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Beijing +20

Since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995) and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (2000), significant progress has been achieved towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in the UNECE region. Yet, structural inequalities persist in many countries preventing the full achievement of women’s rights and women’s empowerment. In line with the resolution of the Economic and Social Council 2013/18 UNECE will review the situation of women from a regional perspective in preparation for the global 20-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in March 2015.
The regional review process is based on national reviews. UN Women and the UN regional commissions have developed a common Guidance Note to assist with and facilitate the preparation of these national reviews. UNECE member States are invited to complete their national reviews by 1 May 2014.  Based on the national responses a regional synthesis report will be prepared and discussed at the Regional Review Meeting.
Download Guidance Note English, French and Russian
Download National Responses
The Beijing+20 Regional Review Meeting will be held on 6 – 7 November 2014 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The meeting will address key areas of progress and challenges in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Acton in the UNECE member States with a focus on the Women and Economy area in the context of the current economic situation and demographic trends in the UNECE region. As it will mark the 20-year anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the meeting will be an opportunity for UNECE member States to highlight key achievements and setbacks over the last two decades and discuss how to strengthen gender equality in the post-2015 development agenda.
 Meeting information and other documents can be downloaded from our documents page