UN ministerial conference to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Asia and the Pacific

Photo: UN Women/Satu Bumi Jaya

As the world nears the 30th anniversary of the historic Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, ministers, senior officials, civil society, youth leaders, private sector representatives and UN experts will gather in Bangkok from 19 to 21 November 2024 to assess regional progress, emerging challenges and priority actions for accelerating gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across Asia and the Pacific. 

Despite significant strides over the last three decades, gender equality in Asia and the Pacific remains elusive, with social norms and economic inequalities persisting. This Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review aims to address these challenges and build momentum for actionable commitments to empower women and girls, with a vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

The Conference will also provide a platform for governments and other key stakeholders to explore policy options and strategies, including innovative approaches to address key issues that continue to hinder gender equality, such as economic disparities, gender-based violence, unpaid care work and the disproportionate impact of global crises on women and girls.

Key speakers: 

• Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 
• Sima Bahous, Executive Director, UN Women
• H. E. Sharmeen S. Murshid, Honorable Advisor, Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Bangladesh 
• H. E. Kantha Phavi Ing, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Cambodia
• Hon. Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown, Minister for Internal Affairs, Cook Islands 
• H.E. Lynda Doseru Tabuya, Minister of Women, Children and Social Protection, Fiji 
• H.E. Aly Vongnobountham, President of Lao Women’s Union and Vice Standing President of National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children, Lao PDR
• H. E. Jess Gasper Jr., Minister of Culture and Internal Affairs, Marshall Islands 
• Hon. Charmaine E. Scotty M.P., Minister for Women and Social Development Affairs, Nauru 
• H.E. Jason Peter Waviha, Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Papua New Guinea 
• H.E. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand 
• H.E. Lord Vaea, Minister for Internal Affairs, Tonga
• H.E. Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, Samoa
• Cindy Sirinya Bishop, Goodwill Ambassador, UN Women