At the invitation of UN Women, a Tianjin civil organization delegation arrived in New York on March 11, 2024 to participate in the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68).

The delegates attended various events, including the opening ceremony, general debate, ministerial roundtable and the China-EU side event on "Financial Inclusion for Gender Equality".

Throughout these events, they showcased Tianjin's economic and social development and results on promoting women's initiatives.

During the session, the Tianjin NGO Network for International Exchanges reported its efforts on promoting the city's first environmental NGO, Friends of Green China Tianjin, which holds special consultative status, to the UN Economic and Social Council.

In addition, their suggestion that the UN Economic and Social Council should support more Tianjin social organizations to apply for consultative status and assist Tianjin to utilize multilateral international cooperation platforms has received positive responses.

Notably, the delegation's members are all from social organizations and private enterprises in Tianjin, showing the diversity and adaptability of participants in non-governmental diplomacy.

CSW68, the UN's largest annual gathering on gender equality and women's empowerment, convened from March 11 to 22. The session focused on "Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective".

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the heads of the UN Women, the UN Development Programme and the UN Economic and Social Council, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, along with representatives of international civil society.

Representatives, including nine national leaders and 121 ministerial heads from United Nations member states, observer states and a large number of non-governmental organizations, participated in the meeting.