Gender Equality Under Threat - President of the General Assembly Press Conference

The President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, told journalists in New York that “gender equality has never been more supported globally than today. But at the same time, we have never seen such organised attempts to roll back these successes.” As the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women takes place at United Nations Headquarters in New York this week, Baerbock said, “all around the world we can see women rights are the benchmark for the strength, freedom and economic development of societies. So therefore, in the interest of all.” She said, “if countries would close the gender pay gap, the productivity all around the world, the GDP would increase by 12 trillion US dollars. If we would close the digital divide between men and women, the world economy would grow until 2050 by over 100 trillion US dollars. This is the GDP combined between the United States and China.” The PGA said, “women rights are in the interest of all. Yet, as we have seen over the last week, not only women rights are under attack, it's also true for the international order.” She stressed that “defending the UN charter” remains her central priority of the 80th session of the General Assembly. Turning to UN reform, Baerbock said, “we need even more and very serious debate how to modernise this institution and make it more efficient and more delivering on the principles.” On the election of the next Secretary-General, she said, “this next Secretary General should provide strong and dedicated, effective leadership skills with experience in governance structures, but also with regard to United Nations, with regard to, management skills of this institution in the light of, the reforms.” The PGA stressed the importance of regional diversity and noted the consensus “by 193 member states to strongly, call on member states for the nomination of women.” Five candidates have so far been nominated: Michelle Bachelet of Chile; Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica; Macky Sall of Senegal, and Virginia Gamba and Rafael Mariano Grossi, both from Argentina. The informal dialogues with candidates are expected to begin on the 20th of April. Each candidate will have a three-hour session, allowing member states, NGO, sufficient time to ask questions. Candidates will also be required to provide financial disclosure.