The President-elect of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid has stated the United Nations (UN) must empower women and girls, in all their diversity, from all walks of life, from all regions, and from all age groups, to contribute to discussions on sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security. He made the statement upon being counted among International Gender Champions.
The International Gender Champions (IGC) is a leadership network that brings together female and male decision-makers determined to break down gender barriers and make gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence.
Shahid, the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs who was elected as the president of the UNGA, was welcomed to the IGC by the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN in New York Pascale Baeriswyl during a meeting held with female permanent representatives. Voices of women from all walks of life will be a crucial priority for advancing gender equality during the presidency of hope, which is Shahid's vision for the 76th session of the UNGA, she noted.
Accepting the acknowledgment, Shahid said the resolve on sustainable development is based on leaving no one behind, adding the inclusion of voices of women and girls is critical.