New York City, Paris, October 12 Interview ¡°I hope China continues to play a leading role¡± ¨C Visit to former UNESCO Director-General Bokova

Xinhua Agency reporter Zhang Baihui

As the Global Women's Summit is about to be held in Beijing, former Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova said in a written interview with a reporter from Xinhua Agency that promoting gender equality requires political commitment, unity, collaboration and practical actions, and hopes that China will continue to play a leading role.

30 years ago, the Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing.Bokova was one of the attendees to the historic moments of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and the Programme of Action.I am delighted to be present as a representative to that crucial women¡¯s conference and to witness China¡¯s leading role in the formation of these important UN documents.¡±

Photo of UNESCO Director-General Bokova attending a event in Paris in 2017 (China News Agency reporter Zhang Fei)

In her view, one of the main achievements of the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women was that for the first time it attached great importance to women's issues in conflicts and crises, which further contributed to another important document-the adoption by the United Nations Security Council in 2000 on Women, Peace and Security Resolution 1325. She also believes that the Platform for Action "marks a turning point in global awareness of the rights of women and girls" and creates a new concept that "fully unleashing the potential of women and girls is a powerful and indispensable component of successful sustainable development."

Thirty years later, the Global Women's Summit aimed at relieving the spirit of the Beijing World Women's Conference is about to be held, and Bokova regards it as "a very important international event". "On the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, achieving gender equality remains crucial to sustainable development, economic prosperity and peace. These documents, like the sustainable development goals, remain important guiding tools."

She noted, in particular, that since 1995, the Agenda has been a blueprint for promoting global gender equality, and its real significance has not diminished compared to 30 years ago.

She also paid attention to China's White Paper on China's Practices and Achievements for the Advancement of Women's Comprehensive Development in a New Era, which was released before the Summit. She believes that the White Paper "reveals China's significant progress in promoting gender equality and enhancing women's empowerment", especially in the two areas of health and education, thanks to the country's central position of women and children in healthy development, and the Chinese women's health situation has improved significantly.

¡°Despite progress, systemic inequalities are still hindering the full participation, leadership and empowerment of women and girls worldwide, and today, women and girls are still severely affected by conflicts and crises, paying the heaviest price. Nearly 10 percent of women and girls worldwide live in extreme poverty, more than 600 million women and girls are deeply affected by conflict wars, and violence, discrimination and economic inequality persist. Meanwhile, climate change pressures such as floods, droughts and deadly high temperatures are growing.¡±

Faced with these practical challenges, Bokova has high hopes for the Global Women's Summit and its host China. "As the world faces economic uncertainty, climate crisis, conflict and growing inequality, reaffirming commitment to gender equality is crucial to building a just and sustainable future," she said. I believe that this is the purpose of this meeting, and I hope that China can continue to play a leading role in many areas that require political commitment, unity, collaboration, and practical actions."