Statement by Ms. Syuzanna Martirosyan, Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Armenia, at the UNGA80 Third Committee under the agenda item 26, entitled 'Advancement of women'

Mr. Chair,

The advancement of women and girls is fundamental to achieving sustainable development, promoting human rights, and building just and peaceful societies. Armenia remains steadfast in advancing the rights of women and girls and invested considerable efforts both nationally and internationally for more resilient, inclusive, and equitable outcomes for all.

As global discussions around human rights and information and communication technologies gain important momentum, Armenia would like to reiterate that more international efforts are required to harness positive potential of ICT for advancing gender equality. This year, during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, Armenia, together with Estonia, France, Costa Rica, Chile, Japan and Kenia initiated a joint statement on digital technologies and the rights of women and girls. With wide cross-regional sponsorship of 70 states, the joint statement called to take concrete actions for mainstreaming a gender perspective in digital policies and AI frameworks. As a country that registered 40% of women's participation in the ICT sector and innovative start-ups, we stand ready to advance this agenda further to ensure that knowledge, innovation and opportunities are equally accessible for all women and girls.

In recent years, Armenia has strengthened its legal, institutional, and normative frameworks and mainstreamed gender perspectives across all development agendas. These efforts have continued amid unprecedented challenges, including the 2023 refugee crisis, in which women and children comprised two-thirds of those forcibly displaced.

The 2025-2028 Gender Policy Strategy, adopted in April 2025, prioritizes eliminating discrimination in governance and expanding women's participation in decision-making. It sets measurable targets across participation, education, employment, and health, and marks the first formal recognition of gender-sensitive climate resilience as a national priority.

To support evidence-based policymaking, a centralized domestic violence case registration system was launched in 2024 with UNFPA support, enabling systematic recording, monitoring, and analysis of cases. Complementing its national reforms, Armenia recently ratified the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), strengthening its legal framework to prevent and address violence and harassment in all work environments.

Central to Armenia's policies is the advancement of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, ensuring women's rights and their full engagement in peace and security initiatives. The new Third National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security for 2025-2027, entitled "Investing in Global Efforts for Peace", aligning with national development strategies and international commitments, aims to strengthen women's role in decision-making on peace and security, prevent gender-based violence, and support post-conflict recovery. The plan places particular emphasis on localizing the WPS agenda in border communities hosting forcibly displaced population, promoting social inclusion and sustainable integration.

Mr. Chair,

As the host of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in 2026, Armenia aims to amplify the voices of those most affected by biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, including women. Central to this commitment is the recognition of the indispensable role women and girls play in shaping, leading, and implementing effective environmental policies.

Building on this approach, Armenia has recently designated climate justice as a flagship priority within the framework of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, acknowledging that women, particularly in rural and displaced communities, bear the brunt of climate change and are disproportionately impacted.

Mr. Chair,

As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, advancing women's empowerment remains vital for building resilient, equitable, and sustainable societies. Armenia stands ready to collaborate with international partners to scale up efforts to achieve gender equality, ensuring that they can fully reach their full potential.

I thank you.