The 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held its annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming on February 24, commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Liu Yang, China’s first female astronaut in space and a distinguished global representative of women’s achievements, delivered a keynote video address. In her speech, she introduced the guiding principles and remarkable accomplishments of China’s high-quality development in advancing women’s rights in the new era.

During the session, panelists and representatives unanimously commended the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, highlighting its enduring significance as a global blueprint for achieving gender equality. They urged all stakeholders to reinforce the continued relevance of this visionary document, ensuring the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all women and girls, turning the principles of the Beijing Declaration into concrete outcomes.

H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the General Assembly, stated that the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is not merely a commemoration, but a powerful call to advance women’s rights worldwide. He called on all parties to reaffirm their commitments, transform this anniversary into a turning point, and prioritize concrete action over mere rhetoric, as well as commitments over complacency.

Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action represents a significant milestone in the history of women’s rights and gender equality, embodying the remarkable mobilization, wisdom and expertise of feminist movements and women’s rights organizations. However, he stressed that serious challenges continue to exist in this field today, calling on all stakeholders to safeguard and advance the legacy of the Declaration while steadfastly resisting the escalating backlash against hard-won progress in gender equality.

Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), stated that thirty years ago, global representatives united in their commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls. She highlighted that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is not merely a commitment but an actionable blueprint and an inspirational call to action. Over the past three decades, the spirit of the Declaration has enabled a growing number of countries to recognize gender equality as an indispensable foundation for social development. She urged the global community must act decisively today to achieve tangible transformative changes for all women and girls, turning the vision of “Leave No One Behind” into a reality.

Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), stated that participants at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 had already recognized the tremendous potential of technological development in empowering women and girls. Although significant progress has been made in global adoption of digital technologies over the past three decades, the digital gender gap persists. She called on all stakeholders to unite their efforts to eradicate this gap, ensure equal opportunities for women and girls in the digital age, and collectively fulfill the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), paid tribute to the participants of the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. She emphasized that the remarkable efforts, unwavering dedication, and exceptional leadership demonstrated by delegates at the conference laid the foundation for global women’s development. Three decades ago, this landmark conference expanded humanity’s understanding of gender equality and catalyzed transformative policy and practical changes across nations. Today, all stakeholders must translate their

Ms. Nahla Haidar, Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, emphasized that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has complemented the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women over the past three decades, together establishing a robust framework for the protection, promotion, and realization of women’s rights. She urged all stakeholders to move forward with renewed resolve, stressing that the legacy we create today will shape the future of women and girls.

The representatives from multiple countries emphasized that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has both historical significance and contemporary relevance, serving as a sustained guide for advancing global gender equality.

The representative of Ghana, speaking on behalf of the African Group, stated that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has provided crucial guidance for global efforts to promote gender equality and advance the rights of women and girls, serving as a cornerstone of the international community’s collective pursuit of equality and justice.

The representative of Belarus stated that the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action represented a milestone in the global movement for women’s rights and gender equality. Under the leadership and promotion of the Chinese government, the international community has made systemic progress in safeguarding women’s rights. China has played an important role in promoting gender equality initiatives worldwide through the ongoing strengthening of international cooperation mechanisms.

The representative of Germany stated that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark achievement in promoting global gender equality, has inspired countries to take concrete actions toward eliminating gender inequality, paving the way for a more equitable future for women and girls.

The representatives of South Africa, Spain, Angola, Costa Rica, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Morocco affirmed that their respective countries have consistently adhered to the guiding framework of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, fulfilling their commitments to promoting gender equality through concrete actions.