One area of reform which I hold dearly is the establishment of UN Women, an entity that consolidates four previous agencies dealing with gender equality and the empowerment of women. I am confident that this venture which will become fully operational by January 2011 would provide a coherent approach in attending to issues affecting women internationally. It is my hope that UN Women would receive the support of all States.

I especially welcome UN Women as an important and welcome novelty within the UN system, a body aimed at supporting gender equality and strengthening the position of women.

In this respect, Morocco has launched major projects and the substantial progress made towards expanding the scope of individual and collective freedoms, safeguarding human dignity and promoting the rights of its citizens - especially those of women, children and people with special needs - has been widely recognized.

I applaud the establishment o f the United Nations Entity for Gender and Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). St. Kitts and Nevis has always played a lead role in women' s empowerment. For us, the occupying of high offices and decision making roles by women have been the norm, a tradition we embrace and continue to cultivate. St. Kitts and Nevis thus remains committed to gender-equal opportunities at home and abroad.

In this regard, our government welcomes the establishment of the UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, and the appointment of Ms Michelle Bachelet, the former president of Chile to the head of the Unit.

Our achievement on MDG-1 on poverty alleviation, MDG-2 on universal primary education, MDG-3 on gender equality and women
empowerment are encouraging and on track.

Our government has revived the "National Women Development Policy" adopted during our last tenure of office ( 1996- - 2001). At present, beside the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Leader, and a Whip, there are 5 women cabinet ministers and 45 MPs against reserved seats. Moreover, 19 women MPs have been directly elected. Women also occupy 30% reserved seats in all governments.

Our government has revived the "National Women Development Policy" adopted during our last tenure of office (1996-2001) . At present, beside the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Leader, and a Whip, there are 5 women cabinet ministers and 45 MPs against reserved seats. Moreover, 19 women MPs have been directly elected. Women also occupy 30% reserved seats in all governments.

Though Bangladesh has achieved the MDG target of gender equality at secondary level, our plan is to provide free tuition to girls up to undergraduate level. It is because I firmly believe women' s equal involvement is vital for a nation' s development. Gender equity and human development are our top priority concerns.

A necessary condition to carry out these objectives is integration on equal terms of almost half the world population: women. The Tenth Anniversary of Resolution 1325, "Women, Peace and Security", should bring us to consolidate gender equality in the public and institutional scopes, as well as in the economic, social and cultural spheres.