A/RES/59/168 outcome of the twenty-third special session and consider the current challenges and forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women, as well as the comprehensive report of the Secretary-General; Stresses the importance of strong, sustained political will and 5. commitment at the national, regional and international levels for achieving full and accelerated implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session; Welcomes the opportunity provided by the forty-ninth session of the 6. Commission on the Status of Women to demonstrate continued and full commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session; Encourages participation in the forty-ninth session of the Commission on 7. the Status of Women at a high political level; 8. Invites States and the United Nations system to publicize the forthcoming session of the Commission on the Status of Women, including through consultation with civil society; Calls upon Governments, the relevant entities of the United Nations 9. system, within their respective mandates, and all relevant actors of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, to continue to take effective action to achieve the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session; 10. Emphasizes that the creation of an enabling environment at the national and international levels, including by ensuring the participation of women on an equal basis with men at all levels of decision-making, is necessary to ensure the full participation of women in all aspects of social, political and economic activities, and in this regard calls upon States to remove obstacles to the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session; 11. Emphasizes also the importance of men and boys taking joint responsibility with women and girls in the promotion of gender equality, taking into account the agreed conclusions adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women at its forty-eighth session on 12 March 2004; 6 12. Welcomes the contributions of the Commission on the Status of Women to the follow-up and review of the implementation of the commitments made in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session, reaffirms that the Commission will continue to play a central role in this regard, and encourages Governments, the relevant specialized agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations system and civil society to continue to support its work; 13. Stresses the importance of implementing the agreed conclusions adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women since its fortieth session; 14. Reaffirms its decision that the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on the Status of Women, in accordance with their respective mandates and with General Assembly resolutions 48/162 of _______________ 6 See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2004, Supplement No. 7 (E/2004/27), chap. I, sect. A; see also Economic and Social Council resolution 2004/11. 3