Member States of the UN Economic Commission for Europe join an informal briefing on the Beijing+30 Action Agenda

29 July 2025 – Over 80 high-level officials from line ministries and national gender equality mechanisms, representing around 40 countries from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region, attended the informal virtual briefing on the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights – and the Beijing+30 Action Agenda.

The Beijing+30 Action Agenda, launched in March 2025 during the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, serves as a roadmap for accelerating gender equality and the rights of all women and girls in six areas: bridging the digital gender gap, ensuring women's economic empowerment, eliminating violence against women, advancing women's leadership, promoting peace and security, and achieving climate justice. It is grounded in evidence from Beijing+30 national review reports submitted by 159 Member States, as well as consultations with civil society, youth leaders, and private sector actors.

The informal briefing is part of a series of regional meetings with Member States in the lead-up to the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, to be held on 22 September 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The theme of the high-level General Assembly meeting will be “Recommitting to, resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

Ms. Gwi Yeop-Son, Regional Director of the United Nations for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized that the UN has been tasked with supporting Member States in implementing the Beijing+30 Action Agenda. She noted that this responsibility extends beyond advocacy - it means enabling Member States to implement national actions that are concrete, measurable, and transformative.

The briefing underscored the urgent need for strong, coordinated partnerships among UN Women, other UN entities, and Member States to mobilize collective political will, ensuring that the Beijing+30 Action Agenda becomes a catalyst for real, lasting, and measurable change for women and girls everywhere.

Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Women Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, United Nations System Coordination and Programme Results, provided a strategic overview of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda and situated the Beijing+30 initiative within the broader global gender equality movement and commended the region’s leadership in shaping the Political Declaration at CSW69. She urged governments and institutions to actively identify priority actions that reflect the region's strengths and address persistent challenges. Ms. Gumbonzvanda pointed out that national commitments will be the driving force transforming this agenda from aspiration into achievement.

Ms. Etleva Sheshi, Director of the Directorate of Social Inclusion and Gender Equality Policies of Albania, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to gender equality. She highlighted ongoing legal and policy reforms, the finalization of a new gender equality law, and efforts to strengthen gender-responsive budgeting and align national strategies with CEDAW and SDG 5.

Ms. Jazgul Egemnazarova, from the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasized Kyrgyzstan’s progress in gender equality and outlined future national priorities, including promoting digital transformation, eradicating poverty, and ensuring equal decision-making opportunities for women across all sectors.

Mr. Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, reaffirmed his government’s strong commitment to gender equality, highlighting efforts to combat gender-based violence through legislative improvements, expanded and enhanced service provision, and strengthened coordination among frontline services.

Ms. Elena Zdravkovska, Head of Unit for Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, reaffirmed her country’s strong engagement with the Beijing Platform. She highlighted national achievements, including the establishment of a Resource Center for Gender-Responsive Budgeting, the adoption of new strategies and legal frameworks, and improved services for survivors of violence.

Ms. Dilnoza Muratova, Deputy Director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, acknowledged the urgency of ongoing challenges and announced new voluntary commitments to advance gender equality. She noted that Uzbekistan is developing a comprehensive package of national commitments under the Beijing+30 framework, shaped through an inclusive consultative process involving civil society organizations, state institutions, and members of parliament.

In closing, Ms. Belén Sanz Luque, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, noted that the region has led the way in promoting gender equality, demonstrating that with political, resources, and vision, the lives of women and girls can be truly transformed. She reiterated UN Women’s full commitment to supporting Member States in this process and ensuring that their voices continue to shape a bold and inclusive Beijing+30 journey.