Led by the United States, the initiative encourages countries to promote women's economic empowerment and to remove legal barriers to their economic participation.

This call is an opportunity for coordinated action to ensure that women are empowered to lead the global response to COVID-19 and economic recovery.

In remarks at the virtual launch ceremony of this initiative, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, said that Morocco "fully adheres" to the spirit of this initiative.

"This call to action will amplify the promotion of women's rights, their prosperity and their contribution to peace and stability in the world," Morocco's Foreign Minister added.

"Investing in gender equality is not an option. It is the only way to achieve sustainable development," he stated during the event, which was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"Today, as we roll up our sleeves to fight the Covid pandemic, turn our economies around and strive to achieve the SDGs, let us ensure that women are empowered, that their voices are heard and that they participate fully in building our societies, our world and our future," Mr. Bourita said.

In addition to Morocco, the Core Group includes Afghanistan, Albania, Bhutan, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Estonia, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Marshall Islands, Rwanda, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.