“The upcoming Global Women’s Summit in Beijing is not only a commemoration of history but also a strategic opportunity to shape the future,” stated the President of the New Development Bank of BRICS.

In 1995, the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, focusing on the theme of “Equality, Development and Peace through Action,” identifying 12 critical areas of concern for women’s development along with strategic objectives and policy frameworks for each area.

The Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women was described as “a milestone event in the global journey toward gender equality,” while the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action represented “an unprecedented global commitment to women’s rights” that profoundly transformed discussions on global gender equality. “Thirty years later, these achievements remain not only relevant but crucial. The Platform for Action is not merely a historical document but a living guide for action.”

“Returning to Beijing after 30 years, we carry a new mission.” There are expectations that this summit will become a moment to advance history—reaffirming past declarations while implementing concrete actions, setting new and specific priorities for the future, and removing obstacles that limit women’s development.

Women are seen as drivers of change and should also be “co-builders” in global governance. In today’s crisis-ridden world, women are not problems to be solved but participants in finding solutions.

Despite numerous challenges, women are not waiting for change to happen—they are actively leading it. Empowering women is essential for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful future.

As the first female President of the New Development Bank of BRICS, it was noted that the bank is supporting initiatives to improve living conditions for women, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, helping them access clean water, energy, transportation, and housing.

“Where we direct our investments will shape the future of development.” The New Development Bank will contribute to the advancement of women’s causes worldwide and lead change. Achieving this requires not only funding individual projects but also reshaping the logic of development.

A global governance initiative proposed by China was described as “born at a critical historical moment” with significant practical relevance, contributing to building a community with a shared future for humanity. “The initiative is not an abstract ideal but a foundation for constructing a fairer, more inclusive world, promoting a shift from unilateralism to multilateralism and from confrontation to cooperation.”

The advancement of global women’s causes is inseparable from the progress of human history, and the global governance initiative is expected to help build a peaceful and just multipolar world.

Global Women’s Summit in Beijing

The Global Women’s Summit refers to the historic Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995. It was a landmark United Nations event that produced the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a comprehensive global policy document for advancing women’s rights and gender equality. The conference is widely remembered for its significant impact on shaping the international gender equality agenda.

New Development Bank of BRICS

The New Development Bank (NDB) is a multilateral financial institution established by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in 2015. Its primary purpose is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies. Headquartered in Shanghai, the bank was founded to offer an alternative to existing Western-dominated financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF.

Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing

The Fourth World Conference on Women was a landmark United Nations event held in Beijing, China, in September 1995. It is most famous for producing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a comprehensive global policy document that set ambitious goals for achieving gender equality and empowering all women. This conference is widely considered a defining moment in the global feminist movement, setting the agenda for women’s rights for decades to come.

Beijing Declaration

The Beijing Declaration is a landmark document adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. It is a global commitment to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women, outlining strategic objectives and actions for governments and other stakeholders. While not a physical site, it represents a pivotal moment in the history of the international women’s rights movement.

Platform for Action

“Platform for Action” is not a physical place but a landmark document adopted at the 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. It is a comprehensive global agenda for women’s empowerment, establishing strategic objectives and actions for achieving gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern, including poverty, education, and health. The platform continues to serve as a fundamental global blueprint for advancing women’s rights.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and a city with over 3,000 years of history, serving as the political and cultural center for several dynasties, including the Ming and Qing. It is renowned for its rich collection of historical sites, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, which reflect its profound imperial heritage. Today, Beijing stands as a modern metropolis that seamlessly blends its ancient traditions with contemporary global influence.

New Development Bank

The New Development Bank (NDB), established in 2015 by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), is a multilateral financial institution created to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects. Its history is rooted in the desire of these emerging economies to foster greater cooperation and provide an alternative to existing Western-dominated financial institutions for developing countries.

BRICS

BRICS is not a physical place or cultural site, but an acronym for an association of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was originally formed as “BRIC” in 2006, with South Africa joining in 2010, to promote cooperation and increase the geopolitical influence of its member nations. The group focuses on economic and political collaboration, holding annual summits to coordinate policy.