Human Rights Council – 61st sessioon
General Debate Item 3
Joint Statement “Accelerate implementation of the SDGs to promote gender equality”
Delivered by Viet Nam
11 March 2026

Mister President,

With only four years remaining to the 2030 deadline, the need to accelerate progress on the SDGs has never been more urgent. While commendable progress has been achieved in advancing gender equality, we acknowledge that challenges persist.

We welcome the adoption of the Beijing+30 Political Declaration and call upon all States to translate its commitments into concrete national action plans.

With that in mind, we reaffirm the following priorities:

First, ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls across all decision-making spheres, and prioritizing policies aimed at empowering women and girls, including those addressing poverty reduction, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while eliminating structural barriers.

Second, increasing women's and girls' participation in science, technology, and digital transformation, and investing in digital literacy and affordable digital technology, while preventing gender-based discrimination and violence, including online.

Third, strengthening women's and girls' full involvement in peace and security processes, including humanitarian response and post-conflict reconstruction, recognizing that their leadership is essential for sustainable recovery and stability.

Fourth, mobilizing financing for gender equality through gender-responsive budgeting, innovative financial mechanisms, and strengthened international development cooperation to close the financing gap in implementation.

We strongly believe that accelerating progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls will protect and promote human rights, and contribute significantly to building a world of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

I thank you.