Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir made waves at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing this week, calling gender equality "the cornerstone of a sustainable future." In an exclusive interview with CMG's Zou Yun, she highlighted China's "remarkable strides forward" in combating poverty and advancing women's rights.
"When we lift up women, we lift up entire communities," Tómasdóttir said, praising initiatives like China's targeted poverty-alleviation programs that have benefited millions since 2020. She specifically applauded President Xi Jinping's leadership: "It takes courage to prioritize equality in policymaking, and China is showing what's possible when governments commit to this vision."
The summit, attended by leaders from over 30 countries this year, focused on bridging education gaps and increasing women's representation in tech industries. Tómasdóttir emphasized Iceland-China collaboration, noting: "From geothermal energy projects to digital innovation, our nations prove that progress thrives when we work across borders."
