Excellencies,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Let me start by thanking the Swiss Presidency for keeping WPS high on the Council’s agenda and all the briefers for their meaningful contribution in this Debate.
Investing in WPS initiatives, as demonstrated by our service in the Security Council during the last two years, remain a priority for the Albanian foreign policy. Our understanding is clear: the collective investment in WPS agenda is translated in direct investment in sustainable peace, international security and economic stability.
Close to the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking Resolution 1325, the WPS agenda has gained prominence, we continue to mainstream WPS principles across policies and strategies, having half of UN member states implementing national action plans.
Despite these framework advances, a stark gap remains between commitments and actual implementation, especially regarding women’s representation in peace and security decision-making. In front of many new and emerging threats from violent conflicts to violent extremism, from climate change to humanitarian crises, WPS commitments are at risk.
We are concerned about the troubling backlash against women’s rights. Women peacebuilders, journalists, and civil society leaders face severe threats, including violence and even disappearance. Recent conflicts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti, Mali and the Middle East, endanger both the WPS agenda and the safety of women negotiators and peacebuilders, challenging the international community’s ability to uphold the Security Council’s mandate for global peace and security.
Madame President,
Women have long been the unsung heroes of peacebuilding efforts around the world. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, women have consistently shown resilience, creativity, and determination in their pursuit of a peaceful and sustainable future.
I would like to emphasize three points, which in our view would help to advance the implementation of the WPS agenda:
First, we need to properly finance the Women, Peace and Security agenda and invest in women peace builders, especially those in conflict areas. In the third decade of implementation of the SC Resolution 1325, we must redouble our efforts to increase the financial resources in support of women peacebuilders, women human rights defenders and local women’s organizations at frontlines.
Second, creating quotas for women’s participation in peace processes. In this context, Albania supports the recommendation of the SG for an initial minimum target of one-third of participants in mediation and peace processes being women, while aiming for parity.
Third, utilize new technologies to amplify women’s voices in peace processes through social media campaigns, online forums and virtual participations in negotiations. Additionally, cybersecurity measures can be put in place to protect women from online harassment and disinformation campaigns.
Madame President,
Albania has made significant progress in empowering women and achieving gender equality. The Albanian Government has put a clear focus on policies that aim at boosting women’s meaningful engagement in public life. We believe that at the root – women’s political empowerment can also tremendously boost gender-equal decision-making of all kinds, including on peace and security.
In cooperation with UN Women, we have managed to successfully mainstream gender-responsive budgeting in all stages of public budgeting, at central and local level. My country will continue to work to increase our budgetary commitments to gender equality programs, recognizing that sustainable development and sustainable peace cannot occur without the full participation of women.
At the UN and as a Member of the HRC, Albania remains committed to prioritize WPS Agenda and will continue to work to ensure that the crucial work of women peacebuilders and human rights defenders in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and sustaining peace is supported and recognized.
We will continue to advocate for the voice of women’s civil society organizations and human rights defenders to be heard and to be considered in relevant outcome and deliberations.
To conclude, the message that this debate sends to the world must be crystal clear: women bring a unique perspective and skillset to the table and no lasting or sustainable peace can be achieved without women’s meaningful and safe participation.
Thank You!
