WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Jim Yong Kim, the new head of the World Bank, laid out their joint vision Thursday for promoting gender equality across the world.

Taking the stage together at a forum in Washington, they agreed that collecting more gender-sensitive data is a basic step toward addressing related problems through policy decisions.

"Getting the gender-sensitive data we need is a critical starting point," Clinton said in her speech at the event co-organized by her department and Gallup, a polling firm.

"That will help act as a blueprint for building a better future for us all," she added. "It will help move toward finishing the unfinished business of helping more women become full and equal participants in every aspect of society."

Clinton, who has long spearheaded a campaign to fill the gender gap, said, "Ultimately data are a means to an end to a more peaceful, prosperous world where women are full participants who, like men, can reach their God-given potential."

She emphasized how important the role of women is in the

development of the world.

The World Bank leader, who is in his first month as the leader

of the Washington-based institution, agreed.

"Simply put, a person's opportunities should not be determined by whether they are born male or female. It also counts because gender equality is vital for growth and competitiveness of countries," said Kim, a Korean-born physician. (Yonhap News)