On December 10, Acting Permanent Representative Olha Kuryshko participated in the meeting of the Council on Human Rights, Gender Equality, and Diversity under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine titled “Ukraine and the Biarritz Partnership: Achievements and Prospects.”

The event brought together prominent figures, including First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Danielle Bell, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Oksana Zholnovych, British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris, Head of UN Women Ukraine Sabine Freizer Gunes, Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalie Czarnecki, Swedish Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Öberg, and Presidential Adviser on Accessibility Tetiana Lomakina. Representatives from the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Social Policy, and the International Labour Organization also attended. The meeting united high-ranking government officials, international partners, diplomatic representatives, and members of non-governmental organizations.

The event aimed to review Ukraine’s progress under the international initiative titled “Biarritz Partnership,” outline prospects, and consolidate efforts to achieve gender equality and inclusiveness across various spheres of public life.

Participants emphasized the importance of adhering to international standards of gender equality and human rights, highlighted Ukraine’s role in shaping gender-sensitive policies, and reviewed key achievements under the Biarritz Partnership. Discussions focused on Ukraine’s progress across five strategic areas critical to ensuring gender equality, including the development of barrier-free spaces with inclusive standards and gender mainstreaming across public domains. Key advancements included creating accessible environments for all population groups, particularly persons with disabilities.

Another milestone was integrating gender equality into education, supported by the adoption of the Gender Equality Strategy in Education through 2030. Efforts to combat violence were highlighted, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and establishing a network of crisis services. Additionally, participants addressed closing the gender pay gap as a pressing challenge.

In 2020, under the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, Ukraine officially joined the international Biarritz Partnership, marking a pivotal step in strengthening global cooperation on gender equality. Over four years, the government action plan approved on December 16, 2020, facilitated significant progress in integrating equality principles into national policies and societal frameworks. Today, this period serves as a foundation for analyzing achievements, addressing challenges, and discussing the future direction of Ukraine’s commitments under the Biarritz Partnership.