UN General Assembly designates International Day of Women in Diplomacy

UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The General Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution to designate June 24 of each year as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.

The resolution invites all UN member states, organizations of the UN system, other international and regional organizations, civil society, academic institutions, associations of women diplomats and other relevant stakeholders to observe the International Day of Women in Diplomacy annually in order to promote the full and equal participation of women at all levels of diplomacy.

The designation of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy has been championed by General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid, who presided over the adoption of the resolution on Monday.

"Women working in diplomacy have made critical contributions to shaping the multilateral system we have inherited today," said Shahid in a speech after the adoption of the resolution. "Yet, despite the evident contributions of women to diplomacy and multilateral decision-making, they continue to be underrepresented in senior diplomatic positions. And they still suffer the deep-rooted legacies of sexism, which hinder their professional advancement and obscure their contributions and achievements."

"We cannot foster the level of diplomatic engagement and global solidarity needed to overcome today's challenges -- from climate change to pandemics, to human rights violation, to economic uncertainty -- unless we not only give women a seat at the table, but facilitate their ability to take on leadership roles, including in diplomacy," he added.

The draft resolution was tabled by Shahid's country, the Maldives, with 191 co-sponsors. The co-sponsorship is a record for the current session of the General Assembly, said Shahid's spokeswoman Paulina Kubiak Greer.