UNCTAD eTrade for Women Masterclass

Excellency Jacques Werner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia

Ms. Viridiana Garcia-Quiles and Ms. Sonia Nnadozie, UNCTAD eTrade for Women team

Ms. Lennise Ng, Founder & CEO of Dropee and eTrade for Women Advocate

Ms. Melanie Harris, Trade Commissioner, Australia

Good evening and a warm welcome to all the remarkable participants of the UNCTAD/ eTrade for Women Masterclasses. Tonight, we gather here to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and determination of 25 inspiring women who have carved their path as digital business founders across various sectors, hailing from 10 different countries. Your presence here represents the strength of women's leadership in the digital economy, and we commend you for your incredible achievements.

Representing the United Nations in Malaysia tonight, I would like to underscore the crucial need to empower women in the digital landscape. While we witness remarkable progress and innovation in this realm, it is imperative to acknowledge that significant discrepancies persist, hindering women's access to digital tools and the full benefits of digitalization. UNCTAD eTrade for women therefore, seeks to level the playing field and bridge these gaps, fostering an environment where women-led businesses can thrive and succeed.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the region's realities concerning gender equality. Despite considerable advancements, women still face numerous challenges in their pursuit of success, both online and offline. However, amidst these hurdles lie countless examples of women breaking barriers and embracing their true potential when empowered. We have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of empowering women in the digital economy, where their innovative ideas and leadership have driven positive change and contributed significantly to their communities and beyond.

Even so, the world is at a crossroads. We have reached the critical halfway mark to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs).

The blueprint for achieving a better future for all is in dire straits. At mid-point to the 2030 deadline the world is woefully off-track. 

The recently released 2023 report by the UN Secretary-General on SDG Progress shows a stark picture, where progress on half of all SDG targets is weak and insufficient, almost a third have stalled or gone into reverse, gaping inequalities persist, hunger is back to 2005 levels and gender equality is 300 years away - among many other reminders that there is still critical work to be done to address the challenges to achieve the SDGs.

At the Global SDG Summit this coming September, the UN is calling for more ambitious commitments and interventions to rescue the SDGs. The Summit will seek to reinvigorate and reenergize all stakeholders from governments, civil society, and private sector to push forward, and deliver on the promise of the goals.

With that, I urge all of you here today, to continue to champion the SDGs, using the masterclasses to empower yourself and use it to empower others, who can then empower others. In the spirit of the SDGs, let us all work together to leave no one behind. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Tonight, I am proud to acknowledge the strong collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of Malaysia, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, united in our shared vision of creating a more inclusive digital trade landscape. Together, we strive to remove barriers, advocate for gender equality, and empower women entrepreneurs to become drivers of economic growth and development.

As we celebrate the achievements of the extraordinary women gathered here tonight, let us remember that our efforts extend far beyond this room. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that women across the country and globe have equal opportunities to participate in the digital economy and unlock its vast potential.

In closing, I wish to express my utmost appreciation to the participants, partners, and everyone who has contributed to the success of the UNCTAD eTrade for Women Masterclass. Your dedication and passion in advancing women's economic empowerment serve as a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Thank you and let us continue to champion the cause of women in the digital world together and achieve the SDGs by 2030.