Lithuanian president to chair UN discussion on women’s economic role

The president will deliver a speech at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, chair a high-level discussion “Economic Growth through Women’s Empowerment”, and present a Lithuanian state decoration awarded to Senator John McCain to his widow, Cindy McCain, the presidential press service said.

The theme for the general debate this year is “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies.”

108 heads of state and 46 heads of government till take part in the debate.

According to the Lithuanian president, the escalation of military aggression, global trade tensions and armed conflicts around the world make it clear that multilateral diplomacy stands in crisis today.

In her statement to the General Assembly, the president will bring the world’s attention to the need to strengthen the United Nations and other international organizations so that they can respond in real terms to emerging major challenges. Grybauskaitė will underline that member states have the duty to take on responsibility for upholding international law and for the future of the world.

The Lithuanian president, who chairs the Council of Women World Leaders, will hold a high-level event on economic growth through women’s empowerment, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the presidents of Croatia, Estonia, Malta and prime ministers of Norway and Bangladesh among the participants.

Women earn a world average of almost 25 percent less than men. Fixing gender inequality would lead to 28 trillion dollars in global growth in 2025.