UN Women and the UN Office in Geneva are pleased to invite you to the “Special Commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025. Intergenerational Dialogue on Beijing +30. For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” to be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, between 1:00 – 2:30 PM in Room XIX, Building E, Palais des Nations, Geneva.
This year's commemoration holds special significance as it is the 50th anniversary of the UN establishing International Women’s Day on 8 March 1975 and the 30th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. With the rallying theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, this year’s International Women’s Day stands as a powerful reminder of progress made and a call for collective action – a pivotal moment to push forward, to mobilize global solidarity, and to honour decades of hard-fought advances.
Join us as we reflect on 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, engaging voices across generations to advance gender equality and women’s rights.
Methodology and Format
The special commemoration will consist of a panel discussion featuring high-level speakers from Member States, UN Agencies, civil society organizations as well as young women and men.
Agenda and Speakers
Opening Remarks (3-5 minutes):
• H.E. Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office in Geneva.
• H.E. Jürg Lauber, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva.
• Mr. Volker Türk; United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
• Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and UN Under-Secretary-General (tbc).
Panelists:
• H.E. Mr. Chen Xu; Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland (tbc).
• Ms. Suraya Yosufi, Recipient of a Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada scholarship, Graduate Institute.
• H.E. Mr. Michele Cervone d’Urso; Ambassador; Deputy Permanent Observer; Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva.
• Mr. James Mumo Nyumu, Student at the Master in International and Development Studies, Graduate Institute.
• Shanley Clémot McLaren, Gender and Digital Policy Advisor at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Young Activist 2024-25 by the United Nations in Geneva.
Moderator: Ms. Sofia Calltorp, Director, UN Women Geneva Office.
Interventions from the floor: Statements from interested delegates and stakeholders.
Digital campaign presentation: For ALL Women and Girls: No Walking Backwards, Only Marching Forward for Women’s Rights.
Ms. Adriana Quinones, Head, Human Rights and Development, UN Women Geneva Office.
Closing Remarks:
• H.E. Ms. Usana Berananda; Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva.
Kindly register your in-person attendance here: https://indico.un.org/event/1016629/