Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for global cooperation to advance women's all-round development

Transcript

00:00In his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing,

00:14Chinese President Xi Jinping called for renewed global efforts to advance gender equality and

00:20promote women's all-around development in the new era. He said women have been central to the

00:26creation and continuation of human civilization and their empowerment is key to the future of

00:32global development. Noting the landmark Beijing Declaration 30 years ago, President Xi said gender

00:39equality has become a global consensus with more than 190 countries enacting laws to protect women's

00:46rights and interests. President Xi went on to propose four key initiatives. First, fostering an

00:54enabling environment for women's growth and development. Peace and tranquility, President Xi said,

01:00is the prerequisite for women's development. He called for safeguarding world peace to protect

01:06women in conflict zones and stronger mechanism against violence. Second, cultivating powerful

01:13momentum for the high-quality development on women's cause. President Xi highlighted the role of women

01:19in global modernization. Advocating for their full participation in the new era of industrial

01:26transformation and scientific progress. Third, developing a governance framework to protect women's

01:33rights and interests. President Xi pointed out that the world needs improved laws, policies, and resource

01:39allocation to ensure women's equal rights and access to health and education. Fourth, writing a new chapter

01:48in promoting global cooperation on women. President Xi stressed prioritizing the needs of women in

01:54developing countries through the UN and fostering inclusive platforms for cross-cultural exchange and

02:01mutual growth. President Xi also highlighted China's progress, saying it offers a model for inclusive

02:08growth. Over the past decades, 690 million women in China have been lifted out of poverty.

02:16Maternal mortality has dropped by 80 percent, and women now account for over 40 percent of the

02:22workforce and more than half of Internet startup founders. To further support women's development

02:29worldwide, President Xi announced new commitments. Over the next five years, China will donate 10 million

02:36U.S. dollars to U.S. dollars to U.N. women, earmarked 100 million U.S. dollars from China's Global Development

02:42and South-South Cooperation Fund for cooperation projects with international organizations, launch 1,000

02:49livelihood programs prioritizing women and girls, and provide training and exchange opportunities for 50,000

02:56women. Beijing will also establish a global center for women's capacity building.

03:05Standing at this new historic starting point, let us carry forward the spirit of the Beijing World

03:11Conference on Women, bear in mind the goal of a community with a shared future for humanity,

03:16accelerate the new process of women's all-round development, and jointly create a better future

03:22future for the human race.

03:29Global leaders, including the presidents of Iceland, Dominica, Ghana, the Prime Minister of Mozambique

03:49and Sri Lanka, as well as the U.N. Deputy Secretary General and the Chief of U.N. Women all spoke at

03:56the event. They each highlighted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the

04:01U.N.'s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.