Director-General's remarks at the Opening of the photo exhibition "17 Faces of Action"

Opening of the photo exhibition “17 Faces of Action”
Friday, 7 February 2024
Fenaa Alawwal (cultural center), Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    
 

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”. This project is a powerful testament to the transformative role that women play in realizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. 

I extend my sincere gratitude to the government of Saudi Arabia, with appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Ministry of Culture for their partnership in organizing this impressive event. My thanks also go to Ms. Victoria Desyat, President of the Swiss Association of Women & Empowerment, for her dedication in curating this exhibition.

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 later this year, UNOG, as we celebrate the reopening of its historic building.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We stand at a critical juncture. With less than five years remaining to achieve the SDGs, global progress is off track, with only 17 percent of targets currently on course. Despite these challenges, there are reasons for optimism – particularly concerning Goal 5 on gender equality.

The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 indicates that 68.5% of the global gender gap has been closed. While it will take 134 years to reach full gender parity at the current rate – five generations beyond the 2030 target – this marks a significant improvement from just two years ago when estimates placed the timeline at nearly 300 years. Progress is evident, but much work remains to be done.

The United Nations is committed to advancing women’s full and equal participation in all spheres of society. This principle is embedded in the 2030 Agenda, reaffirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2023 SDG Summit, and underscored in the Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future. World leaders have reiterated that none of our global goals can be achieved without the full, safe, equal, and meaningful participation of women in political, economic, and security decision-making. The Pact calls for all countries to achieve full gender equality. The Pact also specifically recognizes women as agents of peace – an especially relevant commitment as we prepare for the 25^th anniversary of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we accelerate our efforts, exhibitions like “17 Faces of Action” play a crucial role. Each woman featured here is a face of action, hope and inspiration. Their work in eradicating poverty, ensuring quality education, promoting sustainable agriculture, and combating climate change is essential to achieving the SDGs. Their stories remind us that gender equality is not just a goal but a prerequisite for a more just, sustainable, and prosperous world.

As we explore these photos, I encourage you to reflect on the stories and consider the role each of us can play in advancing gender equality. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has rightly stated, “Gender equality is not a favor to women. It is fundamental to ensuring a better future for all”. Let us commit to this vision and work together to make it a reality.

Thank you.