Director-General's remarks at the Opening of the photo exhibition "17 Faces of Action" on the occasion of the World Women's Forum

Opening of the photo exhibition “17 Faces of Action”

Thursday, 22 August 2024, at 5.00 p.m.

Chinggis Khaan National Museum, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

It is my great pleasure to join you for the inauguration of the photo exhibition “17 Faces of Action”, organized on the occasion of the World Women’s Forum. This exhibition is a powerful testament of the transformative role that women play in realizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Mongolia and beyond. 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Office of the President of Mongolia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and the Permanent Mission of Mongolia in Geneva for their partnership in organizing this exhibition. My thanks also extend to the Chinggis Khaan National Museum for graciously hosting us today, and to Ms. Victoria Desyat, President of the Swiss Association of Women & Empowerment, for her dedication in curating this exhibition.

The United Nations Office at Geneva is delighted to collaborate with Mongolia and the Swiss Association of Women & Empowerment on the “17 Faces of Action” project. Through similar exhibitions worldwide, we aim to highlight the profound contributions of women toward achieving the SDGs. These national photo exhibitions will culminate in a major event at the Palais des Nations, the UN house in Geneva, as we celebrate the reopening of its historic building.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mongolia is home to many remarkable women who have been pivotal in shaping the nation’s identity and progress – from the era of Queen Mandukhai the Wise, to the present day. These women, working as scientists, business leaders, civil servants, and activists, have shattered barriers and inspired generations to dream big. Their stories remind us that women’s empowerment is not just important but crucial for sustainable development.

As the famous Mongolian poet G. Mend-Ooyo[1] wrote: “She is the hearth of the ger, the keeper of the fire, the source of warmth and life.” This quote beautifully captures the essential role of women in Mongolian culture, symbolizing their nurturing strength and their central contribution to sustaining life and community.

The resilience and leadership of Mongolian women are also clearly reflected in the country’s policies and initiatives. Mongolia has made significant strides in advancing women’s rights, ensuring that gender equality remains one of the central pillars of its development agenda. For instance, in 2011, Mongolia adopted the Law on Promotion of Gender Equality and the National Programme on Gender Equality, which promotes comprehensive measures to eliminate gender-based stereotypes across all spheres of life. In 2023, Mongolia joined the “Feminist Foreign Policy Plus Group” at the UN, further solidifying its commitment to gender equality.

This exhibition serves as a contemporary reflection of this ongoing commitment. The 17 women featured here embody the principles enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Their contributions are a reminder that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also an essential foundation for sustainable peace and development.

The importance of gender equality is echoed not only in the 2030 Agenda but also in the Political Declaration at the SDGs Summit last September. This principle is further emphasized as a cross-cutting issue in the draft of the Pact for the Future, set to be adopted at the Summit of the Future in September this year.

Dear friends,

Globally, we stand at a critical juncture, with less than a decade remaining to achieve the SDGs. The latest Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 highlights that our global progress toward these goals is perilously off track. Only 17 percent of the SDG targets are on course, with many showing minimal progress or even regression.

Despite these challenges, there are reasons for optimism, including in Goal 5. Women are making significant strides in leadership roles across various sectors, and girls in most regions of the world are now achieving equal educational opportunities. However, as UN Secretary-General António Guterres has pointed out, we still live in a male-dominated world with entrenched power dynamics that need to be dismantled. This is why we are actively advancing the Secretary-General’s “Call to Action for Human Rights,” promoting women’s full and equal participation and leadership in all sectors of society as a matter of urgency.

As we look to accelerate our efforts, exhibitions like “17 Faces of Action” are crucial. They not only showcase the achievements of women but also challenge us to rethink our approaches, be more inclusive, and ensure that our strategies genuinely reflect the needs and aspirations of all people.

Each of these women represents a face of action, a beacon of hope, and an inspiration to us all. Their work in areas such as eradicating poverty, ensuring quality education, promoting sustainable agriculture, and combating climate change, is critical to the attainment of the SDGs. Mongolia’s example is one from which the world can learn.

As we walk through this exhibition, I encourage you to reflect on these stories and consider the role we can all play in advancing gender equality and sustainable development. I am sure that they will inspire us to take action, push boundaries, and work tirelessly toward a future where no one is left behind.

Thank you.