Dear friends, colleagues and partners,

Let me heartily congratulate you on the forthcoming International Women's Day.

On this date, the 8th of March, we particularly mark women’s achievements in almost all spheres of our societies – political, economic, social and cultural. It is also a day that serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

This year, the International Women’s Day is observed with a theme 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress” and is an opportunity to place a much-needed global focus on the accomplishments, women and girls have achieved in the fight for equality.

I would like to refer to the words of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres who calls on all of us to stand with women and girls fighting for their rights, and committing to accelerating progress, as the progress is under attack, with a fierce backlash against women’s rights.

Unfortunately, in many countries around the world, women still remain restricted from revealing and realizing their full potential to contribute to the development of their own societies, while potential of any state can be fully realized through the mainstreaming of women in economic and social sphere of their societies.

Past few years had been marred with divisions, fragmentation, conflicts and wars, and in the words of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, humanity has entered an era of chaotic transition.

In the face of these challenges, the Global Women, Peace and Security Agenda has become even more relevant and inextricably linked with peace and security. At the same time, the Global Agenda envisages full and equal involvement of women at all levels of decision-making, including peace processes, mediation, conflict resolution, prevention and remains the cornerstone of international politics.

As the Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, I cannot avoid the issue related to women’s role in ensuring peace. History shows that women nowadays can play a greater, positive and peacebuilding role, and not coincidentally, this direction is being developed within the United Nations Organization. Resolution of the UN Security Council 1325 and a number of subsequent resolutions are proof of that.  

In this context I would like to mention the key role of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus, which was created at the initiative of women Leaders of Central Asia in 2020, aimed at supporting women in the region of Central Asia to attain a more prominent political, economic and social role, and enabling them to increasingly influence the decision-making process on issues related to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region. 

It has proven its feasibility and importance both for promoting gender equality policies at the national level and in the context of strengthening regional cooperation.

During my working visits to the region of Central Asia, I meet talented women and girls that can change the lives of entire communities for the best. They already play a significant role in political, socioeconomical processes of their governments in the region. But it is obvious that women and girls could do more.

Let me reiterate the UN Secretary-General’s call on unlocking finance for sustainable development so that countries have funds available to invest in women and girls. Considerable investment in programmes is required to end violence against women, and to drive women’s inclusion and leadership in economies, digital technologies, peacebuilding and climate action.

UNRCCA, in turn, will continue strengthening and supporting the Central Asian countries in implementing the Global Women, Peace and Security  Agenda as the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus, is about equality, justice, participation of women - and therefore, is an instrument of peace that contributes to strengthening good neighborliness and security in the region and beyond.

In conclusion, I encourage all of you to join the call of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, that the “Women’s rights are a proven path to fair, peaceful, prosperous societies. It is good for us all. And together, let’s take urgent action to make it a reality.”

I congratulate you on the holiday and wish you all the best!