E/2011/27 E/CN.6/2011/12 57. The observers for the Holy See, the European Union and the Council of Europe also participated. 58. The representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also participated in the dialogue: Liberians United to Expose Hidden Weapons; and Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (on behalf of the non-governmental committee on UNICEF). 59. The Moderator made a closing statement. 60. At its 16th meeting, on 4 March, the Commission took note of the moderator’s summary of the discussion held by the panel (E/CN.6/2011/CRP.6). Gender equality and sustainable development 61. At its 11th meeting, on 1 March, the Commission held an expert panel discussion on the theme “Gender equality and sustainable development”, moderated by the Vice-Chair of the Commission, Ms. Leysa Sow (Senegal). 62. Presentations were made by Ms. Henrietta Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development; Ms. Monique Essed-Fernandes, interim Executive Director, Women’s Environment and Development Organization; Mr. Robert Freling, Executive Director of the Solar Electric Light Fund; and Ms. Albina Ruiz, Founder and President of Grupo Ciudad Saludable (Healthy Cities International). 63. The Commission held a dialogue with the panellists, in which the delegations of the following countries participated: Jordan, Switzerland, Portugal, Iceland (on behalf of the Nordic countries), Israel, Cuba, the Philippines, Greece, Japan, Cameroon, Paraguay, Mexico, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Guinea, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, Armenia and Gabon. 64. The observer for the European Union also participated. 65. The representative of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction also participated. 66. The representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also participated in the dialogue: Network Women in Development Europe; International Alliance of Women; and Huairou Commission. 67. The Moderator made a closing statement. 68. At its 16th meeting, on 4 March, the Commission took note of the moderator’s summary of the discussions held by the panel (E/CN.6/2011/CRP.7). Elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and the empowerment of women 69. At its 12th meeting, on 1 March, the Commission held an expert panel discussion on the theme “Elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and the empowerment of women”, which was chaired by the Chair of the Commission and moderated by the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Women. 34 11-28654