Representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt’s Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly attended the high-level commemorative meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held under the theme: “Recommit, Reinvest, and Accelerate Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for Gender Equality and Empowerment of All Women and Girls.”
The event took place in the iconic General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as part of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week, which is convened under the overarching theme: “Forward Together: 80 Years of Peace, Development, and Human Rights.”
Joining Dr. Madbouly was Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, reflecting Egypt’s continued diplomatic engagement and leadership in international dialogues on gender equality and sustainable development.
A Global Milestone for Women’s Rights
The meeting commemorated three decades since the landmark 1995 Beijing Conference, which laid the groundwork for a transformative agenda on women’s rights and gender equality worldwide. The anniversary serves as a pivotal opportunity for world leaders to reflect on progress, spotlight best practices, identify persistent gaps, and address the multifaceted challenges that still hinder the full realization of women’s rights globally.
In his remarks, Dr. Madbouly highlighted Egypt’s historical and ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment, both domestically and in international forums. Egypt was among the key contributors in shaping the original Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and continues to champion gender-responsive policies at national, regional, and global levels.
Egypt’s National and Global Commitments
Dr. Madbouly reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for advancing women’s leadership, particularly in peacebuilding and security. This aligns with Egypt’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, which underscores the role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction — a vital element in assisting conflict-affected nations across the Middle East and Africa.
“Empowering women is not only a matter of justice and equality,” Dr. Madbouly emphasized, “but a strategic imperative for achieving sustainable development and global peace.”
He further stressed that today’s geopolitical challenges — from conflict to climate change — demand collective international action and targeted investment in women and girls, ensuring that gender equality remains central to the global development agenda.
Bridging Global Gaps and Accelerating Progress
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and global leaders attending the event echoed similar sentiments, calling for renewed commitment to the implementation of the Beijing Platform amid growing threats to women’s rights across various regions.
The commemorative session urged member states to mobilize financial resources, enhance political will, and establish measurable benchmarks to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls.
A Moment of Reflection and Recommitment
As the world marks this major milestone, the event in New York serves as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of unfinished business. From addressing gender-based violence and economic disparity to promoting women’s full participation in governance and peace processes, the road ahead requires resilience, multilateral collaboration, and inclusive leadership.
Egypt’s active participation in this high-level gathering reflects its strategic vision for women as drivers of peace, development, and prosperity — not only within its own borders but as part of a broader international movement toward equality and justice.
