Arab region reiterates commitment to Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action after 30 years in Muscat Declaration

[Press release]

Beirut-Muscat, 9 December 2024--Oman today hosted the High-Level Regional Meeting on progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 30 years after their adoption. The event brought together ministers and senior officials from national women’s machineries in Arab countries, alongside representatives from civil society organizations, UN agencies, and national human rights institutions. The meeting culminated with the adoption of the Muscat Declaration, which reiterated the region’s commitment to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as a key framework and strategic path for the advancement of women and girls.

The meeting was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the League of Arab States (LAS).

In her opening remarks delivered by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Al Shamsi, Omani Minister of Social Development Laila Al Najjar highlighted the progress witnessed in Oman in terms of laws and regulations that guarantee the protection of women’s rights, particularly the Royal Decree ensuring that the State guarantees equality between women and men across sectors. “Abiding by international commitments is among the Sultanate’s priorities, in line with its keenness to improve its ties with other countries and with its national efforts to empower Omani women,” she stressed.

“We have made commendable progress; in the last two years alone, more than a hundred law and legislative amendments were issued in Arab States to improve women’s access to justice, protect their employment rights, and maintain their safety in public places,” ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti underscored. “However, the road remains long… Last year, more than 15 million women in our region were directly impacted by armed conflicts… These and other compelling circumstances force us to renew our commitment to Beijing principles, adapt our methods and adopt creative ones to ensure no one is left behind,” she added.

Participants reviewed Arab women’s progress and the challenges facing them. They delved into four priority areas: combating violence against women, enhancing women’s economic participation, advancing women’s decision-making roles, and protecting women in armed conflict. Discussions highlighted associated global initiatives, such as the Summit of the Future and the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meetings in New York in March 2025.

"The Muscat Declaration underscores the Arab region's steadfast dedication to achieving women´s empowerment and equality, and advancing the rights of all women and girls," said Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director. "As we mark 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, we are reminded that the journey to women’s empowerment is complex but achievable. This Declaration reaffirms that sustainable development and peace are unattainable without the full participation and empowerment of women. Together, we must turn these commitments into impactful actions that improve lives."

The meeting also featured the presentation of the Arab regional report on Beijing+30, which draws on national reports from 18 Arab countries.

Countries submit their national reports every five years to review progress and address the remaining challenges. While progress has been made in some areas, such as legislative reforms and increased representation of women in decision-making, ongoing regional conflicts and crises continue to hinder transformative progress.

“The year 2025 is pivotal, as we look forward to working together to amplify the voice of Arab women at the global stage during the 69th session of the CSW at the UN in New York, which is also an opportunity to renew Arab commitment to Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,” LAS Assistant Secretary General Haifa Abu Ghazaleh emphasized. She praised the participation of Arab States in the sixth regional review, hoping that the coming year would be an opportunity to recover from the atrocities of wars and losses that have mostly affected women.

ESCWA, UN Women and LAS have implemented a comprehensive programme to support Arab countries in preparing their national reports and regional reviews. The initiative included consultations with parliaments, civil society organizations, and human rights institutions to ensure inclusiveness.

The meeting provided a platform for Arab States to define their priorities for the next five years, reaffirming their collective commitment to accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and advancing sustainable and inclusive development in the region.

Adopted in 1995, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains a global framework for advancing women’s rights and achieving gender equality. It identifies 12 critical areas of focus to strengthen women’s active participation in society.