Vladimir Putin: Eurasian Women's Forum as a Platform for International Dialogue Brings Us Closer to Achieving Global Goals

The opening session of the Third Eurasian Women’s Forum took place at the Tavricheskiy Palace – the IPA CIS headquarters. The event was attended by representatives of governments, parliaments, prominent public figures, academic and cultural circles from all over the world.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, welcoming the participants of the Eurasian Women’s Forum, noted that the modern, dynamically changing world poses new tasks for society and states, among which he named issues of sustainable economic development, the global climate agenda, ecological issues, environmental protection, new approaches to education and social support. The President expressed confidence that the Eurasian Women’s Forum as a platform for international dialogue brought these goals closer.

Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko made a report at the plenary session of the Eurasian Women’s Forum. She drew attention to the rapid changes around the world. According to Valentina Matvienko, the COVID-19 pandemic had revealed and exacerbated many of the problems of the modern world. Therefore, in her opinion, the world is now in dire need of a creative agenda, a rejection of national egoism and the policy of ultimatums. The Speaker of the Federation Council noted that under these difficult circumstances, women should involve more actively in solving global challenges. According to her, defining the global mission of women in the new reality was a central goal and main intention of the Third Eurasian Women’s Forum.

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres sent a video message to the Forum participants. He noted that the new reality, fraught with a number of serious challenges, required fundamental reforms, and welcomed the participation of women in their preparation.

Speaker of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalya Kochanova noted that active participants who sincerely stood up for the well-being of current and future generations gathered again at the site of the Tavrichesky Palace, and thanked Valentina Matvienko for the idea of the Forum.

Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan, Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Lazzat Ramazanova cited the data from last year’s report of the United Nations Development Program. According to the report, 90% of the world’s population, regardless of gender, carries gender stereotypes. One in four justifies domestic violence against women and children. 40% are convinced that the most effective government manager is a man. Lazzat Ramazanova welcomed the fact that there were platforms for discussing gender issues that united not only the Eurasian continent, but everyone. She emphasized the importance of the Eurasian Women’s Forum as a platform for discussing gender issues. 

Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Yulia Peresild, the first theater and film actress who went into space to work on the film, addressed the participants of the Third Eurasian Women’s Forum from the International Space Station with a video greeting.

The plenary session also featured speeches by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Tatyana Golikova, President of the BRICS International Forum Purnima Anand, President of of the Central American Parliament (PARLASEN) Fanny Carolina Salinas Fernandez, President of the All-China Women’s Federation, Deputy Chairperson of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Shen Yueyue, Managing Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Fatu Haydara, etc.