{"id":280870,"date":"2024-09-24T14:49:51","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T18:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/79\/?p=280870"},"modified":"2024-09-24T14:50:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T18:50:03","slug":"pga-remarks-at-the-opening-of-the-platform-of-women-leaders-as-delivered-by-blanca-montejo-deputy-chef-de-cabinet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/79\/2024\/09\/24\/pga-remarks-at-the-opening-of-the-platform-of-women-leaders-as-delivered-by-blanca-montejo-deputy-chef-de-cabinet\/","title":{"rendered":"PGA Remarks at the Opening of the Platform of Women Leaders [As Delivered by Blanca Montejo, Deputy Chef de Cabinet]"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n

Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, <\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Philemon Yang,
at the Opening of the Platform of Women Leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n

24 September 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

[As Delivered by Blanca Montejo, Deputy Chef de Cabinet]<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On behalf of the President of the General Assembly, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the third annual Platform of Women Leaders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I express also my sincere thanks to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Women and Executive Director Bahous for the close collaboration in co-hosting this special event.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I extend a heartfelt welcome to the extraordinary current and former women Heads of State and Government who are with us today.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We are honoured by your presence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your insights are essential to shaping inclusive policies that pave the way for future generations of women to thrive, and indeed, lead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We are eager to hear your recommendations for advancing women\u2019s participation in decision making and building solutions to achieve peace, prosperity and sustainable development that place human dignity at their core.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan observed nearly 20 years ago that:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStudy after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We also know that when women participate equally in decision-making, peace agreements are more inclusive and less likely to break down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Women participating in peace processes tend to focus more on reconciliation, economic development, education and transitional justice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These are elements that are critical for sustained peace across our societies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Governments with greater participation of women are more representative, accountable and transparent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And policy direction is more reflective of the needs and experiences of all society, including women and girls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yet, women are still underrepresented in decision-making at all levels in many countries.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Despite growing numbers of women leaders in recent decades, there have never been more than 17 countries with women in the highest positions of power in a single year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This is less than 10% of the number of men who have held these positions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moreover, the 2024 Gender Snapshot Report<\/strong> reveals that none of the indicators or sub-indicators of Sustainable Development Goal 5 \u2013 on gender equality \u2013 have been met.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We cannot hope to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with half of the global population on the sidelines.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We must do more to integrate women\u2019s voices into every level of decision-making.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We must start by tackling gender inequality at its roots. This means:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n