The International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment was holding at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, outside Monrovia, capital of Liberia from Saturday to Sunday.

According to the Liberian government's website, the colloquium was opened by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and President Tarja Halonen of Finland.

Hundreds of women from governments, multi-national organizations, civil society groups and traditional women groups from around the world, jammed packed a specially built tent for the occasion.

The ceremony was characterized by traditional songs and cultural display designed to give the participants an insight into Liberian culture and hospitality. The gathering also attracted other African and world leaders of repute including the President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who arrived Saturday morning for the occasion.

Officially convening the colloquium, Finnish President Halonen stressed the importance for all people to work together to build a world of respect and progress.

She highlighted the importance of United Nations Resolution 1820 which she noted strongly advocates the protection of women and children. She expressed the hope that the colloquium would be an encouragement to all women groups.

The Finnish leader further called for cooperation between the women of Israel and Palestine in peace building efforts, and added that the respect for human rights and the rule of law are the foundation for any democratic state.

Also addressing the opening session, Liberian President Johnson Sirleaf said the presence of hundreds of women from around the world attending the conference serves as a challenge to Liberians to meet the process of change.

She paid tribute to President Wade and President Kagame for attending the conference to give participants insight into the advancement of women in Senegal and Rwanda respectively. The colloquium, she stressed, symbolizes the fact "Liberia is on the move".

The opening ceremony of the International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment also witnessed remarks from women leaders from around the world.

They include Vice Prime Minister Teresa Fernandez de lea Vega of Spain; Governor-General Michaelle Jean of Canada; Prime Minister Luisa Diogo of Mozambique; Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy of Gambia and the Vice President of European Commission, Madam Margaret Wallstrom.

Others dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Chairman of the African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha, Deputy French Foreign Minister Ramatoulaye Yade-Zimet, World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Aisha Moamar Ghadafi, a representative of the Chairman of the African Union.

Other leaders delivered remarks via video links. These include President Michelle Bachelet of Chile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.N. Deputy Secretary General Aisha-Rose Migiro, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Tzipi Livni.

The International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment continues Sunday with group discussions on various issues ranging from women's leadership, economic empowerment, climate change, migration, the millennium development goal, amongst others.

Source:Xinhua