Impressions and Insights of the Distinguished Guests of the WWF
Ulaanbaatar, August 23, 2024 /MONTSAME/. Under the auspices of President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, the World Women’s Forum was successfully held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on August 22-23, 2024. During the Forum, MONTSAME Mongolian National News Agency interviewed several high-level women delegates.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 73rd Session: This is my first visit to Mongolia, and I am extremely thankful for the hospitality of the Mongolian Government and its people. I am impressed by the richness of Mongolia's culture and traditions seamlessly combined with modernity and economic and social prosperity. This progress is only possible due to strong political leadership, beginning with the leadership of the Foreign Minister of Mongolia, to whom we are grateful for organizing the World Women’s Forum.
I believe the agenda addressed the most critical aspects of women's rights and gender equality. The top priority is women's representation, both nationally and internationally. We discussed the underrepresentation of women in positions of power, including in parliaments and governments. We also exchanged views on the importance of having a gender-balanced multilateral system, where women are represented in decision-making and high-level positions. We shared the perspective of the organization I have the honor to lead, GWL Voices, which tracks senior-level appointments in the multilateral system. There is still much work to be done. As we heard from the President of Slovenia yesterday, we are calling for more women to be present, including as Presidents of the UN General Assembly. We are also advocating for the appointment of a woman as the Secretary-General in 2027, marking the first time in the 80-year history of the United Nations.
We also discussed the role of women in addressing and responding to climate change, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation. Women play a central role—not only as victims since they bear the highest burden in climate-related disasters—but also as key agents of climate action and response. Additionally, we explored the issue of economic empowerment for women, which is essential. If we want gender equality, we must provide women with the means to actively participate in the economic sphere.
At one of the key sessions, we discussed the role of women in culture and sports, which is crucial for creating fair, just, and inclusive societies. The topics covered included the environment, SDGs, and women's representation, all of which are vital for sustainable development. When we look at the Sustainable Development Goals, there isn't a single one among the 17 SDGs that doesn't require bringing women to the forefront—not only as targets of policies and investments but also as powerful agents of change, capable of driving the societal transformations that are needed.
Rositsa Lyubenova Kirova, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Bulgaria: It has been a pleasure to visit Mongolia. My initial impressions are not yet complete, as I have not yet explored the countryside, but I plan to do so later. The Mongolian people are very hospitable, and the World Women's Forum was held at a very high level. I believe we are on the verge of reaching a declaration and decision that will significantly influence future developments related to green energy. With the way the world is evolving, it is crucial to take care of our planet. Perhaps Mongolians, due to their traditional nomadic lifestyle, have a deeper understanding of the importance of our relationship with the earth and nature. This is something I am eager to learn from them.
Women from all over the world gathered here and exchanged ideas. We discussed the rights of women, which have long been neglected in various societies. However, we are now witnessing more women in politics, administration, and different institutions. This represents a significant step forward. As Margaret Thatcher once said, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” Our discussions have proven that we can make decisions and find solutions to the challenges we face.
It might sound unconventional, but only when women are united and aware of their position can we achieve real change. This is the main outcome of this forum. I believe our ideas have been heard by the President of Mongolia, and the Mongolian Government officials, who attended the opening plenary session. To build a world where men and women are equal does not mean neglecting men and their roles in society. It means working together, hand in hand, harnessing the feminine energy to care for our families, nurture nature, and develop our countries.
The first session I attended focused on the green transition and our responsibility to protect the planet. The main theme was how the planet is our mother Earth, and who better than a woman, who is also a mother, to nurture and care for her children and help society take care of the planet? By safeguarding our environment, we can ensure a longer, healthier future for ourselves. The solutions related to the green transition are critical and must be addressed with urgency.
June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director of East Asia and the Pacific: It is truly an honor and a privilege to be here. The World Women’s Forum convened and organized by the Government of Mongolia, has been tremendous. I want to congratulate and thank the Government and all the participants. This Forum is particularly significant as it marks 100 years of women's suffrage in Mongolia. We can clearly see that, in many spheres of life in Mongolia, women are dynamic, active, and successful. We also learned that, with the new Parliament of Mongolia, there are now 32 women members, which is a record high. Women’s representation is even greater at the subnational level.
What we at UNICEF really appreciate is Mongolia’s partnership with the United Nations and its agencies. Our focus is on women and children cohesively. This Forum is a reflection on what has been achieved, the challenges that remain, and how women can be supported to maximize their potential, contribute to economies, and help build more stable and productive societies. Of course, this also includes raising healthy, innovative, and talented children, who are the foundation and future of every society.
Once again, we have many things to learn from Mongolia, and many things to share. One of the key outcomes of this Forum is the recommitment to collaboration, partnership, and the pursuit of a common agenda so that together we can achieve more for the rights of women and children.
Elyse Mosquini, Chief of Staff to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross: First of all, I want to express what a pleasure and privilege it has been to attend the World Women’s Forum, to be here, and to take part in this event.
Mongolia has been an incredible and gracious host. It has been a wonderful experience to be inspired by your country, its rich traditions, and the way it projects itself forward. Your ability to convene regional actors and beyond, to collectively address important issues, is remarkable. For the International Committee of the Red Cross, it has been an honor to participate in this event, to share our experiences, and also to learn from yours.
If we look at a couple of themes from the conference, your grand tradition of honoring women and giving them prominent places in society is something we aspire to as an organization, and as a global community altogether. Additionally, your deep connection to nature is an important lesson for addressing the issue of climate change in today's world. I want to express my gratitude for giving us this opportunity to be here, alongside our first and most prominent partner in the country, the Mongolian Red Cross Society.
Finally, in terms of the inspiration from the Forum, Mongolia provides excellent examples for young women and women leaders around the world. Your Foreign Minister, Battsetseg Batmunkh, who is also a leader of the Mongolian Red Cross Society, is such a strong, articulate woman and serves as a wonderful role model for the future generation of women.
Stephanie Campbell, Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality: This is actually my second visit. I first came last year for the Women's Ministerial Forum. Mongolia is such a beautiful, fascinating country, and I'm thrilled to be back. I had a wonderful experience this morning—I woke up early and went for a run through the streets, watching the city come to life. It was a very special moment.
What I love about this Forum is that it brings people together from all over the world to reaffirm the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Ensuring that every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of who they are, is not only a basic human right but also a smart strategy. This conference is particularly valuable because it allows us to collaborate on addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges—like climate change and increasing global conflicts—by involving 100% of the population in creating solutions. This platform gives us the chance to renew our commitment to working together for gender equality.
