Opening remarks by Mr. Carlos Lopes: regional conference of the Beijing + 20 review ministerial meeting opening remarks by Mr. Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary-General and executive secretary of ECA

Abstract

Opening Remarks by Mr. Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the Regional Conference of the Beijing+20 Review Ministerial Meeting. Mr. Lopes, on his remarks highlighted that, Beijing plus 20 review provides an opportunity to build an African position for the global review of the Beijing Platform for Action. The Beijing Platform for Action builds on contributions from many, including some from Africa such as the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women or the Dakar Platform for Action. Over the 20 years since the inception of the Beijing Action Platform, the global development context has changed. Africa is emerging as a pivotal region for global economic growth. We have to come up with a more transformative framework that will accelerate the desired change in the lives of women and girls. Investing in women’s education, health, property rights, access to and control over financial resources, knowledge and information is fundamental.