Jakarta (ANTARA News) - An Indonesian delegation is participating in the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, from February 27 to March 9.

The Indonesian delegation is led by Women's Empowerment and Children's Protection Minister, Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar.

In a press statement to ANTARA News on Thursday, Linda said the session was attended by delegates from 45 member states including international non-government organizations and observers.

The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

It is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women.

Every year, representatives of member states gather at the UN Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women`s empowerment worldwide.

Linda noted that a new commitment was made at the session to accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals 2015 (MDG 2015).

She also said she appreciated the delegate's ability to speed up the implementation of The Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and MDG.

"Any new commitment that has the potential to help in the realization of gender equality and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals 2015 must be based on a balanced and comprehensive implementation," she noted.

The minister also said that the roles of women in sustainable development should continue to be at the center of attention at the next Rio+20 Conference.

The Commission also makes recommendations to the Council on urgent problems that require immediate attention in the field of women`s rights.

Linda pointed out that at the session the delegation from Indonesia put forward two strategic issues, namely home-based industry and food security in the field of women`s empowerment.
(Uu.O001/INE)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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