Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir emphasized the critical role of women's empowerment in achieving global equality during an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing this week. The summit, attended by representatives from over 50 countries and regions, has become a focal point for discussing sustainable development strategies ahead of the 2030 UN agenda deadlines.
"China's remarkable strides in lifting 800 million people out of extreme poverty within decades demonstrate what focused policy-making can achieve," President Tómasdóttir told CMG anchor Zou Yun. She particularly highlighted the nation's success in reducing urban-rural inequality, noting that "when women gain equal access to education and economic participation, entire communities thrive."
The Icelandic leader commended President Xi Jinping's commitment to advancing women's rights, stating: "It takes courage to prioritize gender parity in national development plans. China's recent maternal health initiatives and anti-domestic violence legislation set important benchmarks."
When asked about cross-regional collaboration, Tómasdóttir revealed plans for a Nordic-Asian task force to address workplace discrimination patterns. The initiative will first launch pilot programs in Shanghai and Reykjavik in early 2026.
