E/2010/27 E/CN.6/2010/11 collaboration between economic and social policymakers has contributed to the incorporation of social priorities in the design of economic policies. Partnerships with civil society, including women’s organizations, in advocating for women’s economic empowerment and raising awareness among women of their rights are needed and should be enhanced. Collaboration between the private and public sector in job creation for women should be expanded and strengthened to promote women’s economic empowerment. Trade unions should play an active role in improving the working conditions of women in the labour market. Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regards to gender equality and empowerment of women 1. On 9 March 2010, the Commission on the Status of Women convened an interactive expert panel in preparation for the annual ministerial review of the Economic and Social Council on the theme “Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regards to gender equality and empowerment of women”. The Chair of the Commission, Garen Nazarian, moderated the discussion. Opening statements were made by the Deputy Secretary-General, Asha-Rose Migiro, and the President of the Economic and Social Council, Hamidon Ali. The panellists were: Gita Sen, Professor, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore/Adjunct Professor, Harvard University; Agnes Quisumbing, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute; and Leymah Roberta Gbowee, Executive Director, Women, Peace and Security Network, Africa. An issues paper prepared by the Division for the Advancement of Women provided the framework for the discussion. 2. The year 2010 holds significant importance for the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women as it marks the 15-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 10-year review of progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the 10-year review of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. The annual ministerial review to be held by the Economic and Social Council in June/July provides an opportunity to bring greater attention to the constraints on development due to gender inequality and gender-based discrimination. At its ministerial review in 2010, and at all future such reviews, the Council should enhance commitments and accelerate the implementation of concrete actions and strategies to realize gender equality as a central requirement for ensuring that the internationally agreed development goals are met. 3. Several current trends and emerging issues in the international economic policy framework constitute areas of concern for promoting and ensuring sustainable development and achieving goals on gender equality and empowerment of women. While globalization provides many opportunities to increase the economic empowerment of women, concrete measures are required to increase opportunities in international trade, especially for women entrepreneurs in developing countries. Commodity booms and lack of incentives to invest in food production and similar sectors can lead to investment volatility and to reduced food security, a concern that disproportionately affects women and increases hunger. Greater attention is needed to prevent post-conflict countries from reverting to war, with a 50 10-30576