This reception will provide perspectives from key UN, government and faith actors on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, assessing challenges to the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women, and contributions towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In a world marked by increasing geo-political tensions, existential climate and environmental threats and decreasing adherence to universal human rights, particularly in the slow pace towards gender equality, we are seeing the erosion of trust and solidarity precisely when these values are most needed to resolve the polycrises the world now faces. While recognizing that faith actors and communities can choose to exacerbate these problems or act as powerful allies, it remains vital that they be included as part of the solutions to the challenges.

The format of this reception is also to provide an opportunity for in-depth and follow-up conversations, which is not often possible in formal meetings. This reception highlights and raises awareness of positive faith contributions to Beijing+30 building on a number of important events on the margins of CSW on faith actors’ engagement with the UN and their work to promote human rights and solutions for a better, fairer and more peaceful world.