An online meeting of the Working Group on Gender and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Special Program for Central Asia (SPECA) was held on October 27.
 Mrs. Sadagat Gahramanova, Deputy Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs was elected  as a Chair of the Working Group by a unanimous vote of the member countries. Dr. Srinivas Tata, Director, Social Development Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)  and Ms. Monika Linn, Director, Sustainable Development and Gender Unit, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) gave an introductory speech.
The event discussed women's economic advancement and the work done by SPECA countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan) during the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality.
In her speech, Sadagat Gahramanova informed on Armenian military aggression ,gross violation of international law  and the damage  caused to women and children during the terrorist attack in Ganja as a result of the targeting of civilians by artillery shelling.

 Mrs.Sadagat Gahramanova continued her speech at regional meetings of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in cooperation with the United Nations Organization for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment. She noted the achievements in the implementation of the commitments arising from the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action .Best practices were discussed and mutual experience was exchanged. She informed on  measures being taken to develop the rights  of women and girls and new opportunities for collaboration.
Participants discussed the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender equality and measures on strengthening women's rights and opportunities for increasing women's participation in economic activities in the framework of the SPECA Working Group on Gender and Sustainable Development goals. The event continued with the reports of member states on the activities carried out in this area. In her turn, Mrs.Sabina Manafova, Head of the International Relations and Protocol Service Department of the Committee, shared experience of Azerbaijan on gender equality, protection of women's rights, measures taken to develop women's entrepreneurship, projects and special campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the forum, proposals were voiced for the implementation of large-scale events for future cooperation, fruitful dialogue and exchange of experiences.