This moment is especially meaningful as we mark two milestones that transformed how we approach women's rights globally. This year marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, considered at the time the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights, and 25 years since the landmark Security Council Resolution on women, peace and security.

The global context is challenging: with the 2030 deadline approaching for the Sustainable Development Goals, conflicts continue to affect communities worldwide. Last year alone, 612 million women and girls lived in conflict zones – 50 per cent more than a decade ago.

Around the world, UNOPS works to offer practical solutions that improve the daily lives of millions of women and girls. From creating economic opportunities in South Sudan, to offering a lifeline for vulnerable households across Afghanistan, and securing clean water in Argentina, we work to ensure all women and girls can thrive.

From healthcare workers in Yemen saving lives to women-led construction teams in Ukraine rebuilding schools, investing in women means investing in a stronger, more resilient future.

Within UNOPS, we've come a long way too. Women continue to now make up more than half our global workforce. I'm proud of our journey toward becoming a more equal organization, though our work is not yet complete and we remain focused on the task ahead.

And we must keep pushing for a more inclusive, equal world.

On this International Women’s Day, let us restate our commitment to push for a more inclusive and equal world. By standing up against discrimination in our projects and workplace, by breaking down barriers to women's full participation and by supporting women's leadership and amplifying voices that have been silenced.

Together, our practical solutions create real change for women and girls worldwide.