1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China under item 26 of our agenda, entitled "Advancement of women".

2. At the outset, the Group would like to thank the Secretary-General for his efforts in submitting the reports under this agenda item, which will surely enrich our deliberations and discussions.

Mr. Chair,

3. The Group reaffirms their support to the full, effective and accelerated implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the outcome of the twenty-third Special Session of the General Assembly. In this regard, we welcome the measures taken by Member States to promote the empowerment of women and girls and remain fully committed to mainstreaming gender perspective into policies and programs related to their advancement and well-being.

 4. We believe that the mainstreaming of a gender perspective into all development efforts and that the realization of the full participation of women in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life as equal partners is critical for achieving the goals and targets contained in Agenda 2030, which we fully support. We would like to add that this principle has been emphasized in the Group's Ministerial Declaration which was adopted on 27 September, 2019, emphasizing that "Gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, and women's full and equal participation and leadership in the economy and as partners for development are vital for achieving sustainable development, promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies."

Mr. Chair,

5. The Group recognizes that there has been progress in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda. However, at the same time, serious and persistent challenges and gaps remain at all levels, and in every country, that hinder the full and effective implementation of the objectives of these important documents. We should also add that many promises and commitments continue to be unfulfilled.

6. Furthermore, the Group stresses that violence against women and girls continues to be a major obstacle to the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. We emphasize the need for measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, in particular femicide, and to ensure that women with disabilities, girls, youth, indigenous, afro-descendant and older women, are not subject to multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination, thus the need to improve the collection and analysis of data on the economy, disaggregated by sex, income, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, and other relevant factors.

7. In addition, discrimination, violence, access to basic health care, and education and social protection are continuing to be the major obstacles facing women and girls living in countries affected by armed conflict, living under foreign occupation or subject to unilateral coercive measures, contrary to international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

8. Accordingly, the Group reiterates that all States have the obligation to use all appropriate means of a legislative, political and economic means in order to promote and protect the fundamental freedoms of women and girls, all while staying true to our pledge to leave no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first.

9. Moreover, we stress the importance of improving access of women to all resources needed for the full exercise of all their human rights and fundamental freedoms by removing persistent barriers, including ensuring equal access to full and productive employment and decent work for all, as well as strengthening their economic independence.

10. We stress the need to allocate adequate resources for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in the workplace, including unequal access to labor market participation and wage inequalities, as well as reconciliation of work and private life for both women and men.
11. In order to achieve that, we need to strengthen international cooperation and to intensify global dialogue to include the gender perspective into all policies and measures related to women advancement and empowerment.

12. Accordingly, the Group underlines the paramount importance of enhancing the role of North-South, and South-South to address challenges faced by women and girls and enhance their role as full and equal partners in the development of their societies.

13. In this regard, the Group wishes to recall one of the Secretary-General's recommendations contained in his report A/74/222, in particular requesting the General Assembly: "To call upon all intergovernmental bodies of the United nations to contribute to the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action with concrete actions and new initiatives to accelerate the realization of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls."

Mr. Chair,

14. The Group reaffirms that the Commission on the Status of Women continues to serve as the one of the main forum for addressing, promoting and reviewing issues related to the advancement and empowerment of women and to follow up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, within its existing mandate.

15. Lastly, the Group stresses the significance of the high-level meeting on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fourth World conference on women, which will be held on Wednesday, 23 September 2020. We emphasize that the success of this event requires Governments and other stakeholders to undertake all necessary measures during the preparation process to achieve our common goals and objectives. We look forward to enhancing international cooperation and global partnership for achieving our common goals.

Thank you.