Antigua and Barbuda – May 31, 2024 – Nelson’s Dockyard National Park proudly announces the successful hosting of the UN Gender Equality Forum, held at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard on May 25 and 26, 2024. This landmark event was dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s rights within Small Island Developing States (SIDS), offering a platform for diverse stakeholders to discuss strategies, share best practices, and commit to actions that promote gender equality.

Over 200 participants from over 40 SIDS and non-SIDS countries attended the inaugural Gender Equality Forum, hosted by UN Women and the Caribbean Development Bank. The Forum, held at the picturesque Nelson’s Dockyard managed by the National Park Authority—a woman-led statutory corporation—transformed the UNESCO heritage site into the Equality Village.

Representatives from government, the private sector, academia, civil society, and parliamentarians convened to exchange best practices and lessons learned on operationalizing the SAMOA Pathway and 2023 Agenda. Discussions aimed to pave the way for a gender-transformative resilient future for SIDS, aligned with COP29, the Summit of the Future, Beijing+30, and the SIDS4 Outcome. The Forum also fostered increased networking across SIDS for women’s organizations, women leaders, and advocates for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Addressing persistent gender inequalities, the Forum focused on the unique challenges faced by SIDS and advocated for a gender-responsive, human rights-based approach to transform vulnerabilities into resilience and innovation. Participants made new commitments, shared successful initiatives, and mobilized resources to support gender equality, crafting concrete action plans and roadmaps for the next decade.

Interactive sessions, including panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, delved into key themes such as women’s economic empowerment, violence against women, education, health, and political participation. The Equality Village Entrepreneurial Marketplace showcased businesses from 30 women-owned MSMEs from 12 countries, spotlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of women from the Caribbean and Pacific Islands. The Forum concluded with a high-level meeting and an impactful outcome statement, reaffirming the commitment to advancing gender equality across SIDS.

As part of the SIDS activities, the UN Gender Equality Forum facilitated crucial conversations on advancing gender equality and empowering women across various sectors. These events underscored SIDS’s dedication to cultural preservation, sustainable development, and women’s empowerment.

Parks Commissioner Mrs. Ann Marie Martin expressed satisfaction with the forum, stating, “We were delighted to host the UN Gender Equality Forum at Nelson’s Dockyard. This event highlighted the incredible talents of women entrepreneurs from the Caribbean and Pacific Islands and reinforced our commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and gender equality.”

Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its rich history and breathtaking scenery, provided a unique and inspiring setting for these events. Hosting the Gender Equality Forum underscored the significance of cultural heritage sites in supporting and promoting sustainable economic and social initiatives.

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites extend their gratitude to all community members, local businesses, and international visitors who attended the Forum and supported the Marketplace. Your support and participation contributed to the empowerment of women entrepreneurs and the continued prosperity of our regions.

ABOUT The National Parks Authority

The National Parks Authority (NPA) is a Statutory Corporation constituted under the National Parks Act Cap. 290 (1984) of the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda.  The Act mandates that the NPA is self-financing and operates as a not-for-profit organization in order to preserve, protect, manage and develop the natural environment, heritage, architecture, and culture of the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park.  Since 2016, the historical core, the Georgian era Royal Navy Dockyard and surrounding British military sites have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of the long and successful stewardship and management of the NPA.