Simon Springett - open lesson National Library

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am glad to see so many of you here today on this United Nations Day. In Moldova and across the world, we are celebrating the anniversary of the ratification of the United Nations Charter and the establishment of the United Nations. Today we are also marking our commitment to the spirit and strength of multilateralism and to the work of the United Nations.

The United Nations Charter, our shared moral anchor, sends a clear message to put people first. Here in Moldova, this vision guides the effort of the United Nations and its 21 agencies working across the country. Together with the Government of Moldova, we have a common goal, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation by year 2030. Whilst this may seem like a long time, we have a far way to go. This is the battle of our time and an endeavor that requires all of our engagements.

Today we are here to focus on one of the UN’s main priorities, the sustainable development goal five, gender equality. It is an urgent need, moral duty and an operational necessity. A number of steps have been taken by the organization including ensuring gender parity across the United Nations system, but still more is needed.

I am proud to see that Moldova has come a long way and that a lot has been accomplished but more has to be done.

Together we must ensure that women can access and exercise power as decision-makers.

Together we have to close the gap in economic empowerment.

Together we need to challenge stereotypes that limit girls’ ambitions and dreams.

The longer we put off gender equality, the more we lose. Investing in women and respecting their human rights is the safest way to lift communities, companies and countries, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

I hope that our discussions here today can lead the way to concrete constructive ways to contribute towards gender equality with greater commitment and action by us all.

Dear Friends, I wish you all a Happy United Nations Day. I will now hand over to my colleague from OHCHR, Ms. Olesea Perean. Thank you!