The regional commissions of the United Nations convened a high-level interactive dialogue at the United Nations Headquarters to present the outcomes of the regional Beijing+30 reviews and outline next steps to accelerate gender equality.

Held during the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the dialogue underscored both progress and persistent challenges in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action.

In his address, Mr. Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to gender equality, stressing the urgency of removing structural barriers to women’s empowerment.

“While Africa has made significant strides in education, political representation, and women’s involvement in peace and security, deep-rooted inequalities persist. Women’s economic exclusion, the gender digital divide, and the impact of debt burdens on gender-responsive investments must be addressed with urgency,” he stated.