[Brussels, 15 September 2009] European GEAR Campaign Working Group welcomes the United Nations General Assembly resolution which enables the creation of the new UN Women's Agency and sees this as a historic moment, which has the potential to be a start for a new era for women's rights globally.

However, the Working Group is concerned by the lack of detail in the final resolution adopted on 14th September. This resolution, although an important sign of the global will to support women's rights, will have to be followed by swift and effective action from the UN Secretary-General, the Un Member States and the whole UN system, in order to realize its potential.

The Working Group believes, that the UN Secretary General must immediately begin the recruitment of the Under Secretary-General who will lead the new entity. Governments should also immediately make concrete and ambitious funding commitments for the new entity.

The Working Group also acknowledges the leading role the EU Member States in this process and welcomes the support of the EU for swift action ensuring the establishment of the new entity. 

 [Read the European GEAR Campaign Working Group statement]