Delivered By: HE Ghasaq Shaheen, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative
Madam Executive Director, colleagues,
I thank you for your statements and Executive Director Bahous for presenting the final report on the implementation of the UN Women Strategic Plan 2022–2025.
The report underscores that progress toward gender equality remains fragile and cannot be assumed. Despite persistent challenges, it shows that targeted investments, effective partnerships, and sustained political commitment can yield meaningful results, even in a complex global environment.
The implementation of the Strategic Plan offers clear guidance for the future.
First, amid fiscal constraints and competing priorities, we must expand blended financing mechanisms, mobilize private capital through targeted incentives, and deepen collaboration with international financial institutions to scale proven, high-impact programs that deliver measurable outcomes for women and girls.
Second, closing gaps for women and girls in conflict and crisis settings requires operationalizing the humanitarian-development-peace nexus through joint programming, ensuring dedicated funding for women-led organizations, and systematically integrating women’s leadership and participation in peace processes, recovery planning, and reconstruction efforts.
Third, as emerging technologies evolve, we must establish clear policy frameworks to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated violence, invest in digital literacy and STEM education for women and girls, and expand equitable access to digital infrastructure so they can safely and fully benefit from innovation.
Looking ahead to the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, the UAE encourages a continued focus on impact and efficiency. The next Strategic Plan should leverage UN Women’s comparative advantages, strengthen its coordination role across the UN system, and prioritize scalable solutions to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda.
The UAE remains a committed partner of UN Women and looks forward to constructive engagement with Board members throughout this session.
Thank you.