Photo Credit: Ryan Brown-UN Women

Addressing gender inequality is not only a moral imperative but also a critical pathway to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, peace and prosperity for all. However, our efforts must be bolder and pursued with a greater sense of urgency, while ensuring the participation of everyone, women and men. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action this year, it is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to these principles and accelerate our actions to bring about change for all.

His Excellency Philemon Yang

President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly

Gender equality is vital for a peaceful and sustainable world. Thirty years since the Fourth World Conference on Women was held, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted, some progress has been made, but it remains slow and uneven. Unless we close the gender gap, the world will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the commitments in the Pact for the Future.  At the current rate of progress, gender equality will not be achieved for another 300 years.  

It is critical to remove the barriers to women’s enjoyment of their rights and their equal participation in the economic, social and political spheres. Addressing discrimination, societal bias and the lack of supportive policy and legal frameworks is key. More resources must be mobilized and allocated for gender equality.

President Yang has made women’s economic empowerment, investing in the education of women and girls and bridging the gender gap in digital access the key gender priorities during his presidency. He has also committed to integrating gender equality into all aspects of the General Assembly’s work, including mandated high-level meetings and flagship events. 

Advisory Board on Gender Equality

Graphic by: Seidi Vidali Quetzal (OPGA79 Fellow)

The PGA has re-established the Advisory Board on Gender Equality, an informal mechanism to provide strategic guidance and high-level expertise in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment within the General Assembly’s work and processes.

In paragraph 41 of General Assembly resolution 77/335 on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, Member States acknowledged the convening of the advisory board and encouraged its continuation at future sessions of the General Assembly.

The Advisory Board will be convened in three meetings, as well as on an ad hoc basis, as required. An informal summary after each meeting will be circulated to all Member States.

PGA’s remarks and Informal summary from the first Advisory Board meeting on 3 March 2025.

Letter from President General Assembly on Summary of the first meeting of the Advisory Board on Gender Equality | General Assembly of the United Nations

International Gender Champion

In February 2025 President Yang accepted the role of being an International Gender Champion.

The International Gender Champions are a leadership network that brings together decision-makers determined to break down gender barriers and make gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence. 

Champions sign the IGC Panel Parity Pledge , the IGC Gender-Based Violence Pledge and undertake two S.M.A.R.T. commitments per year to advance gender equality in their organization or programmatic work.

Commitments

1.  Integrate gender equality into all aspects of the General Assembly’s work, including mandated high-level meetings and flagship events.

2.  Advocate for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women throughout my Presidency, especially by calling for increased resources to reduce poverty among women and girls, investing in their education, and bridge the gender gap in digital access.

 

Other events related to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

2024

2025