Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir arrived in Beijing on November 30, 2025 to take part in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, delivering a powerful message on the crucial role of women’s empowerment in building a more equal and sustainable world.
In her exclusive interview with China Media Group host Zou Yun for Leaders Talk, President Tómasdóttir praised the Chinese mainland's remarkable strides forward in eradicating extreme poverty and narrowing the inequality gap. She highlighted how lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty has reshaped communities and opened new horizons for women and girls.
President Tómasdóttir said that 'when women thrive, societies thrive,' noting that champions of gender equality drive progress on multiple fronts from economic growth to climate resilience. She pointed to recent studies showing that investments in women’s education and entrepreneurship yield some of the highest social returns, underscoring the need for continued global collaboration.
Looking beyond headlines, the President urged leaders at the meeting to deepen partnerships that support grassroots initiatives and digital platforms. She said empowerment is not a top-down process and demands local voices, tailored solutions and the political will to scale success stories.
President Tómasdóttir also praised President Xi Jinping’s commitment to advancing women and girls rights, calling it a courageous and visionary stance. She underscored that such leadership sets a powerful example for nations across the G20 and beyond.
Reflecting on her own journey from entrepreneur and sustainability advocate to Iceland’s presidency, Tómasdóttir shared insights on designing policies that marry economic innovation with social justice. She pointed to her country’s gender-balanced parliament and renewable energy push as models for inclusive growth.
The Icelandic President wrapped up her interview with a rallying cry: 'Let us build a future where every girl, in every corner of the globe, can dream without limits.' Her words resonated as a call to action for young changemakers, entrepreneurs and policymakers committed to forging a sustainable and equitable world.
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Exclusive interview with Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir
cgtn.com
