Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  A delegation from Uzbekistan participated in the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review, held from November 19 to 21 in Bangkok, Thailand. The delegation included the Deputy Chair of the Committee on Women’s Affairs, M. Nurmatova, and the Deputy Director of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, D. Muratova.

The forum was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and UN Women. The conference marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPFA), which will be celebrated next year.

The conference reviewed the progress of the implementation of the Platform for Action in the Asia-Pacific region over the last five years and discussed critical actions for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. Over 1,200 delegates, including representatives from governments, civil society, youth groups, the private sector, and academia, participated in the forum.

ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana highlighted the critical role of women in shaping the future and called for providing women and girls with opportunities for prosperity, leadership tools, and resources. She emphasized the need for active female participation in addressing global challenges.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous also stressed the importance of the Beijing+30 Review as an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and to create conditions for women’s participation in economic, social, and political processes.

Forum participants noted positive changes in the Asia-Pacific region, such as increased school attendance among girls, reduced maternal mortality, and a rise in the number of women in leadership roles. However, they also emphasized slow and uneven progress, with persistent issues such as ingrained discriminatory social norms, high levels of gender-based violence, and limited investments in gender equality issues.

A new report titled "Charting New Pathways to Gender Equality and Empowerment: Asia-Pacific Regional Review Report on Beijing+30" was presented at the conference, offering recommendations for transforming gender norms, improving data collection, and promoting gender-responsive investments and cross-sector partnerships.

Uzbekistan was recognized by the international community for its successful experience in promoting gender equality, ensuring women’s rights, and enhancing their role in politics and decision-making.