Human Rights Council - 15th Regular Session
Panel on establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
Australian statement
by Mr David Lee
24 September 2010
Mr President, Australia associates itself fully with the statement delivered by New Zealand on behalf of CANZ, and would like to add the further additional remarks.
Australia places the highest priority on gender equality and the empowerment of women and has long been a strong advocate for strengthening the institutional arrangements within the UN to help achieve these worthy goals.
Global gender inequality can only be addressed in an integrated and comprehensive way. Australia therefore welcomes the establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women – UN Women – which will help facilitate better coordination of global efforts to promote equality for women and girls.
Australia played, and continues to play, an active and positive role in the establishment of UN Women. We welcome the appointment of Michelle Bachelet as Head of UN Women. We look forward to her being supported by a strong, strategic, and technically skilled Executive Board.
Australia welcomes the opportunity to hear panel views on UN Women priorities.