UNGA79

20 September 2024 - 22 september 2024

Queen Mathilde attended the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Friday 20 September 2024

Flight to NY. 

Queen Mathilde hosted an 'SDG Advocates Dinner', attended by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos, Diane von Fürstenberg and others. They discussed the global progress towards advancing the SDGs.

Saturday 21 September 2024

After arriving at UNHQ in New York, Queen Mathilde had a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

With the Director General of  UN Women, Sima Bahous.

Mathilde had a conversation with "young leaders" on young people's well-being and mental health.

Later she gave the opening remarks at a panel discussion on gender equality and women's rights. 

Belgium co-organised a side-event on the fight to end violence against women, during which Queen Mathilde delivered the opening speech.

"Unfortunately, we are witnessing a disturbing trend of growing backlash against gender equality and women's rights: girls cannot go to school anymore; access to health care is sometimes difficult. Significant threats are endangering the progress we have made during the past years. "

At a meeting on gender equality:

"During my recent field visits to Bangladesh, Vietnam and Ivory Coast, I witnessed the importance of women’s work in building sustainable and inclusive societies. For instance, in the cocoa plantations I saw how women managed the finance and marketing of their chocolate. Throughout my trips, I have met so many women who want to create the means for a decent life for their children and their families.

Let us support them."

SDG meetings.

Sunday 22 September 2024

Queen Mathilde attended the opening of the‘Summit for the Future’ which aims to breathe new life into international cooperation so that it can deliver on the SDGs. 

She then met with Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 

 With Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai.

She also visited the offices of the NGO 'Fountain House' in Manhattan, an association that helps people with mental health problems. 

Finally, Mathilde attended an event by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the impact of violence on children's mental health, in the company of PM Alexander De Croo.

 With WHO's Director General Ghebreyesus & fellow SDG advocat Forest Whitaker.

With Princess Mabel of Oranje.

Greeting the Duke of Sussex.

With Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director.  

"Today, one in two (!) children is affected by violence around the world. This is a staggering statistic. This violence often causes not only physical injuries but also mental health problems such as anxiety, insomnia, social withdrawal, aggressivity, and depression. In addition, victims of sexual violence can suffer from unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases."

"We are gathered here tonight out of our belief in this cause. We must do more. Status quo is not an option. The case for action is compelling, and the time to act is now."