CSW69 Commit to Grow Equality event, Opening remarks

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, 

It is our pleasure to welcome you to this event which marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Commit to Grow Equality initiative. 

Some of you know this initiative well, and we are here today to pay tribute to our close collaboration with all Commit to Grow Equality partners.  

Others may be joining us today for the first time to find out more about the initiative, so let me open this event by highlighting a few key points: 

At the current pace, it will take us over 130 years to achieve equality between men and women at a global scale. We need to accelerate progress – and yet we are witnessing the opposite. 

In 2023, FAO published the landmark report on “The status of women in agrifood systems”. The report contains robust data, analysis and evidence for action.  

For instance, it highlighted that closing the gap in productivity and wages in agrifood systems would increase global gross domestic product by USD 1 trillion. This would reduce global food insecurity by about 2 percentage points, reducing the number of food-insecure people by 45 million.  

The report issues a strong call to action, and its findings and recommendations led to the launch of the FAO Commit to Grow Equality initiative in March 2024.  

Commit to Grow Equality aims to enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment in agrifood systems through financing, investments and partnerships.  

Today you will hear from a range of speakers from diverse sectors and you will be the first to see the 2025 progress report of the Commit to Grow Equality initiative.  

It is critical to address the challenges within agrifood systems that hold women back from reaching their full potential. We encourage stakeholders to join FAO and its partners in our efforts to transform agrifood systems and ensure that they work better for women, their communities and the planet. 

We are immensely grateful to the Government of Ireland for their support as a core partner of the initiative, and to the Rockefeller Foundation for graciously hosting us today.  

Thank you.