“Next year, we will celebrate 20th anniversary of another important document: the Beijing Platform for Action. It is a fact, not mere speculation, that for building resilience and building sustainable societies, contribution by women is necessity. Women have achieved remarkable progress since the Beijing Platform.

“The share of women in the employment structure grew to 45.4 percent. The tangible successes are achieved in the sphere of improving the health of mother and child: the mortality rate among children below 5 years of age decreased 1.8 times and maternal mortality rate -- 1.6 times.”

“Zambia is also undertaking several other initiatives aimed at reducing the gender divide. My Government is of the conviction that girls and women should be enabled and allowed to reach their full potential and be able to contribute to national growth on equal footing with their menfolk.

“Zambia has increased its campaign to forestall the growing problem of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. This problem is strongly rooted in the prevailing poverty levels in some poor families and in the quest by organized criminals to make profit from selling off under-age girls either into marriage or to engage in other exploitative vices. . . .

“Kazakhstan is also allocating funds this year for the implementation of programs of the Organizations of American States related to the rights of women and disaster risk management in Central America and the Caribbean.”

“There is no time to lose: we must actively address what is happening in Northern Iraq where the so-called Islamic State is attempting to wipe out entire religious communities. Where children are being beheaded, mothers raped and fathers hung because of their beliefs.”

“As a responsible member of the international community, Nepal will continue to participate in the peacekeeping operations and promote gender equality through the increased participation of women in peacekeeping, with greater commitment and dedication.”

“In recent years, my country has launched a process of transformations focused on sustainable development, the fight against poverty, the reduction of inequality and exclusion, and social injustice, additionally promoting a gender equality agenda and a human rights perspective.”

“We are committed to enhancing gender equality, women's empowerment, and equal employment for every Georgian.”

“The Government has been implementing large-scale programs on improving good governance, strengthening rule of law, ensuring respect for human rights, providing facilitated access to public services, inclusive and equitable education, gender equality and empowering women, enabling access to affordable energy and protection of environment."