, who are forced to leave their home places and have to become refugees which means that they need our special support and attention.

No doubt, conflicts and humanitarian catastrophes require appropriate and sometimes most immediate response from the international community. But I have to stress that the concept of the so called humanitarian intervention can in no way be used as justification for neglecting such basic principles of the international law as sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states.

Russia will consistently oppose the "armed humanitarianism" and promote the idea of the multi‑pole world's architecture which would enable all countries and nations to live without fear of being subjected to discrimination, implication of force or political blackmail.

Mr. Chairman,

In the Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS countries women have made a significant contribution to the economic reforms and the creation of democratic institutions but at the same time have become one of the most socially vulnerable groups of the population.

We note with satisfaction that‑ the specific problems of the countries with economics in transition are duly reflected in the draft of the special session outcome document.

Russia itself has been experiencing the whole range of problems connected with the transition process.

The Russian Government has now started elaboration of along‑term nation wide development strategy aimed at overcoming the consequences of the recent crisis and creating favorable environment for the effective social and economic growth. The core of this strategy is not the reforms themselves but the interests of people for whom the reforms are being carried out.

Recently we have managed to increase significantly the efficiency of the social policy and to make it target‑oriented. The year 1999 was marked by visible improvements. Wages in public sector were increased by 50%, scholarships were doubled and pensions grew up steadily now almost reaching the minimum standard of living. All these measures have had direct influence on the status of women who constitute the majority of the Russian people.

The decisions taken at the Beijing Conference played an important role for Russia providing a strong impetus for strengthening institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women and elaborating new approaches to achieving gender equality.

Out gains include larger number of women at the decision‑making posts in local administrations, increased number of women‑voters at the regional level, new employment opportunities for women including those in business field.

The cooperation between governmental bodies, and NGO's has widened. Partnership agreements are being concluded and joint actions, seminars and conferences are being held related to the issues of the advancement of women.

Nevertheless we admit that a lot has yet to be done to ensure the real equality. Like in the rest of the world, in Russia women continue to face such problems as gender discrimination, poverty, unemployment and inadequate representation at the decisionmaking level.

The open and detailed information on our achievements and setbacks is contained in the Russian Federation National Report on the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, which has been circulated at this meeting. I take this opportunity to thank the UNDP Office in Russia for the assistance in publishing this report and translating it into English.

Mr. Chairman,

Life in Russia changes very quickly. We have now the newly elected young and energetic President, the newly elected lower chamber of the Parliament and the recently appointed cabinet of ministers.

Women attach great hopes to these developments. Just a few days ago the State Duma held parliamentary hearings on the issue of equal rights and equal opportunities

for men and women while the Government organized the third All‑Russian Conference on the Status of Women. These fora have clearly demonstrated that women remain to be the most active part of the Russian society and continue to make a valuable contribution to political and economic life.

Mr. Chairman,

No doubt, this meeting will provide considerable input in solving the global tasks facing the humankind and bring about consolidation of all women on the planet. Only by joining our efforts we could respond to the challenges of our time and ensure for women decent lives and high social and economic status.

Together, assisting each other, we shall reach the noble goal to make the 21s' century a century of gender equality, social partnership and economic prosperity.