FAO at CSW66

Follow the daily updates and key takeaways from FAO's participation at the 66th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66). 

14 March, New York – This morning saw the opening of the formal segment of the 66th Session of the Commission on Social Development (CSW66), which is chaired by Ambassador Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations.CSW66will work under the priority theme 'Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environment, and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes’, and under the review theme ‘Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work’. 

In her opening address, Ambassador Joyini reflected on the timeliness of the CSW66’s priority theme. “As stated in the Secretary-General’s Report, gender inequality, coupled with climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters is the greatest sustainable development challenge of the present time,” she said. Echoing this somber reality in his address at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Hall, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, touched on the interlinkages between dignified livelihoods and a healthy relationship with our planet. "Addressing biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution are vital to creating lives of dignity for all on a healthy planet,” he said, adding that “we will not get there without women’s full and equal participation and leadership". 

Also speaking to Member States was the 76th President of the UNGA, Abdulla Shahid, who took stock of global efforts to achieving gender equality, pointing out that progress has been slow and uneven, with major gaps still present and new ones emerging.“As we recognize this year’s Commission on the Status of Women, let’s commit to challenge discriminatory social norms and gender stereotyping that underpin inequality in women’s work,” he said, pointing to how female climate activities have helped spur a global environmental movement, women leaders have spearheaded key components of the Paris Climate Agreement, and women in developing countries are transforming their communities by adopting sustainable practices. 

CSW66 will continue through 25 March, when Member States will negotiate and consider key outcomes on the session’s priority theme in the form of agreed conclusions.  

14 March, New York – Today also saw the first of seven side events at CSW66 that FAO is co-organizing or participating in. Together with the African Risk Capacity Group, the African Union’s specialized agency providing disaster risk solutions for climate resilience and food security, FAO convened the side event ‘Promoting women's and girls' participation and leadership in disaster risk reduction and financing’. The roundtable discussion brought together policy makers around discussions on the linkages between, and benefits of, promoting gender equality and building resilience to climate hazards.  

Delivering keynote remarks was the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for FAO in Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, who highlighted thecentrality of agriculture in global conversationsaround disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.“The agricultural sectors are among the most adversely affected by disasters and climate change, while being key contributors to total economic output and employment and being vital to food security and livelihood for the poorest and the most vulnerable,” he said. Watch the event recording here. 

Read more about FAO’s work on climate action and resilience to manage disasters and shocks. 

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