ESCAP – Beijing +20 Asia-Pacific Review Live webcast
Asia-Pacific countries will convene in Bangkok this week for a regional high-level conference on gender equality and women’s empowerment. During the Conference, the Asia and Pacific leaders and ministers will address critical issues, such as eliminating violence against women and girls, empowering women economically and increasing their political participation at all levels of government.
The “Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review” is being convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in cooperation with UN Women, from 17 to 20 November. The regional Beijing+20 Conference will bring together over 700 representatives from Governments, inter-governmental organizations, UN bodies and civil society from over 50 countries.
The Asia-Pacific Conference is being held in advance of the historic and global 20-year commemoration of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women. The global review of progress in achieving gender equality will take place next year, during the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which will be followed by the commemoration of this anniversary during the annual gathering of the UN General Assembly.
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Her Majesty Queen Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck of Bhutan and the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Professor Yongyuth Tuhavong, will address the opening of the Ministerial Segment on Wednesday 19 November.
H.E. Mr. Enele Sopoaga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, H. E. Ms. Maneka Gandhi, Minister of Women and Child Development, India, H.E. Ms Kantha Phavi Ing, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Cambodia, H.E. Ms Meher Afroze, Honourable State Minister for Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh and H.E. Ms. Patricia B. Licuanan, Chairperson of Commission on Higher Education, Philippines are among more than 25 Ministers who will be addressing the Conference and advocating for stronger action on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The opening of the Ministerial Segment of the Conference will be followed by a review of forward-looking policies for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment in Asia and the Pacific, as well as opportunities for accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in the post-2015 era.
On the second day of the Ministerial Segment (20 November), a ministerial round table on accelerating action in Asia and the Pacific for making gender equality a reality for all will focus on such key issues as strengthening institutions and accountability, increasing financing and enhancing partnerships and regional cooperation.
It is anticipated that the Conference will adopt a ministerial declaration reflecting commitment for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Asia and the Pacific, which will serve as the regional input to the global 20-year review, ensuring a strong Asia-Pacific voice.