'Make Gender Equality Reality', Secretary-General Urges in Message to Second Eurasian Women’s Forum

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Eurasian Women’s Forum being held in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, from 20 to 21 September:

My warmest greetings to everyone at the second Eurasian Women’s Forum.

Since your first meeting three years ago, the world has adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — our road map to peace, equality and sustainability, rooted in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Discriminatory laws have been repealed in many countries.  Campaigns against sexual abuse and harassment have galvanized global action.  Now it is time to build on these strong foundations, make gender equality a reality, and implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

I encourage all of you at this Forum to strengthen your cooperation, forge new partnerships and share your expertise on how to transform our world.  I wish you a very fruitful forum.

Thank you.