Madame President,

I would like to begin by thanking Madame Executive Director for her comprehensive statement as well as her annual report and midterm review on the implementation of UN Women’s Strategic Plan for the 2022-2025 period.

I am pleased to emphasize that Türkiye will continue to place the empowerment of women at the center of its plans and policies. In doing so, we enjoy a sound relationship with UN Women and collaborate on a number of issues.

Türkiye achieved important strides in this endeavor.

These include empowerment of women in all areas of society, enhancement of women’s participation in the workforce, support to women’s entrepreneurship and cooperative associations, eradicating violence against women.

We attach particular importance to gender parity between men and women. For a truly just and inclusive society we can not leave women and girls behind.

As we approach 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, increasing instability and tensions around the world exacerbate our joint commitment for equal rights and dignity of women and men.

Systemic violence in Gaza especially affected women, children and older people disproportionately. We need to ensure once again the full implementation of human rights of women and girls as an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Madame President,

We are truly grateful for UN Women’s strong support in the aftermath of the earthquakes last year.

I would like to thank the Executive Director for her extremely productive visit to Türkiye last month. In addition to high level consultations in Ankara, Executive Director visited areas affected by the earthquake and met a variety of actors.

We commend the 2024 Annual Report of the Executive Director on the implementation of the Strategic Plan. It provides an invaluable source for the progress to date and challenges and opportunities ahead for the UN Women.

As for the upcoming Strategic Plan, we see it as an invaluable opportunity to foster UN Women’s role and commend the efforts to ensure that the Strategic Plan preparations are conducted in an inclusive and transparent manner.

We would like express our support for an ambitious Strategic Plan that gives impetus to the work of the UN Women in implementing its triple mandate.

Madame President,

I would like to reiterate once again our strong support for the Executive Director, who was not silent during the last few months in the face of growing plight of women across the world.

In closing, let me confirm Türkiye’s continuing commitment to the goals of improving the living standards and rights of women and girls and ensuring their full and equal participation in all spheres of life.

Thank you.