UNGA president calls for strengthening women's political participation

Tijjani Muhammad-Bande

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on Tuesday urged member states to strengthen women's political participation, as only eight percent of speakers on behalf of member states had been women at the just-concluded the General Debate of the UNGA.

It was "not a good figure, especially in relation to our commitment to gender equality," he told reporters, adding that he would keep urging member states to allow for the broadest participation and "unlock obstacles to the participation of women in politics."

The UNGA president also said his presidential priorities would include peace and security, poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion.