The Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated on Saturday in celebrating the first International Women's Day in Diplomacy. This comes after Egypt supported the sponsorship of a resolution issued by the UN General Assembly in an unprecedented decision to launch the annual celebration of this day on 24 June in recognition of the active contributions of women in diplomatic work. In a statement, the foreign ministry congratulated Egyptian female diplomats on their valuable participation within the framework of Egyptian foreign policy and defending Egyptian interests abroad and in all international forums, as well as presenting an honourable model for Egyptian women in the public field of work. The resolution invites all UN member states, organisations of the UN system, other international and regional organisations, 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 the field. The designation of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy was championed by General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives, 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," he said in an address 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 violations, 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.
