PHNOM PENH, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming Global Women's Summit in Beijing will be a great opportunity for women's leaders from across the globe to reinvigorate their shared commitment to gender equality and inclusive development, said Cambodia's Minister of Women's Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi.

"This summit is not only a celebration of 30 years of progress -- it's a renewed momentum to deepen our commitment and a springboard for future collaboration, innovation, and leadership," Phavi, who will attend the summit in Beijing, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview recently.

Phavi said China's remarkable progress in advancing women's empowerment over the years has left a deep impression -- not only on Cambodia, but on the entire Global South.

"As the saying goes, 'Chinese women hold up half the sky,' and their creativity, resilience, and leadership continue to shape the nation's development," she said.

"We are inspired by China's efforts to promote women's leadership in digital technologies, AI, and STEM education -- unlocking their potential as innovators and changemakers," Phavi said.

The minister said China's contributions to global gender equality over the past 30 years have been both impactful and far-reaching.

Since hosting the Fourth World Conference on Women, China has consistently upheld the spirit of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, she said, adding that China's key global contributions to women's empowerment include capacity building, especially that China has trained over 200,000 female professionals from more than 180 countries and regions, helping to strengthen leadership, technical expertise, and cross-sectoral innovation among women worldwide.

However, she said that currently, nearly 10 percent of women remain trapped in extreme poverty globally, limiting their access to education, health, and economic opportunity, and over 600 million women live amid conflict and instability, often without access to safety, services, or justice. Violence against women, discrimination, and economic inequality persist.

"These realities call for proactive, pragmatic, and collaborative action," Phavi said. "China's Global Governance Initiative offers a timely framework for inclusive development and strengthened international cooperation."

"Through solidarity, innovation, and shared leadership, countries in the Global South can help shape a future where women thrive, lead, and transform their communities," Phavi said. Enditem