KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which will be held in Beijing, China, will pave the way for greater international cooperation and promote gender equality towards sustainability goals, according to Malaysia's Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Nancy Shukri.

Nancy told Xinhua in an exclusive written interview that advancing women's causes requires a global effort and expressed her hope that the meeting, held to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 World Conference on Women, will promote international cooperation and expand development opportunities for women in various fields.

"We know that gender equality cannot be achieved in isolation. Through stronger international cooperation, we can share best practices, mobilize resources, and develop joint strategies to eliminate discrimination, end gender-based violence, and expand opportunities for women in all sectors," she said.

Nancy explained that Malaysia's approach to promoting gender equality is based on the core principles of "non-discrimination, inclusiveness, and empowerment", with the country's constitution guaranteeing equal treatment and prohibiting discrimination based on gender.

Building on this foundation, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has launched the National Policy on Women and the Women's Development Action Plan 2025-2030, focusing on four priority areas: women's economic participation, leadership, and safety and well-being.

Nancy also stressed that Malaysia has long been supportive of efforts to uplift women, particularly in economic empowerment, with specific attention to narrowing the gender gap in the economy, strengthening support systems for families and communities, and promoting inclusiveness in trade and innovation to benefit female entrepreneurs and women-led small and medium-sized enterprises.

Nancy commended China's efforts at promoting women's development and its positive role in promoting global gender equality, noting China's successful efforts at poverty eradication and entrepreneurial development as well as effective international cooperation.

"Malaysia and China share a longstanding partnership that extends into the field of women's development. Both countries are committed to advancing women's empowerment through the exchange of experiences, sharing of best practices, and cooperation in areas such as leadership training, entrepreneurship, education, and social protection," she added.

Nancy added that the two countries will continue to cooperate closely, moving forward with an eye on capacity building, women's participation in the digital economy, and women's STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

"Malaysia believes that by working closely with China, we can accelerate the advancement of women's leadership, security, and economic participation, and contribute more to the global gender equality agenda," she said.