China, UN Women to Co-host 2015 Global Women's Summit

Song Xiuyan, vice-president and first member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), gives a speech at the 59th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women on March 9. [China Women's News]

China and the international organization UN Women will co-host the "2015 Global Women's Summit" during a high-level UN conference in New York on September 26, said Song Xiuyan, vice-chairperson of National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, vice-president and first member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF).

Song pointed out in her announcement at the 59th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women on March 9, that the international community should make a greater effort and contribution to solve the problems facing women's development, especially in recognition of this year's 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing. The upcoming summit will help further promote gender equality and women's empowerment, she added.

In 1995, over 40,000 representatives from government organizations and social groups attended the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were unanimously agreed upon to advance the most important development issues for women and young girls, marking a milestone in the international women's movement, said Song. The UN and governments of different countries last year carried out a series of activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the signing, and achievements and experiences have been shared and discussed, providing impetus for the furthering of gender equality issues and women's empowerment.

Invitations will be made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to all heads and leaders of UN member states. Moreover, Xi will attend the summit and give a speech. Chinese officials hope that governments and states will offer new commitments and more financial support to carry forward the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, so as to improve women's status and achieve gender equality worldwide.

(Source: people.cn/Translated and edited by Women of China)