EU Statement – Executive Board of UN Women: Opening of the Regular Session

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President, Executive Director, Excellencies, Colleagues,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union as a donor.

The European Union has been a steadfast partner of UN Women, recognising its unique contribution in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. 

As we reflect on progress and challenges, we support the UN80 initiative and we reaffirm our commitment to impact, and operational effectiveness—ensuring the UN remains fit for purpose in an evolving global landscape.

With only 4 years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress remains uneven and under threat. In this context, UN Women’s mandate is more critical than ever. From combating gender-based violence to promoting women’s economic empowerment and political participation, its work is central to achieving the SDGs. 

The EU calls for bold, strategic action to accelerate change.

We would have 3 messages:

First, objectives. We support advocacy for gender-responsive policies, leveraging expertise to influence governments, multilateral institutions, and private-sector partners. We also want to ensure that programmes reach the most marginalised women and girls, stressing the need for localised, context-specific solutions, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where gender inequalities are most acute. 

The EU Gender Action Plan III aligns with this ambition, and we have launched together with UN Women joint initiatives that drive systemic change and have been transformative – such as the Spotlight Initiative, WYDE Women’s leadership and ACT. We are harnessing the knowledge and experiences gained to inform and enhance our future efforts, ensuring that our work continues to be effective, innovative, and impactful. Through GAP III, the EU has committed to ensuring that at least 85% of all external actions contribute to gender equality, and applying a gender-transformative approach, precisely to address the root causes of gender inequalities.

Second, resources. Resources are of course essential for success. The EU is pleased to have been a strong financial supporter of UN Women in 2024 and 2025 and we continue to support innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, to mobilise additional resources.

Third, impact. Reforms must streamline normative and operational functions, foster greater integration on the ground—including through a "reset" of regional capacities and reconfiguration of UN Country Teams to optimise expertise, coordination, and cost-effectiveness.

The EU supports strengthening the role of Resident Coordinators with clear authority, resources, and performance indicators to lead integrated actions. This must be paired with enhanced governance and accountability to member states.

In this context, we strongly support the UN80 initiative, which is a unique opportunity to make the UN system resilient, cost-efficient, effective and responsive amid decreasing public financing of the international system and the selective disengagement of partners. 

Regarding a potential merger of UN Women and UNFPA, we are looking forward to the assessment and would like to stress that a merger and the process leading to it must safeguard the specificities and integrity of their respective mandates, avoid losing any ground on gender equality related issues and ensure continuity of services throughout. 

Executive Director, 

The EU’s partnership with UN Women is rooted in shared values and ambitions. From supporting women in Ukraine and Afghanistan to advancing feminist climate justice, our collaboration delivers tangible results. Yet, the scale of the challenge demands greater urgency, innovation, and collective action.

As we look ahead, we stand ready to work with the Executive Board, the Secretariat, and all partners to safeguard and advance its mission—ensuring no woman or girl is left behind.

Thank you.