Peng Liyuan, the UNESCO special envoy for girls’ and women’s education and wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has urged the international community to vigorously develop digital and intelligent education for women. She made the call via video link at the 2026 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education award ceremony in Paris on Friday.

Peng noted that progress in women’s education remains an arduous task. She called for enhanced vocational training and international cooperation to build women a “ladder to a life of brilliance.” She congratulated this year’s laureates from Morocco and Peru.

Stressing China’s commitment, Peng stated the country places great importance on women’s education and has implemented global programs in cooperation with UNESCO. She highlighted China’s use of artificial intelligence to empower quality education as useful experience for fellow Global South nations.

The UNESCO prize was established in cooperation with China in 2015. Peng expressed her readiness to work with all parties to promote greater progress as the award enters a new decade.