Cairo: The Arab League General Secretariat held Monday, via the digital platform, the Arab Preparatory Meeting for the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, in cooperation with the regional office of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, on the sidelines of the 44th session of the Arab Women's Committee at the ministerial level, chaired by Palestine.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Arab League announced that the preparatory meeting discussed the draft Arab statement that will be delivered by the representative of Palestine on behalf of the Arab Group in New York during the opening session of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This session is themed "Towards the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action +35," focusing on the "Review and Appraisal of the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action +30." The event is scheduled from March 10 to 21 in New York.
Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector at the Arab League, highlighted the efforts of Arab countries in preparing the Sixth Regional Review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by submitting 19 national reports. She emphasized the General Secretariat's commitment to supporting the international advocacy for Arab women. The Social Affairs Sector - Women's Department plans to organize a high-level side event titled "Women of Gaza Rise for Dignity and Freedom," on March 11 at the United Nations headquarters.
The event will feature ministers, heads and representatives of national mechanisms concerned with women's affairs in Arab countries, high-level representatives of relevant UN organizations and bodies, senior officials, and several foreign ambassadors in New York.
Regarding the 44th session of the Arab Women's Committee, the Arab League noted that the meeting's agenda covered key topics on women's empowerment and improving their conditions at the Arab level. This includes following up on the implementation of the Women's Development Agenda in the Arab Region 2023-2028, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda at the regional level, as well as issues related to climate change, economic and social empowerment, combating violence against women, and regional and international cooperation in promoting gender equality.