New York, 22 September 2025 (MIA) – Thirty years ago, in Beijing, the nations of the world made a solemn pledge: to advance women's rights as human rights, to achieve gender equality, and to empower every woman and girl to live free from violence, discrimination, and limitation, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said addressing a High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women, taking place in New York on Monday as part of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Siljanovska-Davkova added that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remain a cornerstone of international law, a living testament that equality for women is both justice and a prerequisite for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development, MIA reports from New York. 

"And yet, three decades on, we must admit: progress has been uneven, fragile, and too often reversible. Violence against women persists with impunity, femicide desecrates the sanctity of life, and structural barriers still deny women leadership, resources, and decision-making power. These are not abstractions, they wound families, societies, and generations," President Siljanovska-Davkova pointed out.  

According to her, at the same time, the very institution created to safeguard peace - the United Nations, faces a profound crisis. 

"Conceived as the greatest peace project of humankind, it now stands against a backdrop of wars raging across continents," the President said, adding that 80 years after its founding, peace - the raison d’être of the UN, remains elusive. 

"Mars still rules when it is time for Venus - embodied in the vision, compassion, and leadership of women - to guide our common future. If we are serious about peace, then the time has come to entrust the helm of the United Nations to a woman," Siljanovska-Davkova pointed out.

She believes that the women of the world, together with the children, are the first and greatest victims of war. But, she noted, they are also the bearers of healing, compassion, and hope. 

"Gender equality is not a feminist privilege, it is a humanist imperative. We do not ask for favours, not for matriarchy, but for a just order in which the talents and creativity of half of humanity are fully recognized for the advancement of politics, science, health, education, and peace," said President Siljanovska-Davkova. 

According to her, the Beijing Declaration calls to ensure equal rights and equal access for women and men, girls and boys. That call, she said, remains urgent today. 

The theme of the high-level meeting is “Recommitting to, resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”, MIA reports from New York. 

Relevant non-governmental organizations, including civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector, whose work is relevant to the High-Level Meeting, are taking part.  

President Siljanovska-Davkova will also attend "Women Rise for All" lunch hosted by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

Women Rise for All is an initiative dedicated to amplifying the leadership of women in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By connecting women leaders and networks with the United Nations, the initiative fosters collaboration, drives positive impact, and promotes collective solutions for a more inclusive, equitable, and just future.

According to today's agenda, the President will also attend a reception for heads of delegations from Southeast Europe, organized by the American Balkan Chamber of Commerce, as well as a high-level dinner within the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly Platform of Women Leaders.

In the coming days, Siljanovska-Davkova will deliver a speech at the General Debate and participate in a series of summits, leadership forums, and high-level meetings on the occasion of the 80th UN General Assembly.

Meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other world leaders are also planned.

The theme of this year’s UNGA session is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”

As part of her U.S. visit, President Siljanovska-Davkova will also visit Detroit.

Photo: Office of the President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova