BANGKOK, Thailand – The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review opened at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The event focuses on evaluating the progress made in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) on its 30th anniversary.
The conference, which is being held from Tuesday and will conclude later Wednesday, brought together regional leaders, senior officials, and stakeholders to address persistent challenges and explore opportunities to advance gender equality.
Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand, inaugurated the event, accompanied by Anukul Peedkaew, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and other senior representatives.
In his opening remarks, the minister highlighted notable achievements in promoting women’s rights while acknowledging ongoing global challenges such as sexual violence, discrimination, and economic instability. He also addressed emerging threats, including climate change, technological shifts, and pandemics, which continue to exacerbate inequalities and impede progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
Thailand’s leadership in advancing gender equality was underscored by the recent passage of the Marriage Equality Act, which will take effect on January 22 of next year. The landmark legislation, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, legalizes same-sex marriage and strengthens inclusive family rights, marking a historic shift in the nation’s family law and reaffirming its dedication to protecting the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
With the upcoming 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the minister expressed optimism that the conference would foster regional consensus on accelerating commitments under the BPfA. Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with ESCAP member states, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to uphold the principles of the Beijing Declaration and ensure sustained progress toward gender equality. (NNT)
