The 5th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Women's Forum in China's Qingdao concluded with key outcomes aimed at enhancing women's empowerment through digitalization and international cooperation. Held from September 10 to 12, the event gathered 150 participants from various countries, including Azerbaijan, Tanzania, and Kuwait, to discuss strategies for promoting women's roles in the digital economy. Organized by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and other governmental entities, the forum emphasized collaborative efforts to advance women's empowerment across the SCO member states.
For the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the forum, emphasizing the importance of digitalization in promoting women's empowerment. This aligns with the forum's focus on leveraging the digital economy to enhance women's roles in society.
Notable Speakers and International Participation
The opening ceremony featured speeches from prominent leaders, including China's State Councilor Shen Yiqin, Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova, and Iran's newly appointed Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar.
In her speech, Behrouz-Azar highlighted the need to extend women's development beyond economic and digital sectors. "Our opinion is that women's development should not be limited to the economic and digital fields, but women should be empowered through the development of the digital economy, and then solve other social problems," she stated.
Strengthening International Cooperation
As part of the forum's proceedings, ACWF Vice President Huang Xiaowei signed cooperation agreements with representatives from SCO member countries, including Belarus, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These agreements are aimed at deepening collaboration among member nations and advancing shared goals related to women's empowerment.
Foundation for Future Collaboration
The forum, which has previously been hosted by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, provides an important platform for in-person exchanges and discussions. For many foreign participants, this year's forum marked their first visit to China, fostering stronger ties between nations and laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
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