Women, peace and security

Summary

This Security Council open debate focused on women, peace and security, examining progress and challenges in implementing Resolution 1325 as its 25th anniversary approaches. Participants expressed deep concern about the regression of women’s rights and increased violence against women in conflict zones, with many citing alarming statistics on casualties and sexual violence. There was broad agreement that women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes is essential for sustainable peace, yet remains severely lacking. Speakers highlighted the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women and girls, particularly in Gaza, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other crisis areas. Many called for increased political will and concrete actions to advance the women, peace and security agenda, including through national action plans, quota systems, and dedicated funding. The importance of protecting women peacebuilders and human rights defenders from reprisals was emphasized. Several participants noted the potential of new technologies to enhance women’s participation, while also warning of online risks. The need to address root causes of gender inequality and discriminatory social norms was discussed. Some speakers highlighted positive examples of women’s contributions to peacebuilding at local and national levels. There were calls to leverage the upcoming 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 to accelerate implementation and reverse negative trends. Many expressed support for the Secretary-General’s new common pledge initiative on women’s participation in peace processes. Overall, while acknowledging some progress, participants stressed that much more urgent action is needed to realize the transformative potential of the women, peace and security agenda.

Keypoints

Major discussion points:

– The need to increase women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes and decision-making

– Concerns about backsliding on women’s rights and increased violence against women in conflict situations

– The importance of implementing existing commitments and frameworks on Women, Peace and Security

– Calls for increased funding and support for women peacebuilders and women’s organizations

– The potential of new technologies to both help and hinder women’s participation

Overall purpose:

The purpose of this Security Council open debate was to assess progress and challenges in implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda as its 25th anniversary approaches, and to identify concrete actions to accelerate implementation.

Tone:

The overall tone was one of concern and urgency. Many speakers expressed alarm at negative trends and backsliding on women’s rights. However, there was also a sense of renewed commitment and determination to take action to advance the WPS agenda. The tone became more impassioned when discussing specific conflict situations like Gaza, with some speakers using stronger language to condemn violence against women and girls.

Speakers

– President – Switzerland: Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation

– Deputy Secretary General: Amina Mohamed

– Sima Sami Bahous: Executive Director of UN Women

– Effie Owuor: Justice, Co-chair of FemWise Africa

– Wai Wai Nu: Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Peace Network

– United States: Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative and member of President Biden’s Cabinet

– Slovenia: Melita Gabrić, Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

– United Kingdom: Lord Richard Simon-Hermer, Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland

– Guyana: Representative

– China: Representative

– Mozambique: Representative

– Malta: Representative

– Algeria: Representative

– France: Representative

– Republic of Korea: Representative

– Japan: Representative

– Russian Federation: Representative

– Sierra Leone: Representative

– Ecuador: Representative

– Liechtenstein: Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport

– Luxembourg: Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity

– Albania: Igli Hasani, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

РDemocratic Republic of the Congo: L̩onnie Kandolo, Minister of Gender, Family and Children

– Palestine: Mona al-Khalili, Minister of Women’s Affairs

– Georgia: Khatuna Totladze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

– Chile: Gloria de la Fuente-Gonzalez, Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs

– Romania: Ana Tinca, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

– Ukraine: Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Equality

– Germany: Representative

– Colombia: Arlene Tickner, Ambassador-at-Large for Gender Issues and Feminist Global Policy

– Italy: Representative

– Canada: Jacqueline O’Neill, Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security

– Norway: Signe Gilen, Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security

– Kazakhstan: Representative

– Turkey: Representative

– Jordan: Representative

– Morocco: Representative

– Philippines: Representative

– Indonesia: Representative

– Denmark: Representative

– New Zealand: Representative

– Costa Rica: Representative

– European Union: Stella Ronner, Deputy Managing Director for Values and Multilateral Relations, European External Action Service, and Ambassador for Gender and Diversity

– Croatia: Representative

– Bulgaria: Representative

– United Arab Emirates: Representative

– South Africa: Representative

– Poland: Representative

– Egypt: Representative

– Burundi: Representative

– Czechia: Representative

– Belgium: Representative

– Latvia: Representative

– Pakistan: Representative

– El Salvador: Representative

– Brazil: Representative

– Kingdom of the Netherlands: Representative

– Australia: Representative

– Ireland: Representative

– Austria: Representative

– League of Arab States: Nasria Eladia Flitti, Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission

– Spain: Representative

– Nepal: Representative

– Mexico: Representative

– Guatemala: Representative

– Thailand: Representative

– Hungary: Representative

– Portugal: Representative

– Lebanon: Representative

– Qatar: Representative

Additional speakers:

– Meryl Streep: Actress (mentioned in passing)

Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security

This Security Council open debate focused on assessing progress and challenges in implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda as its 25th anniversary approaches. The discussion aimed to identify concrete actions to accelerate implementation and reverse negative trends.

Key Themes and Concerns:

1. Women’s Participation in Peace Processes

There was broad agreement that women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes is essential for sustainable peace, yet remains severely lacking. The Secretary-General’s report showed women represented only 9.6% of negotiators and 13.7% of mediators in peace processes. The Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the lack of progress in women’s participation, while Sima Sami Bahous emphasised the need for women’s full, equal and meaningful participation.

Several speakers called for concrete measures to increase women’s involvement:

– Mexico urged for women’s participation to be the norm, not an afterthought

– Norway, Brazil, and Qatar expressed support for the Secretary-General’s common pledge on women’s participation

– South Africa advocated for quotas and targets for women’s inclusion

– Italy stressed the importance of women’s networks and grassroots involvement

Several speakers, including Latvia and Hungary, discussed both the opportunities and risks of digital technologies for women’s participation in peace processes.

2. Protection of Women in Conflict

Participants expressed deep concern about the regression of women’s rights and increased violence against women in conflict zones. The United Kingdom representative noted an alarming increase in conflict-related sexual violence, with the Secretary-General’s report showing a 50% increase in verified cases. Other speakers addressed various aspects of protection:

– Germany called for combating impunity for atrocities against women

– Canada emphasised the need to protect women human rights defenders

– Poland advocated for a survivor-centred approach to sexual violence

– Ireland called for accountability for violations against women

3. Funding and Resources for WPS Agenda

Multiple speakers stressed the need for increased funding and resources to implement the WPS agenda effectively:

– Slovenia called for increased, flexible funding for women’s organisations

– The Republic of Korea urged investment in women’s leadership and initiatives

– Thailand highlighted the importance of gender-responsive budgeting

– Belgium emphasised the need for resources to support women in post-conflict settings

– Germany announced additional funding of $6.5 million for the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund

4. Implementation of WPS National Action Plans

Several speakers discussed the importance of developing and implementing National Action Plans (NAPs) for the WPS agenda:

– Japan stressed the importance of developing and implementing NAPs

– The European Union called for accelerated implementation of existing frameworks

– Nepal shared national experiences in implementing NAPs

– The Democratic Republic of the Congo highlighted the need for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

5. Impact of Specific Conflicts on Women

Speakers highlighted the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women and girls in various regions:

Gaza and the Middle East:

– Palestine described the devastating impact of the Gaza conflict on women and children

– Egypt and the League of Arab States emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection for Palestinian women and girls

– Multiple speakers called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access

Afghanistan:

– Liechtenstein and others expressed deep concerns about Taliban restrictions on Afghan women’s rights

– Speakers highlighted the ban on women’s education, work, and freedom of movement

– Calls were made for the international community to continue pressuring the Taliban to reverse these policies

Other conflicts:

– Wai Wai Nu discussed the impact of the Myanmar conflict on women’s rights

– Ukraine detailed the effects of the ongoing conflict on women in the country

6. UN Leadership and Civil Society Engagement

Several speakers, including Canada and Ireland, emphasized the importance of supporting women-led civil society organizations and grassroots peacebuilders. Switzerland and Spain called for more women in leadership positions at the UN, including as Secretary-General.

Agreements and Disagreements:

While there was broad consensus on the core principles of the WPS agenda, some differences emerged in proposed implementation strategies. For instance, while the United States emphasised the benefits of women’s involvement in peace processes, South Africa advocated for specific quotas and targets to ensure representation.

Key Takeaways and Action Items:

1. Support the Secretary-General’s common pledge to increase women’s participation in peace processes

2. Develop and implement National Action Plans on WPS

3. Increase funding for women’s organisations and gender-responsive peacebuilding

4. Enhance protection mechanisms for women human rights defenders and peacebuilders

5. Integrate gender perspectives across UN missions and programmes

6. Strengthen accountability for conflict-related sexual violence

7. Address the urgent situation of women and girls in Gaza and Afghanistan

Unresolved Issues:

1. How to effectively counter the global backlash against women’s rights and gender equality

2. Ensuring women’s meaningful participation in contexts where they face severe restrictions, like Afghanistan

3. Addressing the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women while recognising their agency as peacebuilders

4. Balancing the opportunities and risks posed by new technologies for women’s participation

Overall, while acknowledging some progress, participants stressed that much more urgent action is needed to realise the transformative potential of the women, peace and security agenda. The upcoming 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 and 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration were seen as opportunities to accelerate implementation and reverse negative trends. Several speakers referenced the Pact for the Future as a framework for accelerating implementation of WPS commitments.

President – Switzerland: The 9,760th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is women and peace and security. Women building peace in a changing environment. The agenda is adopted. I would like to warmly welcome the Deputy Secretary General, Distinguished Ministers and other high-level representatives. Your presence today underscores the importance of this subject matter under discussion. Before each of you is a list of speakers who have requested to participate in accordance with the Rules 37 and 39 of the Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure, as well as a previous practice of the Council in this regard, we propose that they be invited to participate in this meeting. There being no objection, it is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of Item 2 of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to the report of the Secretary General on Women, Peace and Security in Document S-2024-671 and a letter dated 1st October 2024 to the Secretary General from the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations in Document S-2024-709. I now give the floor to the Deputy Secretary General, Her Excellency Ms. Amina Mohamed.

Deputy Secretary General: Thank you, Madam President, Excellencies, let me begin by wishing everyone here today a happy UN Day. Excellencies, every year in this chamber the global community reaffirms its commitment to ensuring women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in conflict prevention, resolution and recovery, and to upholding their rights during times of war. Yet progress remains dishearteningly slow. Peace and security decision-making is overwhelmingly dominated by men, and ending impunity for atrocities against women and girls is still but a distant goal. And the past year has been especially difficult. In Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinian women and girls have been killed and injured amidst continued war and a terrible humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, the plight of Israeli women still held hostage demands urgent action to ensure their safety and immediate release. In Lebanon, an escalation of destruction and displacement threatens women and girls’ safety and livelihoods. In Sudan, women are enduring extreme suffering, facing not only the loss of loved ones, but also the dire lack of access to essential services and medical care. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s calls. Civilians must be protected. Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. And international law must be upheld. The United Nations remains steadfast. We will not look away or lose hope. The Women, Peace and Security Agenda will always guide our work and show a path forward. Despite attacks on our offices and the detention and killings of our staff in unprecedented numbers, allow me to honor the work of my colleagues and share examples of what they do. In peacekeeping missions, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is a key political and strategic imperative. Our teams work tirelessly to help protect and assist women, from relocating human rights defenders to aiding women after their release from abduction by armed groups, from ensuring women’s representation in local dialogues to helping bring justice to women in places where sexual violence has long been met with impunity. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, 57 percent of cases supported by the mission’s prosecution support cells in 2023 involved conflict-related sexual violence, contributing to the conviction of dozens of members of armed groups and state security forces. In Abyei earlier this year, one-third of participants in a post-migration conference were women, and this was a first. In the Central African Republic, the mission is helping to mobilize women for local elections that have not been held in 38 years. Deploying more diverse teams to peacekeeping operations has helped us to deliver better on our mandates. The representation of women in most categories of uniformed personnel has doubled in the last five years, and initiatives have been put in place to foster gender-responsive work environments for all peacekeepers. Yet much more remains to be done to improve the gender balance of our deployments and reap the benefits of inclusion and of diversity. Success in peacekeeping hinges on the political support from member states, especially those with the great honor of sitting in this chamber to protect international peace and security. I commend the efforts of the UAE to empower women in peace and security. This initiative has provided training and capacity-building opportunities for over 600 women from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia in military and peacekeeping. The UN is a proud partner in these efforts that advance women, peace, and security. Throughout the world, the UN reaches millions of displaced women and girls and survivors of violence with food, with medical support, legal aid, shelter, access to safe spaces. psychosocial support, education and jobs, and livelihood opportunities. Yesterday, survivors of a conflict-related sexual violence from many war-torn corners of the globe gathered together for a survivor’s hearing to mark the 15th anniversary of Resolution 1888. Effective protection from sexual violence is fundamental to women’s effective participation in peace-building, conflict recovery, and sustainable development that leaves no one behind. None of this would happen without women’s organizations in the front lines of crises and we are trying to find ways of channeling more resources to them. The Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund has supported over 1,300 local women’s civil society organizations since 2016, nearly half of them accessing UN funds for the first time, and 582 women rights defenders and their families included. Last year, the Secretary-General invited all partners to contribute to the goal of raising $300 million for women’s organizations in conflict-afflicted countries. We still have a long way to go to get there. Forty percent of all funding of the $25 million GBV Focus Grant by the Central Emergency Response Fund to UN Women and UNFPA was sub-granted to local women’s organizations and delivered remarkable results, a powerful demonstration that localization is both feasible and effective. The Peace-Building Fund has now exceeded its internal target allocation of 30 percent to gender equality for seven years in a row. We know that the inclusion of women and gender-related provisions in peace processes not only advances gender equality but also results in more durable peace agreements. From Guatemala to Northern Ireland, from Colombia to Liberia, research has shown how women in formal processes work to diverse women’s groups. to not only reach an agreement, but also to strengthen the substance of peace agreements and opportunities for implementation. Yet women remain starkly underrepresented from peace negotiations and conflict resolution efforts, including in some of the most intractable conflicts over the last year. Historical data underscores this challenge. Between 1992 and 2019, women constituted only 13% of negotiators and 6% of mediators in major peace processes. More recent data from UN Women in 2023 shows that women on average made up less than 10% of peace negotiators and 13.5% of mediators. The processes in Libya and Yemen, where conflict parties have not included women, highlight a continued resistance to progress. In Afghanistan, the regression of women’s rights highlights the severe impact of excluding women from governance and society altogether. It is imperative that we reinforce our resolve to support women in Afghanistan and elsewhere, advocating for their rights, agency, and inclusion at every opportunity. Collective action and solidarity is crucial. In today’s broader global mediation landscape, the United Nations is not always present. In fact, a diverse set of regional, state, and other mediation actors initiates and leads mediation processes. Many contexts feature joint or overlapping peace initiatives. This means that no single mediator can affect global and meaningful change in women’s participation. It is why today, on behalf of the Secretary-General, I am pleased to launch the Common Pledge on Women’s Participation in Peace Processes, an initiative that brings together a broad array of mediation actors. By endorsing this Common Pledge, member states, regional organizations, and other mediation actors commit to join the United Nations in taking concrete steps on women’s participation in all peace process that they are involved in. These commitments include appointing women as lead mediators and ensuring women are an integral part of mediation teams, ensuring mediators advocate with conflict parties for concrete targets and measures that promote women’s direct and meaningful participation in peace processes including as members of their delegations. Consulting with a broad range of women leaders and women-led civil society organizations in all stages of the peace processes and embedding gender expertise in their mediation teams to foster gender-responsive peace processes and agreements. This pledge targets mediating entities and is intended as an operational initiative and not another general statement of principle. It focuses on measures and decisions that are under the control of mediators and their organizations. The Secretary General invites member states, regional organizations and other key actors who are actively engaged in mediation to join this initiative and report on their progress at next year’s 25th anniversary Security Council open debate on women, peace and security. Madam President, we have no illusions about the challenges posed by today’s geopolitical landscape and the complexity of achieving diplomatic outcomes. As long as gendered power inequalities, patriarchal social structures, systematic biases, violence and discrimination continues to hold back half of our society’s peace will remain elusive. Yet our collective experience has shown that progress is possible. Together we can have an impact that is greater than the sum of our individual efforts. By leveraging our respective political capital and roles, let us dismantle the patriarchal power structures. and advance gender equality, ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaning participation in political and public life. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the Deputy Secretary General for her briefing, and now I give the floor to Ms. Sima Sami Bahous.

Sima Sami Bahous: Thank you, Madam President. Your Excellency Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, my congratulations to Switzerland for your October Security Council Presidency and for convening us and for the opportunity to brief as we mark the 24th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325. Today we commemorate the United Nations Day. We are reminded of the UN’s noble mission to promote peace, human rights, and development for all. We are reminded of the continued need for diplomacy, dialogue, and negotiation to prevent and resolve conflicts and to ensure dignity, equality, and justice for all women and men. I am honored to join you on this UN Day in this annual open debate on women, peace, and security. Excellencies, during the high-level week of the recent General Assembly, a Nigerian poet speaking at an event on dismantling patriarchy asked, what is peace if not a world where power is shared, where voices rise without fear? The idea of voices rising without fear crystallizes both our goal and our challenge. We recall the fear of millions of Afghan women and girls robbed of an education, a future, and a voice, how they suffocate in silence, prisoners in their own homes. We recall the fear of the women in Gaza, displaced many times over, waiting for death, whether by bombs, fire, disease, or starvation, how they know neither what to feed their children or how to feed them, what to tell them of their futures after a year of relentless destruction with no end in sight. We recall the hostages in Gaza and their anxious families and mothers who are still waiting for their release. And we recall the fear of women and families in Lebanon as their towns are under bombardment recently. We recall the fear of women of Sudan, displaced, victims again of sexual violence perpetrated by men with guns, seeing history repeat itself with no place to turn for food, water, or safety. We recall the fear of women in Haiti who continue to endure senseless violence, displacement, and insecurity. We recall the fear of the women in Myanmar, detained by the thousands for raising their voices against a coup, how they wait with shrinking hope in refugee camps across the border, how, for some, that hope is extinguished after seven long years of exile. We recall the fear that sits on the shoulders and lives in the hearts of our sisters in Congo, the Middle East, the Sahel, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and the list continues. The fears of 612 million women and girls now affected by war, 50 percent more than a decade ago. They, like many others, wonder if the world has already forgotten them, if they have fallen from the agenda of an international community overwhelmed by crises of ever-deeper frequency, severity, and urgency. What greater responsibility do we collectively hold? than to answer those fears with hope. Excellencies, as you have read in the Secretary General’s report, in 2023, the proportion of women killed in conflict doubled. The number of verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence increased by 50 percent, and the number of girls affected by grave violation grew by 35 percent. One in two women and girls in conflict-affected settings are facing moderate to severe food insecurity. Sixty-one percent of all maternal mortality is concentrated in 35 conflict-affected countries. With maternity wards bombed, blocked reproductive health care, rising sexual violence, these numbers will continue to rise. Excellencies, the Secretary General’s report reminds us that all this takes place against a backdrop of inadequate attention to women and their leadership and voice in our efforts for peace. Women’s participation in decision-making and politics in conflict-affected countries is stalled. The percentage of women in peace negotiations has not improved over the last decade. Under 10 percent on average in all processes, under 20 percent in processes led or supported by the United Nations. In 2023, we had fewer peace agreements, fewer Security Council resolutions with gender-related provisions. All this as military spending increased dramatically, as gender equality spending dipped, as funding for women’s organizations in conflict-affected settings fell for the third year in a row, and as only 23 percent of total funding requirements for gender-based violence prevention and response in humanitarian response were met. Excellencies. The current pushback against the very idea of gender equality and women’s empowerment is real and is seen in too many spaces. It plays out no less in conflict affected countries, but there the consequences are even more lethal. Women’s rights to move, to be heard, to earn a livelihood, to denounce abuse, and to make choices for themselves and their bodies can represent the difference between life and death. The weaponization of misogyny for political gain is extracting a price we will pay for generations. That price will be more conflicts, longer conflicts, more devastating conflicts. We as the international community can and must work collectively to prevent this. That is why it is incumbent upon us to match the bravery, in many cases unbelievable and sometimes even unreasonable, of the women I meet around the world. They do what sometimes seems beyond us. They broker agreements for humanitarian crisis and access. They end tribal conflicts. They disarm and de-radicalize young men in their communities. And they do this, denied the funding and the support that they deserve because we do not always afford it to them. In Syria, we have documented stories of women who were homemakers, but when called upon, stepped up to play a decisive role in ending the siege in several districts because their male relatives were at a higher risk of being arrested or killed. In Afghanistan, women have stepped up by opening schools in their homes. In Ukraine, women coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid in areas where basic infrastructure has collapsed and support the safe evacuation of civilians in need. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thanks to the bravery of women witnesses and survivors, the crime of forced pregnancy was successfully tried by a national court for the first time ever globally. It resulted in a historic conviction and sentence to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity of a former militia leader in 2023. Every victory we celebrate has at its root women on the ground stepping up always. Women are frustrated by the meetings they are invited in the margins of actual decision making. The many consultations which many times have no outcome. The strategies that don’t have funding. They want to see the women peace and security agenda implemented and resourced. They have called on us to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 1325 next year with action. By pursuing accountability for gross violations of women’s rights. By removing discriminatory laws. By making policy commitments with a target and a deadline whether for women in peace negotiations or funding for gender equality or for women’s organizations in the front lines of conflict. Excellencies, the Secretary General’s report is a rich source of these minimum targets and of important recommendations. Earlier this month, as a direct result of advocacy and member states joining forces, the European Court of Justice, the ECJ, ruled that gender and nationality alone are sufficient for a country to grant asylum in the EU to Afghan women based on the documented gender persecution in Afghanistan. These are sparks of progress we hope will ultimately become flames. Next October marks 25 years since Namibia tabled Security Council Resolution 1325 in this very chamber and its unanimous adoption. The last five years have not seen much progress, rather regression on the agenda. So if our commemorations are to have any real value, they must be founded on a demonstrated commitment to do things differently and better. We have a solid foundation on which to build. One hundred and ten member states have adopted national action plans on women, peace, and security up from 19 in 2010. Our commitments to women, peace, and security have been reinforced and reiterated by every recent multilateral agreement. Support for women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation has become one of the most common phrases in Security Council Resolutions. What remains is for us to make those a reality in practice, not least through our funding decisions. This is how we give women peacebuilders a fighting chance. It is how we make peace more possible and durable. How we prevent new conflicts and recover faster from those already upon us. This is how we accelerate our drive towards realizing the 2030 Agenda and SDG 5. This is how we recommit to the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action at 30 next year. This is how we make a reality of our commitments and commemorate the anniversary of 1325 in the way the world’s women and girls would have us commemorate it, how the world needs us to commemorate it. UN Women stands alongside you all to make that our shared reality. I thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank Ms. Bahous for her briefing. I now give the floor to Justice Effie Awuor.

Effie Owuor: Your Excellency, Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank the Chair of the UN Security Council for the opportunity to brief the open debate on behalf of the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks. In the complex and often difficult arena of conflict resolution, the participation of women as mediators and negotiators has been marked as the gold standard for successful peace processes. There is clear evidence that when women are involved in peace negotiations, the resulting agreements are more comprehensive, more durable, and more inclusive. Despite this well-documented fact, however, the actual participation of women in peace processes remains alarmingly low. The Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediators Networks was established in 2019 to address this glaring anomaly. Our founders envisaged a powerful collective mass of women mediators sharing strategies, expertise, experiences, and advocacy all aimed at ensuring that women’s voices are heard. lead, structures, and shape peace processes. Six networks make up the alliance. The Arab Women Mediators Network, the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network, the Nordic Women Mediators, the Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth, the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators, and the Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation, FEMWISE Africa. FEMWISE Africa currently chairs the Secretariat of the Alliance. Excellencies, the Women Mediators Network showcases the very best of women’s mediation and peacemaking. We are very good at it. Coordinating and mobilizing support for women’s meaningful participation in peace processes, lending legitimacy to the valuable work women are doing in the formal setting, cultivating mentorship for young women mediators, monitoring the implementation of the Women’s Peace Security Agenda through feminist mechanisms, and fostering communication with the civil society. Our networks also play a key role in positioning women as lead mediators and technical experts in formal mediation processes. FEMWISE Africa and the Panel of the Wise registered major wins in asserting women mediators in the African Union’s High-Level Mediation Panel for Ethiopia and Sudan. Our members have also led shuttle and preventive diplomacy efforts elsewhere in Africa. and have made significant contributions to missions to South Sudan and the Great Lakes. Members of the Arab Women Mediators Network in Palestine, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen have been instrumental in defusing tensions and mediating conflicts in their communities. They have mediated ceasefires and holds to violation against civilians. Some have brokered the release of political prisoners. Others have prevented and resolved communal conflicts and are engaged in cross-line negotiations to secure access to water and other vital resources. While we take great pride in our members’ work, the overall trajectory is downbeat and depressing. The mainstreaming of women as leaders in mediation faces serious challenges. If anything, Your Excellencies, the obstacles to women’s inclusion and participation seem to grow bigger by the day We continue to encounter the following persistent cultural, political, and gender biases, limited access to negotiation platforms, risks to our own safety and security, secondary resources for our work, and unsupportive policymakers, multilateral institutions, national and regional stakeholders. Serious political commitments are needed to implement international frameworks and to dismantle gender barriers. at all levels of peacemaking. Excellencies, as Global Alliance, we forward the following recommendations for your esteemed consideration. First, we must foster political will and increase institutional support for women mediators through policy implementation. I draw your attention to the African Union Peace and Security Council, which in March this year directed the African Union to develop a policy framework for a woman’s quarter in all the African Union-led mediation and peace processes. When adopted, it will guarantee that all AU-led mediation and peace processes must feature a minimum of 30% women as lead mediators and mediation experts. Over time, the ultimate target for women’s representation will rise to 50%, we hope and trust. The level of political commitment should be replicated across the globe. This level of political commitment should be replicated across the globe. For this reason, the Global Alliance fully supports the Secretary-General’s call for a common pledge to increase women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes. Second, we must invest in resources for women mediators to access the peace table. I do not need to tell you that mediation is expensive work and without adequate support. We are unable to deploy our mediators to the negotiation table. Third, we must organize and support grassroots women mediators who tirelessly engage in front-line conflicts resolutions at the community level. All networks in the Global Alliance are establishing national chapters aimed at amplifying the voices of grassroots mediators. We call on Member States to support this effort. As I conclude, please do not lose sight of the fact that the Regional Women Mediators Network presents all of us with a unique vehicle for elevating and solidifying women’s leadership in the negotiation and dialogue. I invite you all to join us on this journey. Our destination is a global environment in which women mediators and negotiators can realize the extraordinary potential to resolve conflicts and build lasting peace. With political goodwill, careful investment, and global accountability as our guiding principle, we will surely get there. It is my most sincere hope that when we meet next year to mark the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, we will be able to share more successful accounts of women in mediation and peacemaking. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Switzerland: I thank Justice Owuor for her briefing, and I now give the floor to Ms. Wai Wai Nu.

Wai Wai Nu: President, Excellencies, and civil society colleagues, I am honored to brief you at this open debate on women’s peace and security. I am Weiwei Nu, the Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Peace Network, advocating for peace and equality in Myanmar. The theme of today’s debate is welcome, given the dire state of women’s rights in conflict and crisis across the world and unacceptably low level of women’s participation in peace processes, both of which the WPS agenda meant to address. We are seeing record levels of armed conflict, for instance in Gaza and Ukraine, and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Women have been disproportionately exposed to sexual violence, femicide, gender apartheid, gender persecutions, and other targeted atrocities. We are today also confronted by an alarming global backlash against gender and women’s rights. All these conditions undermine our collective ability to meaningfully participate in peacemaking and in doing so threaten our very hopes for peace. 24 years ago, feminist movement around the world reminded the international community of our potential for ensuring an equal, just, and peaceful future. The Council heeded these calls by adopting Resolution 1325. Yet today, we are a long way from its promise of equality. As a human rights defender and former political prisoner, hopeful change has long guided my activism, and I am not alone. In Myanmar today, women across the country are resisting the Myanmar military and its 2021 attempted coup and risking their lives. to defy all forms of oppressions, including patriarchy, homophobia, and transphobia. As frontline defenders and human rights defenders, we are doing everything in our power not to return to the pre-coup status quo, but to build a new future where we can fully participate regardless of our gender, sexual orientations, ethnicity, or other differences. But the Myanmar military’s nationwide campaign of terror is preventing us from achieving our goal. This is the same military that, according to the UN, has committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Since the attempted coup, the military has launched airstrikes against the civilians, targeted homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship, and displaced millions. Gender-based violence has increased dramatically in Myanmar since the attempted coup, primarily by the military and other armed groups. Further, the military has killed and arbitrarily arrested thousands of women who faced torture, sexual violence, and denial of medical care in detention. Since February, the military has forcibly recruited civilians, including young women and IDPs, to become cannon fodder and human shields. The military has created a humanitarian disaster and continued to block and weaponize 8 to over 18 million people, more than half of whom are women and girls. Hundreds of thousands have left a flat Myanmar in search of protection in neighboring countries, wreaks in detention and forced deportation. Excellencies, addressing the root cause of the conflict is vital for ensuring women’s full participations in Myanmar’s future. And when the key perpetrators of decades of atrocities remain unpunished, like in Myanmar, impunity is the root cause. Just as in Afghanistan, Sudan, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and many other contexts, impunity in Myanmar is contagious. It emboldens perpetrators and shows others that they are free to brutalize groups that they deem inferior, especially women. As Resolution 1325 makes clear, accountability and respect for international laws are critical for protecting women’s rights, not only in Myanmar, but in other conflicts across the world. Women cannot meaningfully participate in any sphere of life if they are being attacked without consequences on a daily basis. Nowhere is this impunity more apparent than in Rakhine State, where the military and the Arkan army have been targeting the Rohingya with escalating atrocity in recent months. Since November 2023, the AA has burned down Rohingya’s homes and villages and massacred, abducted, tortured, raped, and forcibly displaced the Rohingya. Armed violence, starvations, and lack of water, shelter, and medical care have forced at least 40,000 to flee to Bangladesh. Almost one million are still living in overcrowded camps in Khorses Bazar, where violence has worsened in recent months. According to the UN, last year was the deadliest year. year for the Rohingya fleeing over land and sea, with women and girls facing horrific forms of sexual violence. This year will likely be worse, further delaying my community’s voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return to their home in Myanmar. Excellencies, Myanmar is an example of both an extreme violation of the key principles of the WPS agenda and an illustration of why they are so important. I urge you to uphold all pillars of the WPS. Member states should demand women’s participation in peace and security decision-making and call on the UN to make women’s participation a requirement in any peace process it supports. But it is not enough to express support for women’s participation if the conditions for their participation do not exist. Conflict prevention, protection of human rights, and accountability are essential if women are to take their rightful place at the peace table. I further urge you to support and fund women’s organizations and human rights defenders and take all necessary measures to protect them from attacks and reprisals. On Myanmar, I urge the Council to hold an emergency open briefing to discuss the situation, prevent further mass atrocities, especially in Rakhine State, and build on Resolution 2669 with stronger actions, including a new resolution. This Council should demand the military cease all acts of conflict-related sexual violence. I further urge you to end all supplies of arms, ammunitions, and aviation fuel. impose targeted economic sanctions on the military, enable cross-border aid and unfettered humanitarian access, and reject the military’s so-called census and efforts to hold sham election. The Council must refer situations to the International Criminal Court or support a creation of an ad hoc tribunal and discuss the non-compliance of the provisional measures imposed on Myanmar by the International Court of Justice, which designated the Rohingya as a protected group. This Council should explicitly call for women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in decision-making about our country’s future. Excellencies, today I speak before you as one of the few women from Myanmar to address the Council about our unspeakable suffering of my people. This is despite more than half a century of conflict in my country, the decades-long genocide against Rohingya, and the determined efforts of my fellow women to end our plight. Women in Myanmar and across the globe are watching you today to see your votes will be matched by action. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Ms. Nu for her briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the President of the Swiss Confederation. Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, A month ago, I chaired, together with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a meeting with the high-level Afghan women mediators on the way the future of Afghanistan can be outlined. And I keep thinking about the words spoken of one of the participants at the meeting. She said, at 27 years of age, I was already fighting for the future of Afghanistan. And today, I’m 67 years old, and I continue fighting. It’s as though we had to start from scratch. During the same meeting, Meryl Streep, the actress, mentioned that Swiss women had no political right yet, at the time when the Afghan women already had the right to participate in the political life of their countries. And today, I am here presiding a Security Council meeting at the UN, in my capacity as President of the Swiss Federation. And I am of the same generation that the Afghan lady mediator I just mentioned. Progress is possible, and it is necessary. But history does not move forward in a linear fashion. Nothing is ever a given, and we have to continue being mobilized every time. Almost 30 years ago, UN member states made a major step towards gender equality when they adopted the Beijing Declaration and Program of Action. Several years after that, the Security Council passed the Resolution 1325. It was a visionary document. It recognized not only the right of women to fully participate in a peace process, but also the need for such participation. It underscored that peace can only be built if there is local, national, and international cooperation. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, several decades have passed since then, and these instruments I mentioned are still not implemented in a way that could be called satisfactory. What is even worse is that we are clearly moving in the wrong direction. Women are less and less involved in peace processes. Violence against women and girls has taken on dramatic proportions, in particular online. As a woman who has been active in politics for more than 30 years, the question I’m asking myself is, what can we do to change this? And this question was at the heart of a retreat organized by Switzerland this summer, in which women mediators from all corners of the world participate. And this retreat resulted in three major findings, which I think is particularly relevant for our work here today. First of all, today I am speaking to you as a president, but 20 years ago, I led a commune of 12,000 inhabitants, so I know from experience that politics needs women at all levels to be effective. So the first finding here is as follows. Women should be able to be involved in peace processes and participate in decision-making just like men do, be it in a village square or in the capital, be it publicly or in private. They have to be there at the negotiating table, there where decisions are being made. And we have absolutely insisted on this, that women are not to be confined to secondary roles in negotiations. Secondly, in my capacity as Minister of Defense, I saw the same scene repeat itself far too frequently. Towards the end of a decision-making process, someone all of a sudden thinks of women and decides to call on them, and then sees, to their great surprise, that there are no women around. And this takes me to the second finding. An inclusive peace process starts long before the fighting stops. We have to analyze conflicts while we take into account the expertise that’s specific to women. We have to find women experts and integrate them in the process early on, be it constitutional law specialists, be they economists or experts in peacekeeping. And I use the term find knowingly because such women exist, but political will and resources are needed to look for them. It is often the case that the greater the visibility, the greater the risks for women. And this brings me to the third finding. We have to better protect the rights of women so that they become involved in politics and do it safely. I’m appalled to see that today women and girls systematically face hostility, intimidation, violence, be it at the highest political level, be it locally or in their personal surroundings. And technological progress has its dark side. Women are pilloried digitally, and artificial intelligence makes these attacks far easier. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, studies show that when a peace agreement is worked out with women and takes account of the aspects that impact them, then the probability that this agreement will last for 15 years or longer goes up by 30%. 15 years or longer, that’s almost a generation. It’s a chance for numerous children to grow up in peace. We therefore have every reason to invest in women participation. And we have for that a robust normative base in the 10 resolutions that came out of the Security Council. We also can count on the expertise and determination of women who work for peace at the highest political and diplomatic levels. So as to make sure that next year we can really rejoice in the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, we still need to make sure that the international community displays far greater political will. The Secretary General of the United Nations invites us to express this will in the form of commitments. And I’m going to reply to this invitation and promise that Swiss will implement its commitments, that Switzerland will encourage and strengthen in its mediation and peace efforts the full, equal, and effective participation of women in peace processes. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I invite mediators to also take on this commitment and to thus show their determination to consolidate the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. This last month, we have heard many young women activists for peace who spoke here in this very chamber, and I am very happy that these young women are there to give us hope as they fight courageously for a more peaceful world. It is with a thought to them and to the new generation of mediators that we have collected, prior to this debate, the letters written by these experienced women mediators. And these letters, I have brought them with me today. And I do hope that they will inspire you as well and encourage you to continue unflaggingly in your commitment to women, peace, and security. I thank you. I resume my function as President. And I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States and member of President Biden’s Cabinet.

United States: Thank you so much, Madam President, and I want to thank Switzerland for bringing us together on this important topic. It’s really fitting that we gather today on United Nations Day. Thank you also, Deputy Secretary General Mohamed, for your presentation, as well as Executive Director Bahous, and the other briefers for your critical contributions to our discussion today. Madam President, colleagues, as we mark 24 years of Resolution 1325, I find myself thinking about the moment the text was adopted. Then like now, we saw horrific civil war in Sudan and increasing violence in Myanmar, devastating conflict in Gaza and Israel and the rest of the Middle East, draconian repression in Afghanistan, and now an unprovoked war in Ukraine. Then as now, women and girls bore the brunt of conflict. But then as now, women were also the key to ending it and preventing it in the first place. The landmark Women, Peace, and Security Resolution codified the pivotal role women play in peacebuilding. And in the time since, the Security Council and the UN have only further incorporated the framework in our efforts. It has made a difference, but more needs to be done. Before its adoption, women comprised somewhere between 1 and 2 percent of all peacekeepers. That number has increased almost tenfold, but really, it ought to be a hundredfold. Between 1990 and 2000, only 12 percent of peace agreements referenced women. Now that number is 33 percent, but it should be a hundred percent. Women have increasing representation in the halls of justice and legislative bodies, grassroots level peacekeeping efforts, and local law enforcement. And of course, there are over 40 women leading their country’s missions in the United Nations, including the Fab Five here in the Security Council. But again, the numbers could and should be higher. Peace representation isn’t just good in and of itself. We’ve seen that when women are involved in the peace-building process in the United Nations and beyond it, the result is a more just and durable peace. Take Liberia, which was ensconced in civil war 25 years ago. I remember vividly the images of women and girls gathering in the streets to demand an end to the violence. And I was there as they rebuilt democracy in the years to come, a democracy that persists to this day. Still, as the Secretary General’s report made clear, not every country is so lucky. Progress has been rolled back. Inequalities remain entrenched, including in the UN system. Indeed, the striking similarities between the world two and a half decades ago and the world today just go to show there’s so much more work to be done. We have the responsibility to root out injustice and inequity within the UN system so we can live up to the potential. of the WPS agenda. I believe there are three keys to doing just that. What I’d like to call the three I’s, investment, initiative, and implementation. And let’s start with the first, investment. Simply put, we need to provide the resources needed to mitigate the crises of today and address the day after. We welcome the Secretary General’s recommendation for increased WPS funding at the national, regional, and local level. The United States continues to answer this call, whether committing resources to government-led WPS centers or investing in rapid response funds to support women’s participation in politics and public life. All of this is in addition to the nearly $40 million we’ve given to the UN’s Women, Peace, and Humanitarian Fund. In addition to funds, we also need to lend political will. And that brings me to my second I, initiative. That is pushing the envelope on the WPS agenda in our own respective countries and within the multilateral system. That was the impetus behind the United States 2017 WPS Act, a legal framework to guide our thinking at home and abroad. Since its passage, we have launched partnerships with UN Women to help Ukraine implement its WPS National Action Plan and Ethiopia create a more gender-inclusive cessation of hostilities agreement. We have centered the perspectives of women peace builders, gender-based violence first responders, and civil society leaders in Sudan as we work to end the war and the catastrophic humanitarian situation it has created. And we have collaborated with the High Commissioner for Human Rights to create a first-of-its-kind policy framework for the multinational security support mission in Haiti, including measures to ensure compliance with international human rights standards, establish a gender advisory position and incorporate an action plan on women’s participation and protection. We remain eager to work within the Council to ensure the WPS resolution fulfills its full potential. It was for that reason the United States signed onto the Common Pledge to increase women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes. And it’s why, along with 10 other members of the Council, we signed and advanced a statement of shared commitments on WPS. And we encourage newly elected members to do the same. Finally, we get to the third I, implementation, the most important of the three. We must commit to not just talking about WPS commitments, but implementation of the WPS agenda. We must commit to protecting and promoting the fundamental freedoms of women and girls, including women and girls from minority, racial and religious communities, the disability community and the LGBTQI plus community. We join the Secretary General in urging accountability for those who violate women’s human rights, whether it’s the Taliban seeking to erase women from public life in Afghanistan or generals using rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan. Colleagues, the world is not as different from 2000 as we would like it to be, as women and girls deserve it to be. But if we invest in, take initiative on, and fully implement the WPS agenda, we can chart the course toward a more secure and peaceful future for women and girls and for all of us. Let me end by sharing that this morning I had the opportunity to meet with three extraordinary women who were awarded the State Department’s Global Anti-Racism Champion Award. Urmila Chaudhary, a Nepali human rights defender, Tanya Duarte, an Afro-Mexican feminist and anti-racist activist, and Tomasa Giacomo, an indigenous human rights defender and politician in Bolivia, all of whom demonstrated our need to support and commit to the WPS agenda. I promised them this morning that I would amplify their voices here in the Security Council today. And I thank them for the extraordinary work that they do, and I thank you all for your commitment. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank your excellency, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield, for her statement, and I’ll give the floor to her excellency, Ms. Melita Gabrić, Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia.

Slovenia: Madame la Président, Excellence, I would like to thank the President of Switzerland for chairing this open debate on the UN Day, express our gratitude to all the briefers here today, and in particular, thank the civil society briefer for her powerful message. Today, violence and conflict are at record high worldwide. We are witnessing a worrying erosion of norms, something that disproportionately affects women and girls. Slovenia is deeply concerned about the lack of progress in implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. We, therefore, call for concrete action to increase the full participation of women in all aspects of conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. Let me underline a few points in this respect. Firstly, we must make peace processes more inclusive. Slovenia supports efforts to ensure that at least one-third of participants in all peace efforts are women, while our ultimate goal is to achieve full parity. We must lead by example. To this end, we support the Common Pledge to increase the full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes by women. Secondly, to make peace processes truly inclusive, we need to strengthen interactions with local or grassroots women’s organizations. This will not be possible without sufficient funding. The global decline in financing for gender equality is a matter of great concern for Slovenia. To counter this trend, we are committed to ensuring that 85 percent of our development programs will promote gender equality and women’s empowerment by 2030. Along these lines, Slovenia remains committed to the cause of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund and UN Women. Lastly, we must establish an environment that allows and enables women to safely engage in peace efforts. This includes repealing all discriminatory laws and practices, as well as zero tolerance for any form of retaliation or reprisal for their involvement in peace processes. Congo, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and too many other situations rise ever louder. They demand not just our attention, but our commitment to action. But let me be clear. We will not achieve any progress if we don’t stop the violence, silence the guns, and return to diplomacy. We must fight against impunity and ensure accountability for gross violations of the rights of women and girls, including through international courts, such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, as well as through the use of targeted sanctions against perpetrators. We must work to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, and when it occurs, our response needs to be survivor-oriented and include access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services, including to contraception, safe abortion, and psychosocial support. Ladies and gentlemen, empowering women and ensuring their participation in leadership and decision-making is not merely the right thing to do, but it is also an essential thing for building resilient and successful societies. As I am coming from a country with a WPS national action plan, I am proud that Slovenia is living up to this expectation, with women holding, for the first time, the positions of the President of the Republic, President of the National Assembly, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. As Minister Tania Fajon said last month at the Women Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto, research shows that women in decision-making positions take actions that are more beneficial to people. and society. The promotion of gender equality must therefore remain a guiding and global principle in the formulation of national and international policies. Let me therefore conclude by agreeing with Secretary General. As long as oppressive, patriarchal social structures and gender biases hold back half of society, peace will remain elusive. So this is a call to all of us. Let us make women and girls an equal part of the solution for a more peaceful world. Let us work together to dismantle patriarchy in favor of true equality. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Melita Gabrić for her statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Lord Richard Simon-Hermer, Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

United Kingdom: Merci, Madame President, and thank you to our briefers for their essential contribution to this open debate. On UN Day, I want to start by recalling that last month my Prime Minister gave a clear recommitment to the United Nations, to the rule of law, and to the need to work together for peace, progress, and equality. And empowering women and girls is a vital part of this. Addressing structural gender inequality is a vital part of this. Tackling misogyny is a vital part of this. And ending impunity for conflict-related sexual violence. This is a vital part of this. We are approaching the 25th anniversary of the Women’s Peace and Security Agenda, and I am proud of the role that the United Kingdom has played. There is much to celebrate, yet the overall implementation is lagging. Not one of the peace agreements reached in 2023 included a women’s representative or a women’s representative group as a signatory. The proportion of women killed in conflict has doubled compared to 2022. Building on Her Excellency Thomas-Greenfield’s essential three I’s, may I propose three areas for our collective action. First, conflict prevention. Conflict is at a post-World War II high. Women and children are disproportionately impacted, and we need to reinvigorate conflict prevention efforts, taking a gender-responsive approach. Through our resourcing change project, the United Kingdom is supporting women’s participation in formal and informal mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of conflict, including in Nigeria and in South Sudan. Second, we must stand together to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and end impunity. The United Kingdom remains committed to the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative and our work with the International Alliance to build a stronger international response. PSVI programmes have contributed to vital legislative changes around the world. We have sanctioned perpetrators for CRSV crimes in seven countries. And I call upon states to redouble efforts to seek justice and accountability and support for survivors. Third, I call upon Member States to support women’s rights organisations as the driving force behind the WPS agenda. I’m proud of the United Kingdom’s £33 million partnership with the Equality Fund, who have supported over 1,000 women’s rights organisations, including in conflict settings, since 2019. In Sudan, the United Kingdom has supported the establishment of an anti-war pro-democracy coalition working with over 200 women. In Myanmar, the UK is contributing over $1.3 million over three years in long-term support to grassroots women and LGBTQ plus-led organisations to build capacity and support inclusive and strategic cooperation amongst local-level women leaders and community representatives. Women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation is crucial to achieving lasting peace and we condemn the shocking levels of reprisals against women peace builders. But we must also recognise this, that the long-term solution to gender-based violence in conflicts requires all societies to address its root causes. It requires addressing gender inequality systematically, not just in criminal courts or in peace negotiation halls, but in how girls and boys, men and women, relate to each other in classrooms, in playgrounds, workplaces, public life and online. The link between gender inequality and gender-based violence in conflict must be systematically addressed. So, as we approach the 25th anniversary, we must celebrate women’s rights organizations and peacebuilders who have championed this agenda. We welcome the Secretary General’s common pledge to prioritize women’s participation in peace processes to address this gap. But we must go further and faster to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful future for all. Thank you.

Guyana: I thank His Excellency Lord Harmer for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Guyana. Your Excellency, Madam President Viola Amherd, I welcome you on this UN Day to this Security Council Open Debate on a topic that remains integral to the achievement of the WPS agenda and to sustainable peace and security. I thank Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohamed, UN Women Executive Director Ms. Sima Sami-Bahous, Justice Retired FAOer, and Ms. W.W. Nu for their briefings. Almost 25 years after this Council formally recognized the critical role of women in conflict prevention, resolution, and recovery in Resolution 1325, women remain drastically underrepresented in peace processes. Their human rights and freedoms continue to be trampled upon and their voices sidelined. In several places, their lives have changed, and for the worse. As Executive Director Bahus reminded, the Secretary General’s report paints a grim picture. In 2023, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled compared to the previous year. The number of United Nations verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence was 50 percent higher than the year before, and the number of girls affected by grave violations in situations of armed conflict increased by 35 percent. Millions of women and girls are faced with repeated displacement, sexual and gender-based violence, starvation, lack of access to essential health services, and deprivation of basic needs. For more than two years, girls in Afghanistan have been denied a secondary education, while in Sudan and Haiti, women and girls are enduring abhorrent abuse and sexual violence. In Gaza, women are experiencing unspeakable violence, and together with children, they represent the majority of those killed. The lifeline provided to them by UNRWA for decades, and indeed everyone in the occupied Palestinian territories, is now under grave threat of being taken away. All of this is occurring with seeming impunity for perpetrators. Despite these harsh realities, this Council has on many occasions engaged indomitable women from conflict-affected countries who refuse to give up and are persevering in their efforts to improve the lives of those in their countries. In Gaza, for example, despite being forced to live in overcrowded shelters, with lack of hygiene and privacy, giving birth in appalling conditions, and facing grave safety and security risks, women are organized in shelter committees established by UNRWA and are part of decision-making and providing feedback. These local and grassroots efforts require our collective support, but we must do more than that. I echo the Secretary-General’s call for the 25th and 30th milestone anniversaries of Resolution 1325 and the Beijing Declaration. and plan of action, to not just be occasions for renewal of commitments and ambitious rhetoric, but a time to expend political capital and financial resources to make a tangible difference to women on front lines of conflict and crises, a time to equip them with the necessary tools and resources, a time to give them a seat at the table, and a time to listen to their views. Sadly, amid record levels of armed conflict and violence, the transformative potential of women’s leadership and inclusion in the pursuit of peace remains largely unrealized. Peace will never be whole, nor sustainable, without the participation of half of those who should benefit from it, women. This is why when Doha IV is held, women from Afghanistan must not be relegated to the sidelines and Sudanese women must not be excluded from the diplomatic initiatives. In all situations of conflict, women must not be absent from decision making. We have repeatedly said at the UN that when women are part of peace processes, the outcomes are better. We must make good on this understanding. There must be a determined approach to advance the women, peace, and security agenda through the combination of political will and enabling environment with targeted measures, including quotas and parity requirements. Efforts should be made to ensure that their participation is free from violence and harassment by enacting and enforcing appropriate legislation, including for online spaces. Women must not only be seen as victims and those in need of protection, but also as active participants and decision makers. Let us build on the modest progress made thus far, some of which were outlined by Deputy Secretary General. Let us learn from the best practices. such as in Colombia, where women represented 50% of government negotiators in the negotiations. Let us work to ensure women’s equal and meaningful participation and leadership in peace-building processes. This is the sustainable path to peace. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I now give the floor to the representative of China.

China: Thank you, President. China welcomes President Amherd of the Swiss Confederation to preside over today’s important meeting and thanks DSG Amina and Executive Director Bahous for their briefings. I also listened carefully to the statements made by representatives of civil society. Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women and the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1325. Over the past decades, under the guidance of the Beijing World Conference on Women and the spirit of the Resolution 1325, countries at large and the international community as a whole have been raising awareness of gender equality. Measures to protect women’s rights and interests and promote their status have been continuously implemented. Women’s contributions to the cause of peace and development have been increasing. At the same time, the international situation is volatile, development gap is widening, and women’s empowerment and development gains are at risk of erosion. Many challenges remain in order to turn the vision of Beijing World Conference on Women into reality. I would like to emphasize the following four points. First, we must make every effort to create a peaceful and tranquil living environment. According to S.G.’s latest report, more than 600 million women and girls are living in conflict zones. Armed conflicts have had a devastating effect. on civilians, especially on women. In Gaza, the war has been continuing for over a year. Nearly 30,000 women and children have been killed, and more than 2 million people are struggling and living in hell. In Haiti and the Sahel, large numbers of women and girls are innocent victims of gun violence, terrorist forces, and armed conflicts. If survival and safety cannot be guaranteed, how can we start to talk about anything else? The Security Council should fulfill its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and show that the important mission of comprehensively preventing and defusing conflicts and promoting the political settlement of hotspot issues, and in particular taking effective actions to promote a ceasefire and cease hostilities in conflict areas, and create favorable conditions for women and girls to be free from flames of war and free from fear. Second, we need to step up efforts to increase women’s representation in peace processes. In recent years, women have become an indispensable and significant force in peacebuilding and peacekeeping. China has noted that UN Secretariat has taken a number of positive measures to support women in assuming high-level positions, and those of mission heads and deputy heads. At the same time, it should be noted that the degree and level of women participation in political and peace processes vary from country to country. Women from developing countries are relatively less informed and less able to participate. They are seriously underrepresented in the UN system. China calls on the international community to take more effective measures to fully tap the potential of women talents from developing countries, and encourage more women from developing countries to participate in peacekeeping operations and political good offices. Third, we need to comprehensively promote development-based women empowerment. Today, one in ten women in the world lives in poverty. extreme poverty. Women’s economic empowerment is a sine qua non for the advancement of women. It is also an inevitable requirement for achieving SDGs. China commands countries who have formulated national strategies and plans to protect women’s rights and interests. China especially commands their effort in combining 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda with their continuous investment in education for all, poverty eradication and job creation so as to help more women change their destiny. Colombia’s integration of their national development with implementation of peace agreements to benefit more women from socio-economic development is commendable. We call on the Afghan authorities to strengthen the protection of the rights of women and children which we believe will contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan. The Security Council and the international community should put into practice the concept of development for peace, create better conditions for women to enhance their own capabilities, create more opportunities for women to participate in economic development, and jointly address the root causes of conflict. Fourth, we need to jointly promote the global cause of women development. Looking around the world, the development of women’s cause in various countries and regions is still uneven. We support UN Women, UNDP, and other agencies and continue to play their role in helping women from developing countries, especially those in conflict areas, to equally enjoy the opportunities brought about by economic development and scientific and technological progress and to effectively address challenges posed by poverty, backwardness, discrimination, prejudice, and the digital divide. Developed countries should earnestly honor their ODA commitments and increase financial, technical, and capacity-building support for the development of women’s cause in developing countries. International multilateral financial institutions should allocate more funds to improve women’s livelihoods in developing countries. We also support a deepening of South-South cooperation to promote exchange of experience in advancing women’s undertakings in various countries to achieve common progress. President, China has always been a staunch advocate and active contributor to the cause of gender equality and women development. We have trained more than 200,000 women in more than 180 countries and territories, sent more than 1,000 female peacekeepers to the United Nations, and cooperated with UNESCO in establishing the Women and Girls Education Prize. In the framework of various multilateral organizations, such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and China-ASEAN Cooperation, China has actively pushed for establishing platforms for exchanges and dialogues, carried out capacity-building projects, and promoted women’s empowerment and development. Last September, the UN has officially launched the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women. China is ready to work with the international community to continue to put to practice the spirit of the World Conference on Women in an equal, inclusive, sustainable manner and make greater contributions to the realization of a more peaceful, better, and happier future for every woman. I thank you, President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of China, and I now give the floor to the representative of Mozambique.

Mozambique: Your Excellency, Madam President of the Swiss Confederation, and President of the Security Council, Mozambique wishes to thank you, Excellency, for organizing this important annual open debate and for your leadership in this matter. We extend our profound appreciation to the Deputy Secretary-General for our insightful briefings and our commitment to gender issues. goes to the UN Women Executive Director, Ms. Sami Bahous, to the co-chair of FemWise Africa, Justice Effie Owuor, and to Ms. Wai Wai Nu, founder and executive director of Women’s Peace Network. We thank you for your comprehensive briefings, and more importantly, for your commitment to the cause of women worldwide. Madam President, Mozambique is a country that has attained its liberation about 50 years ago, counting on a strong engagement and contribution of women. It is, therefore, part of our history and tradition to recognize the crucial role of women in peace, security, and development, both at the national and international levels. We wish to recall in that connection that in the course of our presidencies of the Security Council, in March 2023 and May 2024, Mozambique has organized two high-level events under this agenda item. The first was entitled Women, Peace, and Security. toward the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325. The second was named Maintenance of International Peace and Security, the Role of Women and Youth. These two events have served to reaffirm that we are together in this Council in underscoring the importance of the vital role and contribution of women in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building. We need to work together, collectively, in consolidating the gains obtained thus far. But we also need to counter the negative trends of women’s full participation in our society’s challenges, particularly those factors related to war, terrorism and conflict situations in general. We believe some concrete initiatives can be undertaken by the Security Council, by the United Nations, by regional organizations and member states, individually and collectively. These measures could include the following. One, enhancing financial support for women-led organizations and initiatives focused on women, peace and security. and security. This is crucial as it would empower women to take on leadership roles in peace processes, fostering gender equality and women’s empowerment. In this context, international cooperation is essential. Two, the Security Council should ensure that we devote more and continuous attention to issues on women, peace and security. Three, national governments must develop and effectively implement nation action plans for the agenda of women, peace and security. In that context, we could share that Mozambique’s national action plan on women, peace and security is comprehensive. Our national plan is aligned with the objectives of the SADC regional strategy on women, peace and security. Four, regional organizations play a vital role in advancing women, peace and security agenda. They can tailor their strategies to address specific regional challenges. Five, civil society has the role of mobilizing support for the women, peace and security agenda and promoting awareness of the importance of women’s participation in peace processes and decision-making processes. to continue our national efforts to reduce gender inequalities because this is part of our development process and a requirement of our peace building. We also are geared at the higher integration of women in decision-making processes and in conflict prevention and resolution, peace making, peace building and peace keeping and post-conflict reconstruction. I thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Mozambique and I give the floor to the representative of Malta.

Malta: Thank you for organizing and chairing this annual open debate. I also thank the Deputy Secretary General, Executive Director Bahous, Judge Owuor and Ms. Nu for their briefings and compelling calls to action. Nearly 25 years ago, this Council recognized the grave threats armed conflicts pose to gender equality and women’s rights. In response, it established the WPS Agenda to confront these challenges. Yet, today, we witness a troubling regression in our hard-won achievements across all key indicators. In 2023, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled. Women accounted for less than 10% of negotiators and a mere 2% of peace agreement signatories. Funding for women-led organizations in conflicts, which are critical lifelines for sustainable peace, has declined for three consecutive years. While the Security Council created the WPS Agenda, its transformative potential relies on the profound engagement of diverse stakeholders. However, growing geopolitical fragmentation, patriarchal backlash, and the alarming shift from diplomacy to military escalation has intensified the global backlash against gender equality. In the conflict situations on our agenda, women and girls, including those with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, are at heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence. They are further marginalized from protection and peace processes. In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s systematic gender discrimination is creating both existential and operational challenges, including for principled humanitarian action. In Gaza, women are giving birth under bombardment, deprived of antenatal care and medication, and facing hunger. Over 52,000 pregnant women have been denied access to health care, violating the Geneva Convention’s protections for maternal health. In Myanmar, as highlighted by Ms. Nu, Rohingya women and girls in Rakhine State are caught in the crossfire of intensifying conflict, facing dire circumstances with limited access to protection or safe refuge. Madam President, the Council must act to uphold the dignity and rights of women in these and all conflict situations. First, we must strengthen our commitment to prevent, avert, and end conflicts through disarmament and demilitarization. We urge the adoption of robust, gender-responsive arms-controlled mechanisms, consistent with Article 7.4 of the Arms Trade Treaty, to prevent weapons from being used to perpetuate sexual and gender-based violence. Second, we strongly support the Secretary-General’s call for increased, sustainable, and flexible funding for the WPS agenda. It is imperative that we expand investments in local women-led peace-building organizations. Third, we must pursue all available mechanisms to ensure justice and accountability for gross violations of women’s rights. These include targeted sanctions and leveraging the mandates of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Fourth, we must both enable and protect women peace-builders and human rights defenders who cannot participate meaningfully in peace processes if they are under threat. The Council must demand accountability for reprisals and enhance its mechanisms to safeguard civil society engagement. We welcome the Secretary General’s common pledge to fast-track women’s participation in formal peace talks and urge that substantive gender equality concerns are integrated through gender-responsive conflict analysis and more inclusive multi-track process design. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Security Council Resolution 1325, we must redouble our efforts to defend and strengthen the WPS agenda. Women’s human rights are not negotiable. They are the foundation of lasting peace. We must stand with women’s movements, the heart of the WPS agenda. This is not a fight for women to fight alone. Men, too, have a central role to play towards achieving these goals and in ensuring that the WPS agenda is given the importance it deserves. Madam President, it has been a privilege for Malta to serve as coordinator of the WPS shared commitment holders on the Security Council. We encourage all incoming members to join them and actively promote them. Even after our term on the Council ends, we will continue to work collectively to implement these commitments, safeguard progress and unlock the transformative potential of the WPS agenda. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Malta and I now give the floor to the representative of Algeria.

Algeria: Madam President, I extend my thanks to Switzerland for convening this important open debate. I want also to thank the briefers for their insightful remarks. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which acknowledges the crucial role of women in conflict prevention, management and resolution, we must confront the ongoing challenges in realizing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Today’s changing environments, marked by armed conflict, climate disaster and emerging technologies, complicate our effort. Encouraging women in peacebuilding is essential for achieving lasting stability and resilience. To translate this political will into tangible actions under the Women, Peace and Security Framework, various stakeholders should federate these several vital commitments. First, reinforce accountability. and sanction against actors who violate international humanitarian law and women’s right in conflict zones. Adopt a collaborative approach that involves all relevant stakeholders, such as the United Nations, regional organizations, and civil society, to enhance women’s role in peace and security through partnerships and cooperation. Third, promote gender equality policies and develop comprehensive national programs to empower and protect women, particularly in the digital context and during armed conflict. Fourth, ensure capacity building for the empowerment of women and girls. Fifth, ensure a transitional period for the withdrawal of peacekeeping operations to guarantee the protection of women who are often the primary targets of violence. Madam President, recognizing the necessity of amplifying women’s role in public life and society, my country, Algeria, has diligently worked to support women as key architects of peace at both national and regional levels. As part of our commitment in implementing Resolution 1325, Algeria adopted a national action plan in July last year, prioritizing the improvement of women’s inclusion as a national priority. Madam President, According to the UN Secretary-General’s report on Women, Peace and Security this last September, the United Nations has recorded a dramatic rise in the proportion of women killed and the number of women and girls affected by sexual violence. The international community must act timely to protect women and children targeted by armed conflict. I cannot conclude without reiterating that in Gaza, yes, in Gaza, the Israeli aggression has inflicted a particularly cruel toll on women, leading to significant violation of their right, right as women, as human beings. Among the 42,000 Palestinians who have lost their life in Gaza, tragically, 14,000 of them are children. and more than 10,000 are women. Words cannot anymore convey the atrocity, the horrors that Palestinians, especially women, are facing daily. It is unspeakable. And we reiterate our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and also in Lebanon to ensure that all civilian, especially the most vulnerable of them, I mean women, are protected by the international humanitarian law. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Algeria and I give the floor to the representative of France.

France: Madam President, I thank Switzerland for organizing this debate and I thank the various briefers for their input. As we prepare to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Program of Action as well as the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, women remain largely outside the peacekeeping process and they are disproportionately impacted by armed conflicts. The implementation in all their dimensions of the 10 resolutions adopted by this Council under the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda is critical and a collective responsibility. First. And I would focus on three elements. First, we must continue to take action to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and in peacemaking. France is taking measures to ensure greater representation of women in uniform in peace operations. Together with the United Nations, over the past three years, our country has invested more than a million dollars to train female officers and special military advisors on gender issues in the conduct of operations. The participation of women in talks must be reinforced, and we must do everything possible to ensure that peace agreements contain provisions on equality between men and women and include quotas. I’m thinking about the peace process in Colombia, where women negotiators play a key role. I’m thinking about Burma, where women must be associated and involved in seeking a lasting political solution. It supports the joint promise initiated by the Secretary General to ensure greater space for women in the mediation process. And we support as well the CEDAW Committee’s general recommendation number 40 on equal and inclusive representation of women in the decision-making systems adopted the day before yesterday in Geneva. Secondly, our approach must be based on law and on justice. Interest for international human rights law and international humanitarian law is non-negotiable. All states must respect international agreements undertaken, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. I’m thinking about Afghanistan, where the Taliban are carrying out a policy of segregation against women and girls and systematically violating their rights. I’m thinking about the Yazidi women who search for justice 10 years after genocide. France welcomes the key work done by civil society organizations who are working for these rights in a number of conflict situations. My country will continue to support them through the Action Fund for Feminist Organizations, and we have mobilized some 250 million euros for 2023 through 2027. Thirdly, women and girls must be protected from all forms of violence in armed conflict, including sexual violence. As pointed out in the Secretary General’s report, in a year the cases of conflict-related sexual violence has increased 50 percent in Sudan, the DRC, Haiti, Ukraine, Burma, and the Near East. We must combat impunity for perpetrators of these crimes, support national and international jurisdictions. That is the purpose of the work of the Special Representative, Ms. Patton, and her team of experts, who last March launched in The Hague the first international conference of prosecutors on the subject. We welcome these efforts of the ICC to investigate sexual violence. France recalls its support for the Global Survivors Fund, founded by Nadia Mourad and Dr. Denis Mukwege. Finally, France welcomes the fact that the Council is increasingly using sanctions against perpetrators of sexual violence in times of conflict. France’s feminist diplomacy is at the heart of our foreign policy, and we support this initiative. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of France for his statement, and I now give the floor to the President of the Republic of Korea.

Republic of Korea: Thank you, Madam President, for convening this timely open debate of the Security Council on WPS. I also appreciate the insights shared by Deputy Secretary General and the Executive Director of UN Women and CSO briefers today. Madam President, the long list of speakers for today’s meeting vividly demonstrates how important this agenda is within the United Nations. However, the progress achieved by the Security Council over the last 24 years on WPS since the adoption of Resolution 1325 is now being eroded by rising geopolitical tensions, patriarchal resistance, and targeted attacks on women’s rights. Drawing on the PBC’s advice and the Secretary General’s latest report, it is clear that these setbacks demand urgent action. In this regard, I’d like to focus on three points. First, women must not only have a seat at the table, but also be integral drivers of peace processes and decision-making. We have consistently witnessed how women act as front-line responders and peace-builders, showing extraordinary resilience in conflict settings. However, where are these women when it comes to peace negotiations and critical decisions? Too often, their roles are limited to local or track-to levels, while decision-making remains predominantly in the hands of men. This dynamic must change. Women should be empowered to lead in shaping every stage of peace process, from planning through implementation. A noteworthy example is Colombia. Women’s participation at the national level ensured that the 2016 peace agreement included over 100 gender-specific commitments. Such efforts must not be confined to this case. I echo Ms. Weiwei Niu from Myanmar in emphasizing that the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of atrocities against women must stop, and women’s participation in peace process should not be a symbolic gesture, but rather be fully recognized and institutionalized. Second, sustained financial support must be directed to women leaders and organizations, particularly at the grassroots level. While women’s participation at national level is essential, local organizations are often most underfunded despite their critical role in driving transformative change from the bottom up. To advance these efforts, we are proud to announce a $1 million contribution focusing on strengthening Sudanese women’s representation in conflict resolution to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, WPHF, the only global mechanism directly supporting local and grassroots women’s organizations in conflict settings. Lastly, it is essential to have more dedicated spaces where WPS agenda can be embedded as a global normative framework. As part of our effort to amplify WPS, Korea launched Action with Women and Peace Initiative in 2018. This has created a platform that brings together women peace builders, peacekeepers, survivors, and human rights defenders around the world. Under this initiative, we will host the sixth annual international conference in Seoul this December in the lead-up to the 25th anniversary of WPS. Additionally, this year, Korea, together with the UNFPA, held the 2024 launch of the State of World Population Report in Seoul, where we particularly shed light on the issues of sexual and reproductive health and mainstreaming gender in development policy. Madam President, we strongly believe that when we fail women, we fail everything. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of the Republic of Korea for this statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Japan.

Japan: Thank you, Madam President. I thank Switzerland for convening this meeting, open debate, and Her Excellency President Amherd for chairing this debate. I also thank Deputy Secretary General, the Executive Director of the UN Women, Justice Owuor and Ms. Nu for their comprehensive briefings. Since the adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, there has been some progress in promoting the Women, Peace and Security WPS agenda globally. However, as the Secretary General’s report warns, we are concerned about the insufficient progress on this agenda, as well as the stagnation and regression across key indicators, including escalating backlash against women’s rights and gender equality across the world. Madam President, as emphasized by the Secretary General’s report, ensuring the effective implementation of existing frameworks remains one of the most urgent needs for advancing the WPS agenda. Despite progress, much remains to be done, particularly ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes. In this regard, Japan has made concrete steps for its own. Since the adoption of our first National Action Plan in 2015, Japan has implemented the plan in a steadfast manner through specifying targets and designating responsible ministries and agencies. This year, Japan has strengthened its efforts by establishing a cross-organizational WPS task force within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance coordination and transparency. This task force collaborates closely with other related ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Defence. and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. We have also put in place mechanisms for annual progress reporting, which are evaluated by experts and civil society organizations. This ensures accountability and helps further the effective implementation of our National Action Plan. Madam President, globally, 110 countries and territories have adopted National Action Plans on WPS as of June this year. We encourage more countries to adopt a National Plan and strengthen it with adequate resources and monitoring mechanisms. I am also pleased to share that Japan joined the Common Pledge on Women’s Participation in Peace Processes led by the Secretary General. We hope this pledge will help accelerate existing frameworks related to the WPS agenda. Madam President, Japan believes the holistic empowerment of women that includes the elimination of existing gender inequality will ultimately contribute to the participation of women in peace processes. In this regard, allow me to share a few examples from our global initiatives leveraging new technologies to promote women’s empowerment. In Madagascar, Japan supported a UNFPA project to provide life-saving sexual and reproductive health, family planning, and integrated knowledge and services that are related to gender-based violence for the most vulnerable and underserved women and girls in hard-to-reach areas in southern Madagascar. Leveraging new technologies such as drones for healthcare commodities delivery and order management systems, through this project essential sexual and reproductive health supplies were delivered. via drones to remote communities and health centers. Ensuring economic security of women affected by conflict is another key aspect of the WPS agenda. In Poland, our aid agency JICA has provided IT training for displaced populations from Ukraine at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology. More than 80% of participants were women, and this training has led to actual employment. This initiative aims to offer enhanced livelihoods for Ukrainian women and also to contribute to the economy of host country Poland. Madam President, as a member of the WPS’ shared commitments, Japan has been committed to the WPS agenda, both within the Council and across the UN system. The WPS agenda has become one of the main pillars of Japan’s foreign policy, and in 2025, Japan will co-chair the WPS Focal Points Network with Norway, hosting the capital-level meeting in Tokyo in February. Through all these efforts, we will endeavor, together with the partners in the international community, to enhance women’s participation and engagement in the WPS-relevant processes in a truly substantive way. Japan will remain firmly committed to advancing the WPS agenda together with member states, UN agencies, CSOs, and other stakeholders. I thank you.

Russian Federation: You are twice President today, and we welcome your participation in the meeting today. We would like to thank the Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohamed. We would like to thank the Executive Director of UN Women, Sami Bahous, for the assessment of women, peace and security implementation. And we note the contribution made to the debate of the representatives of the civil society. Canada is a pioneer in establishing and promoting the equality of men and women. We’ve always welcomed women’s contribution to the UN, its purposes and principles, amongst which peacekeeping plays an important role. Women’s participation in peacekeeping and peacebuilding is something that needs to be promoted and supported. Women are not just immediate victims of any conflict who need protection, but they also carry the main brunt in protecting children, helping the elderly. And therefore, women are interested in having peace more than anyone else. Their contribution in formulating solutions to security issues and settling armed conflicts and post-conflict recovery cannot be overstated. Women’s participation leads to a more sustained and trusting links in post-conflict societies. It helps prevent offenses against women and children, and also helps in subsequent measures to rehabilitate and reintegrate victims, and ultimately prevents recurring violence. But involving women in peacekeeping is not something that is mechanical. It’s not just expressed in figures and looking for the mathematical balance here. What is necessary to broaden the interaction, first and foremost, with women who are living immediately in conflict-impacted areas, especially when we’re talking about an internal armed conflict. It’s important to avoid politicizing women’s participation in peacekeeping processes, avoid a situation where, instead of local representatives who bear the full brunt of the conflict, Donor countries and other external actors push forward non-governmental organizations or people who are supposedly representing women’s rights, but in actual fact, implementing their sponsor’s agenda. Such approaches are not helpful in bringing peace and should not be encouraged within the U.N. Overall, enhancing the role of women in peace-building processes should be part of a more comprehensive effort aimed at strengthening the economic potential of women. What we need to do is support women in their access to education, finding employment, entrepreneurship, and their access to financial services and modern technologies in protecting the family, motherhood, and children. In this context, we cannot ignore the issue of the unilateral coercive measures, which impede post-conflict recovery. They aggravate the vulnerable situation of women and children, deprive them of social protection, and sometimes just simply lead to starvation. We call on the United Nations to accurately monitor the negative impact such measures have on all strata of the society, collect data here, and not be afraid of making them part of their reports on specific situation. Madam President, assessing the implementation of women, peace, and security, while we do that, we must notice that there is an uneven nature to the U.N. efforts here. We know that the agenda is being actively implemented in Africa, but we do not know of how it’s being implemented in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. We do not see Security Council meetings on women in Gaza, and delegations who traditionally call themselves champions of this agenda don’t seem to be enthusiastic in promoting WPS provisions in that conflict. Madam President, in summary, I would like to underscore that peacekeeping by women in the fast-changing world who should be part and parcel of strengthening national and regional efforts to provide security and attain stable and lasting world. And Russia stands ready to constructively work together so as to to attain these goals. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of the Russian Federation, and I now give the floor to the representative of Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone: I thank you, Madam President, Your Excellency Ms. Viola Ahmed, President of the Swiss Confederation. I welcome Your Excellency, Madam President, for joining us in the Security Council today, and I thank the Swiss Presidency for convening this high-level open debate. I also thank DSG Ms. Amina Mohamed, Executive Director Sima Bahous, Justice Effie Owuor, and Ms. Wai Wai Nu for their very informative and inspiring briefings. I further thank His Excellency António Guterres, UN Secretary General, for the annual report on Women, Peace, and Security, which paints a thought-provoking picture of both the gains and the challenges to the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in political, social, and economic spheres of society. We finally thank the Peacebuilding Commission for its helpful written advice, S-2024-757. Sierra Leone remains deeply concerned about global trends shown by the WPS framework, designed to uphold women’s full participation as agents of change in peace and security is facing significant challenges. The Secretary General’s report highlights alarming increases in violence against women and girls and restrictions on the agency of women and human rights defenders, a stark reminder of the obstacles we still face in achieving the WPS agenda. Despite progress made since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, almost 25 years ago, women remain disproportionately affected by conflict, violent, and restrictive policies. Yet their participation in peace processes remains limited. This is despite the undeniable contributions women make to peace building and conflict resolution, both locally and globally. Sierra Leone therefore welcomes the commitment to strengthening the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women in peace processes, as demonstrated by the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council during their recent consultative meeting on October 18, 2024. The inclusion of a dedicated pillar on the role of women in post-conflict reconstruction and development and the revised AU policy on post-conflict reconstruction and development is a positive step forward. Madam President, In strengthening practical applications of the WPS framework, Sierra Leone wishes to make three points. First, we believe that Security Council Resolution 1325 can be most effectively implemented through a comprehensive and actionable framework that connects it to other resolutions, such as Security Council Resolutions 1820, 1888, and 1889, alongside international agreements like Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the African Union Agenda 2063 in terms of the regional context. Collaborative approaches that prioritize gender equality from the outset, including gender-responsive conflict analysis, participatory planning, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems are key to ensuring that women are actively involved in all stages of peace processes. Second, an inclusive policy system must actively engage diverse female stakeholders. to address the immediate security needs of women in conflict zones, as well as the socio-economic drivers of conflict. In essence, women must not only have a say in the development and implementation of peace processes during and after conflict, but should also be actively involved in national development activities that help forestall conflict. The development of national action plans, informed by regional and global frameworks, is essential in this regard. This aligns with tools like the African Union Continental Resolve Framework, European Union Strategic Approach to WPS, and the UN System-Wide Action Plan, which help to ensure coherent action at all levels. In this regard, Sweden launched the Third Generation National Action Plan to enhance women’s role in peace and development on 3 October 2024. We are affirming the country’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in peace building, leadership, and national development. Additionally, at the global stage, as co-chair of the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, we have helped to enrich the Security Council’s information and engagement on women and girls in Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Myanmar, and Ukraine through meetings of the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security. With the other 10 council members that have signed the shared commitments under WPS, we have raised our collective voice in defense of women’s rights. For example, we have advocated for Colombian women having access to learn on equal terms. Third, amplifying women’s voices and ensuring their safe and meaningful participation in peace processes requires more than normative frameworks. It requires practical, political, financial, and logistical support. During the August Presidency of Australia in the Council, we spotlighted the issue of sustaining women’s peace and security commitments in the context of accelerated drawdown of peace operations. This issue not only impacts the safe and meaningful participation of women in peace processes, it also highlights a concern about the seeming lack of trust in the engagement between UN missions and host countries and the impact that this should surely have on the rights of women and girls. Madam President, women’s networks face significant barriers, including tokenistic participation, restrictive societal norms, and threats both online and offline. We must utilize new technologies such as digital platforms to facilitate women’s participation in peacebuilding, provide tools to protect them from online harassment, and develop mechanisms to counter disinformation campaigns. In this vein, Sierra Leone passed a cybercrime law in 2021 that guarantees the protection of citizens, especially women, from online bullying and abuse with stiff fines and jail sentences for any individuals sharing grossly offensive, indecent, and obscene messages without consent. To address the issue of tokenism, Sierra Leone has taken significant steps at the national level, including in the enactment of the 2022 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act and the 2022 Public Elections Act, which ensure a minimum 30 percent representation of women in political and public decision-making bodies. In this regard, Sierra Leone has a 30 percent quota of women in parliament and more than 30 percent of women in cabinet positions. Furthermore, one of the key institutions responsible for the consolidation of peace in Sierra Leone, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, is led by a woman, with significant participation of women. in the activities of the Commission. We call on Member States to support similar legislation to not only empower women, but to protect them, including ensuring that women human rights defenders can operate without fear of threats or reprisals. Regional and international institutions must also directly fund women’s groups and networks at the local and national levels, particularly those operating in conflict zones. Direct funding, capacity building, and technical assistance will help amplify women’s voices in peace processes and support their role in shaping peace agreements and conflict resolution strategies. Let me conclude, Madam President, by underscoring that Sierra Leone remains steadfast in its commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the WPSA agenda. We recognize the need for greater collaboration among international organizations, national governments, civil society, and other stakeholders in achieving the full objective of Security Council Resolution 1325. By aligning our efforts, we can overcome the significant challenges that remain and advance the meaningful participation of women in peace processes at all levels. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Sierra Leone, and I now give the floor to the representative of Ecuador.

Ecuador: Thank you, Madam President. I would like to thank the briefers for sharing their views with us today. I listened to all of them very closely. President, the many conflicts and crises around the world have increased the number of women and girls who are victims of multiple, cross-cutting forms of violence. Their right to social, political, and economic participation is restricted, and they are prisoners of institutionalized structures. of gender-based discrimination. Ecuador is concerned at the lack of full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women in the peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes, the alarming increase in the number of women and girls who were killed and who were victims of conflict-related sexual violence, as well as a shortfall in financing to accelerate their access to their rights. These are all of concern to us, Madam President. The definitive solution lies in ending violence and addressing the root causes of conflicts, and although this is a difficult ideal to achieve, we believe that the time is right to increase investment in social promotion programs and in the economic and political empowerment of women. The role of multilateralism and promoting the participation of women at all levels in this sphere is essential and is pointed out in the cross-cutting principles of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, in identifying the needs of women and girls, and in seeking gender-sensitive solutions, including preventing and combating the trafficking in small arms and light weapons. Over the past two years in the Council, my country has sent a clear message that the time has come for women and for youth. Today, the 24th of October, is UN Day, and it is a good time to reflect on this organization’s achievements for women, but also to look at the challenges ahead. I believe that it’s time for a woman to hold the post of Secretary-General. Women’s perspectives make a difference by giving a voice to victims and fostering their empowerment. This is critical in order to eradicate impunity and to ensure that in fragile environments the rule of law prevails. That is why the presence of women is urgently needed in the exercise of preventive diplomacy around the negotiating tables for peace agreements and in strengthening the state capacity, ensuring transitional justice, reforming the security sector. Their efforts are needed in the area of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration, and of course in the electoral process and in political life. Using those lines as co-penholder of Security Council resolutions on the situation in Haiti, Ecuador has promoted the inclusion of robust language to promote the political participation of women, to establish a framework to prevent SEA, and to increase the number of special advisors in the area of sexual and gender-based violence in BINU. Madam President, all states, whether in conflict situations or not, are responsible for creating environments of security and trust where women and girls can have unrestricted access to their rights. As longstanding threats evolve and new ones emerge, we must create a framework to promote and protect their rights. As I said in 2013-25, it’s a clear expression of the inextricable link between peace and development. Ecuador has worked together with others in the United Nations to craft our national action plan on women, peace, and security from 2025 to 2029. We have done this in order to prevent violence, to protect women, to provide care, and to sanction acts of violence against women and girls. This has enabled us to accelerate compliance with Agenda 2030. I take advantage of this meeting to welcome the written advice provided by the PBC for this meeting. Many relevant points described therein have been included in our actions. which, in turn, are based on the Commission’s gender strategy and plan of action. Former Secretary General Kofi Annan affirmed that in war-torn countries, the work of women peacemakers is the only hope for the future, and that is why, a little less than a year before we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 1325, we believe that we must redouble our efforts so that children in all corners of the world can return without delay to their classrooms and grow up in stable, safe, and peaceful societies. I would like to close by quoting the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, Women and girls will not be silent. Their demands for rights and freedoms echo around the globe. Ecuador always heeds this advice. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Ecuador. And I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein: Madam President, I congratulate Switzerland on its second Security Council presidency, and I am happy to see that this debate is presided over by a woman head of state. In many parts of the world, 2023 was a devastating year for women and girls. The number of women killed in armed conflicts doubled compared to the previous year. Conflict-related sexual violence increased significantly. So did the number of girls affected by grave violations. I am particularly concerned about the escalation in the Middle East. It has had devastating impacts on civilians, many of whom are women and children. The conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar, among others, have put a particular burden on women as well. The overall trend of more governments and non-state actors resorting to military action and use of force must be changed urgently, by choosing diplomacy, mediation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Madam President, I appreciate that today’s debate focuses on the participation pillar of the WPS agenda. Governments’ diverse perspectives – for example, peacebuilder awareness of indicators pointing to increased tension within their communities – help prevent the outbreak of violence or conflict. Evidence is clear that women’s participation in conflict resolution, as negotiators or mediators, leads to better and more sustainable results. Yet all too often, women are not fully and equally included in mediation and peacebuilding processes. At times, they are even excluded altogether due to the lack of political will and sometimes ignorance. Fulfilling our shared commitments under the WPS agenda and the Pact for the Future requires investing more in women’s participation in mediation, including through local peacebuilders and the mainstreaming of gender expertise in all stages of peace processes. Women’s voices everywhere are essential for a sustained, positive peace that goes well beyond the silencing of guns. Madam President, Under the Taliban rule for three years now, we have witnessed one of the most severe situations of persecution of women and girls worldwide. Afghan women and girls are now even prohibited from speaking in public. We must therefore use our voices to speak up. their behalf. The United Nations, and this Council in particular, has a special responsibility. The full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of Afghan women in the process leading to a country at peace, as mandated by Security Council Resolution 2721, must remain a priority. The persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan likely constitutes a crime against humanity. I recall the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction and its role to advance accountability for that crime, among many others committed. As long as they continue to disregard the most basic norms of human rights, we cannot see eye to eye with the Taliban. Madam President, the situation in Myanmar, especially for its women, continues to be of grave concern. Women have played a key role in resisting the military coup, and they have challenged long-prevailing gender norms in a patriarchal society. I commend the important contributions and courage of all women working for a democratic transition to a peaceful Myanmar, and I welcome today’s brief arrival by new Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Peace Network, representing those women. We have welcomed Security Council Resolution 2669, but also deplore the lack of its implementation. It is time for the Council to follow up in light of the dire situation on the ground, in particular in the humanitarian area. If Council action continues to be unavailable, the General Assembly has to step in, as it did in 2021 by adopting Resolution 75-287, which Liechtenstein was proud to lead on. The veto, or the threat of the veto, is no longer the last word on a matter of peace and security, thanks to the veto initiative, which has resonated so strongly in the membership and will hopefully prompt the Council to lift up its responsibility under the UN Charter. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Hasler for her statement, and I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg: Thank you very much, Madam President, Director of UN Women, Excellencies. Next year will mark 25 years since the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325. With this landmark resolution, the international community emphasized the absolute necessity of ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation across the conflict prevention and peace spectrum. It remains a powerful affirmation of a simple truth. There cannot be peace without the full respect for women’s rights. But the gains we have made are at the risk of being rolled back. After 24 years of the WPS agenda, what remains the norm is not women’s participation, but women’s under-representation. The SG’s report documents this, and the Deputy SG gave us ample examples this morning. To change this unacceptable reality, Member States must start to view gender equality not as a nice-to-have, but also as a strategic military capability, a critical shortfall that needs acute investment. And we have the data to show that investments in this area pay off. The likelihood of finding a peace agreement increases dramatically when women are involved. Peace agreements are also 64% less likely to fail when civil society representatives participate. Women’s involvement improves negotiation outcomes and ensures that peace agreements reflect broader societal needs, resulting in more effective and sustainable conflict resolution. Women’s leadership in peace processes is a catalyst for positive change, challenging the traditional narrative that frames women as solely victims of conflict. We need women to be leaders, to be mediators, to help bridge divides and to foster dialogues. We know that sustainable peace is not created through the absence of war. Sustainable peace is created through a concerted effort from all segments of the population in favor of a just and in favor of an inclusive society. That is why it’s essential that we ensure the meaningful participation of civil society, and that includes the LGBTIQ plus communities, without fear of reprisals in these discussions. This is a lesson that my country has also taken to heart as we are currently finalizing our second national action plan on the implementation of the WPS agenda, and civil society was involved throughout the process. Madam President, Excellencies, the backlash against women’s rights is sadly a worldwide phenomenon, but it is most pronounced in conflict settings. From Sudan to Myanmar to Afghanistan and Gaza, women continue to suffer the brunt of the effects of war. International humanitarian law as well as international human rights law continue to be flouted. Conflict-related sexual violence is twice as high as it was last year. In Ukraine, Russian armed forces have been systematically using sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war, in clear violation of the resolutions of this very Council. The large-scale, deliberate destruction of critical infrastructure has left healthcare services, including in the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as other critical forms of support, out of reach for survivors. This creates a far-reaching protection gap that must urgently be addressed. I therefore call on all actors to respect international humanitarian law. Next year will mark a critical juncture for the international community. 25 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, and five more years to go to implement the 2030 Agenda. These are all interconnected processes that we must collectively drive forward to fulfill the mandate of the Security Council in line with the UN Charter to cooperate in promoting respect for human rights, including women’s rights, as a way to maintain international peace and security. Luxembourg will do its part. You can count on us. Thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Backes for her statement, and I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Igli Hasani, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania.

Albania: Madam President, distinguished colleagues, I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to Switzerland and to you, Madam President, for prioritizing women, peace, and security on the Council’s agenda. I also extend our thanks to all the briefers for their significant contributions to this important debate. Investing in women, peace, and security initiatives remains a priority for the Albanian foreign policy, as demonstrated by our service on the Security Council over the past two years. Our understanding is clear. Collective investment in the WPS agenda directly contributes to sustainable peace, international security, and economic stability. And as we near the 25th anniversary of the landmark Resolution 1325, the women, peace, and security agenda has gained considerable prominence in global discussions. Notably, half of the UN member states are now actively implementing national action plans, which reflects a growing commitment to translating the WPS agenda into tangible actions and outcomes. And this progress is essential for ensuring that the voices and experiences for women are essential to peace processes and decision-making at all levels. But despite these significant advancements in frameworks, a considerable gap persists between commitments and actual implementation, particularly in terms of women’s representation in peace and security decision-making. We are deeply concerned about the alarming backlash against women’s rights, which poses significant risk to the progress we have made so far. Women peacebuilders, journalists, and civil society leaders are facing severe threats, including violence and even enforced disappearances. Recent conflicts all around the globe are only contributing to these negative realities. Madam President, I would like to emphasize three key points that, in our view, would significantly advance the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. First, to effectively advance, it is essential to allocate adequate financial resources to support women peacebuilders, particularly those operating in conflict-affected areas. Over two decades, more than two decades, of implementing Security Council Resolution 1325, we must intensify our efforts to enhance funding for women peacebuilders, human rights defenders on the frontlines of peace and security. Beyond financial contribution, it is a crucial step towards fostering gender equality and empowering women in their roles, amplifying their voices, strengthening their initiatives by recognition and support. We should create a more inclusive and effective approach to conflict resolution and peacebuilding, contributing to lasting stability. Second, it is crucial to establish meaningful quotas for women’s participation in peace processes. We fully support the recommendation of the Secretary General for an initial minimum target of one-third of participants, which is not enough. It’s not at all enough, it should be more than 50 percent. But we strongly believe that achieving gender parity and ensuring that women’s perspectives and experiences are very integral to peace negotiations should remain high on our agendas. Women bring unique insights, addressing the specific needs of diverse communities, fostering more inclusive and durable solutions to conflict. Gender balance strengthens the peace process but also empowers women as leaders in their societies. And third, it is imperative to leverage new technologies to amplify women’s voices in peace processes. Social media campaigns, online forums, and virtual participation in negotiations can significantly enhance women’s engagement and visibility. By creating platforms, we can foster greater inclusivity in peace processes, and additionally, the robust cybersecurity measures are essential to protect women from online harassment and disinformation campaigns. Safe digital environment allows women to participate freely and confidently, contributing without fear of retribution. Harnessing technology today not only empowers women but also enriches the overall peace-building dialogue, making it more dynamic and representative of the diverse communities affected by conflict. Madam President, Albania has made significant strides in empowering women and promoting gender equality. The Albanian government is committed to policies that enhance women’s meaningful engagement in public life. Women’s political empowerment is fundamental to achieving gender-equal decision-making across all sectors, including peace and security. In collaboration with UN Women, Albania integrated gender-responsive budgeting at all stages, both at the central and local levels. We understand that commitment to increasing budgetary allocations for gender equality programs enables the full participation of women for sustainable development and enduring peace. Albania is currently drafting the second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, further reinforcing the commitment to these principles and ensuring women’s voices at the forefront of peace-building efforts in our region. At the United Nations and as a member of the Human Rights Council, Bina remains steadfast in our commitment to prioritize the Women, Peace and Security agenda. And moreover, we will persist in amplifying the voices of women’s civil society organizations and human rights defenders, ensuring that their perspectives are reflected in relevant outcomes and deliberations. And lastly, our message must be unequivocal. Women bring invaluable perspectives and skills to the peace-building process. Achieving lasting and sustainable peace is impossible without the meaningful and safe participation of women. It is imperative that we collectively work towards this goal, recognizing the essential role women play in shaping a more peaceful and equitable world. And I thank you so much.

President РSwitzerland: I thank His Excellency Mr. Hasani for his statement. I now give the floor to Your Excellency Ms. L̩onnie Kandolo, Minister of Gender, Family and Children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Thank you, Madam President. We would like to thank you for giving us an opportunity to take the floor today as representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are a year away from celebrating 30 years of Beijing documents and 25 years away from WPS celebrations. We have made significantly forward where we have a government with 32 percent of women and women in leadership position. But we’d like to also share with you our challenges. Many women have played a key role in promoting peace and security, in negotiations and rebuilding our communities. And despite the obstacles, Because women remain main victims of armed conflict. Despite the obstacles, there are certainly advances. However, still a lot remains to be done to make sure that women in the DRC advance, because they are constantly subjected to sexual violence, excluded from peace processes, and face economic and social obstacles. We have to strengthen our commitment to guarantee women’s full and equitable participation in peace and security processes. And in order to do that, we propose the following. First, strengthening the participation of women, ensuring that women are represented at all levels of peace and security processes, including in peace negotiations and in peacekeeping missions. Second, we need to train peace actors by providing specific training on women’s rights, and including women in the ranks of the military, the police, and peace, and amongst peace actors. Third, we need to put in place the mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, and establish performance indicators and monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the impact of peace and security initiatives, and adapt strategies as a consequence. Fourth thing we need to do is awareness raising. We need to launch awareness-raising campaigns to promote the idea that it’s important to include women in peace and security processes. And we need to promote our national strategy of positive masculinity. And within the 1325 measures, we are validating the third generation of our national action plan under WPS. We need to also strengthen our legislations and policies, adopt and implement our laws and policies which protect women’s rights and guarantee their equal participation in peace and security processes. We call on the international community and all of our partners to support these efforts and work with us to create an environment where women can fully contribute towards peace and security in the DRC and the entire Great Lakes region. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Amoye for her statement. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Mona al-Khalili, Minister of Women’s Affairs of the observer state of Palestine.

Palestine: Thank you, Madam President. Allow me to thank you and the Swiss delegation for convening this very important debate. Madam President, as we convene today in the Security Council on the occasion of the landmark resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, women in Palestine and the Palestinian people as a whole are going through what can be considered the most brutal and most dangerous chapter of their history since the 1948 Nakba, subjected to genocide in Gaza Strip, an apartheid regime in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. By Israel, for one sole objective, namely the forced civil displacement of our people, their expulsion from their land and from their homeland, the obliteration of their history, present and future, the genocide committed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza Strip is a war against humanity as a whole. The double standards The absence of accountability and the international community failure to deter Israel from committing massacres in Palestine, all of that has emboldened Israel to carry out an aggression against the brotherly country of Lebanon. Madam President, time in the occupied territory is measured in blood faced by these violations that target women and girls particularly wherever they are. Time is of the essence, we cannot wait longer. The Security Council should translate the commitments under the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into tangible measures that protect the women and girls of the occupied Palestinian territory against all forms of harassment, torture and danger and Israeli practices including sexual violence, the ongoing and escalating settler’s terrorism and the accelerated pace of apartheid practices that separate and isolate Palestinian territories from each other to prevent citizens from accessing their agricultural lands. I give you one example only, there was the case of the Palestinian woman Hanan Abu Salama who was executed in cold blood in the town of Faqoua in the Jenin governorate while picking olives last week. We call upon you to shoulder your mandated responsibilities and work on releasing all Palestinian women prisoners from Israeli occupation prisons. Madam President, we have come here today to this August Council to reiterate that the ugly colonial face of Israel cannot conceal more than 2.7 million faces of Palestinian women and girls fighting for life, for human dignity, for justice, the right to return, freedom, and independence. These women are confident that their suffering and pain that have moved the world’s conscience will be a curse that haunts the war criminals. We salute them from this council for their courage and their strong determination. We reiterate that we will spare no effort in raising their voices until such time when their suffering and the injustice against them end. We came here to express again our gratitude to all countries and peoples who’ve expressed their support for the Palestinian people in their journey towards freedom and independence. We recall the sacrifices of scores of human rights defenders, men and women, in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the American activist Aisha Noor, who was killed in cold blood in the town of Beta through lethal Israeli bombings. Madam President, despite the obstacles imposed by Israel for Palestinian women and girls in achieving progress towards the realization of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, yet we reiterate that the State of Palestine is committed to move forward in observing this agenda and to fulfill its commitments. But we continue to await your counsel to fulfill its obligations in achieving an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza Strip, ensure the entry and the distribution of urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza Strip, the majority of whom are women and children, to support humanitarian agencies working on the ground, including UNRWA. We call upon you to act effectively to implement the resolutions regarding the Palestinian question and to respect the ICJ advisory opinion regarding the illegality of the Israeli occupation and the need to end it without further delay as the only means towards removing all obstacles that prevent women and girls, Palestinian women and girls, to enjoy the right to self-determination. Despite the tragedy, the bitterness of loss experienced by our people, Palestinian women remain the guardians of our fire and our dream for freedom and independence. Women remain the partners in the national resolution to build a Palestinian independent state on the 4th of June 1967 borders with its capital, Jerusalem. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Al-Khalil for her statement. I now call on Her Excellency Ms.Khatuna Totladze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

Georgia: Firstly, I would like to thank you, Madam President, for convening today’s open debate. Let me also express appreciation to the briefers for their insightful remarks. Georgia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. Distinguished colleagues, as we approach the milestone 25th anniversary of the adoption of Landmark Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, accelerating our efforts to ensure effective implementation of the WPS agenda remains vital. We share the concerns raised in the UN Secretary-General’s report on WPS regarding the lack of overall progress on women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes, political leadership and access to decision-making. In the face of recorded levels of armed conflicts and violence, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains too slow. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable and disproportionately affected by wars, conflicts and crises. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has stressed the importance of a special focus on women and the WPS agenda. Georgia continues to attach significant importance to the advancement of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and supports women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes. The adoption of the Pact for the Future, along with its accomplished documents last month, signifies a clear political will from world leaders to guide humanity towards fulfilling existing obligations, promoting global peace and security through adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and creating a better present and future for generations to come. We look forward to its swift implementation, including the Action 19 of the Pact, which is vital for advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Protection of rights of women and girls affected by the conflict, including women IDPs and those living in the Russia-occupied Abkhazia and Khenvalu regions of Georgia, remains an absolute priority for us. With this aim, Georgia has regularly adopted National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution and Women, Peace, and Security since 2012. Currently, we are in process of drafting our fifth National Action Plan covering the period from 2025 to 2027. As a result of the implementation of these National Action Plans, progress has been achieved in strengthening gender equality in the security sector, protecting the rights of women and girls affected by the conflict, incorporating their needs into the policy planning stages, and highlighting their role in peace negotiation processes. In this regard, Georgia remains committed to regularly addressing the issues of the conflict-affected women, including the ID peace, within the Geneva International Discussions. Regular dialogues are held by the Georgia NGID team with the conflict-affected women and the CSO representatives working on women’s rights in order to exchange information about the peace negotiations and to ensure that the needs and priorities of women ID peace and conflict-affected women are integrated in the planning for the peace process and raised at the negotiations framework, particularly at GID and IPRM. Regrettably, despite the above-mentioned efforts of the government of Georgia to empower conflict-affected women, Russia’s ongoing illegal occupation and effective control over Abkhazia and Khinvali regions of Georgia, as legally attested by the landmark decision of the ECHR, hinders peace process and prevents women and girls remaining on the other side of the occupation line to benefit from the human rights protection framework of the government of Georgia. It’s extremely concerning that the die humanitarian and human rights situation on the ground is further accelerated by a dangerous trend of deliberate targeting female citizens of Georgia, including cases of detention of young Georgian women with fictional and abuse charges. Such violent actions contain a… a strong gender dimension and are aimed to pressure and humiliate most vulnerable part of ethnic Georgian population in the occupied regions. In conclusion, let me once again reiterate Georgia’s commitment to join global efforts aimed at better implementing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency, Ms. Totladze, for her statement, and I give the floor to Her Excellency, Ms. Gloria de la Fuente-Gonzalez, Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile.

Chile: Thank you very much, Madam President, for this possibility to speak, and of course we thank Switzerland for the opportunity they’ve given us to participate in this open debate. We’ve also taken note of the briefings and the contributions made today by other member states. Peace is not sustainable if more than 50 percent of the global population is not part of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, particularly today in a context where the rights of millions of women and girls are being violated in various corners of the world. Given that concern, in 2023 our country put forward its feminist foreign policy. One of its priorities is the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, which stems from the approval of Resolution 1325 in 2000. Chile is committed to implementing Agenda 1325, and we have held fast to our conviction that the full and effective participation of all women is essential for peacebuilding. In almost 25 years, the Agenda has called on us to consider its scope, its impact, and new perspectives as we look at an increasingly challenging future. There are new threats, new agendas for peace. One key tool in our thought process is the establishment of national action plans. It has given us a possibility to make progress and also to see where we still need to do work. Madam President, our call to the international community is clear. We invite all states to develop or update their national plans of action, recognizing that this is a key element to making peace more inclusive and equitable, and understanding that the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women in the peace process must be ensured. They need to be leaders at all levels of the decision-making process, and we need to use existing tools to make sure that this role is central and that women are not left on the sidelines. In that regard, the Government of Chile is proud to have been the first Latin American country to launch its first national action plan in the year 2009. We are on the verge of launching our third national action plan in the implementation of Agenda 1325. This new phase is an updated plan which reflects the emerging needs in a constantly changing international environment. This third plan ensures full citizen participation as well as the participation of various levels of the government. The third plan also addresses issues such as the impact of climate change, managing disasters, and combating transnational organized crime. We see these as factors which disproportionately impact women and girls. Our comprehensive approach seeks to address not just traditional security challenges but also to look at contemporary risks which exacerbate women’s vulnerability in the context of conflicts. At the same time, we must not forget that women participating in the peace process do not represent a homogeneous group. In Chile, we recognize the importance of using a cross-cutting approach for drafting and implementing the action plan. Our approach is non-discriminatory, fair, cross-cutting, cross-cultural. We ensure human rights and recognize the territorial dimension. It is only in this way that we can make sure that no one is left outside the peace process and peace building in the post-conflict context. Chile stands ready to share its experience working with other countries to draft their national action plans, and we firmly believe that an exchange of good practices will bolster collective efforts. The inclusion of women in peace building, we believe, is absolutely essential. And the Security Council, as well as the member countries of the United Nations, must continue to promote this agenda, and we must bring it up to date in 2024. With this in mind, Chile has promoted some specific initiatives to empower women in the peace process. We are part of the regional network of women mediators in the Southern Cone, which will have a meeting of women mediators of the region next March in order to improve training and the capacity of women to work as mediators, to work in the area of dialogue and negotiation in order to resolve conflicts. Within this network, and together with UN Women, Chile has suggested identifying the opportunities for creating good offices at the request of states by setting up a map of regional conflicts. Madam President, Chile reiterates its commitment to international peace and security, to respect for international law, to human rights, to multilateralism as key values for building fairer and more equitable societies. We are committed not just in words but in deeds. We will continue to work with the international community to make sure that women hold their rightful place in the peacekeeping and peacebuilding process, as well as in the post-conflict phase. We are convinced that only in this way will we be able to ensure sustainable peace for everyone. We firmly believe that including the gender perspective in our foreign policy is not just right but necessary in order to address current challenges of peace and security. There is no peace without women. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. de la Fuente-Gonzalez for her statement. There are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting. I intend, with the concurrence of members of the Council, to suspend the meeting until 3 p.m. The meeting is suspended. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, the 9,760th meeting of the Security Council is resumed. I now give the floor to her excellency, Ms. Ana Tinca, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania.

Romania: Madam President, thank you. Let me first congratulate Switzerland on the manner in which you are handling the work of the Council in this changing but also very challenging environment. I would also like to extend my delegation’s appreciation for the briefings that we heard this morning in this chamber. They echo the most recent report of the Secretary General, whose conclusions are crystal clear. Today’s multidimensional security challenges have severely impacted decades’ worth of progress in women’s rights. This is a wake-up call. We need to implement our common pledges in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and to reinforce our efforts in promoting all rights of women and girls. This wake-up call is even more serious and more important today when we celebrate the UN Day. Unprecedented restrictions on women’s and girls’ education, freedom of movement or of opinion and right to work, such as those enforced by the Taliban in Afghanistan, are a stark reminder that we have not done enough. We must insist in sending a strong message that this type of backsliding cannot be tolerated in the 21st century. Our experience shows that in places where women’s rights are suppressed, soon after, other human rights are curtailed. But all conflicts around the world, including the war of aggression led by Russia against Ukraine, show the disproportionate impact conflicts have on women and girls as targets and collateral victims. Madam President, women are to be meaningfully included at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions. Equally important… is women and girls’ early engagement in multi-sectoral security issues and meaningful participation in peacemaking efforts as negotiators, mediators and decision-makers. This is where dedicated policies tailored to the WPS agenda, such as national action plans, can bring significant contributions. Romania has recently adopted its second national strategy and national action plan on women, peace and security, built on five mutually reinforcing objectives. Integrating a gender perspective in defence and security, increased and meaningful participation of women in peace and mediation processes, prevention and fight against all forms of gender-based discrimination, harassment and sexual violence, providing assistance and recovery, deepening cooperation with civil society and relevant organizations in the implementations of the WPS agenda. The action plan aims to harness the immense potential of women in building and maintaining peace. Your Excellencies, looking around the room and in the corridor of the UN, we have a more positive picture and we find tangible proof that our efforts have yielded positive results in ensuring women’s participation in diplomatic and political fora at the highest level. There are women ambassadors leading their countries in the Security Council affairs. We need to use this example and to encourage women and girls to speak out on public affairs and actively pursue initiatives and outlooks on all three UN pillars, peace and security, but also human rights and sustainable development. We also need to make sure that women’s voices are mainstream and what is still exceptions in women’s rights becomes the norm. Last but not least, we should use the recently adopted Pact of the Future to take forward the WPS agenda while giving space to young and future generations to have their say on this chapter in the maintenance of international peace and security. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Tinka for her statement. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Equality of Ukraine.

Ukraine: Thank you very much, Madam President, distinguished colleagues. We thank Switzerland for calling this open debate and thank all briefers for their comprehensive presentations. Ukraine aligns itself with the statements by the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and the European Union. I would like to add the following comments in my national capacity. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in 2014, and particularly since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has endured relentless and brutal attacks, violations of international law, and a gregarious disregard for our territorial sovereignty. The Russian aggression has led to the destruction of critical infrastructure, caused unheard humanitarian disaster, and given rise of numerous war crimes under international humanitarian law. These crimes include, among others, willful killings, targeting of civilians, summary executions, enforced deportations, tortures and the widespread perpetration of conflict-related sexual violence, which has targeted women, men, girls and boys alike. These acts not only violate the Geneva Conventions, but also the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and customary international law. The UN General Assembly in a series of resolutions has repeatedly condemned Russia’s unlawful aggression and demanded the full withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. These resolutions reaffirm the territorial integrity of Ukraine and uphold the principle that acts of aggression must never be tolerated. Madam President, Ukraine’s commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women remains unwavering, even amid such adversity. Our government is actively implementing the Second National Action Plan under the 1325 Peace and Security Agenda. While our primary goal is peace and justice for Ukraine, as well as for our whole region, we also envision a future in which our recovery is gender responsive and inclusive, ensuring that women and the marginalized community are integral to rebuilding a peaceful, stable Ukraine. One of the key initiatives in this regard is the Platform on Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusive Recovery, which coordinates efforts between the government, civil society, and international partners. This platform ensures that women’s voices are central to decision-making processes and the gender perspective are integrated into every stage of our recovery. Additionally, the International Alliance, launched at the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, has garnered a total commitment of $46 million towards advancing these goals, demonstrating the global solidarity behind our recovery. We are grateful for international support, both military and diplomatic, economic and humanitarian. Together, we are striving for the full de-occupation of our territories and the return of peaceful injustices. However, this journey towards peace cannot succeed without holding Russia accountable for its crimes. International law is clear. Those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of human rights must face justice. In this regard, we are working closely with international tribunals and judicial institutions to ensure accountability for the atrocities. We continue to urge the Security Council to strengthen accountability mechanisms for war crimes, including CRSV, ensuring that both military and political actors responsible are prosecuted. Integrate gender perspectives across the UN missions and programs, including peacekeeping, humanitarian and development efforts, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Enhance technical and financial support for local initiatives aimed at empowering women in peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery. Intensify monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure that all member states adhere to existing women’s peace and security standards and keep regular, informal consultations with civil society organizations. We call upon the international community to increase sanctions against the Russian Federation. Furthermore, we urge the UN Secretary-General to include Russia on the shame list for its widespread use of conflict-related sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war.

Germany: Madam President, Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and with the statement of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. In the pact for the future, we all agreed to accelerate the implementation of our commitments. on women, peace, and security. And we must do so quickly and effectively. It is neither knowledge nor awareness that are missing. It is political will and implementation. I would like to highlight the following five points. Reliable, flexible, and sufficient funding for local women-led organizations, women peace builders, and human rights defenders is essential, but often lacking. We have to finally equip them with the resources they need for their valuable work. Germany has been the largest donor to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, a fund which pursues precisely this, long-term, unbureaucratic core funding to women-led organizations in conflict zones. And Germany will make up to an additional $6.5 million US available to the fund this year. Second, without accountability, there can be no sustainable peace. Every survivor of conflict-related sexual violence must be granted access to justice and to essential services. This makes the mandate of the Special Representative for the Secretary General on Sexual Violence and Conflict and her team of experts more relevant than ever. Germany is committed to continuing its funding to the team of experts, and we call on all member states to support their work as well. We will expand our work on accountability, including with regard to the principle of universal jurisdiction. As laid out in UN Security Council Resolution 2467 from 2019, the full toolkit of this council must be implemented, including targeted sanctions. Resolution 2467, for the first time, has addressed the situation of children born out of conflict-related rape. Just like their respective mothers, these children often face stigmatization and significant legal and administrative discrimination. We must improve their lives and raise awareness for their specific situation and needs. This is a task for all of us. 4. Women are essential actors for peace. Yet, they are too often sidelined, including in peacekeeping and in the leadership of international organizations. It is high time to change this. The ELSI initiative and the Network for Uniformed Women Peacekeepers are innovative ways to deliver results. 5. The climate crisis intensifies threats to peace and security around the world for women, girls and marginalized groups that are disproportionately affected. Germany is partnering with the Women, Peace and the Humanitarian Fund to drive the Women and Climate Security Funding Initiative, which is investing in combined peacebuilding and climate action. Madam President, for Germany, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is a key pillar of our feminist foreign and development policies. Around the world, countless women work courageously and tirelessly for peace, justice and human rights. It is not enough to stand in awe of their work. We must all do more to support, protect and champion them. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Breutigam for her statement. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Arlene Tickner, Ambassador-at-Large for Gender Issues and Feminist Global Policy of Colombia.

Colombia: Thank you very much, Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen. Speech after speech that we have heard during this open debate all say the same thing. The critical situation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, the number of conflicts has increased, military expenditure has beaten historic records, there has been an increase in gender-based violence in conflict, the progress made in various gender equality indicators has either stagnated or is in regression. At the same time, gender is being instrumentalized globally to increase political polarization and restrict the rights of women and LGBTIQ plus persons. The systematic and normalized violation of international law and the United Nations Charter has been seen in wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and now in Lebanon, and this has eroded further the credibility and legitimacy of this organization, and in particular of the Security Council, which has shown itself incapable of stopping the barbarism that we are seeing happening around us and which disproportionately affects women and young people. The most recent annual report of the Secretary General on Women, Peace and Security also confirms this desolate picture with regard to the participation of women in peace negotiations. They represent just 9.6% of those who negotiate peace, 13.7% of the mediators, and 26.6% of the signatories of ceasefires and implemented agreements. However, if you exclude the case of my country, Colombia, the figure for women signatories is as low as 1.5%. Our long history with war and our search for peace has taught us that without women, change is not possible. This is why we need to strengthen their roles as peacemakers and peace defenders at all levels, from the local level to the national and global level in official and non-official fora. This is essential. It’s also not enough to simply include women, but we have to ensure that their participation can have a genuine, sustainable impact on decision-making and implementation in everything relating to peace, as has happened around our negotiating tables and in the simultaneous creation of our National Action Plan for 1325 and our Feminist Foreign Policy. Both of these will be issued in the next few days. Also important is to work on the existing structural barriers, such as the patriarchy and sexism, as well as racism. These have to be dismantled if we want to bring about comprehensive and lasting transformation, as is proposed by the Government of Colombia. Madam President, the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, together with Beijing Plus 30, gives us a crucial opportunity to fill in the gaps and realize the potential of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Undoubtedly, the Security Council has not been up to the task in this area. This is reaffirmed by the – this suggests the urgency of reform, including strengthening all existing mechanisms to restrict and control the use of the veto. We must recognize that the empowerment of women in their diversity is not just a question of justice for half of the global population that we represent and that we are leaving behind, but a proven pathway to avoid our current drift into the abyss.

Italy: Thank you very much. I am honoured to speak at this open debate on behalf of Italy to share the Italian approach in implementing the WPS agenda, based on our long-standing commitment to promoting the significant contribution of women and girls to sustainable peace and security. And I am particularly proud to do so as my country’s first male WPS focal point. Since the early 2000s, we have been working on all four pillars of the agenda, with a special emphasis on women’s meaningful participation to peacebuilding and mediation efforts, including through the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network, launched in 2017 with Italy’s support. And on the protection of women and girls, including girl children, in line with the CAC agenda, from all forms of gender-based violence in conflicts and crises. Italy believes that it is paramount to further integrate gender perspectives in peacebuilding efforts, especially in the context of evolving global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, migration flows, trafficking in human beings and the misuse of technology, including for tech-facilitated gender-based violence. This means ensuring a comprehensive, holistic and mainstreamed vision that duly considers the intersection of human rights, environment and security, and where the involvement and active participation of women and girls is crucial to achieving inclusive peace. Our action, both internally and at the international level, is based on the fruitful interaction with women’s civil society organizations, academia and other non-governmental partners throughout the political, security and development spheres. Italy has pursued this scope via the periodic adoption and implementation of its National Action Plans. Our fourth NAP will be phasing out at the end of 2024. Preparation of the fifth NAP is underway. It will come into force in time for the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 next year, prioritizing two main components. Firstly, the collaboration with local communities, grassroots involvement, engaging local women in peace-building efforts to ensure that their voices and needs are heard, particularly in regions affected or at the risk of conflict. Secondly, the allocation of dedicated financial resources to support programs framed and implemented by civil society organizations, academia, research centers, to empower women in conflict-affected areas, providing training and opportunities for leadership in peace-building. Let me conclude by reiterating Italy’s full support to the important work of the United Nations, as well as of regional organizations and other multilateral and national initiatives to advance the WPS agenda and improve its operational impact on the ground. Ensuring the active involvement of women and girls in peace and security policies is a must to face current challenges and promote resilient societies across the world. I thank you, Madam Chair.

President – Switzerland: I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Jacqueline O’Neill, Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security of Canada.

Canada: Merci, Madame la Présidente. Thank you, Madam President. I would like to deliver two statements today. The second will be Canada’s, and the first is on behalf of 66 members of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, representing all five regional groups of the UN and the European Union. Madame la Présidente, women and girls around the world are working with courage and determination to prevent and resolve conflict and to build and sustain peace. Yet they continue to be excluded from decision-making. and targeted for discrimination and all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. And so the group of friends emphasizes five points. First, we urge all member states, the UN system, and other stakeholders to protect and promote the human rights of all women and girls, and ensure women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation and leadership in all aspects of peace and security. This has proven to ensure more robust and lasting peace. We call for justice and accountability for any violations of human rights of all women and girls. We also draw attention to the structural causes of gender inequality, stereotypes, and negative social norms that perpetuate violence and conflict. Second, we urge all actors to make women’s participation the norm in peace processes, at all stages and with a target of 50%. Third, we encourage security sector institutions to undertake gender-responsive reforms and to remove barriers to women’s participation and leadership at all levels. Fourth, we must do our utmost to support the courageous and independent voices of women human rights defenders, mediators, peace builders, and advocates for gender equality, and to promote safe, secure, and enabling environments, both offline and online, for them to carry out their work. We need to champion their demands, amplify their voices, swiftly stand against attacks, intimidations, and reprisals against them, and support adequate, predictable, flexible funding so they can carry out their work safely and independently. Finally, we call for the full respect of international law, and the effective prevention and response to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination, both online and offline. We need to ensure survivors’ access to essential services, including sexual and reproductive health services, and mental health and psychosocial support. It’s also critical that we hold perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence to account, and we encourage the support of all stakeholders. Security Council to pursue the fight against impunity with all the means at its disposal and to incorporate and apply conflict-related sexual violence as a designation criterion in UN-sanctioned regimes. We recognize the courageous leadership of women and girls calling for urgent action and accountability. President, I will now share only a small portion of Canada’s national statement. This is a message inspired by wise women peace builders in our own country and around the world who remind us that despite being surrounded by crises, dehumanization, and attacks on this very work, we must not become suffocated by negativity. We must also give oxygen to progress and impacts. So in that spirit, here are just three. One is how young women around the world are engaging in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, embracing its principles but also making it their own. Nous les voyons se mobiliser rapidement. We see them mobilizing quickly and creatively, often using digital tools so as to make this space more inclusive. Many are building coalitions across sectors with invested allies, including young men and members of LGBTQ plus communities. Their leadership is engaging young people as voters and actors in peace and political processes. This is a reflection of Canada’s latest national action plans, one being of countries that had recently experienced war and were focused largely inward. The other being of countries whose focus was primarily outward, with women, peace and security relating primarily to foreign policy and peacekeeping. Now a much greater proportion, including Canada’s latest national action plan, include domestic and international issues and commitments. This is a reflection of the interconnectedness of security issues and of the progress to humility and self-reflection needed to acknowledge and address systemic barriers facing women within our own borders. Finally, while women peacebuilders in civil society remain dramatically under-resourced, there is growing recognition that while the amount of funding matters, so too does its form. Peace is not a project. The most impactful funds are predictable, flexible, multi-year, and sometimes fast. The results are more efficient and effective uses of public funds, more relevant responses to crises, more lives saved, more dignity respected, and often more trust. One of the scarcest currencies during conflict and crises. Merci.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Madame O’Neill for her statement, and I now give the floor to Her Excellency Madame Signe Gilen, Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security of Norway.

Norway: Madame Chair, The world is in turmoil, and the security situation for a record high number of people are in jeopardy. The debate today is dedicated to women, peace and security, and women’s meaningful participation and leadership in matters related to peace and security. This is key elements of Norway’s efforts in order to promote peace and security, and at the heart of our own security policy. Norway has since 2006, along with 110 other member states, defined our priorities through national action plans for women, peace and security. The fifth action plan makes it clear that Norway’s work for women, peace and security agenda is to be intensified both nationally and internationally, and links Norway’s national and international efforts more closely together than previous. Norway has a long tradition in facilitating peace processes and mediation when we are invited by parties of conflicts to do so. What we have noticed is that the space for women’s participation and leadership in mediation is still very limited. In addition, there are few conflicts being resolved peacefully, despite the Secretary General’s call to increase mediation efforts. The question is, what can we do with this alarming trend, and does it matter to support women’s participation in this regard? Firstly, women are strategic, experienced peacemakers, and research shows that inclusive processes lead to more sustainable outcomes. On the contrary, no research indicates that peace processes are more successful when they are exclusively being negotiated by men. Secondly, not as much attention is given to prevention of conflicts where women’s contributions are crucial. Studies tell us that there are local women-led organizations on the front line of conflict zones, contributing to de-escalating between communities and to avoid full-fledged conflicts. It is also local organizations that provide the first response to humanitarian needs and stay behind when the international community leave conflict areas. Those local organizations contribute to build social cohesion and resilience. In other words, we need to have an increased focus on prevention and support to local organizations, and the 1% target to local organizations also highlighted in the General Secretary’s report is a start, but we need to go beyond. Also in preventive peacebuilding, women play a key role. Thirdly, I want to highlight the intergenerational aspects of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. In order to achieve these steps just mentioned, I want to highlight the importance of cross-regional cooperation and support to galvanize the progress we have made so far and move forward with the ambitious implementation of 1325. In 2014, the Nordic countries took the decision to establish a Nordic network of women mediators. Since that time, the regional network of women mediators have multiplied and joined each other in a global alliance. Those mediators’ networks represent a resource bank we all should use. For the first time, the Global Alliance presents a statement to the Security Council during this open debate. We congratulate Switzerland and the FEMBAs to make that happen. One thing we have learned from this global network is that the challenge women participation and inclusion face is cross-regional. We echo the Secretary General’s during this year’s General Assembly. We are sorry to see that despite years of talk, gender equality is in full display in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. Less than 10% of speakers during this week’s general debate were women. We are excited to now have regional networks to join forces to tackle these challenges together. We need to shift the narrative from sympathy and victimhood to one that highlights the strength, power and remarkable positive influence that women play in peacemaking, both in mediation processes and in preventive peacebuilding. Finally, Norway took this week over the co-chairing of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Point Network together with Japan. There is a true multilateral network fostering cooperation both across continents and between governments and civil society. The network has over the last three years been shared by South Africa, Switzerland, Romania and USA. We are humbled and grateful for the trust and opportunity. We will together find a path forward. Women, Peace and Security is not just an agenda by women or for women. This is an agenda for us all. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: that they are asked to limit their statements to no more than three minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. The flashing light on the microphone will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after three minutes. I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan: MADAM PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, DEAR COLLEAGUES, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THE SWISS PRESIDENCY FOR CONVENING THIS IMPORTANT DEBATE ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY. WE BELIEVE THAT THE MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN PEACE AND SECURITY IS A STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE. WOMEN BRING UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES AND EXPERIENCES TO THE TABLE, AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT LEADS TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE PEACE. 24 YEARS AGO, WE ADOPTED THE GROUNDBREAKING SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1325, WHICH ACKNOWLEDGED THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON WOMEN AND GIRLS AND THEIR ESSENTIAL ROLE IN PEACEBUILDING. YET, DESPITE PROGRESS, WOMEN REMAIN LARGELY EXCLUDED FROM FORMAL PEACE PROCESS, AND THE EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED. TO TRULY REALIZE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF THIS AGENDA, WE MUST MOVE BEYOND WORDS AND FULLY INTEGRATE ITS FOUR PILLARS – PARTICIPATION, PROTECTION, PREVENTION, AND RELIEF AND RECOVERY INTO OUR PROGRAMS AND POLICIES. THE SECURITY COUNCIL, GOVERNMENTS, REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, UN AGENCIES, AND CIVIL SOCIETY ALL PLAY CRUCIAL ROLES IN ENSURING THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF WPS AGENDA. ONLY THROUGH COLLECTIVE ACTION AND COMMITMENT CAN WE ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES. IF WE TAKE KAZAKHSTAN, GENDER EQUALITY IS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR AMBITIOUS POLITICAL AND DEMOCRATIC REFORMS AIMED AT BUILDING A NEW KAZAKHSTAN, A JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY WHERE NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND. KAZAKHSTAN IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING WPS AGENDA THROUGH ITS FIRST NATIONAL ACTION PLAN. on Security Council Resolution 1325. This comprehensive strategy, developed in collaboration with the UN and civil society, aims to increase women’s participation in decision-making roles at all levels, deploy more women in UN peace operations, and enhance gender-sensitive training for armed and security forces. Kazakhstan is dedicated to successfully implementing this plan with strong political will, necessary resources, and a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. We are working to strengthen the capacity of women peacebuilders and promote their participation in regional and international peace process. To foster collaboration, we have joined the multi-stakeholder compact on WS and humanitarian action. We are also a founding member of the Women Leaders Caucus in Central Asia, dedicated to advancing women’s roles in peace building and conflict prevention. Kazakhstan is a strong advocate for international efforts to combat violence against women. We are contributing financially to the UN-EU Spotlight Initiative in Central Asia and Afghanistan, which aims to eliminate the scourge. We believe that addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty and gender inequality, is essential for further advancing the WPS agenda. Providing access to quality education for all, especially girls, is crucial in this regard. To that end, we are partnering with the EU and UNDP on a program to provide educational opportunities for Afghan girls in our universities. We urge the international community to expand scholarship programs for women and girls from conflict-affected countries. In conclusion, Kazakhstan reaffirms its strong dedication to the WPS agenda and multilateral efforts to promote gender equality, peaceful societies, and inclusive governance. We believe that through collaboration we can build a world where women are empowered to fully participate in all aspects of life, contributing to a more peaceful and prosperous future for everyone. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Kazakhstan for his statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

Turkey: Thank you, Madam President. I thank the Swiss presidency for convening this important debate. I also thank Deputy Secretary General, Executive Director of UN Women, and the briefers. The Women, Peace and Security Agenda is a critical tool for conflict prevention and resolution, as well as for peace-building and sustaining peace. We must not forget that women bear the brunt of conflicts. They are disproportionately affected by violence, displacement, and instability, and yet their voices remain marginalized in the very processes aimed at resolving these crises. Women and girls in various parts of the world continue to suffer immensely as conflicts intensify. The situation in the Middle East, as well as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, and other regions, indicate how the advances of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda can easily be rolled back. As the humanitarian toll in Gaza is staggering, women and girls have been gravely impacted. Thousands have been either displaced, widowed, starved, or killed. Madam President, the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security requires more robust implementation and accountability to address this imbalance. The absence of women’s meaningful participation in peace processes remains a significant challenge to conflict resolution. We are pleased to see that the recently adopted Pact for the Future bears a designated action which underlines the political will of Member States to accelerate the implementation of their WPS commitments. Turkey is among the leading countries actively promoting awareness of the importance of women’s participation in peace processes. As the co-chair of Group of Friends of Mediation, we prioritize highlighting the role of women in mediation efforts. In this respect, Turkey welcomes and endorses the Secretary General’s campaign for a common pledge to increase women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes by global mediation actors. This goal is rooted in the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. As a matter of fact, female Turkish diplomats have been playing an active role in Turkey’s previous and ongoing mediation efforts. We consistently emphasize the importance of women’s participation in peace processes at the annually organized Antalya Diplomacy Forum and Istanbul Mediation Conferences. Furthermore, at the annual Mediation for Peace Certificate programs, we underline the importance of women’s role in mediation. Madam President, to reverse the current negative trend on women’s participation in peace processes, further initiatives could be undertaken by the UN, regional organizations and the Member States themselves. In this direction, regular and transparent reporting mechanisms that track women’s involvement in peace processes, conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction should be strengthened. All actors should also invest in capacity-building programs for women at all levels to equip them with the tools to engage in peace negotiations effectively. Public campaigns, both at the grassroots and international levels, can increase awareness and build broader support for women’s inclusion in peace building. My country will continue to advocate for the inclusion of women in peace processes. at every opportunity. I thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Turkey for the statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Jordan.

Jordan: Madam President, at the outset, I would like to express our appreciation for the international efforts aiming at promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. In Jordan, we believe that women are not only partners in peace building, they are main pillars that no peace process can succeed without. The empowerment of women and guaranteeing her effective participation in decision-making and protecting her from all forms of violence and discrimination is the basis on which we can build a secure and stable future. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Security Council Resolution 1325, we reaffirm our commitment to achieve the goals of this agenda and to work with international partners to guarantee that women are at the heart of peacemaking and future building. Madam President, as we discuss the role of women in peace building, we cannot ignore the tragic situation of Palestinian women and girls which are languishing under occupation and Israeli aggression. Their rights are being violated on a daily basis. They are deprived of the most basic requirements for a dignified life. Therefore, we reiterate our call to the international community to live up to its responsibilities in full and to adopt effective and immediate measures to protect women and guarantee their access to their basic rights, namely their right to live in dignity, security, and peace. We shoulder a collective responsibility to strengthen political will and translate it into practical commitments to implement the WPS agenda. All UN agencies and organs should adopt effective policies guaranteeing a full and equal participation of women in all stages of decision-making. We should build a strong infrastructure that would enable women to reach the negotiation table in confidence and security. We need to support all actors contributing to peace-building to guarantee more sustainable and inclusive results. We also call for supporting initiatives promoting the participation of women in diverse peace processes. There is also a need to integrate women in official and inofficial peace processes alike. Women working at the forefront of conflicts should also be heard in official negotiations. As member states, we should provide clear commitments to support these comprehensive processes. Madam President, today we are in dire need of new tools to face the growing challenges of today’s world. Despite the promising opportunities provided by technology, technology also carries grave risks threatening the safe participation of women, especially through online violence and deliberate online defamation. In this context, we call for the development of digital platforms that would provide a safe environment allowing women to effectively participate in the peace process. We also urge member countries to invest in digital education programs and cybersecurity initiatives to protect women from electronic risks and to guarantee their ongoing participation in peace efforts without fear or restrictions. Jordan is committed to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, and this is clearly reflected through the implementation of our first Jordanian national plan. The plan has achieved major achievements in reinforcing the participation of women in the security sector. We have registered an increase in the number of women in the Directorate of General Security and Armed Forces since 2017. This reflects the ongoing efforts and the strategic vision to achieve gender balance. The participation of Jordanian women also increased in leadership positions, and women are today more represented in UN peacekeeping missions. This shows the commitment of Jordan to promote the role of women in vital areas. In the context of these efforts, the Directorate of General Security and Armed Forces in Jordan has launched strategies to integrate the gender dimension 2021-2024. This would allow Jordan to become an example to follow in achieving gender equality and in the empowerment of women in all fields. In conclusion, I reaffirm that achieving the ambitious goals of the WPS agenda requires a collective commitment and relentless efforts. The participation of women in the peace process is not just a choice. It is a necessity, an urgent necessity to guarantee a safe and sustainable future for all. Therefore, the international community should promote all efforts aiming at supporting and promoting the rights of women and guaranteeing her effective participation in all stages of decision-making. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Jordan for his statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

Morocco: Thank you, Madam President. At the outset, my delegation would like to thank Switzerland for organizing under your presidency of the Security Council this public debate of the greatest importance. I’d also like to thank the distinguished briefers for the quality and relevance of their briefings. The debate today is timely since we are preparing to celebrate next year the 25th anniversary of the historic and visionary resolution of the Security Council 1325. This will be an ideal opportunity to take stock of the progress that has been made in the implementation of 1325, but also to point out the gaps and the obstacles that remain to be addressed and to reaffirm our common commitment to the women, peace and security agenda. Allow me to give you a shortened version of the Moroccan text. Women have proven their determination, their resolve to work towards lasting peace by engaging effectively in community efforts and local initiatives to support and promote peace and reconciliation. Because they very often use non-conventional channels, non-confrontational methods and peaceful and inclusive solutions to resolve conflicts whilst concentrating on the collective well-being. By providing singular and essential perspectives, these are naturally the important early warning signs. This can be seen within the family. They help to detect the sources of tension and interpret extremism and hate speech. This gives them a sharpened vision of the underlying threats to community security. This makes it possible for them to anticipate and react to the risks of conflict and positions them as key actors in preventing violence and promoting dialogue. Despite all of this, women remain largely underrepresented in decision-making linked to peace and security. And we heard the figures this morning from the distinguished briefers to this August assembly. So, including women in peace processes must not be seen as a simple formality or an accessory requirement, but rather as a right and a fundamental strategic need. Madam President, by way of conclusion, allow me to underline the three following observations. We hope that this symbolism of today, the 24th of October, will promote the advancement of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. First of all, the obstacles that remain and stand in the way of the full implementation of Resolution 1325 will only be lifted by a firm political will to respect the fundamental rights of women. Secondly, women must be recognized as equal partners in the decision-making process as well as mediation and resolution of conflicts. Thirdly, we must protect women from the harmful effects of their active involvement in resolving conflicts. Indeed, although they are very often celebrated as heroines and are able to occupy important posts, even military posts, they very often are subject to negative repercussions using new technologies and platforms of harassment and smears, whereas those tools can be used to provide women with opportunities and encourage their active participation in all areas, including in resolving conflicts and bringing peace. The Kingdom of Morocco adopted our plan of action, WPS, and we are a member of the group of Friends, Women, Peace and Security, and also the Gender Equality Group of Friends, and we have signed virtually all international instruments to protect human rights, including soft law. We fully subscribe to international commitments to promote and protect the rights of women and to strengthen their autonomy, and we remain committed to work together with the international community. to ensure progress in the implementation, full implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Morocco for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines.

Philippines: Thank you, Madam President. Please allow me first to commend and congratulate the Presidency of Switzerland for organizing this very important debate. I also thank the briefers for their insightful presentations. Madam President, we are at the eve of a crucial milestone for the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Twenty-four years ago, the Security Council unanimously recognized the disproportionate and unique impact of conflict on women and their undervalued contributions to peace, security and recovery. Next year, we will be celebrating the 25 years of our work. The Philippines is pleased to have joined the international community in this important advocacy and to have a leading role in our region. The Philippine National Action Plan on WPS in 2010 was the first in Southeast Asia. We also played an important role in the establishment of the ASEAN Women, Peace Registry in 2018 and the creation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on WPS in 2022. More importantly, the Philippines has walked the talk and appointed a woman as the chief negotiator for the government team in the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. This process was a success and led to the creation of a peaceful Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Misli Mindanao or BARM. We speak from experience as we join you today. Women make a difference at the peace table. Their full, equal and meaningful participation brings critical insights into the discussion since it is the women that usually bear the burden of war and post-conflict recovery. Women’s participation leads to gender equality provisions in the peace agreement. Women’s leadership leads to lasting peace and wider acceptance and ownership by the the people of the agreement. When the peace agreement for the palm needed to be introduced to the people, it was the women in the villages that took up the task of bringing it closer to the people for them to have ownership over the peace process. So on the question of what initiatives can be done to reverse the pushback on women’s participation in peace processes, we recommend the mainstreaming of peacemaking, peace building, mediation, and conflict resolution in education, in community action, at local and all levels of government. Eliminate the barriers that cause indigenous women, rural women, from fully and safely participating in the peace process. Actively seek the meaningful participation of women in the communities affected by conflict. Leadership must commit to financing the implementation of the WPS. Funding models that provide long-term support for women peace builders must be pursued. In this regard, the Philippines welcomes the launch of the Secretary General’s common pledge to increase women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes. We fully endorse this pledge and will continue to take steps to promote and enhance the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in mediation efforts and peace processes. Madam President, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the WPS agenda and will host the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security in Manila next week. We’re taking stock of what we have achieved since the adoption of 1325 and we wish to advance solutions to the persistent challenges to the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace and security. Thank you, Madam

President – Switzerland: President. I thank the representative of the Philippines for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

Indonesia: Madam President, I thank Switzerland for convening this meeting and the briefers for their valuable insights. The landmark resolution 1325 marked a significant step forward. in placing women at the heart of international peace and security, including ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes. While much progress has been made, profound challenges remain. Women and children continue to be at the highest risk on many emergency situations. This is very evident in Gaza, where women and girls comprise over 70 percent of civilian victims. Women are primarily cared for by UNRWA, so let me start with a clear reminder that any attack against UNRWA is a direct attack against the WPS agenda. Now allow me to highlight three points. First, the need to walk the talk. The Secretary-General’s report underscores challenges, from unpredictable funding to the impunity of violence against women and children in conflicts. We must strengthen our collective commitment to bridge the gap and translate it into concrete actions of gender-responsive policies. Indonesia is proud to have initiated the Council’s Resolution 2538 in 2019, calling for greater action to foster the role of women, both uniformed and civilians, at all levels of peacekeeping. Second, we need to invest in women’s capabilities in peace processes. The data is clear. Peace will be more sustainable when women are involved in the peace process. Capacity building for women peace mediators is therefore key, along with supporting networks of women mediators to promote the development and deployment of skilled women mediators in all stages of peace processes. In this spirit, Indonesia is proud to have initiated the Southeast Asian Network of Women Peace Negotiators and Mediators in 2019. Indonesia also remains steadfast in supporting the rights of Afghan women, among others by initiating the International Conference on Afghan Women’s Education and developing capacity-building programs focused on the inclusion of women’s participation. Third, ensuring enabling environment for women in peace efforts. This includes ensuring safety and security of women in the peace process, as well as ensuring conducive environment for women’s peacekeepers. Indonesia sees this as utmost importance, as 192 Indonesian women peacekeepers are currently serving across eight UN missions, including 81 women peacekeepers in UNIFIL. Madam President, the future of global peace and security will increasingly depend on the central role of women as agents of peace. Let us all lead by example. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Indonesia for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Denmark: Thank you, Madam Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Denmark. Let me thank our briefers today who have reminded us of the crucial role that women play in fostering peace and security worldwide. The world today faces alarming levels of armed conflict, humanitarian crisis, and violations and abuses of human rights. We express our severe concern for the situation for women and girls in many places of the world. And the developments in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Gaza, and Sudan are particularly worrying. In Afghanistan, women are not allowed to speak in public, let alone play a role in peace and security. In Myanmar, the military junta has systematically targeted the rights of women and LGBT persons since the coup in 2021. But the suffering of civilians, including women and girls in these contexts, is far from an exceptional case in the world today, as is clear from the Secretary General’s report. It is our collective responsibility to act decisively to ensure that generational gains on gender equality are not eroded further. Allow me to highlight three key areas that we believe are critical as we approach the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Firstly, we reaffirmed the necessity of ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women at all levels and stages of decision-making in peace and security matters. We call on the UN to support making the participation of women a standard requirement across all UN-supported peace processes and convenings, and not only in processes which the UN leads or co-leads. Second, women human rights defenders face unacceptable levels of violence, harassment and intimidation, both online and offline. We need stronger accountability mechanisms to protect women civil society representatives and human rights defenders, and ensure that they can continue to inform peace and security policy-making without fears of reprisals. Third, conflict-related sexual violence remains a devastating reality and a tactic of war, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Last year we saw a 50% increase in verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence compared to the year before. We must hold perpetrators accountable for these heinous acts, and stand united in ensuring justice and protection for survivors. We encourage renewed support for the mandate of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict in this regard. Additionally, the Nordics reaffirm the right of every woman and girl to non-discriminatory access to life-saving services, particularly sexual and reproductive health services, not least in the context of conflict and humanitarian crisis. To conclude, Madam Chair, the challenges we face are profound, but they are not unsolvable. The Nordic countries remain fully committed to the realization of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Without gender equality, we will not achieve sustainable peace. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Denmark for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of New Zealand.

New Zealand: I would like to thank Switzerland for convening today’s important debate, and the briefers and Secretary-General for their unwavering commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. President, we align ourselves with the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security Statement delivered earlier by Canada. We support the call to protect and promote the human rights of women and girls in all aspects of peace and security. It is disappointing, but perhaps not surprising, that there is a widening gap between recognition of the importance of women’s participation in protection and peace efforts and the reality on the ground. This is especially disappointing given the number and scale of crises confronting the world in places such as Gaza, Lebanon and Israel, and in Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar to mention but a few. Now is not the time to shy away from supporting the participation of women and girls in quest for peace, despite the more challenging security landscape and the negative global trends threatening women’s rights more than ever before. The evidence is clear. Women’s participation in peace and security efforts is vital. Clearly, more needs to be done to improve the implementation of policies and processes that address the situation. For our part, New Zealand continues and remains committed to all UN-supported processes. that require and ensure women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership at all stages and all levels of UN-led processes. This must be maintained to ensure that representation translates into meaningful participation. New Zealand continues to implement the removal of barriers to women’s participation in leadership in security sector institutions. For example, for the first time, New Zealand has a female Minister of Defence and the first woman appointed as Chief of Army. Despite these success stories, New Zealand still has work to do to ensure that women at all levels are treated fairly, respectfully, and allowed to fulfil their potential in the careers of their choice. Gender bias still exists, and New Zealand is not immune from gender-based violence within our communities. We must be particularly vigilant to all forms of gender discrimination and bias. In closing, New Zealand is resolute in insisting on the meaningful inclusion of the voices of women and girls in UN peace processes. The UN Secretary-General has reiterated his commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and New Zealand remains a steadfast supporter of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Security Council’s work to fully implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Thank you, President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of New Zealand for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica: Madam President, this year’s annual debate offers us an opportunity to reflect on the resolution’s ongoing relevance, recognising the implementation challenges that we still face by assessing both the progress achieved and, as well, the gaps that remain. In this regard, allow me to make three points. Firstly, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, though originally developed to apply to conflict and post-conflict settings, its foundational principles are relevant in times of peace as well. Costa Rica has always advocated for a broader approach, emphasising the need to recognise women’s agency and incorporate their perspectives across the peace spectrum, including in post-conflict situations. Also, too often women’s voices are sidelined in security discussions. For example, in multilateral disarmament negotiations or on non-proliferation and arms control, where women on average still represent only one-third of participants. So Member States must take deliberate and decisive action in order to dismantle these barriers, in order to ensure women’s full, meaningful participation in discussions that directly concern them. More inclusive discussions will also result in more effective solutions. Secondly, none of the Women, Peace and Security Resolutions adequately address digital matters, including issues such as cyberspace and related technologies and their implications for the implementation of the WPS Agenda. The online environment has disproportionately exposed women to violence and abuse, from politicians and human rights defenders to everyday users. Women face harassment and threats online, which can escalate into physical attacks. Costa Rica urges the Council to establish cyberspace and digital technologies as a theme for a forthcoming open debate. Under the item of Women, Peace and Security, we further request that the Secretary General’s annual report on WPS address cyberspace and digital technologies, including the dimensions of gender and the impacts of cyber incidents. Thirdly, violence online and offline are deeply interconnected. One fuels the other. Preventing women and girls from technology-facilitated gender-based violence must therefore become a core component of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and it should be included as a priority in national and regional action plans for the implementation of Resolution 1325. This shift will require states to rethink how they address issues that have traditionally been viewed as domestic concerns, such as the human impact of technology-enabled violence, instead of focusing solely on external security threats.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Costa Rica for her statement. I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Ms. Stella Ronner, Deputy Managing Director for Values and Multilateral Relations, European External Action Service, and Ambassador for Gender and Diversity.

European Union: Thank you, Madam President. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. The candidate countries – Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Monaco and San Marino – align themselves with this statement. I want to start by thanking the briefers, in particular Mrs. Wai Wai Nu and Mrs. Owuor, for their interventions today. This year’s report of the Secretary-General is indeed a sobering read. The 50 percent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict-affected areas highlights the urgent need for action. The Women, Peace and Security Agenda must be consistently implemented, and the human rights of women and girls must be respected and protected. The EU finances and actively supports women’s participation and leadership for peace. We strive to increase the number of women mediators and political representatives, including within our own structures, and we support women insider mediators in several countries. We welcome the common pledge to increase women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes, as it aligns with these efforts. Women’s participation, both within and outside of formal peace agreements, is vital. Yet, we all must do more to reduce institutional barriers faced by local women’s organizations, a key step towards women’s participation in peacebuilding. Madam President, in light of next year’s anniversary, our commitments and related implementation efforts must surpass those made 25 years ago. We need to ensure women’s involvement in all peace processes. Equally important is their leadership in all other political efforts to address conflict, in formal as well as informal processes, whether they be at local, regional or international level. This is a core principle of the WPS agenda and cannot be compromised. Along with the UN, all of us must lead by example, ensuring women are always included in critical political processes, especially in contexts like Afghanistan, where their human rights and fundamental freedoms are severely disregarded and violated. Ensuring safe participation is critical. Creating an enabling environment requires addressing violations proactively. Safety must never be used as an excuse for exclusion. Instead, it is a call to action for stronger protective measures to allow women to take their rightful place in decision-making. This also applies when leveraging new technologies to enhance women’s participation, while recognizing that the root of harassment and gender-based disinformation lies not in technology, but in a broader culture of misogyny and impunity and negative social norms. Madam President, I would like to conclude by expressing the EU’s deep appreciation and respect for the tireless and immensely vital work of women leaders, civil society actors, peace builders and human rights defenders. We will continue supporting your work and call others to do so too. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank Her Excellency Ms. Ronner for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Croatia.

Croatia: Madam President, I thank the Switzerland’s Presidency for organizing this debate and the distinguished briefers for sharing their valuable insights. Croatia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, and I would also like to add some remarks in my national capacity. Building on the newly adopted Pact for the Future, today’s debate is an opportunity to identify the most important commitments we could act on now to accelerate the advancement of women, peace and security agenda. Current global proliferation of insecurity, along with existing inequalities and discriminatory social norms, limit women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation. Women are disproportionately exposed to sexual and gender-based violence, too often facilitated by technology that has become integral part of our lives. These intersecting challenges require a comprehensive approach supported by efficient and supportive legal instruments, both at a national and international level. Strengthening accountability mechanisms to provide justice for victims should remain our priority, and we should continue to support innovative survivor-centered approaches to conflict-related sexual violence. Ensuring respect for international law, we should maintain global focus on the existing tools and instruments that prioritize women’s technical expertise and full-fledged participation in peace negotiations. As of the 25th anniversary of the Security Council Resolution 1325, Croatia’s priority is to further strengthen national framework and develop our next-generation Third National Action Plan for the period 2025 to 2029. I would also like to underline the important role that the Peacebuilding Commission can have in supporting fragile states as they transition towards peace, including through the support of civil society and women’s organizations at the local level. That being said, we invite all member states to support financing of the PBF and its dedicated initiatives for gender equality and the empowerment of women. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Croatia for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria: Thank you, Madam President. Bulgaria aligns itself with the statements made on behalf of the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, and I would like to add a few points in my national capacity. First, I would like to thank Switzerland for convening this debate and the briefers for their insightful remarks this morning. We reaffirm our commitment to the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. As the 2024 report of the Secretary General highlights, we are witnessing a deeply concerning progression in the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Framework. In 2023 alone, over 170 armed conflicts were recorded, placing 612 million women and girls at risk and leaving them vulnerable to violence, poverty, and insecurity. The proportion of women killed in armed conflicts has doubled, and the conflict-related sexual violence has surged by 50 percent. Bulgaria remains troubled by the under-representation of women in peace processes. Evidence consistently shows that peace agreements with women signatories are more likely to be implemented and to last longer. Yet, only 26% of peace agreements in 2023 included references to women and gender issues, setting an alarming trend. We must reverse this and ensure that women, especially from conflict-affected areas, are equal decision-makers at the negotiation table, not merely observers. Moreover, we recognize the dual-edged nature of the new technologies. While they hold potential to amplify women’s voices, they are also being weaponized to target and silence women leaders and activists. My country, Bulgaria, calls for stronger safeguards to protect women from online harassment and disinformation campaigns which threaten their participation in public and political life. To bridge the gap between commitments and action, we must ensure that peace negotiations include women and youth peace-builders from the very start. It is also vital to invest in women’s leadership and ensure sustained, flexible, and predictable funding for women-led peace initiatives. Currently, funding for women’s organizations in conflict-affected settings remains alarmingly low. representing just 0.3% of bilateral aid. This must change if we are serious about sustaining peace. In preparation for the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, Bulgaria has committed to strengthen and expand our national action plan on women, peace, and security beyond 2025 and ensuring that it is inclusive, well-funded, and aligned with international best practices. To sustain our women, peace, and security priorities beyond this anniversary, we will further institutionalize our agenda through long-term partnerships with civil society and by embedding women, peace, and security in our defense, foreign policy, and in our development strategies. Bulgaria stands ready to contribute to collective efforts aimed at strengthening the women, peace, and security agenda and fully realizing the spirit of Resolutions 1325 and 2250, as well as the newly achieved consensus around the Pact for the Future. We call on member states to renew their political will and take concrete steps to reverse the negative trends outlined in the Secretary-General’s report. In closing, I would like to restate Bulgaria’s conviction that the future of peace depends on the empowerment, protection, and cooperation of all. Thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Bulgaria for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates: I congratulate Switzerland on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month and thank President Amherd for presiding over this important meeting. I am grateful to Secretary General Guterres for his report and Deputy Secretary General Mohamed for her presentation. I also thank Executive Director Bahous for her briefing and commend her continued leadership in the empowerment and protection of women and girls around the world. And we listened carefully to this morning’s briefers. Madam President, women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of war, from conflict-related sexual violence and increased vulnerability and forced displacement, to heightened risks of food and water insecurity and economic hardship. This is more than a fact. It is a sobering reminder of the gendered impact of war. Yet time and again, these same women and girls play an essential role in conflict resolution and post-conflict settings as agents of change and enablers of peace. We must all fully commit to leveraging the unique roles and perspectives women bring as peacebuilders in an ever-evolving environment. In order to achieve this, the United Arab Emirates would like to offer three recommendations. First, the Security Council must take greater initiative to increase its engagement with women and girls in conflict contexts. For instance, Council field visits with a gender lens can be a powerful tool to do so. Last year, the UAE and Switzerland, as co-chairs of the informal Experts Group on Women, Peace and Security, organized a trip to South Sudan to understand the recommendations and needs of women and girls in the region and better inform this Council’s work. Trips like these represent an important avenue for direct engagement between the multilateral system and women on the ground. Second, we must ensure women’s safe participation in peace processes, both offline and online. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, offer a powerful tool for inclusive peace building. For example, it can facilitate engagement with women and girls in even the most remote locations. To support this, we must ensure that women and girls are protected, safe, and secure from the threats of online intolerance, misinformation, hate speech, and gender discrimination. An inclusive digital space where women and girls are able to fully participate and utilize the opportunities provided by emerging technologies will be of benefit to us all. Third, if we are to durably resolve conflicts, we must commit to supporting women’s participation at the negotiating table. This requires their inclusion in mediation efforts, humanitarian action, and the protection of civilians. The international community must leverage its influence to drive and develop gender-responsive initiatives that integrate and promote the perspectives and needs of women and girls in conflict. This is why the UAE is leading an initiative to amplify Sudanese women’s perspectives in the ALPS format and ensure all its tracks are gender-responsive. Madam President, each and every day, the catastrophic war on Gaza claims the lives of many women and girls. We are losing a generation of peacemakers. We need an immediate and permanent ceasefire to extinguish the flames of this conflict which has already engulfed Lebanon and risks a further conflagration. We need a political horizon to navigate towards. Any effort at achieving the two-state solution must include the participation of Palestinian and Israeli women. Madam President, with the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 ahead of us, a course of inaction is untenable. It is time we engage women as the agents of peace that they are. For an investment in the full, equal, and meaningful participation and inclusion of women and girls is an investment in our collective security, stability, and resilience. Thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of the United Arab Emirates for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

South Africa: Madam President, we extend our appreciation to Switzerland for continuing the legacy of hosting a high-level annual open debate on women, peace, and security. This open debate has not only amplified the WPS agenda, but crucially, it also allows for continuous monitoring and evaluation of its implementation. Of note is the recognition by the Secretary General in his recent report that insufficient progress has been made on the WPS agenda in the past year. This is unfortunate, and it calls for us to recommit to accelerating the implementation of the WPS agenda, particularly on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325. In this regard, South Africa would like to highlight four pertinent issues. Firstly, we note that political will is the essential requirement of the WPS. for us to ensure a level field for both women and men in peace processes. We must build collective solidarity, inclusive of women and men, expressed both in deeds and words. Manifestation of this unity is vital for the attainment of women empowerment and gender equality in general. Secondly, as recognized in the Secretary General’s report, one of the impediments to the implementation of the WPS agenda is lack of financial resources. We need to adequately invest in peace and security activities in order for us to address the apparent regrets in the implementation of the WPS agenda. Given the current global environment, where a plethora of demands are competing for dwindling resources, we need to be innovative in mobilizing funding for the WPS agenda at national, regional and international levels. There’s an urgent need to explore alternative resources of funding other than government-led financing. We have recognized that without inclusive peace processes, peace is much more difficult to attain. Let us support this recognition of the resources it requires. Thirdly, South Africa has always stressed the need for a focus on conflict prevention. Consequently, we support a greater role of women in peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts. South Africa will thus continue to advocate for more support of the WPS agenda in peacebuilding, and that appropriate financing and funding continues to support women-led peacebuilding organizations and gender-responsive projects. Fourthly, South Africa reiterates its support for strategic interventions, such as the use of quotas. targets, and benchmarks to advance the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace processes. To this end, we would like to welcome the Secretary-General’s Common Pledge to increase women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes that was launched today. We align ourselves with the vision espoused in this pledge that seeks to advance a greater number of women to lead and participate in mediation processes. It also complements the efforts of South Africa on building the capacity of women mediators. Our annual mediation and negotiation training courses for local and African women, and the launch of the Gertrude Chopin National Women Mediators Network earlier this year, are a testament of South Africa’s contribution to us creating equal opportunities for women in mediation processes. As I conclude, Madam President, we encourage all stakeholders to continue working together to drive this agenda forward in support of the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace processes in all aspects of society. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of South Africa for her statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Poland.

Poland: Thank you, Madam President. Poland aligns itself with the statements of the European Union and Canada. On behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace, and Security, I would like to start by thanking Switzerland for convening this debate, and by saying that we would appreciate if all international organizations were able to take part, those who requested it. As a vice president of the Bureau of the UN Women Executive Board, I am disappointed that despite the international community’s repeated pledges to ensure women’s participation in peace processes, The Secretary General’s recent report warns that progress made over decades is vanishing before our eyes. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the UNSCR 1325, Poland believes that the call to accelerate the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is no longer enough. The inclusion of women in peace processes must no longer be debated. It must be enforced. Our policy decisions have to be driven by recommendations put forward by women, civil society organizations, including women peacebuilders, mediator networks, and young women leaders working on the ground. From the briefers today, we have heard the call to increase support for the broader and safer participation of women who work to prevent conflict, respond to crises, and build peace in their communities. That’s why Poland, for the first time this year, has proudly contributed to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund. As a current member of the Peacebuilding Commission, Poland is firm in its belief lasting peace and security requires full, equal, and meaningful participation of women at every stage of peace processes and at all levels. Inclusivity is not an aspiration. It is the foundation of resilient societies and a peaceful future. Madam President, the impact of conflict on civilians, including women and girls, is devastating and cannot be overlooked. The appalling surge in new and verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence highlights the urgent need for action. In this critical context, Poland fully supports Special Representative Pramila Patten and commends her leadership in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence as we mark the 15th anniversary of her mandate. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. who continue to endure the consequences of Russia’s illegal and unjustified aggression. We are outraged by the sexual violence perpetrated by Russian forces, as documented by the UN. These crimes are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader pattern of violence targeting civilians, in this context particularly women and girls, in a deliberate effort to break the social fabric of Ukraine. The psychological and physical toll on these women is immeasurable, yet their resilience is undeniable. As the Executive Director of UN Women highlighted in her briefing earlier today, despite the trauma, many of them continue to lead their communities, organize humanitarian efforts, and engage in peacebuilding, all while facing ongoing violence. Their courage reflects the unyielding spirit of the Ukrainian people. But their bravery alone is not enough. The international community has a duty to ensure that Ukrainian women and girls not only survive this war, but are empowered to lead the rebuilding of their country. The perspectives must guide the recovery process, ensuring it is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all Ukrainians. In my last point, Madam President, I would like to reiterate that we cannot stand idly by, as the women and girls of Afghanistan are systematically stripped of their fundamental rights. They have been ruthlessly denied access to education, employment, and public life, enduring some of the most severe and oppressive restrictions in the world. Their situation today stands in stark contrast to the previous two decades when NATO-led international stabilization presence fostered conducive environment for women’s rights to be exercised. International community today must ensure that the women and girls of Afghanistan are not forgotten, and their voices continue to be heard and acted upon, no matter how hard those in power try to silence them. The defense of women’s and girls’ rights is a collective responsibility, and we all must act with urgency. Poland is ready to do its part. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Poland for his statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Egypt: Thank you, Madam President. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 1325, which inaugurated the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, we are confronting a dilemma in the context of crises and conflicts which are going from bad to worse. We’re also seeing a rollback of efforts aimed at the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes. Women are bearing the brunt of this situation. They’re the hardest hit by conflicts. They’re being subjected to violations and multifaceted violence, specifically sexual violence. They’re being deported, displaced, including forcibly so. This has a knock-on effect on their livelihoods, not to mention the psychological suffering they undergo owing to the fact that they’ve lost loved ones. Conflicts have gotten worse over the last year and have become more intense and more violent. This undermines all international and regional efforts geared towards implementing the WPS agenda. We need look no further than the barbarous acts Israel has been perpetrating in the Gaza Strip for over a year now. Over 39,000 have perished, including women, children and older persons. The Israeli aggression is underway in Lebanon, in the south of Lebanon, and this includes attacks on civilians, civilians which are being targeted in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. This is being done unabashedly and with impunity. Madam President, the situation in Sudan is no better. The armed conflict is ongoing. In fact, it has been raging for over a year without any real prospects of a peaceful settlement. Women and girls are being subjected to multifaceted violence. They’re being displaced. There is no safe space for them. International reports bear witness to crimes being perpetrated by militias in a barbarous way. Madam President, we welcome the participation of women as a key component of peace-building efforts. Women must participate in conflict prevention as well as in peacekeeping operations. And this is our vision, the vision we were guided by when we crafted our first national action plan, which we will be launching officially in the very near future. This national action plan was subject to consultations with myriad stakeholders, including civil society organisations. The priorities enshrined in this action plan are the following. Strengthening the effective participation of women as agents of change, incorporating the gender dimension in peacekeeping operations and post-conflict recovery efforts as well. We’d like to emphasise the importance of adopting a zero-tolerance policy to sexual exploitation and abuse in all peacekeeping operations. It’s necessary that we guarantee a safe and open space for women so that we can guarantee their participation in public life. which will help strengthen and consolidate societal cohesion, thereby achieving lasting peace. By way of conclusion, we’d like to commend and support the SDG’s initiative that is strengthening our commitment to implementing the WPS agenda at the international and regional levels, thereby meeting our common commitments to introduce lasting peace, achieve the SDG’s respect, and promote human rights. We’d like to thank Switzerland for convening this debate. And thank you to all participants.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Egypt for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Burundi.

Burundi: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, Burundi would like to applaud Switzerland’s excellent leadership as president of the Security Council in October of this year. Burundi believes that women’s participation and role in peacebuilding is of utmost importance, especially right now when there are over 120 conflicts raging all over the world. Burundi, a member of the international community, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 was a turning point as it recognized women’s essential role in building peace and security. Thus, Burundi would like to welcome Resolution 1325. We’d like to reaffirm our commitment to the fact that women, who are often the first to be affected by conflicts, be agents of change for peace at the United Nations level and at the national level as well. Our commitment has been made concrete as 15,000 Burundian women are involved in peace efforts. In fact, our Office of the Ombudsman for Peace is led by a woman. Women all over the country, across all areas, are building momentum for peace. They’re absolutely vital for the prevention and settlement of disputes, facilitating community-based dialogues and supporting women’s socioeconomic recovery. Many women are represented in various councils throughout our country. They also play a primordial role in strengthening social cohesion. By seeking to link peace and development, Burundi has also created a women’s investment compact providing loans to low-income households so as to improve their economic prospects. This is part and parcel of our vision for empowering women and our vision for women’s central role in sustainable development. Burundi’s commitment to making women agents of peace can also be seen in the measures we’ve taken to ensure their participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Drawing on our experience in peace operations in Haiti and CAR and elsewhere, we are setting up women-based units, for instance 100% women-staffed police units, which are being deployed wherever there is need. Furthermore, Burundi supports women’s involvement in political processes, for instance mediation. This is not only beneficial, it’s necessary because women always bring to the table very useful vantage points contributing to peace agreements that are longer lasting. Women’s involvement in conflict prevention and mediation is multifaceted. Women build bridges between different parties, strengthening trust and also introducing innovative approaches to settling conflicts. Their capacities to address conflicts also include their work to address vulnerable groups. This is a valuable contribution. Despite this contribution, which cannot be denied, women remain underrepresented in formal mediation missions and various peace frameworks. For Burundi, Resolution 1325 must be implemented through concrete actions. The international community must address the issue of women’s underrepresentation at all levels of operations, tackling peace operations, so that we can lay the groundwork for more robust, inclusive peace and a fair and a peaceful future for all. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: President, I thank the representative of Burundi for his statement and now give the floor to the representative of Czechia.

Czechia: And excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Czechia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and by the statement of a group of friends on women, peace and security. I would like to thank Switzerland for organizing today’s important open debate and to the briefers for their very valuable presentations. The Secretary General’s report presents alarming insights. It underscores the ongoing global backlash against women’s rights, a dramatic increase in the number of women killed in armed conflicts and cases of conflict-related sexual violence. Women participation in peace negotiations, mediation and conflict resolution remains low. Therefore, the implementation of the WPS agenda principles must remain our priority. Addressing and protecting women’s and girls’ human rights and gender equality is fundamental to achieving peace and stability. We call on all member states to take action to stop the recent pushback against the hard-won progress on women’s and girls’ human rights and to take all necessary steps to protect and uphold them, including in conflict and post-conflict settings. We must redouble our efforts to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, both online and offline, and to bring perpetrators to justice. To do this effectively, we must partner with civil society and support human rights defenders, as well as women peacebuilders, and to ensure a safe environment for their work. In the Pact for the Future, Member States highlighted the need to accelerate the delivery on the commitments on the WPSR Agenda. Next year’s 25th anniversary of the Resolution 1325 will be a unique opportunity to move the Agenda forward and address challenges in its implementation, including the need of adequate resourcing of its four pillars. Achieving gender equality remains a key priority of the Czech foreign policy. We have been consistently implementing our WPSR National Action Plan since 2017, with Czech women being a crucial driving force and indispensable source of knowledge. We currently prepare the third edition of the NAP in collaboration with civil society and academia, and our aim is to strengthen the domestic dimension of gender security-related aspects, including the consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine on women and girls, many of whom have found shelter in Czechia. We also discuss the need to adequately reflect the current emerging challenges and strengthen resilience. We all face new security threats, among other climate change, health crisis, cyber security. These challenges often disproportionately affect women and girls and deepen gender inequalities. Therefore, we must include their voices in addressing these issues to achieve security and stability. To conclude, Czechia will continue to work on promoting women’s leadership. and participation in security decision-making at national and international level, including in preventing conflicts and building sustainable peace. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Czechia for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Belgium.

Belgium: Thank you, Madam President. Belgium aligns with the declaration of the European Union, as well as that of the Group of Friends for Women, Peace and Security. And I will concentrate principally on three points in my national capacity. A backdrop of record levels of armed conflict, rising authoritarianism, and a worldwide pushback against the human rights of women and girls in all their diversity, the WPS agenda is, almost 25 years after its adoption, more relevant than ever. So let me focus on three points. First, despite repeated commitments, we are witnessing a stagnation, if not a regression, regarding the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace and security. Belgium welcomes the concrete recommendations of the Women Mediator Networks retreat. Indeed, women’s equal and meaningful participation requires targeted efforts, even before peace processes are needed, such as gendered conflict analysis, gender mainstreaming at every stage of the process, and support to women leaders, women peace builders, and women human rights defenders. Secondly, let us take a moment to recognize, in this regard, how women in Israel and Palestine, often the first victims, have been contributing to the peace process in the Middle East in the past, and stress the importance of ensuring their full, equal and meaningful participation in any de-escalation, ceasefire, or other efforts to negotiate peace in the Middle East. Thirdly, in the same vein, women’s full and equal, equal and meaningful participation in post-conflict reconstruction calls for targeted efforts even before a solution to conflicts and crisis is reached. This requires a focus not only on physical, but also on social reconstruction. Think about the need for safe spaces in a context of rising gender-based and domestic violence or other relevant questions. Who is taking the brunt of care work? Are all occupations open to women? Post-conflict transition periods offer critical windows of opportunity to eliminate historical disadvantages experienced by women. By mainstreaming gender throughout post-conflict reconstruction, either in governance and political systems, economic recovery, environmental sustainability, and justice, and the rule of law. Of course, these windows of opportunities do not just appear. They require careful preparation, strong political will, and yet again, support to women leaders, grassroots organizations, and women human rights defenders. In conclusion, Madam President, as we face ongoing crises in Ukraine, Haiti, Yemen, and the DRC, amongst others, let us not only focus on today, but look ahead and prepare for strengthened gender equality in transition periods. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Belgium for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Latvia: Thank you. Madam President, let me express our appreciation to Switzerland for convening this debate on women, peace, and security. I also thank briefers for their insightful contributions. Latvia aligns itself with the statements delivered by the European Union and by Canada, who spoke on behalf of the group of friends. of WPS. I thank the Secretary General for his comprehensive and sobering report, which highlights the undeniable truth that we have not yet succeeded in our efforts. Therefore, it is vital that we gather today to reaffirm the significance of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Latvia remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles enshrined in this agenda and considers it as a top priority as a candidate country for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the term 2026-2027. We advocate for a gender-responsive approach to global peace efforts, emphasizing the meaningful participation of women at all levels, especially in the high-level decision-making processes. Madam President, given Latvia’s field experience, we would like to focus on the impact of digital technology on implementation of the WPS Agenda. Digital communication tools have become a crucial enabler of inclusivity in mediation, empowering women peacebuilders to share their narratives and engage in decision-making. However, as technology advances, so do the dangers of gender-based disinformation, leading to unpredictable and far-reaching consequences. This troubling trend is worsened by the perilous synergy between gender-based disinformation and various forms of violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, which is often used as a weapon of war. Disinformation campaigns frequently aim to discredit survivors, downplay atrocities, or justify acts of violence. In response to these challenges, Latvia prioritizes women’s empowerment in its development cooperation by focusing on digital literacy, leveraging its established experience in promoting information integrity and media literacy. Furthermore, Latvia fully supports the persecution of gender-based crimes, including gender persecution at the International Criminal Court and calls for accountability for violence of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. We must adopt a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging governments, civil society, the private sector and international organizations to build resilience to the threat of disinformation and its consequences. Madam President, to conclude, as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Resolution 1325, next year presents a unique opportunity to renew our commitment and accelerate the full implementation of this landmark commitment. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Latvia for his statement and I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Pakistan: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, let me congratulate Ambassador Bressfield and the Swiss delegation on a very successful presidency of the Council and for convening this annual open debate on women, peace and security. We also thank the Secretary General and other briefers for their valuable insights. Next year, Madam President, will mark 25 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325. It is thus an opportune moment to reflect on our achievements. shortcomings and to consider the future course of action. Security Council Resolution 1325 marked a watershed. It placed women’s issues at the center of the global conflict prevention debate and for the first time recognized that women are not just victims of war but also active agents of peace and stability. The impacts of the efforts that have been made under the WPS agenda are visible. A growing number of member states have subscribed to this agenda and adopted its four-pillar policy. Violence against women in conflict situations has been contained in several conflict zones. The number of women serving as special representatives and special envoys has increased. The participation of women peacekeepers has improved. The involvement of female civil society representatives in peace building has enlarged. Pakistan remains strongly committed to advancing the gender perspective in all United Nations actions especially those relating to UN peace operations. We were the first country to endorse the Secretary General’s Declaration of Shared Commitments which identified women, peace and security as a central priority to strengthen UN peacekeeping. Our political commitment was matched with practical steps in the field. For example, we dispatched in 2019 our first all-female community engagement team to Africa which undertook several successful initiatives including vocational training for local students, teachers and women. An increasing number of Pakistani women peacekeepers in recent years have served as doctors, nurses and police officers. Our policewoman Shehzadi Gulfam was the first-ever recipient of the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award in 2011. Pakistan’s highly trained and professional UN peacekeepers, including female peacekeepers, continue to set the highest standards in fulfilling peacekeeping mandates and protecting all vulnerable segments of the population, including women, from violence in some of the most dangerous and complex conflict situations. Madam President, while considerable progress has been made, especially on the normative front, in promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda, the world continues to remain a very dangerous place for women and girls, who often find themselves caught in the vortex of unending wars and violence, where they are extremely vulnerable to sexual violence. Madam President, the most egregious violations against women and girls occur in situations of foreign occupation, since a principal objective of foreign occupation is the subjugation of the occupied population, among which women and girls are the most vulnerable. This is the case in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Since 1990, over 100,000 Kashmiri men, women and children have been killed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. There is documented evidence that Indian occupation forces have targeted Kashmiri women. Besides intimidation and oppression, Indian forces have used rape as a weapon of war to inflict punishment and humiliation on the entire community. The most prominent among the incidents was the widely reported rape of 25 Kashmiri women. in the twin Kashmiri villages of Konan and Poshpora in 1991. This is documented in the 2018 and 2019 reports of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the international media and by human rights organizations. Madam President, the anguish of the Kashmiri women is further compounded when their family members, including children, are abducted in midnight raids, illegally detained and tortured by occupying forces, when unremitting restrictions on movement and communication condemns Kashmiri women to helplessly witnessing the suffering of their children. Madam President, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda must accord salience and priority to ending the suffering of women under foreign occupation, whether these are in Kashmir or whether these are in Gaza and the West Bank or in the entire Palestine, which is being subjected to a genocidal war. The Security Council must live up to its responsibilities and address the dire and unacceptable situation of women and girls under foreign occupation. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: Madam President. I thank the representative of Pakistan for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of El Salvador.

El Salvador: Thank you very much, Madam President El Salvador. Thanks you for convening this timely annual debate on women, peace and security. And we thank the various speakers for their participation. My delegation endorses the statement by Canada on behalf of the group of friends of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. And we’d like to add the following points in our national capacity. We would highlight that the complete version will be sent to e-statements. Peace building is a pressing priority in a world where armed conflicts not only persist, but unfortunately they are multiplying, and that’s why we commend the organization of this debate in which we have participated actively in recent years. For my country, this forum gives us a valuable opportunity for member states to really renew our commitment to Resolution 1325 and the subsequent resolutions, which have been a milestone in the meaningful participation of women at all stages of peace processes. The evidence is overwhelming. Peace agreements that include women are more solid and lasting. Today, more than ever before, the world needs peace processes where women are protagonists, not just spectators. We also feel that the agenda is across the board, and it needs to be looked at here, not just in the Security Council, but also in the committees and the subsidiary organs of the General Assembly, particularly those relating to disarmament, nonproliferation, arms control, and peace building and peacekeeping. And in this regard, we welcome the principles outlined in the Pact for the Future, particularly Action 19, which stresses the need to speed up the implementation of this agenda. Madam President, although we have made significant progress, the barriers standing in the way of the active and meaningful participation of women persist. That is why it is important that we continue to search for innovative ways to promote their inclusion in the digital sphere, for example, ensuring that those spaces, however, are accessible and safe for everyone. Also, we would stress that it is crucial to include this agenda when peace operations are deployed. I’m happy to tell you that my country is the greatest contributor from our region to police forces, and we have achieved gender parity in observers in special political missions. Prevention, Madam President, of conflicts requires us looking at the underlying causes, taking into account the various forms of inequality and structural discrimination that exist. The United Nations and all member states must comprehensively address exclusion and address the economic empowerment of women with a lifecycle approach that includes women, including older women who very often are left behind. And we must also invest in education, particularly education of girls that face greater disadvantages in various countries in the world. Madam President, nationally, my country is implementing our National Women, Peace and Security Action Plan 2022-2024, and we’re working on preparing our third plan. We’ve also launched a course on this important agenda that has the aim to strengthen capacity and knowledge on the part of participants in that course. The course will be focused primarily on those implementing the resolution, but we plan to extend the course later. Other relevant developments are those that are implemented with the help of the Peace Building Fund, and here we’d like to stress the importance of funding the Peace Building Fund in efforts to implement this agenda. In conclusion, we renew our commitment to make progress in implementing this agenda, and that’s why my country will be present at the conference on this matter that will be held next week in the Philippines, a country where we recognize their commitment to this important agenda. Thank you very much, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of El Salvador for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Brazil: Thank you, Madam President, Madam President, distinguished colleagues. Britsland would like to applaud Switzerland for the topic of this year’s open debate on peace and security and the briefers for their edifying briefings. Traditionally, women have played a vital role in conflict prevention as well as mediation. We must step up our efforts to support their work and ensure that no peace talks take place without the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women. Achieving gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in peace and security requires us to challenge deeply ingrained gender norms and stereotypes. They perpetuate women’s exclusion and marginalization. We must all work together to promote positive cultural and social change supportive of women’s rights and women’s participation in these fields. As chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, I invite you all to take into consideration the written advice submitted to the Council by the PBC in preparation for today’s meeting. In addition to highlighting women’s expertise on various aspects of peacebuilding, not only on gender issues, the PBC also encourages members to adopt targets for women’s inclusion. As the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 approaches, Brazil would like to echo UN Women’s call for members to mainstream language on women, peace and security throughout their various resolutions. Last year, when Brazil had the honour of chairing the open debate on WPS, We called into question the narrative according to which this agenda belongs to just a few countries. As a matter of fact, the Global South, including Brazil, pioneered the integration of gender equality, a principle of the UN Charter, into the work of the Security Council. And we shouldn’t forget that the plight of women in many conflict zones at the moment is ongoing. In particular, Brazil would like to draw your attention to the risks faced by Palestinian women and girls in light of bills currently being discussed in the Knesset, bills which could render UNRWA incapable of fulfilling its mandate and could cause even greater suffering for the Palestinian people. Madam President, Brazil believes in the power of dialogue. We therefore commend the Secretary General’s common pledge to increase women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes. I stand proud to announce that Brazil fully adheres to this timely initiative, as the world today needs peace more than ever. We’re mindful that, in Bertha Lutz’s words, and she is the Brazilian delegate to the San Francisco Conference, we will not be able to achieve peace without women’s help. As a strong supporter of mediation and a member of the Ibero-American and the South Cone networks of women mediators, Brazil stands ready to collaborate with DPPA and other partners in making good on the pledge launched today so that we can make a decisive contribution to mediation worldwide.

President – Switzerland: President, I thank the representative of Brazil for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Kingdom of the Netherlands: President, I would like to thank Switzerland for organizing today’s event on UN Day, and also thank the civil society briefers for their indispensable work and enormous courage. The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the statements of the EU and a group of friends of women, peace, and security. Madam President, in a world in flames, women are the key to peace. Women like Zainab, a local mediator in Iraq, who uses religious teachings and cases in Islamic history to resolve tribal disputes. In Nigeria, women active in peace management networks have managed to reduce violence between farmers and shepherds, and among ethnic and religious groups. In the Syrian political process, the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board to the UN Special Envoy plays a pivotal role. Women leaders participating in different tracks work together, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable peace. These are empowering examples of millions of women around the world making a difference, yet their efforts to build and sustain peace are rarely truly valued. Spaces, structures, and norms dominated by men create both visible and invisible walls for women’s participation. My country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is determined to help make peace processes more inclusive, viable, and sustainable. I’d like to highlight three areas for action. Firstly, peacebuilding takes on many shapes and forms. We must recognize, value, and support the efforts and voices of women in all their diversity. We must appreciate their different roles, whether it’s through formal structures in political processes or through informal pathways. We all must ensure that the crucial role of local women-led and feminist organizations in advancing the WPS agenda is recognized, valued, and amplified. Secondly, Women not only have the right to participate, peacebuilding and peacemaking depend on women’s leadership and participation. We need to have the preconditions in place that enable women full, equal and meaningful participation. This will lead to more stability, less violence, more prosperity. In this light, access to both mental health and psychosocial support and sexual and reproductive health and rights are key. Lastly, peace can never thrive in a context where women and girls, men and boys and members of the LGBTIQ plus community remain subject to violence. All of us must work to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, including in conflict. Our efforts include improving access to justice and accountability, imposing sanctions and combating harmful gender norms with survivors’ needs, perspectives and wishes at the very centre. Madam President, in closing, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is strongly committed to implementing Resolution 1325, illustrated by our feminist foreign policy and national action plan. Because we simply cannot afford to exclude women, to throw away the key to peace, let’s all of us together make next year’s 25th anniversary a milestone that we can all be proud of. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Australia.

Australia: of global conflict since the Second World War. Even in our own region, in Myanmar, women, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations are under attack. Since the military takeover, more than 5,000 women have been arrested and hundreds of women, human rights defenders, have been forced to flee. First, let me take this opportunity to thank Switzerland for its leadership on this issue during its Security Council presidency. Building and sustaining peace has never been more important, and implementing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda is at the heart of our success. Studies have shown again and again that the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women at all stages of the peace process makes peace more likely and more durable. And yet, implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda continues to lag. We continue to see increasing pushback against the human rights of women and girls and gender equality. And this flies in the face of the foundational principles that bring our global community together. Australia is committed to four key areas designed to accelerate the WPS Agenda. First, Australia is championing accountability for gender-based crimes. Last month, Australia, with Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, invoked Afghanistan’s responsibility under international law for violations of the rights of women and girls. By doing so, we sent a clear message that we will not accept a world where women and girls are erased from society. Second, Australia is supporting women-led initiatives to resolve disputes and protect women peace builders. In Southeast Asia and the Pacific, these networks are increasing women’s participation, leading to stronger conflict resolution outcomes. And in recognition of this, Australia has committed some $2 million American dollars to establish the Pacific Women Mediator Network. Harnessing the local knowledge and power of affected communities, this initiative has helped Pacific countries respond to the mounting challenges posed by climate change. Third, we believe that now is the time to accelerate efforts for more women to deploy and lead UN peacekeeping operations, bringing them to the front lines of building durable peace. While women’s participation in peacekeeping is moving in the right direction, women still make up only 8% of blue helmets overall. Our support for the ELSI initiative fund has been a key catalyst for this change. Gender parity in peacekeeping is possible, but only if we hold ourselves accountable. Fourth, we are supporting the efforts of our global partners to implement gender-responsive peace and security actions. I’m pleased that Australia has recently agreed to associate with the 2024 NATO policy on women, peace and security. This association is a clear signal of Australia’s support for NATO’s ongoing commitment to advancing the women, peace and security agenda. In conclusion, through our engagement with partners, whether organisations like NATO, our Indo-Pacific and global partners, or with women-led civil society, Australia continues to progress our own national action plan to advance the women, peace and security agenda. In closing, Australia adds its voice to calls to move from rhetoric to action. The women, peace and security agenda will not implement itself. Women peacebuilders, human rights defenders, survivors and community leaders are the largest and most reliable constituency for peace. We can no longer fail to offer them our fullest support. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Australia for his statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Ireland.

Ireland: of the Women’s Peace Network, whose words about the realities faced by women in Myanmar, including the plight of the Rohingya people, challenges all to translate political will into concrete implementation. Madam President, this year’s open debate takes place within the context of record levels of armed conflict and the acute realities of climate change. We are witnessing escalating global backlash against gender equality and the rights of women and girls as crucial financing for women’s organizations decreases. Ireland remains steadfast in our support for local civil society organizations, the backbone of conflict prevention and peace building efforts. Women, in all their diversity, are being excluded from decision making and peace making. Those whose lives are most adversely affected by armed conflict are also those whose voices are most marginalized. In the Middle East, the gravity and magnitude of the conflict is steadily worsening. In Gaza, more women and children have been killed than in any conflict in the past two decades. An estimated 52,000 pregnant women are expected to give birth with little access to care as hospitals and clinics have been destroyed. How can we speak of equal participation in decision making when women’s fundamental rights, including sexual and reproductive health rights, are so blatantly undermined? Humanitarian access is urgent, and women’s needs must be at the center of our response. We reiterate our steadfast support to UNRWA in this regard. In Sudan, DRC, and Haiti, women and girls are facing unimaginable horrors on a daily basis with unprecedented levels of conflict related sexual violence. We must ensure that perpetrators, including those who fail to prevent the weaponization of sexual violence, are held accountable through rights-based and survivor-centered means. In Afghanistan, the Taliban are systematically stripping women and girls of their fundamental rights and erasing them from all facets of public life. We, as the international community, have a responsibility to adopt all tools available to reverse this and to ensure that their voices are included in decision-making in the future of their country. Madam President, The debate today is focused on implementing the WPS agenda in a changing and ever more complex environment. As we look towards the 25th anniversary, we must also adapt our strategies for women’s participation tailored to specific types of peace processes if we are to effectively implement the goals of the WPS agenda. We offer three suggestions. We must continue to press for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace-building efforts at all levels, from informal processes to ceasefire agreements to comprehensive peace negotiations. Excluding Colombia, only 1.5% of peace agreements signed in 2023 included a woman’s signatory. Yet we know that women’s participation is fundamental for an inclusive and sustainable peace. We therefore call on the UN and all Member States to lead by example and to demand women’s direct participation in peace processes. Secondly, we must do better to ensure safe participation. Too often, women face reprisals and intimidation, excluding them from key fora and damaging our collective efforts towards peace. This is absolutely unacceptable. Equally, we know that hearing first-hand from women peace-builders is vital. Protection concerns cannot be used as grounds to compromise on participation, including at this Council. We must develop concrete measures to address reprisals, both online and offline. Prevention of conflict-related sexual violence and accountability for such violence must be prioritised. As we mark the 15th anniversary of the mandate of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence and Conflict, we commend the vital work carried out by her office, as well as UN Gender Advisors and Women Protection Advisors across the system. We call for continued support and expertise to ensure effectiveness across the UN system in addressing CRSV. The international community must invest in accountability measures which are essential to end impunity. Madam President, women can and do play a central role in advancing conflict prevention, breaking the conflict cycle and working towards sustainable peace at many levels. The unwavering efforts of women, particularly young women, demonstrate this. They do not have the privilege of waiting for the right moment to act, but rather must seize every opportunity to promote peace. We can learn from their resolve. By ensuring women’s leadership and participation at all levels of mediation and negotiation, better addressing reprisals, preventing sexual and gender-based violence, and supporting local women-led civil society, we can make progress on implementing our commitments. Thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the Representative of Ireland for her statement. I now give the floor to the Representative of Austria.

Austria: Madam President, Austria aligns itself with the statements made on behalf of the EU and the Group of Friends on Women, Peace and Security. We highly appreciate Switzerland’s efforts for convening this year’s annual open debate on women, peace and security. Let me also thank the Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohamed, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, Honorable Lady Justice Effie Owuor, and Ms. Wai Wai Nu, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Peace Network, for their comprehensive presentations and insights. The latest report on WPS by the Secretary General makes for harrowing reading, continuing the negative trend of recent years of each report’s findings being worse than the last. Hard-won progress over decades is slipping through our fingers. Collectively, we need to do better and take this as a wake-up call. In line with the guiding questions for this debate, I would like to focus on three points. Firstly, on commitments. On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 25th anniversary of the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325, we need to reset our focus on the human rights of women and girls and on the international normative framework on WPS. This requires strong political will and a robust rule of law. Austria has pledged over 11 million euros in the context of the WPS humanitarian action compact and increased its multi-year funding to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund from 5 million to 9.7 million euros until 2025. Rest assured that Austria will remain strongly committed to the WPS agenda and actively contribute to the implementation of Resolution 1325 and its follow-up resolutions. Secondly, on concrete initiatives. In order to promote the full, equal, meaningful and effective participation of women in all the diversity and peace processes, they need to be supported at all levels and across various sectors. Austria is committed to empowering women at grassroots levels and supporting local women’s civil society organizations. Through our funding to UN Women, Austria funds various projects supporting local women leaders, women human rights defenders and women journalists, particularly in Ukraine and Afghanistan. Women must also be encouraged to take on leading roles in the highest political, judicial and military positions. Role models are very important in this regard. Austria remains committed to increasing the number of women politicians, judges and military personnel. including military staff sent on peacekeeping missions. A triple nexus approach ensuring cooperation between the humanitarian, development and peace sectors is also very important. The protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights and provision of sexual and reproductive health and services is also crucial as a prerequisite for women to be able to attain leadership positions. And thirdly on tools. Modern technologies provide no shortage of possibilities that can help to bring women to the negotiating table. One aspect is that data and research-based evidence about what works and what does not work is much more easily accessible and straightforward to share, bridging the gap between theory and practice. It’s also much easier for women from different regions to connect, create networks, participate in trainings and share experiences online. The flip side of new technologies, including of artificial intelligence in this regard, is that they often inherently perpetuate gender biases and can also be used for online sexual and gender-based violence and harassment. The Austrian government has recently launched two online platforms aimed specifically at supporting women. An online counseling center with legal and psychological advisory services and group seminar sessions entitled Women Advise Women and a help desk to provide girls with psychosocial support called MONA. Madam President, no one ever said that putting WPS into practice would be easy. We regularly call upon the council members in particular and all member states to remain actively seized of the matter and further the WPS agenda. If we all pull together the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace and transition processes, it is achievable. And thus, ultimately, so is inclusive and sustainable peace. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: Je remercie. I thank the representative of Austria for his statement. I now give the floor to Ms. Nasria Eladia Flitti, Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the League of Arab States, to the United Nations Organization.

League of Arab States: Thank you, Madam President. Allow me, Madam President, to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Council this month and on organizing this meeting today. We thank the briefers for their intervention under this important item. Madam President, as we hold this meeting, the tragedy that started a year ago in Gaza is ongoing. The killing, the systematic destruction, the forced displacement and genocide are ongoing. Women in Palestine were stripped of their dignity. Their rights have been violated. Palestinian women have become icons for women around the world, as they’re bearing all alone the brunt of this relentless war and their humanitarian repercussions. The oppression, the violence, the displacement, the torture. The families are living in disaster circumstances without any basic necessities for a decent life. The Security Council has adopted Resolution 2712, 2720, and 2735, and the ICJ has issued its advisory opinion, confirming the colonial and occupational nature of the Israeli presence in all occupied Palestinian territories. Nevertheless, and unfortunately, the situation remains static, unchanged, as Israel is not implementing these resolutions and is not even recognizing these resolutions. In light of this paralysis and impasse in the non-implementation of U.N. resolutions, resilient and defiant Palestinian women are still paying a very high price as a result of the continued colonization practices of the Israeli occupation and its continued attacks on. Palestinian women, their children, and their families for over 75 years. These practices have escalated as a result of international silence about Israeli crimes in Gaza. This silence emboldened Israel to continue to abuse Palestinian women and girls who are still looking to this council, are still awaiting potential solutions from this council. The silence about the destruction and the genocide is deafening. And what we feared would happen did happen. The Israeli war machine, the Israeli killing machine, the Israeli destruction and aggression started in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank and reached Syria, then Lebanon. Lebanon now too is experiencing a barbaric Israeli military escalation unparalleled in two decades. Lebanese women and girls are also paying the price of the displacement and destruction. This is a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. We cannot but address the suffering of Arab women and their children. They’re bearing a heavy burden in Sudan and Yemen, confronting the worst humanitarian crisis in the world as a result of wars, conflicts, and instability on the ground. Madam President, all these crises have prompted the League of Arab States and the Secretary General of the League to continue efforts to implement the WPS agenda and Resolution 1325 to protect Arab women from all forms of violence during wars and conflicts in the region. We have done our utmost to promote the UN Women’s Agenda according to a holistic approach in line with the priorities of the region. We have been working extensively and closely with the UN and relevant regional organizations to protect women during armed conflicts and to enhance their participation in peacemaking, peacebuilding, and sustaining. comprehensive peace. To do so, we’ve created and launched a number of important regional initiatives. Most notably, we’ve established the Arab Women Mediators Network. This is a serious initiative that promotes women’s role in mediation and diplomacy. In 2023, the League of Arab States updated the regional strategy on Arab Women, Peace and Security, which is a cornerstone for implementing the WPS agenda. To keep abreast with the urgent developments at regional and international levels, Madam President, the League of Arab States firmly believes that the time has come for decisive action to be taken by this council and the international community to save women and girls in the region and protect them from the ongoing military escalation on the ground, in line with Resolution 1325 and the WPS agenda. In recognition of the mechanisms at the disposal of the Security Council, as the body responsible for international peace and security, the League of Arab States would like to call the council to do the following. First, the council must exercise necessary pressure to accelerate the reaching of immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. The council must reject forced displacement and must allow the unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid as part of this council’s responsibility to end injustice and end the Israeli occupation in Palestine. Second, the council must enhance women’s participation in a more comprehensive way in peacebuilding and peacemaking efforts in the region, in implementation of the WPS agenda and relevant Security Council resolution by encouraging the implementation of humanitarian and economic integration programs and by reintegrating women in the political arena to defend women’s rights, including women refugees, IDPs. and victims of conflicts to ensure the stability of women long-term. Third, the Council must enhance collective action to overcome obstacles to the meaningful and effective participation of women in conflict resolution and peace building through increasing funding to national and regional women mediators networks so that they can continue carrying on their activities and ensure the participation of women in peace negotiations in conflict zone. These networks must become a platform, international platform, supportive of the work of the Council. In conclusion, Madam President, the League of Arab States, like other intergovernmental regional and international organizations, is still looking forward to ridding our region from wars and the cycles of violence and genocide. We hope to see the day where the suffering of all women around the world would end, including the Middle East, to ensure peace and security to all peoples around the world. I thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I’d like to thank Madam Eladia Afliti for her statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Spain.

Spain: Thank you very much, Madam President. We’re very grateful to the Swiss Presidency for organizing this debate. Spain endorses the statement delivered by the European Union and the statement of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, of which we are a part, and in my national capacity I’ll make some additional comments. In a context of multipolar crises, we are seeing gradual regression of the rights of women, including with regard to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, as is indicated in the report of the Secretary General presented today. The increase in conflicts globally has a disproportionate effect on women and girls. The report refers to various conflict contexts and the humanitarian crisis. All of the data is alarming. The attacks of the 7th of October, 2023, of Hamas included cases of sexual violence. Two-thirds of the victims in Gaza are women and children. In the DRC, in 2023… More than 123,000 cases of gender violence were recorded, and there’s been an increase of 300 percent over the last three years. The figures for Haiti and Ethiopia are also alarming. Very many countries have adopted plans of action to implement the WPS nationally, but women continue to be absent in peace-building processes, and we’re also seeing militarization on the rise. Japan has concluded its second plan for women, peace, and security, and we are working currently on the third plan, taking note of the shortcomings that we saw in the implementation of the previous plan. Madam President, the restrictions on education, freedom of movement, and the right to work of women and girls are unacceptable. They represent violations of human rights that have a serious impact on the lives of women and girls. We need to work on accountability, and this needs to include accountability for sexual crimes. The women, peace, and security agenda is principally an agenda of prevention in line with the Secretary General’s new agenda for peace. In this context, Spanish cooperation has a long history of activities, training activities, for women mediators in Latin America that’s now been extended to West Africa and the Middle East. Together with Mexico and 10 Latin American countries, in 2023, we created the Latin American network of women mediators to provide training. The protection of women in crisis contexts, including in the digital environment, is the best tool to ensure their participation. We praise the courage of women human rights defenders and leaders of civil society that continue to raise their voices despite the threats and the intimidation to which they are subject. In Spain, of the more than 400 defenders that have benefited from the Temporary Protection and Hosting Program for Human Rights Defenders, half of them are women. We have welcomed also 2,000 Afghan women, including human rights defenders, judges and journalists. In order to consolidate the WPS agenda, we need the presence of more women in leadership positions nationally and in multilateral fora, including in this organization. Spain this year, together with Mexico, chairs the Feminist Foreign Policy Group in New York and we promote gender rotation in the Presidency of the General Assembly of the United Nations. In the almost 80 years of existence of this organization, only 4 women have been President of the General Assembly and no woman has ever occupied the post of Secretary General. We also support a woman being the next Secretary General of this organization. Madam President, in the final recommendations of the report of the Secretary General with regard to the 25th anniversary of the Resolution 1325, the SGE outlines a number of draft commitments for member states, amongst them measures to increase the participation of women in decision-making processes to support women in countries where there has been a withdrawal of peace missions and to promote accountability. Spain will continue to make progress in our commitments to improve the implementation of Resolution 1325. We cannot wait another 25 years for women and girls to be able to enjoy their legitimate rights. Thank you very much.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Spain for her statement and I now give the floor to the representative of Nepal.

Nepal: Thank you, Madam President. First of all, I appreciate the Presidency of Switzerland for convening today’s open debate and extend my gratitude to the distinguished briefers for their comprehensive and insightful briefings. Madam President, women’s role is crucial in achieving sustainable peace and security. Their involvement in peacebuilding is vital. more specifically, in today’s challenging environment marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, record levels of armed conflicts, and climate change. Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the Resolution 1325. This landmark resolution calls for the systemic inclusion of women in prevention, protection, participation, and peacebuilding. The Pact for the Future also reaffirms the critical role of the women as agents of peace and pledges to enhance their participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolutions. Yet, despite some progress, the vulnerabilities of women and girls have been further exacerbated. We are deeply concerned about the increasing casualties among women in conflicts and the rise in cases of conflict-related sexual violence. We are far from realizing women’s inclusion in decision-making roles in peace and security. Similarly, financing for the WPS agenda is insufficient. Madam President, allow me to highlight three key points. First, women’s involvement in peacebuilding, from political participation and grassroots leadership to security and economic empowerment is essential. They prioritize community welfare, social justice, and education, leading to more comprehensive and lasting peace agreements. Strong political will is critical to ensuring women’s participation in peace negotiations, peacekeeping, and the post-conflict reconstruction process. Second, we must prioritize gender-responsive conflict analysis, sectoral reforms, and early warning systems to mitigate violence against women. Integrating more women into security forces will yield positive impacts. Third, increased financial support is urgently needed for the implementation of WPS policies and action plans. Structure must be strengthened at all levels to support women’s expertise while fostering stronger collaborations with civil society and women peace builders and peace actors. The digital and technological capacity should be harnessed to protect and promote women’s voice and participations. Madam President, Nepal has been a proactive supporter of the WPS agenda. In 2011, we were the first country in South Asia to adopt a national action plan for the implementation of the resolution 1325 and 1820. Our second national action plan, adopted in 2022, further underscores the centrality of women’s contributions across the WPS agenda. As the largest troop and police contributing country, Nepal remains committed to increasing the participation of women peacekeepers and advancing the WPS agenda. The increasing political representation of women in Nepal has also helped advance this vital agenda forward. To conclude, Madam President, I wish to reiterate that women’s leadership, resilience, and determination offer us the path forward in our evolving world. Recognizing the role of women and involving them in building peace is not just a matter of justice. It’s a strategic imperative for achieving lasting peace. Let us invest in peace by investing in women. I thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Nepal for his statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

Mexico: Thank you, Madam President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of MIKTA comprising Australia, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and Mexico as chair of the group. We extend our appreciation to Switzerland for convening this debate. Gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment are priorities for our cross-regional platform. MIKTA members recognize the key role of women in conflict prevention and resolution as well as in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation and leadership of women in all stages of building and sustaining peace must be the norm, not an afterthought. Unfortunately, as was stressed by the Secretary General in his most recent report, women continue to face entrenched barriers to direct participation in peace and political processes. Women and women-led organizations struggle to access sufficient financing and other resources, while military spending continues to grow. At the same time, while there is greater attention to the threats and violence faced by women human rights defenders, such violence remains on the rise. We wish to highlight three points. First, MIKTA will continue to strongly support the meaningful engagement, participation, and leadership of all women in all aspects of peace processes, including through regional and local women mediators’ networks, as well as the increased deployment of women in peace operations, in line with the Secretary General’s Uniform Gender Parity Strategy. Second, we urge all member states and the UN system to ensure that all women, young women and girls in conflict situations, have access to essential services such as quality education. employment, and health care, including sexual and reproductive health care services and mental health and psychosocial support. Third, collectively, we must address the root causes of gender inequality and promote and defend the human rights of all women and girls. We call for the full respect and application of international law and international humanitarian law and for the elimination of all violence inflicted on women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence, harmful practices, and trafficking. A survivor-centered approach is key to restoring safety and dignity, ensuring access to justice and accountability, and ending impunity. Next year’s 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda is an opportunity to take a stock on progress made, evaluate gaps, and commit to urgent and concerted action. Women’s participation and leadership contributes to more robust democracies and longer-lasting peace. Therefore, MIKTA strongly advocates for and supports targeted measures for advancing substantive equality and building inclusive and sustaining peace. We look forward to working with other member states in this regard. Madam President, I’d now like to switch to Spanish to speak on behalf of my country, Mexico. We would like to thank Switzerland for convening this open debate on a priority issue for my country and we’d also like to thank the Secretary General and the Executive Director of UN Women for their statements. We are completely committed to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, particularly promoting the participation of women throughout the continuum of peace. It’s been about a quarter of a century since the adoption of the emblematic Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security of the Security Council. And we recognize that progress has been made in building an international normative framework on this agenda that is robust. But there are gaps and worrisome regression with regard to the participation and representation of women in the peace processes, as is explained in the recent reports of the Secretary General on the issue. The active participation of women in peacebuilding is not a concession. It is necessary and it’s also imperative. Given the increase in armed conflicts, tensions, hate speech, distrust and polarization in the current international events, the voice and vision of women is simply crucial in order to sustain dialogue and build trust. This implies overcoming the notion that historically has reduced women to the role of victims. On the contrary, on the ground and around the negotiating table, we have seen, it’s been proven time and again that women are the architects of peace, and they are able to reestablish channels of communication and build trust between those that don’t find dialogue and reconciliation easy. And here I’m very happy to highlight Mexico’s support for the Secretary General’s initiative, a common commitment on the participation of women in peace processes, and the implementation of the four specific measures contained therein in order to encourage greater participation of women in the peace processes with a view to the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 next year. This initiative is being tabled at a timely and necessary point in time, and Mexico will do everything to promote its implementation. This is an important moment for fulfilling this agenda. Although we have ten resolutions on women, peace, and security, the challenges that we face have to do with its implementation on the ground and preventing regression. Madam President, in this context, Mexico would propose the following specific action. Ensuring the work of women mediators, peace builders, and human rights defenders in the prevention of conflicts. building peace and sustainable peace and that this be supported and recognized internationally as well as nationally. Two, to give voice to the experiences and abilities of women in peace negotiations and in peace agreements. Three, to involve young people in mediation and peace building efforts. In order to do that we need to establish synergies between the agendas of women, peace and security and that of young people, peace and security. It simply remains to me to appeal to member states, international organizations and civil society that we unite our efforts to capitalize on the 25th anniversary of the resolution that gave rise to the meeting that brings us together today and that we should be able to achieve results in the short term.

President – Switzerland: Thank you very much. I thank the representative of Mexico for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

Guatemala: Madam President, Guatemala would like to thank the government of Switzerland and its president for having organized this important open debate. We very much appreciate the valuable contributions of the Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, the Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahus and the representatives of Women’s Peace Network. Guatemala reiterates its commitment to resolution 1325 and the women, peace and security agenda. It’s been almost 25 years since it was adopted but there are still great challenges that remain in order to guarantee the full and safe participation of women in peace processes. We firmly believe that through multilateralism and political will we can convert these promises into specific action. Today, in a global context marked by more than a hundred and twenty armed conflicts, the participation of women is not just a right but it is essential for lasting peace. Experience has taught us that peace processes which include women are more sustainable. They’re more effective, and they have a greater rate of implementation in terms of the agreements reached. When we discuss the mandates of peacekeeping operations, it’s fundamental that we include actions to address sexual violence in conflict, for example, through the presence of women protection advisors, reform of the security sector, and other measures for disarmament ensuring that there are no security gaps with regard to the reduction in contingence and safeguarding achievements made at great cost with regard to the empowerment of women and gender equality. This is key to preventing victims and saving victims. The women mediator networks are key in resolving conflicts. My delegation urges states to provide the necessary political and financial support in order to guarantee their impact in peace processes. Moreover, new technologies are able to be powerful tools to promote the participation of women and ensure their inclusion in all aspects of social and political life. Nevertheless, these tools also represent risks, such as harassment online and disinformation. We must invest in training in digital security, building capacity in that area for women mediators, and create platforms that are inclusive for their participation in peace dialogues. Our commitment to Resolution 1325 means that we need to design inclusive peace processes that respond to the needs of all people affected. In Guatemala, this commitment is implemented through the Inter-Agency Roundtable on Women, Peace and Security, known as MIMPAS. And we are faithful to this agenda as we are. We continue to promote specific action to close the gaps between legislation and its implementation. Madam President, we would appeal to the Security Council and to Member States to redouble their efforts to guarantee that the voices of women are heard in all peace processes. Thank you very much.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Guatemala for her statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Thailand.

Thailand: Thank you very much, Madam President. At the outset, I wish to commend Switzerland for this very important debate, and thank all the briefers for their contributions. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Security Council Resolution 1325, it is crucial to renew our commitment to advancing women, peace, and security agenda, particularly amidst growing conflicts worldwide. Thailand wishes to highlight the following points. First, peace building must be inclusive. Women are key stakeholders in peace processes. That perspective enrich peace efforts by bringing essential insights on social cohesion, justice, and sustainable development. However, enhancing women’s leadership and participation requires political commitment at all levels. In Thailand, we are developing our national action plan on WPS for 2024 to 2027 to promote women’s role in conflict resolution, peace building in the community and society, and protecting women’s rights. On the ground, Thai women peacekeepers have positively contributed to community engagement as early peace builders. Last year, the Royal Thai Armed Forces launched training for its engagement team to enhance the ability of both men and women peacekeepers in community engagement efforts. Second, peace building requires adequate resources. Thailand calls for flexible, sustained, and innovative approaches for funding peace-building efforts. We believe that gender-responsive budgeting is very crucial for ensuring resources to support women’s leadership and address their needs in conflict settings, enhancing the sustainability of peace efforts. Additionally, we should explore partnerships with the private sector as well as regional and international financial institutions to support peace processes, including capacity-building initiatives. And lastly, peace-building demands coherence. Policy and operational coherence across the UN system, including across the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the ECOSOC, is essential to advance the WPF’s agenda. The UN must work in a synchronized manner to address the interconnected drivers of conflicts, discrimination, violence of human rights, exclusion, inequality, poverty, and climate change, among others. Madam President, in closing, Thailand reaffirms our commitment to fully implementing the WPF’s agenda as it is our conviction that lasting peace, stability, and sustainable development can only be achieved through diversity, equality, and inclusion. Thank you very much, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Thailand for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Hungary.

Hungary: Madam President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we thank Switzerland for their leadership in organizing this crucial debate, as well as the briefers for their sobering but much-needed insights. Hungary aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity. Hungary is deeply alarmed by the historically high number of women and girls who are distinctly and disproportionately impacted by the ever-growing number and severity of conflicts worldwide. In this context, we reaffirm Hungary’s steadfast commitment to advancing the WPS agenda and have three key messages to share today. First on participation. The thousands of women mediators, peace builders, negotiators, experts, and leaders have proven to bring just and sustainable peace when they have, first, a voice, second, a seat at the table, and third, a pen in their hand to sign peace agreements. Their full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership in formal and informal conflict prevention, resolution in peace processes, and long-term peace building on all levels is only a question of political will, and we urge all partners to ensure the safe and supportive environment that enable women to carry out their important work. Second, no lasting peace is possible without gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and the full and equal participation of women and girls in all spheres of life. This requires eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and deeply entrenched negative social norms in societies as a whole. We call for gender-responsive reforms in the security sector and beyond, ensuring that the human rights of all women and girls are upheld and that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence receive holistic, comprehensive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed support and services, as well as access to justice and remedies, and the perpetrators are held accountable without exception. Third, it is my honor to announce that Hungary finalized its first-ever WPS national action plan for the period 2024-2028, which was signed by the Minister of Defense in July this year. The Action Plan focuses on strengthening the role of women in the defence and security sector and promoting gender equality in education, human resources, preparation, training and operation, among others. In addition, we are proud that Hungary has the highest proportion of women as active duty soldiers within NATO, reaching more than 20% in 2023. The advancement of WPS is also a key human rights priority of the Hungarian EU Presidency, aimed at strengthening the role of women in international security policy processes, as well as contributing to global peace-building efforts. Madam President, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the genocide committed by Daesh against the Yazidi minority, and on this occasion we urge the international community to join us in providing long-term support to women and girls belonging to persecuted religious and ethnic minorities, including Yazidis and Christians, who hold the fate and future of their communities on their shoulders. And finally, on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the UN Mandate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, I take this opportunity to reaffirm Hungary’s steadfast support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, her office and her team of experts, whose outstanding work is translating our commitment into reality for thousands of women and girls surviving amidst unthinkable hardship around the world. We are grateful for their work. I thank you.

President – Switzerland: I thank the Representative of Hungary for her statement. I now give the floor to the Representative of Portugal.

Portugal: Thank you, Madam President. Portugal aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks Switzerland for convening this important and timely debate. We also thank the Deputy Secretary-General, the Executive Director of UN Women, Justice Efi Worwer and Ms. Wai Wai Nu for their insightful and inspiring remarks on this subject. As we are approaching the 25th anniversary of the approval of Resolution 1325, And while armed conflicts and non-compliance with international humanitarian law are disturbing on the rise, women’s participation in building and securing peace is still far from being a reality. Instead, we are witnessing a dramatic surge in incidents of conflict-related sexual violence disproportionately affecting women and girls. As highlighted in the Secretary General’s report, the picture is dire and calls for renewed action. Building sustainable peace can only be achieved by ensuring that peace agreements are reached through inclusive processes, as women have a unique contribution to conflict prevention and resolution. We believe that one of the most effective ways to implement the WPS agenda is by adopting national action plans. Portugal has already adopted three national plans and is currently finalizing its fourth. Portugal has also taken concrete steps to integrate the gender perspective and the WPS agenda in the field of development cooperation through the approval of the Portuguese Cooperation Strategy 2030. In the context of the community of Portuguese-speaking countries, Portugal has been involved in the drafting of an action plan to implement the Security Council Resolution 1325, as well as a Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Sexual Violence. At the international level, Portugal welcomes the PBC’s determined action in implementing its gender strategy, which acknowledges the positive contribution of women in the maintenance and promotion of peace, recognizing that their broad participation contributes to long-term resilience and strengthening of conflict prevention. We also welcome the Secretary General’s renewed commitment to the implementation of the ambitious measures of his Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, in particular the new initiative for a common pledge on women’s participation in peace processes. that we hope may soon lead to concrete steps towards an effective and broad participation of women in mediation activities and efforts all across the world. Considering the downtrend of explicit references by this Council to gender-related issues in its decisions, we encourage members of this Council to increase their efforts towards a consistent commitment to include gender-based approaches in its deliberations and to involve more women, namely from civil society, in its discussions. We appreciate the efforts in this sense made by the Security Council signatories of the Statement of Shared Commitments for the Principles of Women, Peace and Security. Madam President, deepening and strengthening women’s leadership roles in mediation, negotiation and peace-building is indissociable from the promotion of gender equality itself. In this vein, we cannot remain indifferent to many conflict situations worldwide. One of these is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where women and girls are living in Gaza amidst the total collapse of public order. The state of affairs is increasingly worrisome, given the initiatives in the Knesset which endanger UNRWA’s operation and its capacity of providing essential human services like health and education. We underline the need to safeguard the UNRWA’s indispensable assistance to women and girls, particularly during the ongoing war in Gaza. Madam President, to conclude, the radical shift of putting women and girls at the center of security policy called for by the UN Secretary General is of the utmost urgency. And as we approach another anniversary of this landmark resolution, let us reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the WPS Agenda and the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls. Je vous remercie.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Portugal for his statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Lebanon.

Lebanon: Madam President, we thank you for convening this annual open debate on women, peace and security on UN Day. This debate is paramount in view of the recent developments in the Middle East, and particularly in my country, Lebanon. This open debate convenes as we approach the 25th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, which was adopted in the year 2000 and which Lebanon had sponsored. Lebanon has successfully implemented the first national plan to implement Resolution 1325, and it is now elaborating the second national plan for its implementation. This meeting also coincides with the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and its people, an aggression which continues unabated. This aggression has left so far more than 2,593 martyrs, including more than 300 women and girls. It has injured more than 12,119 people. It constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter of Resolution 1701 of international law and international humanitarian law. The aggression has led to an unprecedented wave of displacement. More than 1,200,000 people have been internally displaced, 53 percent of whom are women and girls. 62,000 households among the displaced in Lebanon are headed by women, 56,000 displaced women of reproductive age were displaced and there are 2,300 pregnant women among the displaced. We expect 260 of these women to deliver their children next month. Madam President, these unprecedented figures in Lebanon reflect the horror of what the people of Lebanon are witnessing, especially Lebanese women and girls. Lebanese women and girls were either killed by this aggression or were injured or internally displaced. Some even had to flee to Syria and Iraq. The Israeli aggression against Lebanon has turned the life of Lebanese men and women upside down, causing unthinkable suffering. In addition to long-term psychological, moral, and material damages that are difficult to compensate, our women had to flee the indiscriminate bombardments, carrying their children in the middle of the night, leaving behind them their homes, property, and memories. Madam President, during the month of April, Lebanon, in partnership with UN Women, has launched a project for sustainable emergency food systems during humanitarian crises. This project adopts a new approach to humanitarian assistance and food systems during times of crises. The project aims at empowering Lebanese women in the south through an effective participation in local food systems. The project is still being implemented in the city of Tyre, despite the horrors of aggression. Our steadfast displaced women remain committed to this effort. pioneering project in order to prove that despite the aggression against us, we will remain rooted in our land. Madam President, the Israeli aggression did not spare the United Nations and its agencies. As a result of one of the air raids on the southern suburb of Beirut on the 21st of October, a safe shelter of women and girls was destroyed. This is a center supported by UNFPA in addition to a primary care center. In Beirut, the Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon, dozens of facilities supported by UNFPA were closed, including primary care facilities, safe shelters, and mobile maternal clinics due to the insecurity and out of fear to be targeted. Madam President, the women and girls of Lebanon have long suffered from wars and conflicts. Today, they are tired from watching the same scenario repeat itself. Suffering, killing, injuring, displacement, refuge, and destruction everywhere. Madam President, there is a need to break this bloody cycle, to put an end to this barbaric aggression against our people, to impose an immediate ceasefire, and to implement Resolution 1701 in all its components. The Lebanese woman deserves to live in dignity, safety, and security, without having as a goal to survive an air raid from here or an invasion from there. Lebanese girls deserve to go to their school, to go to their university, to go to their university, to go to their university. and university in safety without being terrorized by the sound barrier or bombardments. Thank you, Madam President.

President – Switzerland: I thank the representative of Lebanon for her statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Qatar.

Qatar: Thank you, Madam President. At the outset, I’d like to thank Ms. Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, for presiding over this meeting. We’d like to thank the UN Secretary General as well as the Executive Director of UN Women and the other briefers for their contribution to this meeting. Madam President, despite the substantive progress that’s been made under the WPS agenda, we continue to see violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and this across various conflict zones, with impunity and with an absence of accountability, which has a disproportionate impact on women and girls. Gaza encapsulates this. The aggression underway is resulting in serious violations of human rights and international law. Women and children are being hard hit. They’re facing heightened violence, air raids, and terrible repercussions on their health, a lack of food, lack of medicine. They’re also being forced to flee en masse. We must, therefore, garner political resolve, take concrete actions, and raise awareness about the role that women can play in peace and security. This is absolutely vital if we are to confront international challenges, complex challenges, which we’re currently confronting. Within the framework of our commitment to implement the WPS agenda, the state of Qatar has the honor of supporting the Secretary-General’s campaign. a common commitment to women’s participation in peace processes, which was launched by stakeholders within the framework of international mediation efforts under the auspices of this meeting. Madam President, as the 25th anniversary of the WPS resolution 1325 approaches, this is a historic opportunity to reflect on the potential transformative impact of the WPS agenda. Let’s note the fact that the implementation of the agenda requires not just thinking, but accelerated implementation through its four pillars. That is prevention, protection, participation, and assistance in recovery. Thus, the Pact for the Future, which was recently adopted, is a key platform to help us achieve the aforementioned objectives. The state of Qatar welcomes the fact that the Pact for the Future recognizes women as agents of peace. Women’s participation that is full and effective on an equal footing in decision-making on international peace and security is a key component of this. The Pact will allow us to buck certain worrying trends related to women’s participation in peace processes. Madam President, I’d like to answer one of the questions which was seen throughout our discussion. Three key points. First, we need genuine political will to implement the WPS agenda, specifically by meeting our political commitments and instituting mechanisms geared towards accountability so that we can track progress that’s been made on women’s participation in peace processes. What’s more is we must place the priority on women’s participation, in particular by bolstering local capacity and establishing networks at the regional level so as to facilitate women’s participation. On this note, I’d like to applaud the Arab Network of Women Mediators for Peace. The state of Qatar is a participant in the network and an active one at that. Next, technologies offer excellent opportunities but also bring with them many threats. Misuse of technologies could undermine efforts aimed at bolstering women’s participation. That’s why we need robust safeguards so that women can tackle challenges in a safe fashion. By way of conclusion, Madam President, I’d like to reaffirm the commitment of the state of Qatar to work hand-in-hand with the international community to enhance women’s role in peace and security and to promote the WPS agenda. Thank you for your kind attention.

President – Switzerland: President, I thank the representative of Qatar for her statement. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished colleagues, there are still a number of speakers on my list for this meeting. With the concurrence of members of the Council, what I suggest is that we suspend the meeting until tomorrow morning at 10am. The meeting is suspended.

Agreement Points

Need for women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes

Speakers

Deputy Secretary General

Sima Sami Bahous

United States

Mexico

Norway

South Africa

Italy

Arguments

Need for women’s full, equal and meaningful participation

Women’s participation leads to more durable peace agreements

Call for women’s participation to be the norm, not an afterthought

Support for Secretary-General’s common pledge on women’s participation

Need for quotas and targets for women’s inclusion

Importance of women’s networks and grassroots involvement

Summary

Multiple speakers emphasized the critical importance of ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes, citing evidence that such involvement leads to more comprehensive and lasting peace agreements.

Importance of protecting women in conflict situations

Speakers

United Kingdom

Germany

Canada

Latvia

Poland

Ireland

Arguments

Alarming increase in conflict-related sexual violence

Need to combat impunity for atrocities against women

Call for protection of women human rights defenders

Importance of addressing online violence against women

Need for survivor-centered approach to sexual violence

Call for accountability for violations against women

Summary

Several speakers highlighted the urgent need to protect women in conflict situations, addressing issues such as sexual violence, online harassment, and the safety of women human rights defenders.

Need for increased funding and resources for WPS agenda implementation

Speakers

Slovenia

Republic of Korea

Thailand

Belgium

Arguments

Need for increased, flexible funding for women’s organizations

Call for investment in women’s leadership and initiatives

Importance of gender-responsive budgeting

Need for resources to support women in post-conflict settings

Summary

Multiple speakers emphasized the importance of providing adequate funding and resources for implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including support for women’s organizations and gender-responsive budgeting.

Similar Viewpoints

These speakers emphasized the importance of developing, implementing, and monitoring National Action Plans (NAPs) for the Women, Peace and Security agenda, highlighting the need for concrete actions and accountability mechanisms.

Speakers

Japan

European Union

Nepal

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Arguments

Importance of developing and implementing NAPs

Call for accelerated implementation of existing frameworks

Sharing of national experiences in implementing NAPs

Need for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

These speakers highlighted the specific impacts of ongoing conflicts on women in their respective regions, emphasizing the need for international action to protect women’s rights and ensure their participation in peace processes.

Speakers

Palestine

Liechtenstein

Wai Wai Nu

Ukraine

Arguments

Devastating impact of Gaza conflict on women and children

Concerns about Taliban restrictions on Afghan women

Impact of Myanmar conflict on women’s rights

Effects of Ukraine conflict on women

Unexpected Consensus

Role of regional organizations in advancing WPS agenda

Speakers

League of Arab States

Indonesia

Mozambique

Czechia

Arguments

Efforts of Arab Women Mediators Network

ASEAN initiatives on WPS

African Union efforts to promote women’s participation

EU support for WPS agenda implementation

Explanation

There was an unexpected consensus among speakers from different regions on the importance of regional organizations in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This highlights a growing recognition of the value of regional cooperation and tailored approaches to implementing the WPS agenda.

Overall Assessment

Summary

The main areas of agreement centered on the need for women’s full participation in peace processes, the importance of protecting women in conflict situations, and the necessity of increased funding for WPS agenda implementation. There was also broad consensus on the value of National Action Plans and the role of regional organizations in advancing the WPS agenda.

Consensus level

There was a high level of consensus among speakers on the core principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This strong agreement suggests a shared commitment to advancing women’s participation in peace processes and protecting women’s rights in conflict situations. However, the persistence of challenges in implementation, as noted by many speakers, indicates that translating this consensus into concrete action remains a significant hurdle.

Disagreement Points

Approach to increasing women’s participation in peace processes

Speakers

United States

South Africa

Arguments

Women’s participation leads to more durable peace agreements

Need for quotas and targets for women’s inclusion

Summary

While both speakers agree on the importance of women’s participation, they differ in their proposed methods. The United States emphasizes the benefits of women’s involvement, while South Africa advocates for specific quotas and targets to ensure representation.

Overall Assessment

Summary

The main areas of disagreement revolve around specific strategies for implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, particularly regarding methods to increase women’s participation and approaches to protection in conflict situations.

Disagreement level

The level of disagreement among speakers appears to be relatively low. Most speakers agree on the fundamental importance of women’s participation in peace processes and the need to protect women in conflict situations. Disagreements are primarily focused on specific implementation strategies rather than core principles. This suggests a generally unified approach to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, with variations in proposed methods and focus areas based on national or regional contexts.

Partial Agreements

Both speakers recognize the role of digital technologies in women’s participation, but Costa Rica focuses on the opportunities they provide, while Latvia emphasizes the need to address online violence and ensure safety in digital spaces.

Speakers

Costa Rica

Latvia

Arguments

Digital technologies can enhance women’s participation

Importance of addressing online violence against women

Similar Viewpoints

These speakers emphasized the importance of developing, implementing, and monitoring National Action Plans (NAPs) for the Women, Peace and Security agenda, highlighting the need for concrete actions and accountability mechanisms.

Speakers

Japan

European Union

Nepal

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Arguments

Importance of developing and implementing NAPs

Call for accelerated implementation of existing frameworks

Sharing of national experiences in implementing NAPs

Need for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

These speakers highlighted the specific impacts of ongoing conflicts on women in their respective regions, emphasizing the need for international action to protect women’s rights and ensure their participation in peace processes.

Speakers

Palestine

Liechtenstein

Wai Wai Nu

Ukraine

Arguments

Devastating impact of Gaza conflict on women and children

Concerns about Taliban restrictions on Afghan women

Impact of Myanmar conflict on women’s rights

Effects of Ukraine conflict on women

Key Takeaways

There has been insufficient progress in implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, with women’s participation in peace processes remaining low

Conflict-related sexual violence against women has increased significantly

More funding and resources are needed to support women’s organizations and participation in peace efforts

National Action Plans are an important tool for implementing the WPS agenda, but need to be backed by political will and resources

New technologies offer opportunities to enhance women’s participation, but also pose risks that need to be addressed

Regional organizations and networks play an important role in advancing the WPS agenda

Resolutions and Action Items

Support the Secretary-General’s common pledge to increase women’s participation in peace processes

Develop and implement National Action Plans on WPS

Increase funding for women’s organizations and gender-responsive peacebuilding

Enhance protection mechanisms for women human rights defenders and peacebuilders

Integrate gender perspectives across UN missions and programs

Strengthen accountability for conflict-related sexual violence

Unresolved Issues

How to effectively counter the global backlash against women’s rights and gender equality

How to ensure women’s meaningful participation in contexts where they face severe restrictions, like Afghanistan

How to address the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women while also recognizing their agency as peacebuilders

How to balance the opportunities and risks posed by new technologies for women’s participation

Suggested Compromises

Setting an initial minimum target of one-third women’s participation in peace processes, while working towards full parity

Balancing formal and informal pathways for women’s participation in peace efforts

Combining top-down policy approaches with support for grassroots women’s organizations

We are seeing record levels of armed conflict, rising authoritarianism, and a worldwide pushback against the human rights of women and girls in all their diversity, the WPS agenda is, almost 25 years after its adoption, more relevant than ever.

Speaker

Representative of Belgium

Reason

This comment succinctly captures the urgency and continued relevance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the current global context.

Impact

It set the tone for many subsequent speakers to emphasize the critical importance of implementing the WPS agenda given current global challenges.

Women’s participation and leadership contributes to more robust democracies and longer-lasting peace. Therefore, MIKTA strongly advocates for and supports targeted measures for advancing substantive equality and building inclusive and sustaining peace.

Speaker

Representative of Mexico on behalf of MIKTA

Reason

This comment highlights the concrete benefits of women’s participation and calls for specific actions to advance equality.

Impact

It shifted the discussion from general statements of support to more specific calls for targeted measures and actions to implement the WPS agenda.

Digital communication tools have become a crucial enabler of inclusivity in mediation, empowering women peacebuilders to share their narratives and engage in decision-making. However, as technology advances, so do the dangers of gender-based disinformation, leading to unpredictable and far-reaching consequences.

Speaker

Representative of Latvia

Reason

This comment introduced an important new dimension to the discussion by highlighting both the opportunities and risks that digital technologies present for women’s participation.

Impact

It broadened the conversation to include consideration of how to leverage new technologies while mitigating associated risks, with several subsequent speakers addressing this topic.

We must do better to ensure safe participation. Too often, women face reprisals and intimidation, excluding them from key fora and damaging our collective efforts towards peace. This is absolutely unacceptable.

Speaker

Representative of Ireland

Reason

This comment forcefully highlighted the critical issue of women’s safety and security when participating in peace processes.

Impact

It focused attention on the need for concrete measures to protect women participants, with several subsequent speakers echoing this concern and calling for action.

Overall Assessment

These key comments helped shape the discussion by: 1) Emphasizing the continued urgency and relevance of the WPS agenda given current global challenges, 2) Shifting focus towards specific, targeted actions for implementation rather than general statements of support, 3) Broadening consideration to include both opportunities and risks presented by new technologies, and 4) Highlighting the critical need to ensure women’s safety and security when participating in peace processes. Overall, they moved the conversation from broad principles to more specific challenges and actionable measures for advancing women’s participation in peace and security.

How can we increase funding for women’s organizations in conflict-affected settings?

Speaker

Sima Sami Bahous

Explanation

Funding for women’s organizations in conflict-affected settings has declined for three consecutive years, hindering their ability to contribute to peace processes.

What concrete steps can be taken to ensure women’s meaningful participation in peace negotiations?

Speaker

Effie Owuor

Explanation

Despite evidence showing that women’s participation leads to more comprehensive and durable peace agreements, their involvement remains alarmingly low.

How can we better protect women human rights defenders and peacebuilders from reprisals and attacks?

Speaker

Wai Wai Nu

Explanation

Women human rights defenders and peacebuilders face increasing threats and violence, which prevents their full participation in peace processes.

What measures can be implemented to increase the number of women in leadership positions in peacekeeping operations?

Speaker

Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Explanation

While the number of women in peacekeeping has increased, they still make up a small percentage of leadership roles.

How can new technologies be leveraged to enhance women’s participation in peace processes while mitigating risks of online harassment and disinformation?

Speaker

Multiple speakers including representatives from Costa Rica, Bulgaria, and the United Arab Emirates

Explanation

Technology offers opportunities for inclusion but also poses risks of online violence and disinformation targeting women.

What strategies can be employed to ensure the implementation of gender provisions in peace agreements?

Speaker

Multiple speakers

Explanation

While more peace agreements include gender provisions, their implementation often lags behind.

How can we address the root causes of gender inequality in conflict-affected areas?

Speaker

Multiple speakers

Explanation

Addressing structural inequalities is crucial for sustainable peace and women’s meaningful participation.

What mechanisms can be put in place to ensure accountability for conflict-related sexual violence?

Speaker

Multiple speakers including representatives from Germany and Ireland

Explanation

There has been a significant increase in conflict-related sexual violence, necessitating stronger accountability measures.

How can we better integrate the Women, Peace and Security agenda with other related agendas such as Youth, Peace and Security?

Speaker

Representative of Sierra Leone

Explanation

Integrating related agendas could lead to more comprehensive and effective peace processes.

What steps can be taken to ensure women’s participation in post-conflict reconstruction and development?

Speaker

Multiple speakers

Explanation

Women’s involvement in post-conflict reconstruction is crucial for building sustainable peace.