UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous concludes official visit to the People’s Republic of China, strengthens global partnerships for gender equality and women’s empowerment
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Beijing/Bangkok — UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous concluded her official visit to the People’s Republic of China, where she participated in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, held in Beijing from 13 to 14 October. The meeting built on existing milestones to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Leaders unite for gender equality and women’s empowerment
Convened by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, with UN Women as a supporting partner, the meeting brought together 800 delegates from over 110 countries and generated renewed momentum for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. At the meeting, opened by H.E. President Xi Jinping, the People’s Republic of China committed to advancing gender equality globally and nationally, as a driver of sustainable development.
In her opening remarks, Bahous emphasized that gender equality is a unifying force but warned that progress remains uneven and at risk of reversal. She called for bold, measurable actions, and underscored the critical need for transformative change, urging leaders to move beyond pledges and toward concrete, inclusive action that delivers for all women and girls everywhere. Bahous stressed the role that the women’s movement and civil society have and continue to play in advancing the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, noting that “their leadership has been transformative, driving every major step forward”.
High-level engagements: strengthening strategic partnerships
On 13 October, Bahous met with State Councilor Shen Yiqin, Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women and President of the All-China Women’s Federation. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of global actions to push forward on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the important role of the People’s Republic of China in achieving this goal through multilateralism and cooperation.
Bahous expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality and congratulated the People’s Republic of China on the successful convening of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women. She acknowledged the People’s Republic of China’s global leadership in convening the high-level meeting at a critical moment in time and the role of the National Working Committee on Children and Women and the All-China Women’s Federation in guiding national efforts.
She welcomed the People’s Republic of China’s concrete commitments across all 6+1 priority areas of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda. Bahous also co-chaired the plenary session alongside H.E. Mme. Huang Xiaowei, Minister and Vice Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, and Vice President of the All-China Women’s Federation. Together, they reaffirmed a shared commitment to fully realizing the ambitions of the Beijing Platform for Action for all women and girls.
On 14 October, as part of her visit, Bahous also delivered remarks at the opening of the Exhibition on China’s Progress in Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Women and Girls, which showcased innovative approaches to closing the gender digital divide. The event was graced by H.E. Professor Peng Liyuan, First Lady of the People’s Republic of China, whose presence highlighted the national commitment to empowering women through technology and innovation.
In the afternoon, Bahous participated in the inaugural ceremony of the Global Center for Women’s Capacity Building, hosted by the All-China Women’s Federation and the China International Development Cooperation Agency at China Women’s University. Bahous met with the agency’s Chairperson Chen Xiaodong to discuss strengthening collaboration to advance gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals in the Global South.
Bahous welcomed President Xi Jinping’s call for continued support to UN Women and acknowledged the critical role of the China International Development Cooperation Agency in leading the country’s development cooperation, and commended the People’s Republic of China for deepening its financial investments on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. She noted that the launch of the Global Center for Women’s Capacity Building was an important vehicle to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment through multilateral, South-South and triangular cooperation and exchanges. UN Women welcomed this vehicle and expressed its readiness to further partner with the China International Development Cooperation Agency, All-China Women’s Federation, and the new center to deliver on the Beijing Platform for Action, Beijing+30 Action Agenda commitments, and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
A turning point for 2025
As the world faces intersecting crises, from conflict and climate change to economic inequality, Bahous’ presence in Beijing served as a rallying call for renewed global solidarity and urgent action.
In her closing remarks at the summit, Bahous stated:
“The advancement of women is first and foremost a matter of rights and justice. Yet the cost of inaction extends even beyond principle.
“The moment to act is now. With the deadline of 2030 upon us, we have five years to decide: will equality remain rhetoric or become reality? As we leave this gathering, I call upon each of you to translate commitment into implementation.”