The Prime Minister of Finland, together with United Kingdom, UNFPA and UN Women, are pleased to invite you to a reception "Leaders’ Evening Insights: Turbocharging the SDGs through gender-equal digital transformation" in the margins of the High Level Political Forum 2025.
Programme*
18:30-19:00 Registration and light refreshments
19:00-19:05 Welcome by Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the UN
19:05-19:10pm Opening remarks by Mr. Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland; Finnish policy approaches to Digitalization and Gender Equality
19:10-19:40 Discussion moderated by Ms. Sarah Hendricks, Director, Policy, Programme & Intergovernmental Division, UN Women
Speakers
- H.E. Lord Collins of Highbury, the UK Minister for the United Nations and Africa
- UNFPA Executive Director a.i., Leveraging Technology to Deliver on Gender Equality and SRHR Goals
- Ms. Karla Velasco Ramos, Women’s Rights Programme Policy Advocacy Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
19:40-19:50 Questions from the audience
19:50-20:30 Networking and light refreshments
*The programme is presented in New York time.
Objective
To bring together high-level political leaders and key stakeholders to exchange insights, share innovative approaches, and strengthen collective commitment to bridging digital divides and advancing gender equality—including access to sexual and reproductive health and rights—as essential drivers of inclusive and sustainable development
Background
Digital technologies are transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to advance inclusive sustainable development. However, due to the persistent digital divide, that includes lack of infrastructure, access, and digital skills will leave many behind from enjoying the potential benefits, and opportunities. Closing the digital divide can fuel economic growth by expanding access to jobs, markets, and innovation. It can also strengthen social development and justice by improving access to education, healthcare, and public services. Inclusive digital and AI governance promotes social justice by ensuring fair access, preventing bias, and empowering marginalized communities. Powerful tools such as artificial intelligence increasingly shape economies and societies, hence inclusive participation in their design and governance is key to prevent deepening inequalities, including the emerging AI gap.
Closing the gender digital divide is especially urgent. This means ensuring women and girls have access not only to affordable and high-quality digital devices and connectivity but also to the skills and content that reflect their realities and needs. Digital literacy, safe online environments, and meaningful engagement and leadership in the creation of digital solutions are essential. Addressing barriers such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence is equally important to ensure full, equal and meaningful participation.
Equally critical is the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), which underpin inclusive growth and social well-being. Finland’s post-war recovery, for example, was built in part on investments in SRHR policies that empowered women to participate fully in society and laid the foundation for long-term prosperity. Today, digital technologies offer new opportunities to expand access to SRHR services—especially for women and girls in underserved communities—strengthening their ability to make informed decisions about their bodies. The holistic approach of digital inclusion, gender equality and SRHR offers great potential to accelerate equitable, sustainable development and empower future generations.
Join us at the “Leaders’ Evening Insights” to share ideas and shape a more inclusive digital future.
