By and large, women in New Zealand are fortunate compared with some other countries, including many in our own region. But there is still progress to be made.

By and large, women in New Zealand are fortunate compared with some other countries, including many in our own region. But there is still progress to be made.

On many occasions New Zealand has spoken about the need to ensure that women's concerns are fully integrated into all aspects of the United Nations' activities and structures, not marginalised in one part of the Secretariat.

It is important to remember that the Pacific Ocean covers a quarter of the world's surface and that each Pacific country has its own cultural, historical and ethnic identity.

The Pacific had great hope that when the former President Mitered decided to halt nuclear testing, we had put behind us the issue of nuclear states testing their weapons in our Pacific region.

NGOs have a significant role to play, alongside governments, in improving the status of women.

Hollow commitments to action in the future are insufficient. Deferring difficult issues must not be tolerated. Our children and grandchildren expect us to speak and act decisively.