We cannot achieve the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals without fulfilling our
global commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women. We have to remove the
systemic obstacles that hold back women and girls, and that allow gender to be a source of
discrimination. We must ensure the participation of women in building peaceful, stable, and
prosperous societies across the globe. As the global community ramps up its efforts in the
Decade of Action to deliver on the SDGs, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs has an
important role to play in ensuring that no one is left behind. I will ensure that the promotion and
realization of gender equality and parity is reflected not only in UN DESA’s internal structure,
but in our outputs, including our analysis and publications.