Partners from China Internet Information Center, 

Esteemed UN colleagues, 

Distinguished guests and friends, 

As we bring this inspiring forum to a close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success.

Today’s discussions have been nothing short of informative, thought-provoking, and forward-looking.

My sincere thanks go to the organizers, the dedicated working teams, our esteemed guests, and the distinguished speakers who shared their invaluable insights and experiences.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are foundational principles for UNDP and our sister UN agencies here in China and globally.

As highlighted in the Sci-Tech report launched today, the UN’s efforts here have helped to support important achievements: women in science and technology are at the forefront of driving rural transformation and making strides in closing the gender gap through gender-friendly technological innovations.

We see female sci-tech commissioners not only transforming rural agricultural practices but also advancing broader development objectives such as green innovation and ecological sustainability.

Through their leadership and expertise, they are fostering resilient, community-driven solutions that align with sustainable development priorities.

Similarly, women are carving out significant roles in the digital economy, leveraging e-commerce and emerging gender-responsive employment opportunities to drive inclusive economic growth.

Their participation is not only bridging the digital divide, but also redefining pathways for equitable development.

These accomplishments highlight the transformative power of women as key agents of change, underscoring their indispensable role in achieving sustainable development.

However, while significant progress has been made, much more remains to be done to fully bridge the gender gap in technology.

Globally, women still remain underrepresented in STEM fields, with only about one-third of STEM students being female. China is no exception to this trend.

This disparity perpetuates biases, creating a cycle that reinforces inequalities.

For instance, only 17% of venture capital funding goes to female-led tech startups, highlighting a lack of trust and confidence in women entrepreneurs.