High-level Forum on the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace

Good morning. I call to order the high level forum on the program of action on a culture of peace. This meeting is held in accordance with resolution 80/294 of July 24th, 2026 under the theme women's leadership to promote a culture of peace. As mentioned in my letters dated August 6th and 25th, and September 1st, 2026. This meeting will consist of an opening segment and a plenary segment. I will now make a statement as the president of the General Assembly. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 80 years ago, our United Nations was created with the express purpose of saving succeeding generation from the scourge of war. Yet our founding mothers and fathers had the wisdom, foresight, and especially experience to know that peace is more than the absence of war. Therefore, they thought to build an institution not focused narrowly on peace and security, but upon the mutually reinforcing pillars of human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. So while today some call for the United Nations to go back to basics, we should remember that the pursuit of a just, sustainable and lasting peace is indeed one of our basics. It is embedded in the very foundation of this organization and it lies at the heart of the culture of peace. The conviction that lasting peace requires replacing violence with dialogue, division with mutual understanding and cooperation and exclusion with participation. Since the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace in 1999, at the initiative of Bangladesh, this Assembly has continued to advance that vision of a more peaceful, just and inclusive world. Central to this effort is a full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in peace processes. That is why the theme of this year's High-level Forum Women's leadership to promote a culture of peace could not be more important and timely. Including women at every stage of peace process is not just a nice to have. It's not doing a favor to women. It is not even simply a matter of fairness. It is fundamentally a question of whether peace succeeds. It's in the interest of all of us, of every society. As research has shown that when women participate meaningfully in peace processes, the probability of an agreement lasting at least two years increases by 20% and the probability of conflict returning is reduced by 37%. That is because women bring the experiences, knowledge and priorities of half of the world's population to the negotiation table, the society approach. They broaden negotiations beyond the conduct of war and armed actors to the communities and people that they are affected by it. And they raise issues that create the conditions for peace to firmly take root, from conflict-related sexual violence and access to justice, to economic opportunity and political participation at all levels. Or as a woman who I met at the front lines told me, if women are safe, everyone is safe. Because when more voices and perspectives are included when shaping peace, the outcome will better reflect the realities of the people who will benefit from it, and peace will be more likely to endure. History has given us powerful examples of women's role in peace. In Colombia, women-led advocacy helped ensure that the landmark 2016 agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces addressed critical issues such as victims' rights, land access, and conflict-related sexual violence. And in Liberia, Christian and Muslim women came together across religious and social divides to pray, organize, and demonstrate for peace. Through the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, they pushed political leaders and armed actors towards peace by bringing their demands directly to the negotiation process in Accra. I'm therefore especially honored that today we are joined by Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and one of the pioneer leaders of that movement to learn from your experience. Ms. Gbowee's unwavering bravery and tenacity to mobilize communities and demand accountability is not simply an inspiration to admire from afar. It is a rallying call to give women the power to shape peace in every conflict. This assembly has affirmed that principle time and again. The 2025 review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture recognized that the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women at all decision-making levels in conflict resolution is key to achieving durable solutions and long-term stability. The architecture recognizes the role of women in prevention and resolution of conflicts, in peacebuilding and in building critical foundations for promoting a culture of peace. Ladies and gentlemen, our commitments are clear. The history speaks for itself and the data is unequivocal. Yet there remains a profound gap between what we know and what we are doing. At a time when the number of armed conflicts is at a record high, too many negotiation tables still exclude women that hold the keys to unlocking peace. Frankly speaking, you only have to look at the most recent photos or media coverage of the last peace negotiations, where there are hardly any women in the room. And also, frankly speaking, if you look at our regular government coalition these days, Often there is also not a single woman present. And even in the teams programming the next AI algorithm, where we know that AI will play a crucial role in the conflicts of the future, still they are not designed with the voices of women. So it doesn't only start at the end, at the peace negotiation table. It starts here today in our own meetings, in our own CEO setups, in our own culture. As said, this is not only a question of injustice. It is a missed opportunity for sustained peace to leave women out of the room. If we are serious about fulfilling the promise made 80 years ago to have succeeding generation from the scourge of war, then our commitments must be matched by our actions. A culture of peace is not an abstract aspiration. It is a choice every one of us makes every day throughout societies. And it is our collective responsibility to build societies where we uphold the principles of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. where we safeguard justice and dignity for all, and where we ensure that women are not observers of peace, but are actively building it. Because if women are safe, everyone is safe. I thank you, and I give the floor to Ms. Elizabeth Speier, Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding and Peace Support. Please.

Thank you very much, Madam President, Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. I want to thank you all for this very important exchange that you will be having today. Today, violent conflict is increasing in both number and complexity. Political polarization is deepening, humanitarian crises are multiplying, and we're witnessing growing pushback against gender equality, women's leadership, and civic space. Yet evidence from across regions shows that peace is more durable and sustainable when women participate meaningfully in shaping it. This is a cornerstone of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the sustaining peace resolutions. Women's leadership is central to building a culture of peace. Women around the world already demonstrate what this leadership can look like. They mediate disputes when they escalate. strengthen social cohesion in divided societies, advocate for justice, and help communities recover from conflict. Women-led organizations also broaden the peacebuilding agenda by bringing attention to issues that are often overlooked, including community security, mental health and psychosocial support, and gender-based violence. The message is that women are not just beneficiaries of peacebuilding, they are critical architects of peace. We see this clearly, for example, in our efforts to promote women's leadership in security and justice institutions. In Somalia, women lawyers are occupying higher positions in the judiciary, opening pathways to leadership while making justice more accessible to women and girls. In Syria and Nepal, women now sit on national transitional justice bodies, bringing a broader range of experience. into decisions about justice and recovery. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women are helping shape the rules themselves. Evidence that they have presented on barriers facing women in the security sector is now informing the country's forthcoming national security policy. These experiences show that women's leadership is not only changing who is represented in institutions, it's also changing how justice and security are understood and delivered. I'm pleased that the United Nations will soon launch the UN portal on women in justice and security, bringing together global data and good practices on women's participation and leadership across justice and security institutions. I thank member states that have already contributed to this effort, and I would encourage others to share data and good practices as well, and to nominate women leaders to help review the portal's findings and inform further progress. So how do we ensure that more women and women-led organizations are able to exercise this leadership for a culture of peace? First, we must protect and further expand civic space in many constrained contexts. Women peacebuilders and civil society organizations must be able to participate freely, safely, and meaningfully in all political and peace processes. The Secretary General's 2025 report on women, peace and security warns that shrinking civic space and growing attacks on women activists are undermining hard won gains. A culture of peace cannot flourish where voices are silenced. It requires open civic space, inclusive dialogue, civilian oversight and control, civilian oversight and control of security and justice institutions. and sectors and meaningful participation by those working every day to sustain peace in their communities. One lesson emerges consistently across contexts. Peace building is strongest when it is participatory, locally led, and broadly inclusive. Second, women's leadership must influence decisions that shape political transitions, peace processes, prevention, recovery, and justice and security policies. at all levels, including national and global policy forums. That is why we're planning to convene next year the first global conference on women leaders in justice and security to address gaps, promote international cooperation, and ensure that their perspectives are reflected in UN policymaking. The Peacebuilding Commission also demonstrates the value of women peacebuilders engaging directly and systematically with member states and the United Nations, strengthening peacebuilding policy and practice across the UN system. The annual Civil Society UN Peacebuilders Dialogue offers another valuable space. This year's dialogue will focus on promoting civic space at a time of rising authoritarianism. Last year, more than 187 civil society organizations and over 40 UN entities and member state representatives participated, with women peacebuilders and leaders making up 57% of participants. We expect women to again make up the majority of participants this year. Third, we must invest more and more directly in women's peacebuilding organizations and their work. Despite global commitments, women-led organizations, including those preventing violence, facilitating dialogue and supporting recovery, remain too often at the margins of peacebuilding financing and decision-making. That is why the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund places a strong emphasis on gender-responsive peacebuilding and women's meaningful participation and leadership, with 30% of its annual investment directed towards these objectives, a target that the Peacebuilding Fund has consistently surpassed since 2018. Excellencies, let me close with one further reflection. Building a culture of peace means building a global constituency for peace. Much of the strength of that constituency that we need to build will depend on how we support, empower and mentor the next generation of women leaders. This requires looking at the women, peace and security and youth peace and security agendas together. Preliminary information from a forthcoming study on youth contributions to peace, mandated by the Pact for the Future, points to the double exclusion experienced by many young women, whose realities and concerns are not fully addressed by either agenda on its own. We must take up this challenge. Let us pursue our commitments to women's leadership and youth leadership in tandem, not in parallel, so that young women are recognized and supported as leaders for peace today, not just tomorrow. Our task is clear to ensure that women's leadership at all levels is recognized, protected, resourced, and shaping the decisions of our collective future. Please allow me to finish by thanking the President of the General Assembly for her outstanding leadership and guidance and wishing her every success in her next chapter. Thank you.

Thank you and also thank you for your personal remarks. I thank this Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding and Peace Support. I now give the floor to His Excellency Anwarul Chowdhury, former Under-Secretary General and High Representative of the United Nations and founder of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace.

Thank you, thank you, Madam President. I would like to begin by thanking you for a very powerful and meaningful statement, opening statement. We appreciate that. And I have the special pleasure in welcoming Laima, Laima Bojite, because she was on previous occasion as the keynote speaker in the High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace. So I'm very happy she joined us this time again. And I have also a great pleasure in welcoming the permanent representative, the new permanent representative of Bangladesh. She is here and I am very happy that Bangladesh mission is now headed by a woman leader. And that's a wonderful opportunity for me to meet her for the first time in this meeting. Madam President, in 11 days from today, on 13 September, the United Nations will observe the 27th anniversary of the General Assembly's unanimous adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. This high-level forum convened by you, Madam President, provides the most appropriate setting for the celebration of this remarkable pathway to the global culture of peace as articulated by its apex body. The theme of this forum, rightfully, is women's leadership to promote the culture of peace. If I may add here that you yourself, Madam President, is a true embodiment of the core focus of this theme in your leadership of the United Nations General Assembly as one of its five women presidents among the 80 individuals gracing this position since the birth of this organization. Mandated by the UN resolutions, the successive presidents of the General Assembly have been convening the annual high-level forums, attracting the attention of member states and civil society since 2012, when your predecessor, PGA 66, Ambassador Al-Nasser, took the initiative to convene the first forum. I had the honor of introducing on behalf of the member states after successfully chairing the nine month long negotiations on the relevant resolution A53-243 which was adopted on 13 September in 1999 as you said. The global movement for the culture of peace GM COP, a coalition of civil society organizations have been spearheading advocacy initiatives effectively since 2011, as well as in organizing the annual high level forums on the culture of peace convened by the President of the UN General Assembly from its beginning in 2012 all the way to 2022. The forum has the distinction of being the only UN gathering which was addressed by the largest number of Nobel Peace Laureates. all women, and I again recognize Lima's presence here, six time out of 11 forums. Also, the forums panelists were always gender balanced, on most occasions with more women participating. As the United Nations Under Secretary General and High Representative for the most vulnerable countries, And as the permanent representative of Bangladesh, my work has taken me to the farthest corners of the world. And I have seen time and again the centrality of women's equality and the culture of peace in our lives. This realization has now become more pertinent in the midst of the ever-increasing militarism, militarization and weaponization that is destroying both our planet and our people. As we all know, the Charter of the United Nations, when signed in 1945, was the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men. The Programme of Action on Culture of Peace accords a place of prominence to equality between women and men, fourth among its eight action areas. Women represent more than half of the global population, yet they continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions in every region of the world. Unfortunately, in recent years, women's rights are under threat from a backlash of conservatism and fundamentalism around the world. Let me assert again that patriarchy and misogyny are the dual scourges pulling humanity back from our aspiration for a better world to live in freedom, equality, and justice. On 8th of March, 2000, as the president of the UN Security Council, I could initiate and mobilize the council to recognize unanimously in a statement that, and I quote, peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men," end of quote, and affirmed the value of full and equal participation of women at all decision-making levels. That is when the seed for the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 was sown. It was finally adopted on the 31st of October of the same year. We should never forget that when women, more than half of the world's eight billion plus people, are marginalized, there is no chance for our world to get sustainable peace in the real sense. It is my strong belief that unless women are engaged in advancing the culture of peace at equal levels at all times with men, sustainable peace would continue to elude us. In various parts of the world, women have shown great capacity as peace builders. At the grassroots and community levels, women have organized to resist militarization, to create space for dialogue and moderation, and to weave together the shattered fabric of society. As I reiterate time and again, women bring a new breadth, quality, and balance of vision to a common effort of moving away from the cult of war towards the culture of peace. Women's equality makes our planet safe and secure. The slogan of global campaign on women, peace and security, which we launched in London in June 2014 reiterates, and I quote, "If we are serious about peace, we must take women seriously," end of quote. Let me end by emphasizing that feminism is not intended to pit women against men or men against women. Feminism is about smart policy, which is inclusive, uses all potential, and leaves no one behind. I am proud to be a feminist. All of us need to be. That is how we make our planet a better place to live for all. We should always remember that without peace, development is impossible. And without development, peace is not achievable. But without women, neither peace nor development is conceivable. I continue to emphasize that the culture of peace is not a quick fix. It is a movement, not a revolution. And women always bolster that movement immensely. Let me conclude by underscoring here an unacceptable reality. In its 81 years of existence, The United Nations has not yet elected a woman Secretary-General. Eight decades plus, nine men, not one woman. What an embarrassment. What a shame. How can an institution that speaks of equality at every podium continues to model inequality at its pinnacle? The credibility of the UN's advocacy depends on its own reflection in the mirror. I thank you for your kind attention.

I thank the Ambassador Choudhury. I now have the honor to give the floor to Ms. Laima Guoi, the 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate. peace builder and founder and president of the GO WE Peace Foundation Africa. Please, Madam, the floor is yours and thank you for honoring us today.

Thank you, Madam President, Your Excellencies, I'm honored to join you at this high level forum on the program of action on the culture of peace. I'm glad to be sharing this space again with you, Ambassador Chaudhry, and to other colleagues in the room, 12 years ago, I sat in this very room to speak on the culture of peace. In those moments, we were faced with Ebola in the Mano River Basin. ISIS was on the lips of everyone because of the war. The Syrian war was raging. And the climate conversation had just ended in Peru, laying the groundworks for the Paris Agreement a year later. That same year, we were preparing to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 as women peacebuilders. In those moments as we prepared, we hoped our world would finally not only recognize our unique skills and potentials in conflict resolution and building peace in our communities, but strategically engage us as partners and thought leaders in the quest for peace in our world. Fortunately or unfortunately, that will not be the case and the struggle continues. I am one of the thousands of women in Liberia who worked for years to end the Liberian civil war. In those years, we worked at the local level in different ways to end the war. However, I wish I could say our processes were connected. At the beginning, we were disconnected and it perpetuated a lot of divisions that separated our country and us as women. Many of us recognize the futility of working separately. So the question we ask ourselves, how can we extinguish the fire of war with drops of water? And how can we extinguish the fire of war with a divisive mentality? We came together, formed the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, and Madam President spoke about it earlier on, bringing together Christian and Muslim women. This marriage was far from easy. There was no honeymoon. We got married and we had to start working. Our group included women from different income levels, rural and urban areas, ethnicity and faith. In those early days, we spent many days negotiating amongst ourselves in order to resolve the conflicts that came up. Contrary to popular belief that grassroots women peace efforts lack planning, coordination and strategy, we as Liberian women, like many other women across the world, were intentional. We planned every day for hours. We deliberately sought out actors who would further our cause and build strategic alliances in the course of our work. In that struggle, we inadvertently carry out the first mandate of Article One in the Declaration of the Culture of Peace. And this article says, education through education, dialogue and cooperation, we fostered an environment of conducive to peace. It is not easy as peace building is never easy. But in doing so, we expanded our initial goal of ending the Liberian civil war. We committed to building a culture of peace in a nation that had been devastated by war. One million of our compatriots were internally displaced, 500,000 were refugees. At that time, our population was about 3 million, and we have an estimate 250,000 people who lost their lives. So just to give you a picture that we were able to kill at least almost 10% of our population in 14 years of civil war. When negotiations failed in 1996 and '99, the women of Liberia were able to contribute to lasting peace. I can emphatically say, 23 years without the resurgence of violence last August made it 23 years in Liberia is largely due to the community, specifically the women's active involvement, not just in 2003, a must state, but from 2003, we have consistently continued to engage, ensuring that peace and the peace process remains on course. If peace was never handed to the Liberian women, We labored, we persevere, and recreated a culture of respect and constructive engagement. This year, our world is in a maze of conflict and global issues. The geopolitical instability marred by competition and fragmentation, trade tensions and supply chains disruption, climate and environmental crisis, AI is source of opportunities and concern. False information and information manipulation are deepening political and social divisions and undermining public trust in governments and democratic processes. And in all of this, women continue to suffer. As we gather to consider the programs of action on the culture of peace, we must consider these three factors, one, A culture of peace therefore requires more than absence of conflict. It requires inclusion, justice, dignity, dialogue, and in the world that we live in today, dialogue is far from everything that we do. It's either you agree with me, or if you disagree, we can't have a conversation. And the willingness to build relationship across political divide. religious, ethnic, and social divides. In a world of increasing political intolerance, my question to you all, Your Excellency, is this possible to achieve? The second part, a culture of peace becomes possible when women are not simply invited to participate, but are recognized as leaders, decision makers, and builders of a more just and inclusive society. For too long, women's involvement in these processes has been decorative. Sometimes I refuse invitations to come to the UN, just saying what Ambassador Chardley said, 80 years of male dominance, now is the time for women's leadership at the UN. We continue to see resistance or welfare amnesia in women's full and effective participation in building a culture of peace and peacebuilding work. Women across the world have been tested, have been proven worthy of building peace at all levels. We don't need to build a strong case on the behalf of women anymore. Unlike many global peace processes, women have the track record. It is our role now as leaders in this room to help elevate women's peacebuilding work and review the difference in how national and global peace is negotiated. Women peacebuilding is not centered solely on deconstructing war, it is about building a culture of peace. Today's affirmation is more importantly a challenge. The United Nations, as we all sit here, is as strong as its member state. And all of the member state in this room is weak without its people. And by saying people, I mean all genders. When we have elections in our countries, it's not just the men that vote, the women vote also. So it is important that men as well as women play a critical role in creating the culture of peace. The third part is resources. Many speakers talked about it. The assistant secretary general talked about resources. We use billions to make war. We cannot use peanuts to build peace. Now is the time if we're serious about building a culture of peace and involving women, we must give them the necessary resources. But let me just emphatically state here that I'm really very proud of women across the world, despite the shrinking spaces, the shrinking resources, despite the political pushback that we've received. Women are no longer waiting because we recognize that with or without donors funding, we become the ones who bear the greatest brunt in every crisis. So they continue, we continue to work to keep our communities and our societies stable. So I think we must continue to applaud the efforts of women whilst the world continue to watch and wait, women continue to do amazing work in their different countries. I sincerely believe that the ultimate goal of all of our activities globally is to create a culture of peace that promotes respect of rights of others in a world where we all live in harmony. This goal is achievable. However, it will take hard work, thinking outside of the box, political will, and sincerity. I will end with this, giving each and every one of us in this room a homework. And the homework is as you go home today, look at your children, look at your community, look at your nation, think about the culture of peace and ask yourself, can we continue to do peace building without the hands of everyone? Can we continue to operate our world leaving women behind if we're serious about building a culture of peace for our children and the next generation? We must sit and answer these questions sincerely. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Lima, we I now give the floor to Mr. Elliot Mickenberg, director of office and the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization representative in New York.

Thank you, Madam President. Good morning, everyone. Excellencies, all protocol observed. It is a pleasure for me to join you today on behalf of UNESCO for this important exchange. As previous speakers reminded, Peace is not merely the absence of conflict. For UNESCO peace, it's built every day through education, through dialogue, inclusion, human rights, and equal opportunities for all. Women are essential architects of this vision. As Malala Yousafzai, a fearless education champion, reminded the UN on several occasions, and I quote, We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." End of quote. Indeed, we cannot and we will not achieve lasting peace when women are excluded from decisions that shape our societies, our institutions, and our future. At the time of growing polarization, rising conflicts, democratic backsliding, and deepening inequalities, women's leadership has never been more important. peace processes are more durable, inclusive and sustainable when women participate meaningfully in decision-making. Throughout history, women leaders have expanded the boundaries of what is possible, often transforming society through courage, vision and innovation. Ada Lovelace, the pioneering mathematician who wrote the world's first computer algorithm, imagined the transformative potential of computing long before it became reality. Wangari Maathai, founder of Kenya's Green Belt Movement and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, showed that environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and peace are deeply connected. Their legacies are reflected today in the countless women who serve as educators, mediators, scientists, journalists, policy makers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. From negotiating peace agreements and defending human rights to advancing scientific recovery, discovery, sorry, women bring perspectives and approaches that help bridge divides, strengthen resilience, and build trust. They create spaces for dialogue where there is polarization, promote understanding where there is mistrust, and forge pathways for cooperation where others see barriers. UNESCO advances women leadership for peace through practical actions across education, science, culture, communication, and information. Over the last two years, 27 million learners have benefited from UNESCO's efforts to reduce gender bias and stereotypes in education systems. At the same time, 89 countries, including all countries in Africa, have reviewed their STEM education system to help close persistent gender gaps and create pathways for more women leaders in science and innovation. Through the UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women Education, we celebrate pioneering initiatives that empower women and girls to become decision makers, innovators and agents of positive social change. UNESCO-L'Oreal for Women in Science program, which has supported and recognized outstanding women researchers for more than 25 years, also help elevate the contribution of women scientists whose discoveries advance knowledge, and address global challenge and inspire future generations of women and girls to pursue scientific leadership. Role models are important on this. In terms of conflict and crisis, women journalists and artists are often among the first voices to come under pressure. Ensuring that women can contribute freely and safely to public life is therefore essential to safeguarding peace, and this is one of UNESCO's core priorities. For this reason, we will hold a special side event during the Women Peace and Security Week on women journalists next October. Last but not least, as new technologies transform our societies, UNESCO is also working to ensure that women help shape the digital future. Through initiatives such as the Women for Ethical AI platform, we support women leaders in technology and innovation and promote more inclusive digital ecosystems. Let me close by thanking the PGA for convening this important meeting. We look forward to hearing Member States share their experiences and best practices, and let us reaffirm our commitment to empowering women leaders as agents of dialogue, inclusion, and peace. Thank you.

Thank you. I thank Mr. Minchenberg for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. We have heard the last speaker in the opening segment. We will pause the meeting very briefly for seating change at the podium. I thank everybody for joining. Thank you. I say. As we will now begin the plenary segment, Before I open the floor for interventions, I would like to remind delegations that, as indicated in my letters mentioned earlier, the time limit for statements will be three minutes for individual delegations speaking in their national capacity and five minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of states, which will be strictly enforced by means of automatic microphone cut off. To assist delegations in managing the time, a countdown clock, as we do many, many times, will be displayed on the screen and the microphone will blink 30 seconds before cut off. Having said this, I would appeal to all speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace to facilitate interpretation into the six official languages. I thank you for your cooperation. As a first speaker, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh, followed by Turkmenistan and the European Union.

Madam President, it is an honor to address my first public statement as Bangladesh's permanent representative to this high level forum on a culture of peace. It gives me particular pleasure to do so on the topic of women's leadership. Bangladesh is proud of its contribution to the declaration and program of action on a culture of peace. Peace, as it has been just said by UNESCO representative, is not merely the absence of war or violence. A lasting culture of peace can only be built when societies uphold justice, equality, human rights, and inclusive participation. Women's full, equal, and meaningful role in political peacemaking and peacebuilding processes is indispensable to realizing this vision. Women's voices must be heard, their experiences must be valued, and their leadership must be recognized if societies are to build and sustain a culture of peace. Bangladesh is proud of our women peacekeepers who work in challenging environments in UN operations in war-torn societies to promote peace. At the national level, Bangladesh has invested heavily in women's education, skills development, and economic empowerment. Our government recently announced free education up to the tertiary level for female students. We are proud of the impressive contribution of our women's movement and our women leaders in civil society, including at the grassroots level, advancing human rights and sustainable development. Madam President, Bangladesh is acutely aware, as we all are, of the significant challenges to women's leadership globally. Despite the Women, Peace and Security agenda, women are underrepresented in peace processes and often excluded from decisions that affect their lives and futures. The pushback of retrogressive forces and the recent global crisis in funding has only worsened the situation of women-focused and women-led organizations. To advance women's leadership for a culture of peace, Bangladesh proposes three major priorities. Firstly, renewed efforts to ensure women's full, equal and meaningful participation at all stages of peace processes. Secondly, more investment in adolescent girls and young women's leadership, including their digital access and literacy skills. And thirdly, well-targeted, sustained support to women-led organizations in conflict prevention, humanitarian response, community resilience, social cohesion, and peacebuilding. Bangladesh reiterates its strong commitment to promoting women's leadership in building a culture of peace. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bangladesh and a warm welcome, Madam Ambassador, to the United Nations in New York. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Turkmenistan on behalf of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of Neutrality.

For Peace, security and sustainable development.

At the outset, the group expresses its appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening this high-level forum and welcomes its timely focus on women's leadership to promote a culture of peace. The group welcomes the recent adoption of GA resolution 18/294, follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. At a time of growing geopolitical tensions, conflicts mistrust and polarization its message is particularly relevant peace must not be understood simply as the interval between phases of conflict it must be actively built and sustained through dialogue mutual respect inclusion Justice and cooperation for the group of friends the culture of peace and the principles of neutrality are closely interconnected this connection has been further reinforced by the recent General Assembly resolution 262, the role and importance of a policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and sustainable development. Neutrality does not mean standing aside from the cause of peace. It means creating space for peace. Excellencies, today's theme reminds us that no sustainable culture of peace can be built without the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation and leadership of women. Women must not be viewed only as beneficiaries of peace. Women are mediators, negotiators, community leaders, diplomats, educators, peacebuilders and decision-makers. The Group therefore welcomes the strong emphasis in resolution 80/294 on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. and on advancing women's full, equal and meaningful participation in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and activities promoting a culture of peace. First, women should be meaningfully represented in preventive diplomacy, mediation and peace negotiations from the earliest stages. Second, greater support should be provided to women mediators, peacebuilders and women-led organizations, including through capacity building and professional networks. Third, women's leadership should be further integrated into preventive diplomacy.

Engagement with women leaders and local communities can help identify tensions before they develop into conflict.

Fourth, education must remain central. A culture of peace begins long before negotiations start in families, schools and communities through respect, tolerance, equality and the rejection of violence. Distinguished delegates.

Neutrality can provide additional opportunities for such inclusive diplomacy.

Neutral venues can facilitate communication when direct engagement becomes difficult and provide platforms for women mediators, civil society and other peace actors. The Group of Friends stands ready to contribute to this effort. This is the culture of peace that our group supports.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Turkmenistan on behalf of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development. now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union on behalf of the EU and its member states, followed by Kazakhstan and Morocco.

Madam President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, the Republic of Moldova, and Georgia, as well as Armenia, Monaco, San Marino, and the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement. We reaffirm our full support for the culture of peace agenda and welcome the focus of this year's discussion on women leadership in promoting the culture of peace. The EU was born from the ashes of war with the determination to turn competition into partnership, conflict into cooperation. We have learned to nurture the culture of peace and adopted it as part of our DNA. The principles and values guiding us today are informed by this very experience. Today, as a global peace actor, the US committed to the peaceful settlement of conflicts, dialogue and diplomacy, as well as respect for international norms and obligations. We stand firm in our conviction that today's complex challenges can only be resolved through collective commitment and action through effective multilateralism with the United Nations at its core. Chair, peace can only be achieved and sustained with a holistic approach that tackles the root causes of conflicts. It requires strengthening societies through the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic participation and civic space, inclusive and sustainable development, as well as the rule of law and good governance served by well-functioning justice systems. A comprehensive approach to peacebuilding also requires strengthened coherence between humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding efforts, particularly in fragile and conflict-related contexts. Peace is where the rights and dignity of every person are respected and where all have equal opportunities to thrive without any discrimination, intimidation or violence, and where diversity and pluralism are celebrated. This requires investments into education from an early age, the empowerment of young persons and inclusion of those marginalized as well as gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, the focus of today's discussion. Chair, women play a fundamental role in building and maintaining resilience in societies through their contributions in all aspects of life. Societies can only be strong if they are underpinned by the full and equal contributions of women and girls. In times of conflict, women have proven to be at the forefront of prevention, mediation, and conflict resolution. Their full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes, peacebuilding, post-conflict recovery, and decision-making is a prerequisite for sustainable and inclusive peace. The women, peace and security agenda is central to advancing this goal and therefore its implementation is a strategic imperative. However, this requires the elimination of structural barriers that women and girls face in society. This includes eradicating discrimination, discriminatory gender norms, threats, harassment, reprisals and violence against them, including women peacebuilders and women human rights defenders, providing a safe and enabling environment and taking proactive steps to promote women's leadership at all levels. The EU remains strongly committed to this end. We support women mediators networks, systematically include women experts in our mediation support teams and integrate a gender perspective throughout their work. We also promote women's participation in peace processes, making sure that at least one third of participants in all EU supported peace processes are women. We further support women leaders and experts in directly engaging in negotiations and political processes through dedicated women's advisory bodies. And finally, we fund women peacebuilders, women-led and civil society organizations, and women human rights defenders to advance mediation, conflict prevention, and inclusive governance in conflict-affected communities in various regions of the world. Chair, the culture of peace agenda remains at the heart of our work as we strive to achieve peace, prosperity, and human rights for all. The EU stands firm in this commitment and is taking action to cultivate it today and every day. I thank you.

I thank the representative.

Of the European Union. I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegates, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the President of the General Assembly for convening this timely high-level forum. In today's fractured world marked by rising intolerance and hate speech, fostering a culture of peace through inclusive dialogue is more than urgent. For over a quarter of a century since its launch, the landmark program on the culture of peace has served as a vital reminder that compassion, mutual respect, and solidarity are essential for humanity. Sustainable peace remains unattainable as long as women are underrepresented in formal peace processes. To build a true culture of peace, we must champion women's leadership at every level. It should be a collective effort but realized on a local level. In this context, Kazakhstan's national policies actively integrate gender equality across all levels of decision-making process. Following recent elections, 49 women have been elected to the new parliament of Kazakhstan, representing nearly 34% of all deputies, marking a significant increase from previous figures. This growth reflects the result of comprehensive state policies aimed at creating equal opportunities, developing female leadership and fostering conditions for women's full participation in social and political life. Building upon the successful implementation of our first national action plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, we are continuing this vital work through our new national action plan for 2026, 2028. This framework includes measures focused on expanding women's participation in peace and security process, preventing violence, fostering leadership, enhancing digital security, and promoting sustainable development. We firmly believe that domestic harmony and global peace are deeply interconnected. Internationally, we foster intercivilizational understanding through the global platform of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Last year's eighth congress brought together over 100 religious leaders from around 60 countries, concluding with the Astana Peace Declaration, which champions unity and diversity and calls for integrating the shared goals into the UN agenda. This commitment translates into our practical contributions to international peace. Since 2018, 20 Kazakhstan female peacekeepers have proudly served in the UN operations in Lebanon, Western Sahara, and the Golan Heights, proving that women are indispensable architects of security. In conclusion, peace is inherently incomplete when half of humanity is sidelined. Kazakhstan reaffirms its steadfast dedication to removing systemic barriers to women's participation and building a lasting culture of peace for all. I thank.

You.

I thank the representative of Kazakhstan and I give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Thank you for convening this important high-level forum. A sustainable culture of peace cannot exist without the full and meaningful participation of women. But beyond participation, we need their leadership. We need to see them as the architects of peace. And of course, evidence, science, data already proved it. proved that women's participation increases the durability of the agreement, also boosts the global GDP and reduces the vulnerability to radicalization and extremism, just to name these few. So President Morocco has undertaken profound constitutional, legislative and institutional reforms to strengthen more and also to track the role, participation and contribution of women in all spheres. Morocco extended through 2026 its national action plan on the implementation of the 1325 resolution, Security Council resolution on women, peace and security. We are determined to strengthen women's place at the center of prevention, mediation and reconstruction efforts. And Morocco also invested in building a culture of peace beyond its borders. Indeed, Morocco's institutions also train women's religious leaders from across Africa and Europe, equipping them with the tools, knowledge and evidence to counter extremism, to counter extremist narratives and to promote tolerance and a culture of peace. This is of course anchored in normative frameworks that Morocco helped shape, namely the Rabat Plan of Action and the Fez Plan of Action, both aiming at preventing incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence. And women play a key role to eradicate the culture of war and to build instead a culture of peace. Morocco has also supported the emergence of a new generation of Moroccan and Arab women mediators We are convinced that regional ownership of peacebuilding is only credible when women sit at the table as decision makers, not observers. So to conclude, Mr. President, we believe that peace built without women is peace built without half of its foundation. We will continue to champion this agenda nationally, regionally, and within this organization. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Morocco. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

We align ourselves with the statement of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development. Russia fully supports the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace and the principle of equality and dialogue enshrined therein. Women whose path is inextricably linked to the raising of children and supporting older family members have a particular interest in fostering a culture of peace. In our country, which was the first to enshrine the constitutional equality of men and women in 1918, women make up an overwhelming majority in key professions such as teachers around 90%, doctors 70%, judges 65%. Around 40% of lawyers and around a third of diplomats in Russia are women. We achieved these impressive results without any quotas or without special programmes. This success was due to equal access to education and employment, as well as broad access to free kindergartens and full day schools for now the third generation of women in our country. Moreover, Russian law protects women in material terms and from the of losing their jobs during pregnancy, birth and childcare for children under three. For that reason, based on our national experience, we do not believe it is useful to introduce artificial quotas or positive discrimination simply as a box-ticking exercise. Women in Russia hold around 45% of leadership posts and we are leaders in the G20 in that regard. The leader of the upper chamber of the Russian parliament is a woman, Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko and upon her initiative in 2015, the Eurasian Women's Forum was created. This is an international platform for dialogue about the new role of and opportunities for women in the 21st century. It is supposed to support women leaders and women's associations. As part of the Eurasian Forum, a working group has been created under the deputy speaker of the upper chamber of Russia's parliament, Galina Nikolaevna Karelova, which has launched 12 international projects. Currently, the forum is organizing the Women Leader BRICS program, and in the 2026-2027 stream, 100 women will participate. In 2024, the forum brought together women leaders from 126 countries and in 2027 we plan to hold another forum another iteration of the forum Russia intends to stands ready to cooperate and share its advanced experience in promoting women's leadership and a culture of peace thank you very much

I.

Thank the representative of the Russian Federation I now give the floor to the representative of Nicaragua.

Mr. President, we align ourselves with the statement delivered by Turkmenistan on behalf of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development. Nicaragua welcomes the holding of this peace forum reaffirming affirming our permanent commitment to promoting and consolidating a culture of peace based on dialogue, respect, solidarity, social justice, and understanding among peoples. For our blessed and ever free Nicaragua, peace is an irrevocable right for our people. It is our most precious asset and the crucial path to beating poverty, achieving development, and guaranteeing a decent, safe, and prosperous life for all of our families. Nicaraguan women have been and remain fundamental protagonists in building, defending and consolidating peace in our country. From families and communities until to institutions and decision making spaces, they contribute day by day to promoting dialogue, fraternal coexistence, solidarity and common well-being. Nicaragua recognizes and promotes the effective participation of women in political, economic, social and community spheres and in decision making processes for our people. their leadership means ensuring real protagonism and the effective ability to contribute to the transformation and development of our society. As a part of our commitment to the culture of peace, we carry out activities within schools, universities, communities, local governments, and public institutions promoting values of respect, unity, solidarity, and coexistence, strengthening communities and safe and peaceful families. We are convinced that peace and development are inseparable for an effective sustainable development, thus promoting social justice and well-being for peoples. Furthermore, the culture of peace is by its very essence and definition radically incompatible with the persistent threats, aggression, interference in domestic affairs of states and unilateral coercive measures. Such practices represent flagrant violations of international law and are a deliberate attack on the well-being and the right to development of our peoples. President, the UN must continue to promote the leadership and protagonism of women in peacebuilding, respecting, always respecting the sovereignty, national realities and development models that each people has freely decided to forge for itself. Nicaragua reaffirms that genuine peace is built every day through the transformative strength of our women and the sovereign will of our people. We will continue to move ahead in building a fairer, more prosperous and more solidarity based society where the well-being of our peoples is at the heart of every decision. Thank you very much.

I thank Nicaragua. I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

Thank you, Mr. President. Israel welcomes today's discussion on advancing a culture of peace through the leadership of women. For Israel, peace is not an abstract aspiration. Even while confronting persistent conflict and security threats, our commitment remains to building a future of lasting peace. We know that such peace cannot be achieved without women as full and equal partners. Israeli women serve as diplomats, legislators, judges, educators, entrepreneurs, first responders, and leaders across our society. Their leadership extends directly to the pursuit of peace. Today, women participate in both the Israeli and Lebanese delegations engaged in negotiations, demonstrating that women must have a seat at the table where decisions about our shared future are made. Israel has long supported the Women, Peace and Security agenda. We were among the first countries to incorporate principles of Security Council Resolution 1325 into domestic legislation, recognizing the importance of women's meaningful participation in decisions concerning peace and security. Israel has also appointed a special envoy for Women, Peace and Security. In 2025, we joined the Women, Peace, and Security focal points network and participated in its also thematic meeting. But empowering women also means ensuring that every woman receives equal protection and that violence against women is condemned without qualification. The atrocities of October 7, including sexual and gender-based violence against Israeli women, were a devastating reminder of this responsibility. They also demonstrated the danger of allowing anti-Semitism to determine which victims are heard, believed, and defended. We therefore note the Secretary-General's report on a culture of peace and its reference to the United Nations action plan to enhance monitoring and response to anti-Semitism. This is an important step. But monitoring and responding cannot be our final ambition. A genuine culture of peace requires us to actively confront and combat anti-Semitism wherever it appears and ensure it is never normalized or tolerated. Women have a central role in building peace, as they are among its architects. Israel will continue working to ensure that women lead in our institutions, our communities, and at negotiating tables, because a lasting culture of peace requires courage, inclusion, moral clarity, and the leadership of women. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Israel. I now give the floor to the representative of China.

President, thank you for convening this meeting. China supports the joint statement by the representative of Turkmenistan on behalf of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for peace, security and sustainable development. Women are a vital force for openness, inclusion, solidarity and cooperation and play a unique and essential role in safeguarding the building peace. Last year, President Xi Jinping underscored at the Global Women's Summit the need to support women in assuming the responsibilities of our times, engaging deeply in global governance and sharing in the fruits of governance. In an era of rapid change and ongoing profound transformation, we must further leverage the role of women, vigorously promote a culture of peace, and resolutely safeguard global peace and stability. First, maintaining peace and security is the essential prerequisite. Without guarantees for survival and safety, nothing else can be meaningfully pursued. We must uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, stay committed to peaceful settlement of disputes, and promote ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in conflict-affected regions. We must firmly oppose all acts of violence against women and girls and support their equal, comprehensive, and effective participation in peace processes. Second, inclusive development is the fundamental guarantee. Efforts to strengthen women's leadership must be pursued within the framework of gender equality and women's empowerment. We must reaffirm our commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Programme for Action and promote the comprehensive development of women. We must fully leverage women's agency and power for transformation, thereby fundamentally enhancing their capacity to participate in and lead sustainable development. Third, strengthening exchanges and mutual learning is an important task. Women are messengers of peace and friendship and ambassadors of exchanges among different civilizations and cultures. We must uphold a people-centered approach, eliminate discrimination and prejudice, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and foster closer bonds among peoples. We must deepen mutual learning among women and support the UN in playing a central role in building bolder platforms for cooperation among women worldwide. President, China has always been a builder of world peace and an advocate of and a contributor to the global advancement of women. We have trained more than 200,000 women professionals for over 180 countries and regions, deployed more than 1,000 female peacekeepers to the UN, and actively promoted the establishment of various exchange platforms, contributing to significant progress in women's empowerment. China stands ready to work with all parties to continue advancing a culture of peace, amass the Xi power, and inject new momentum into the cause of peace and the advancement of women worldwide. I thank you, President.

I thank the representative of China. I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

Mr. President, Cuba is fully committed to the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which is a crucial framework to build a fairer, more equitable, democratic and sustainable world. In an international context that is increasingly dangerous, where we see increasing threats to peace, stability and international security, and where neo-fascist agendas of domination are being promoted, respecting the Charter of the UN and international law is an need. We recognise that women, the agents of change in all eras, can and must play a crucial role here. For Cuba, gender equality and the empowerment of women do not stand solely as development goals but rather an essential precondition for social peace and justice. Therefore, we support the full and effective participation of women in all levels of decision-making in accordance with the commitments made in the Declaration and Programme of Action of Beijing and the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. President, while we discuss the role of women in building a culture of peace, Cuban women continue to face an unacceptable policy of hostility from the Government of the United States, which is combining the blockade with a fuel siege which is severely affecting the vital services for our people, the burden particularly falling on women. This is also compounded by a constant threat of the use of military force against Cuba, which also contravenes the very spirit of a culture of peace. Cuba is a threat to no one, and this is well known by the international community. Our people, just like everyone else, deserve to live in peace. It is high time for peace to not be a far off ideal, but rather a tangible reality for all peoples. We will continue to advocate for solidarity, dialogue, respect for multilateralism, the Charter of the United Nations and international law. You can be sure that the leadership of Cuban women will continue to promote these values, including a true culture of peace. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Cuba. I now give the floor to the representative of the Gambia.

Thank you, Chair. At the outset, allow me to join the previous speakers in expressing our profound appreciation for convening this important high-level forum. We are particularly pleased that this session is giving special attention to the invaluable roles played by women towards the realization of our agenda regarding sustainable peace under the theme Women's Leadership to Promote a Culture of Peace. The Gambia continues to prioritize women empowerment in our national development agenda, ensuring their full, adequate, and effective representation in governance and decision-making processes, and also by enacting the necessary legislative reforms to enhance their participation under the ambit of our transitional justice process and international human rights law. It is recognized that women's engagement and participation in decision-making at all levels of society is one of the foremost examples of female self-organization and intervention. The engagement of women in conflict management produces results. The active participation in critical decision-making and presence at the negotiating table amply demonstrate that women can mobilize, demand action, and achieve great results when intrinsic structural barriers are addressed and surmounted. It is established that women's participation in peace processes is critical to the long-term stability of countries and regions. The Gambia continues to call for the implementation of resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. And in the context of the UN peacebuilding architecture, we continue to also call for the implementation of the Peacebuilding Commission Strategy 2016 and its implementation plan, which prioritizes advancing women's leadership in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding. Allow me to emphasize that the active involvement and leadership of women in peace processes is not only imperative for the sake of inclusion or as an assertion of women's inherent right to contribute to shaping the vision of the world, but also places a platform that acknowledges the importance of women leadership in safeguarding lasting peace and mainstreaming women empowerment. Women's inclusion fosters greater trust and legitimacy in peace building, ensuring that their lived voices and experiences are shared and amplified. The contrary, however, undermines peace and security efforts, perpetuates inequalities and reinforces harmful stereotypes. It is also unfeasible to advance our sustainable development goals by 2030 without the full involvement of women. To conclude, the Gambia recommends that we must adopt robust action plans geared towards tackling the structural impediments and deep-seated norms that fuel marginalization of women and hinder their participation in peace processes. We must take progressive steps to enhance women's participation in conflict prevention, mitigation and resolution. We equally endorse the need to build and provide a platform for strategic advocacy, capacity building and greater networking aimed at enhancing the implementation of the commitments for women's inclusion in peace making, decision making and post conflict reconstruction. I thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of the Gambia. I now get the floor to the representative of Germany.

Mr. President, Excellencies, colleagues, Germany welcomes today's focus on women's leadership to promote a culture of peace. A culture of peace is more than the absence of conflict. It requires justice, participation, human rights, and equality. It cannot be achieved without the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women. For Germany, this conviction is at the heart of our commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. More than 25 years after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, women remain dramatically underrepresented where decisions on peace and security are taken. Germany is working to change this. Through the implementation of successive national action plans on WPS, Germany has supported close to 1,000 projects and initiatives towards that end. A particular priority is supporting the women who build peace at the local level. To achieve that goal, Germany remains the biggest financial supporter of the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund, which channels flexible financing directly toward women-led organizations in conflict and crisis settings. Germany remains one of the most important donors to UN Women. in support of their work to shift laws, institutions, social norms and services in order to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. But financing alone is not enough. Women peacebuilders, peacekeepers and human rights defenders must be able to participate safely. Their expertise must shape peace processes from the outset, not be added after the most important decisions have already been made. Germany's chair of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2025, during Germany's chair, we worked hard to mainstream the WPS agenda as an essential part of the PBC agenda and a lens through which to examine conflict. To make things more concrete, Germany, together with the African Union and the United Nations, supported the establishment of the African Women Leaders Network. The network aims to empower African women leaders to play their role in bringing about lasting peace and sustainable development by increasing women's participation in decision making. At a time when conflicts are multiplying and fundamental rights are increasingly under pressure, we must resist any retreat from the commitments we have made. Germany will continue to stand for the implementation of resolution 1325 and the entire WPS agenda. Because women's participation is not an optional element of sustainable peace. There can be no lasting culture of peace without women shaping it. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Germany. I now give the floor to the representative of Ethiopia.

Thank you, Mr. President. My delegation thanks the President of the General Assembly for organizing today's high-level forum. We attach high importance to the theme under consideration. My delegation believes that women's participation in peace initiatives is important not only for reasons of equality, but also for the effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts. The inclusion of women in peace processes creates procedural inclusivity, substantive contributions, and an empowerment effect, all of which contribute to stronger and more durable peace outcomes. Women bring unique perspectives to conflict resolution and community reconciliation, often prioritizing dialogue, social cohesion, and long-term stability. Ethiopia's women have been at the forefront of promoting a culture of peace in the country through their leadership role in households, in communal life, and their growing participation in key governmental initiatives in the country, including in the recently concluded Ethiopia's national dialogue, which is a historic milestone in our effort to national consensus and lasting peace. On the international front, our women are also notable for their participation at the United Nations peacekeeping missions. The full and meaningful participation of women in leadership roles is essential for the protection of human rights and the achievement of sustainable and lasting peace. Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in recent years with more women holding senior government positions, including 41% of seats in parliament. Ethiopia has also appointed its first woman Minister of Defense in 2024. Mr. President, allow me to share one example from Ethiopia that highlights how women have long been central to fostering a culture of peace within our communal cultural practices. Sinke is a long, thin ritual stick given to married Oromo women on their wedding day. It serves as an inviolent emblem of authority, justice, and protection, and it is described as a woman's peaceful weapon against injustice. During intercommunal and intra-communal conflicts, if women carrying Sinkhe intervene to separate the conflicting parties, fighting ceases immediately. Overall, through Sinkhe, the women act for peace education, human rights advocacy, humanitarian and social welfare, peacemaking and preventive diplomacy. In conclusion, Mr. President, we underscore the importance of empowering women and encouraging robust capacity building support for member states. These initiatives are essential in developing the strengthening the skills and talents of women. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Ethiopia, and I give the floor to the representative of Algeria.

Mr. President, my delegation welcomes this opportunity to address the fundamental role of women's leadership in promoting a culture of peace. We express our appreciation to Bangladesh for facilitating General Assembly Resolution 80/294, of which Algeria was a co-sponsor. Twenty-seven years after its adoption, the Declaration and Programme of Action for a Culture of Peace remains a universal foundation for our collective efforts. Yet translating this vision into reality requires the recognition and the strengthening of women's leadership, protection, and rights as essential pillars of peace and security. Algeria's commitment to women's leadership in promoting a culture of peace is rooted in national experience, reflecting our continued commitment to dialogue and tolerance. In this spirit, Algeria played a leading role in facilitating the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 72/130 establishing 16 May as the International Day of Living Together in Peace. This initiative highlights the importance of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and inclusive participation, in all of which women play an essential role as leaders and agents of change. remain committed to the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all spheres of life, including peace processes. In July 2023, Algeria further strengthened this commitment through the adoption of its National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. In our collective effort to advance women's leadership in promoting a culture of peace, we believe it is important to prioritize the following. First, we must strengthen women leadership skills and expand partnership among member states, civil society, and international institutions to promote women's meaningful participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes. Second, we must establish a robust legal framework and national programs that safeguard women's rights and empower and protect women in both peace and conflict settings. Third, we must prevent and combat violence against women and girls by ensuring protection, access to justice, and respect for human rights. And fourth, we must promote broad awareness and inclusive engagement to advance women's participation in decision-making. Mr. President, women are essential to building and sustaining lasting peace. Their leadership strengthens societies founded on dialogue, inclusion, tolerance, and mutual respect. Algeria remains fully committed to empowering women and strengthening their leadership while advancing a culture of peace. We firmly believe that peace is built through the collective efforts of all segments of society with women's meaningful participation and leadership at the heart of this shared endeavor. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Algeria. I give the floor to the representative of Tonga.

Mr. President, the Kingdom of Tonga aligns with the enduring principles of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and warmly welcomes this year's timely and significant focus on women's leadership.

For Tonga, peace extends far beyond the mere absence of conflict.

Peace is sustained through justice, human dignity, inclusion, and the enduring resilience of our families and communities.

Across our islands, women have long exercised essential leadership within families, churches, villages, communities, civil society and public institutions.

They are often among the first to respond during disasters and among the last to withdraw as communities recover and rebuild.

Tonga continues to strengthen this contribution through its revised Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality Policy 2026-2030, the National Child Protection Policy, and reforms aimed at improving access to justice and preventing gender-based violence.

At present, the Cabinet of Tonga includes two women ministers, alongside women serving in senior leadership positions

across the public service,

including as current Chief Executive Officers and as leading diplomats.

These trailblazing women continue to break barriers, shape national policy and diplomacy, and inspire the next generation of Tongan women

to pursue leadership in public service.

Yet, women's leadership must extend beyond participation.

Women must be fully, equally, meaningfully and safely represented wherever decisions affecting peace, security and development are made.

This requires strengthening women-led organisations and ensuring sustained and accessible financing for their work. For Pacific small island developing states such as Tonga, climate change remains our most profound and consequential challenge. Its impacts deepen inequalities, increase displacement, and place women and girls at heightened risk.

Climate action, gender equality, and peacebuilding must therefore advance together.

Tonga calls upon the United Nations and its Member

States to translate our shared commitments into practical support at the national and community levels.

By investing in women's leadership, we invest in more peaceful, resilient, and inclusive societies for present and future generations. Mr. President, I thank you.

I thank the representative of Tonga. I give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

We thank the PGA for convening this high-level forum. on the programme of action on a culture of peace whose theme is relevant in the context of the increase in violence, the regression of respect for human rights, inequality disproportionately affecting women. The original programme of action on a culture of peace contains elements that remain relevant today whose implementation we should accelerate. These include, amongst others, access to education, particularly for women and girls, sustainable development, respect for all human rights and actions that bring about increased participation in democratic processes. The program of action is also very specific on the need to ensure equality between men and women. Women have historically played significant roles in peace building efforts, often at grassroot level, where they've demonstrated the ability to bring communities together, promote dialogue and address the root causes of conflict. Women promote a culture of peace by leading grassroots mediation, driving community reconciliation and actively shaping international peace and security frameworks. South Africa remains committed to gender mainstreaming in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping, post-conflict reconstruction and development within the framework of the WPS agenda. In order to build capacity for mediation in Africa, South Africa hosts a training program on conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation for women mediators across the continent. The international community should strive towards a future where the inclusion of all women across all sectors and at all levels is considered a universally accepted standard. In closing, we call on all states, civil society, and the United Nations system to reinforce the principles of equality, particularly between men and women, in pursuit of a more peaceful, just, and fairer world. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.

I thank the representative of South Africa. I give the floor to the representative of Angola.

for their insightful contribution. The culture of peace needs to be implemented at all levels and by all sectors. Women's leadership strengthens dialogue, builds trust across communities and institutions, and contributes to address the underlying causes of conflicts. Investing in women's leadership is therefore an investment in lasting peace. We must remove all structural barriers, expand opportunities for participation, and ensure that women are empowered as mediators, negotiators, peace builders, and decision makers. Excellency, the Republic of Angola is committed to advance the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and to strengthen women's leadership in promoting the culture of peace. This year alone, we have also two important initiatives. Angola hosted on July 9 and 10, 2026, the second International Women's Forum for Peace and Democracy, co-organized by the Angolan government, the African Women's Leader Network, and the Office of the Special Envoy on Peace and Security. And on July 16 and 17, we hosted the Call for Peace, the Ends of War and Respect for International Law, under the United Nations Alliance of Civilization, which reaffirmed the importance of women's full, equal, meaningful participation in peacebuilding, mediation, and decision-making processes. Therefore, Angola will also organize later this year, on 22nd and 23rd of October, the fourth Luanda Biennial, the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence. The Biennale remains an important platform for promoting dialogue, reconciliation, prevention, and continental stability. To conclude, Mr. President, a culture of peace requires more than absence of war. It calls for respect for human dignity, justice, tolerance, and the peaceful resolution of differences. Female leadership must be a standard, not exception, in governance across all levels. We must, therefore, move from commitment to implementation by ensuring that women are not merely beneficiaries of peace, but are fully recognized and empowered as leaders, decision makers, and architects of peace. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Angola. I now give the floor to the representative of Malaysia.

President, thank you for convening this high-level forum focusing on women's leadership to promote a culture of peace.

At a time when conflicts and

divisions continue to affect communities across the world, fostering a culture of peace is more important than ever. As Malaysia has consistently emphasized,

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict.

It must be sustained through mutual respect and understanding, through trust, through dialogue and cooperation. Central to these efforts is the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. Women must not only be beneficiaries of

peace, but active participants and importantly, leaders in preventing conflict, building trust and sustaining peace.

President, Malaysia is committed to translating this principle into concrete action. The mid-term review of the Defence White Paper launched in September 2025 sets a target of 15% female participation in the Malaysian Armed Forces by 2030. Malaysia's Ministry of Defense is also developing a dedicated women peace and security policy to strengthen women's participation, representation, and leadership across the defense sector. Malaysia is equally committed to advancing women's participation in UN peacekeeping. At the 2025 UN peacekeeping ministerial, Malaysia pledged to increase the deployment and participation of female personnel in current

and future UN peacekeeping missions.

Today, women comprise 10.7% of Malaysia's contingent deployed under UNIFIL, while six of our 13 military observers and staff officers

serving in UN missions are women.

This is not merely about numbers. Women peacekeepers bring valuable perspectives and skills that strengthen engagement with local communities, particularly women and girls. Their participation helps build trust and contributes towards more inclusive and responsive peacekeeping. We must therefore continue to create the conditions for women to participate meaningfully and assume leadership roles at all levels of decision-making, because peace processes shaped by women are more inclusive and more durable. This requires sustainable investment in capacity building, institutions and opportunities for women to contribute. Madam President, Malaysia remains committed to advancing a culture of peace and working together towards a world where peace, dialogue, mutual respect and inclusion are a shared reality for all. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the representative of Oman.

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. The Sultanate of Oman would like to express its appreciation for holding this high-level forum on the implementation of the program of action on a culture of peace under the title, the leadership of women to promote the culture of peace. This is of particular importance as the world witnesses increasing challenges and divisions. The Sultanate of Oman believes that the culture of peace is based on justice, equality, dialogue, and inclusive participation. The empowerment of women and its full and meaningful and safe participation in decision making and peace building are a pillar for promoting this culture. In this context, the empowerment of women in the Sultanate of Oman is one of our main pillars nationally that is based on the constitution of the state that guarantees equal participation before the law and equal opportunity and Oman 2040 vision and the policies, national policies and plans towards enhancing the participation of women in all areas of development and decision making. The development of the national plan for women 2026 to 2030 is prepared in cooperation and partnership with ESCWA to promote the integration of national policies with development priorities and international commitments and this is one of the main pillars as well. This approach has been reflected in tangible indicators. Women currently represent 21% of the members of the state the percentage of women in the judiciary is more than 45%. Women also represent 63% of the heads of the municipalities and the executive boards of CSOs. In 2026, we have adopted an additional step to promote the political participation of women. We have allocated 11 additional seats for the women's quota in the Shura Council, which promotes their participation in elected councils and the role of women in developing policies and decision-making. Mr. President, a sustainable culture of peace requires translating participation into actual implementation in decision making. We will continue to support international efforts to promote women and women's participation and promoting the concepts of coexistence, tolerance, the culture of peace is a culture where women take part to protect it for future generations, I think.

I thank the representative of Oman. I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. As we commemorate the adoption of the Programme of Action on Culture of Peace by the UN General Assembly on 13 September 1999, let me take this opportunity to appreciate Bangladesh for sponsoring the annual follow-up resolutions last adopted by the 80th

UNGA session.

The Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace marks a watershed moment in humankind's quest for enduring global peace and amity. This landmark document affirmed that peace does not merely lie in the silence of guns, but in fact flows from the protection of human rights, celebration of plurality, and promotion of rule of law. Women constitute a major constituency for peace. They are also a major victim of its absence. Fostering a robust culture of peace is predicated on women's full participation in political process, and their unimpeded access to education and justice. A society scarred by prolonged conflict needs the healing touch of women leadership. Peace, indeed, is more durable when women are spearheading the negotiations. Recognizing the pivotal role of women for peace and security, the UN has adopted several resolutions, including the Security Council Resolution 1325. and twin General Assembly and Security Council resolutions on the peacebuilding architecture review of 2025, which encourage continued investment in the leadership of women in peacebuilding. Pakistani women are known for their meritorious contributions in all spheres of human endeavors as political leaders, diplomats, teachers, soldiers, peacekeepers, and so much more. They have won accolades for their courage and conviction in line with our civilizational ethos, constitutional obligations, and bolstered by our firm faith in the centrality of women's contributions, Pakistan shall continue to strive for an expanded role of women for peace and security. Let's invest in women leadership. Let's invest in peace. Let's invest in future. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Pakistan. I now give the floor to the representative of Paraguay.

Thank you, President. We are in a time of growing challenges and many jobs that still need to be done in our countries and also in the international order. In this context, speaking of a culture of peace is not something that can be a rhetorical exercise. It means asking ourselves what conditions will allow our societies to prevent conflicts, to resolve their differences through dialogue, and to build sustainable peace. And one of those conditions is the full participation of women. For Paraguay, this conviction has deep roots in our own history. Paraguayan women played a decisive role in some of the most difficult moments for our nation. Las Residentas are a symbol of those women that supported their families, their communities, and Paraguay itself, and who made a decisive contribution to rebuilding the country. That experience leaves us with something to think about for the present time. Women cannot be essential when a society needs to be rebuilt, and yet at the same time expendable when that society is making decisions. And therefore, the challenge is turning that legacy into participation, leadership and real decision-making capacity. It's not just a question of increasing the number of women around a table. Rather, it is a question of amplifying the voices, experiences and perspectives that make up those decisions. Conflicts are not something that just takes place on the battlefield, they cut through communities, families and economies. Those that deal with the consequences should also be involved in making decisions about how to prevent conflicts, how to resolve them and how to rebuild after them. We are trying to turn this conviction into tangible action with initiatives such as Women Leaders, the Women Plus Impact Network and the National Women City Programme. These all aim to expand spaces for the leadership, autonomy and participation of women. Peace is not something that is only built when a conflict begins, it is also built before the conflict in our institutions, in our schools, in our communities and in our ability to include different voices in the decisions that affect us. is also built afterwards when a society has to rebuild trust and once again find a shared project as a nation. Therefore strengthening the leadership of women doesn't mean thinking of them as beneficiaries of peace but rather recognizing them as protagonists and actors in building peace and we endorse the aspiration of the Paraguayan poet Elvio Romero to provide a Paraguayan contribution to the universal desire for peace. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Paraguay. I now give the floor to the representative of India.

Ms. President, my delegation welcomes the important and timely discussion on women's leadership in promoting culture of peace. It is particularly pertinent given the rising tide of conflicts in world today and when violence against women is increasingly used as a weapon of war. The declaration on a culture of peace adopted over two decades ago clearly outlines the comprehensive elements that constitute peace. Peace is central to development and together they foster enjoyment of fundamental human rights. Thus, a road to lasting peace cannot be walked without women. Women's role in community life, their deep understanding of local grievances, and their trusted role as caregivers and community anchors make them uniquely effective mediators. Thus, in conflict, post-conflict settings, they tend to interpret peace to also involve elements of development and human rights. And this paves the way for a holistic approach to conflict resolution leading to sustainable peace. In this regard, allow me to offer a few observations. Women's presence in legislative decision-making roles empower them to implement positive change. And this in turn makes society more willing to accept their role in peace negotiations and mediation. constitutional reservation of one third of seats in local self-governing bodies in India has brought over a million women to a decision-making role, enabling a generation of experienced women leaders to emerge in the country. Honorable President of India, Mrs. Draupadi Murmu, is a striking example of a woman scaling leadership ladder. Emerging from a humble background, the opportunities offered by the system strengthen her path to the highest office of India. India has more recently expanded this reservation through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving 33% seat for women in the parliament and legislative assemblies. Deployment of uniformed women in UN peacekeeping operations emanating from the adoption of resolution 1325 represents one of the most tangible and impactful dimensions of women's leadership in fostering peace. They build trust in communities, give hope to vulnerable population, particularly women, and serve as visible symbols of women's agency in maintaining peace and security. In this regard, India is proud of its long tradition of women peacekeepers. Today, over 160 Indian women peacekeepers serve in field in various UN missions. In addition, the Center for UN Peacekeeping established by Indian Army in New Delhi has been training female military officers from across the globe since 2016. None of the above efforts can ultimately yield lasting results unless women are genuinely empowered, particularly financially and socially. Women-led development is a model championed by Government of India to promote women as key drivers of nation's economic growth. By expanding digital and financial inclusion, direct benefit transfers, India is investing in creating independent empowered women who in turn strengthen the fabric of society. Chair, India once again reaffirms its commitment to promote women's leadership to strengthen culture of peace. Thank you.

I thank the representative of India. I give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Dear colleagues, my delegation thanks the President of the General Assembly for convening this important event. Women are disproportionately affected by conflicts and yet their voices remain marginalized in the peace processes. As stressed by previous speakers, peace agreements are more durable and societies are more resilient when women participate meaningfully in these processes. This is because women's leadership broadens perspectives, strengthens social cohesion, enhances the legitimacy of institutions, and contributes to addressing the root causes of conflict. Mr. Chair, in line with the resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, Turkey plays an important role in international efforts for women's participation in these processes. We endorsed Secretary General's campaign for a common pledge to increase women's full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes in 2024. As the co-chair of Group of Friends of Mediation, we prioritize the role of women in mediation efforts. The Alliance of Civilizations is another case in point, initiated by Turkey and Spain in 2005 to promote peaceful coexistence The Alliance has become one of the most prominent and widely supported peace initiatives at the UN with 160 members. One of the five main pillars of the Alliance is the role of women as peace mediators. To this end, in the last 20 years, the Alliance of Civilizations has consistently supported the strengthening of the role of women as peacemakers. Turkey actively participates in, leads, or hosts women-related initiatives within the Organization of Islamic Countries, such as the establishment of OIC Women's Consultative Council. Furthermore, Turkey's development assistance programs are tailored to support the empowerment of women and girls in various emergency, conflict, or post-conflict situations. We also highlight the importance of women's leadership in peace processes at the annually organized Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Mr. Chair, Turkish diplomacy specifically advocates women diplomats' active participation in peace processes and our diplomatic network reflects this commitment in a tangible way. 85 Turkish women ambassadors are serving across continents contributing actively to dialogue trust building and conflict resolution in diverse and often complex settings this is not only a matter of representation it is practice that directly contributes to more sustainable locally grounded peace Mr chair without women as mediators negotiators peace builders

I thank the representative of Turkey. I now give the floor to the representative of Tajikistan.

Mr. President, today's focus on women leadership is both timely and essential. The full, equal, and meaningful participation of women is indispensable to building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. For Tajikistan, empowering women and girls is therefore both a national development priority and an investment in peace. Women today play an increasingly important role across our public institutions and society. Their contribution is particularly strong in education and health, where women represent 73% and 71% of the workforce, respectively. We also continue to invest in the next generation of women leaders. Since the introduction of the presidential quota, more than 14,000 girls, particularly from the remote areas, have benefited from opportunities to pursue higher education. Mr. President, in 2025, Tajikistan had the honor of chairing the Central Asian Women Leaders Caucuses. Under our chairmanship, we strengthened regional cooperation on women, peace and security, climate resilience, and the green and digital economy. High-level forums provided women leaders across Central Asia with a platform to exchange experience and advance practical cooperation. This experience reinforced an important lesson. Women are not only beneficiaries of peace, they are leaders and agents of peace. Their voices are needed not only when peace is being restored, but also when policies are designed and decisions are taken. Mr. President, this conviction is also reflected on Tajikistan's global initiatives. On 25th of June, 2026, General Assembly adopted the Tajikistan-led resolution proclaiming 2027-2036 as the International Decade of Strengthening of Peace for Future Generations. The decade reflects a simple idea, peace must be cultivated before conflict begins and passed from one generation to next. Women and young people must be at the heart of these efforts. Tajikistan is also honored to have been elected to the Commission on Status of Women for the 2025-2031. We see this not only as honor but as a responsibility. Mr. President, a culture of peace grows when women have an equal voice in decision-making, when their leadership is recognized, and when they are present at every table where the future is being shaped. Tajikistan stands ready to work with all partners to turn these principles into practice for our communities, our region, and future generations.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Tajikistan. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Latvia aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union 27 years ago, the Declaration on a Culture of Peace recognized women's empowerment and equal participation in decision-making as essential to building a culture of peace. Yet many of today's most consequential negotiations unfold with no women at the table. To strengthen women's leadership, we highlight three priorities. First, participation. This means ensuring women's full, equal, and meaningful participation in decisions on peace and security. National action plans on women, peace, and security are an important tool in this regard. We underscore the example of Ukraine, which has devised and implemented its plan under the most difficult circumstances of wartime. Second is recognition. This means fully recognizing the contributions women already make in Colombia, Liberia, Yemen, Ethiopia, and many other contexts. women have played important roles in mediation, peace agreements, and reconciliation. Third is investment. This includes empowering women and girls through education, mentoring, digital and economic opportunities. We are proud of Latvian women's organizations working in all these areas across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Mr. President, by enhancing women's participation, recognizing their contributions, and investing in women and girls, we enable women's leadership to grow stronger and with it the possibility of sustained peace and resilient societies. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Latvia. I now give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

President, it's my honor to participate in this relevant forum to reaffirm a belief that has been amply shared throughout this meeting. Peace is not merely the lack of conflicts, it is an ongoing participatory, inclusive, dynamic process which requires addressing the root causes of inequality and injustice. Sustainable peace can only be built on the basis of dialogue, social justice, cooperation, awareness and mutual respect, establishing conditions for dignity, equality and opportunities for all without any exclusion. We welcome the momentum that's been generated by the recent General Assembly resolutions on the culture of peace and neutrality. These remind us that crisis prevention and diplomacy are essential pillars to curb the escalation towards conflict, to guarantee stability and in the end to create spaces for peace. Working for peace means nothing without the full equal and leading participation of women. Venezuelan experience confirms this. Today more than ever, it is women who are on the vanguard of community associations, social cohesion, political leadership and business initiatives. In Venezuela, women are not merely considered as beneficiaries of state policies, rather as spearheading their design and implementation. From the grass roots up to the highest ranks of government, this leadership is weaving networks of solidarity and cooperation and opening the way to understanding mediation, collective well-being and social peace. Having proven the effectiveness of this approach towards women's empowerment of essential subjects to promoting the culture of peace, we believe it's essential to put these commitments into practice by guaranteeing meaningful representation of women within diplomacy, strengthening institutional and financial support for women's led organizations and for incorporating their social sensitivity in early warning and crisis identification mechanisms, while also strengthening readiness for peaceful coexistence underpinned by equality, mutual respect and the rejection of violence. President, in light of an international scenario that is characterised by fragmentation. and geopolitical tensions, inclusive diplomacy should be based on impartiality to ensure that women can play a central role in decision-making processes and in the design and implementation of peace. Venezuela reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting a culture of peace in which political leadership, organizational ability and the community contributions made by women based on neutrality, trust and understanding expand the spaces for peace and solidarity, driving a transformation towards a fair, peaceful and egalitarian international order. Thank you very much.

I thank Venezuela and now give the floor

Thank you, Mr. President.

We thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this forum on an issue that is central to the advancement of a culture of peace, the vital role of women's leadership in preventing conflict, building peace and strengthening social cohesion. While women have often been viewed primarily through the lens of vulnerability in conflict situations, we must equally recognize the support, the agency as mediators, negotiators, community leaders and peace builders. A sustainable culture of peace requires their full and meaningful participation across the world. Women play indispensable roles in fostering dialogue, building trust and resolving disputes, often at the community level, long before tensions escalate into violence. Their contributions remind us that peace is built not only in conference halls and negotiating rooms, but also within families, communities and local institutions. Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to the women peace and security agenda. Since 2013, we have implemented three national action plans on United Nations Security Resolution 1325, supported by state and local action plans. Our third national action plan covering 2025 to 2029 addresses emerging security challenges while promoting women's participation in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Nigerian women continue to make invaluable contributions to peace and security. their advocacy has supported the establishment of specialized gender desk in local police stations to address sexual and gender-based violence in communities across the country women peacebuilders have Advanced interface dialogue strengthen Community resilience and promoted peaceful coexistence Mr. President the question before us is no longer whether women have the capacity to lead peace efforts their record speaks for itself the challenge before us is to ensure that our institutions provide the space resources and opportunities opportunity necessary for women's leadership to flourish. Nigeria therefore calls for greater participation of women at all levels of peacebuilding and decision making. We urge the United Nations and member states to strengthen support for women-led organizations, expand women's mediation networks, and establish measurable benchmarks for meaningful participation in the peace process. Let us ensure that women are engaged not only in implementing peace agreements, but also in shaping them from the earliest stages of conflict prevention and mediation. A durable culture of peace cannot be achieved without their leadership, perspective and contributions. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Nigeria. I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.

Mr. President, At the outset, I would like to thank you for convening this very important forum, and I thank you for your efforts to follow up on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. The holding of this year's forum under the theme Women's Leadership in Advancing a Culture of Peace is particularly significant. It reflects the necessary role of women to promote dialogue, understanding and fostering the values of peace. It also reflects the need to enhance the effective, equitable and safe participation of all women so that they can contribute to building more inclusive, secure and stable societies. The Kingdom of Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with the support of the Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister has prioritized the advancement of women looking at their participation in various areas of development and decision making. In this context, the Supreme Council for Women, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabika **** Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the consort of His Majesty the King plays a pivotal role in developing an integrated national framework for the advancement of women through the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women and through the National Gender Balance Model and Equal Opportunities Committees. These all aim to take into account women's needs in public policies. This forum today coincides with the Supreme Council for Women's celebration of its silver jubilee. It has been now doing its work for 25 years. At the international level, the Royal Highness Princess Sabika **** Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment implemented in partnership with the UN, with UN Women, plays a practical role for supporting women's leadership and ensuring their representation in decision-making positions so that they can build safer and more stable societies. In conclusion, we reaffirm the importance of translating international commitments into concrete steps while strengthening international cooperation, the exchange of expertise, all so as to create a supportive environment for women, enhancing their role in fostering a culture of peace and achieving sustainable feats. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Bahrain. I give the floor to the representative of Sierra Leone.

Of this high level forum and commends the president of the General Assembly for bringing renewed attention to the critical role, the critical role of women, women's leadership in advancing a culture of peace. For Sierra Leone, a culture of peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and violence. It requires justice, equality, inclusion and the meaningful participation of women in decisions that shape our societies and our common future. She herself would like to make the following three points. First, women's leadership is indispensable to conflict prevention and sustainable peace. Women bring unique experiences, perspectives and networks to early warning, mediation, reconciliation, community dialogue and peace building. They are often at the forefront of preventing tensions from escalating and building and rebuilding trust in communities affected by conflict. Ensuring women's access to justice and protection from violence must therefore remain an integral part of our peacebuilding efforts. Sierra Leone's own experience demonstrates the importance of translating these principles into national action. The Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Act of 2022 provides an important framework for increasing women's representation in decision making, while our third generation national action plan on women, peace and security seeks to strengthen women's participation in peace building, leadership and national development.

Second, we must move from participation to meaningful influence. Women and women-led organizations.

Particularly those at the grassroots level, must have a seat at the table throughout the entire peace continuum. from prevention and mediation to peace agreements, implementation and post-conflict recovery.

This requires removing.

Structural barriers, investment in women's political and economic empowerment, and ensuring that young women are recognized not merely as beneficiaries.

Of peace, but as leaders and partners in building it.

The Peace Mothers Project in Sierra Leone clearly articulates this process. Third, the United Nations and member states must translate our commitments into concrete measurable action. This requires predictable financing for women-led peacebuilding initiatives, stronger accountability for implementation of the Women, Peace and Security.

Agenda, and systematic integration of women's leadership across conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping. Mr. President, Sierra Leone firmly believes that there can be no sustainable culture of peace without women's leadership.

Let us therefore move from commitments to implementation, from representation to meaningful influence, and from inclusion to transformation.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Sierra Leone. I now give the floor to the representative of Timor-Leste.

Mr. President, Excellencies, In these increasingly fragmented times, the imperative to nurture a culture of peace has never been more compelling. As affirmed in Action 13 of the Pact for the Future, peace, sustainable development, and human rights form an indivisible foundation for global stability. A genuine culture of peace demands the active presence of justice, equality, and inclusive participation, a world where A world where women and girls can lead and shape priorities freely, safely, without discrimination. Timor-Leste's commitment is deeply rooted in our national journey. The foundation of our state was built upon the extraordinary resilience of women, mothers, community leaders, and peacebuilders who transformed hardship into hope and reconciliation. their enduring legacy continue to guide our democratic consolidations and our strong commitment to peace diplomacy today. We have established a robust domestic framework to advance women's leadership. Timor-Leste constitutions guarantee human dignity, equal rights, and child protections. In line with CEDAW, we have strengthened laws against domestic violence and human trafficking while protecting youth at risk. Our electoral framework ensuring high representations of women parliamentarians, while our second national action plan on women, peace and security embeds women in security governance. At the community level, traditional dialogue mechanisms like Mahebeti Bot plays women at the very center for local mediation and social cohesion. Mr. President, to conclude, Timor-Leste wishes to highlight three key reflections. First, women leadership must be made structural and guaranteed through laws, institutions, and dedicated financing, not left to voluntary commitments. Second, access to justice must be treated as a core priority, ensuring that women and girls anywhere can seek protections and redress without barriers. Third, international support must be long-term, rooted in national ownership, strengthening community-based dialogue and locally-led peacebuilding rather than short-term or externally-driven initiatives. Guided by constitutions and international norms, Timor-Leste stands ready to work with all member states towards a more peaceful, just, and inclusive world. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Timor-Leste. I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal.

Thank you, President. Mr. President, Portugal welcomes this year theme of the high-level forum dedicated to women's leadership to promote a culture of peace. Culture of peace cannot be reduced to the absence of conflict. It requires societies grounded on human rights, gender equality, justice, inclusion, and the meaningful participation of all. Peace, sustainable development and human rights are deeply interdependent. In this context, women's leadership is not simply an objective of gender equality. It is an essential condition for sustainable peace. Women must be able to participate fully, equally and safely in political decision-making, conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and peace processes. Yet, presence in the room alone is not sufficient. Women must have the opportunity to exercise genuine leadership and influence. This requires removing structural barriers, addressing gender-based violence, ensuring access to justice, and creating the conditions in which women and girls can effectively contribute to decisions that affect their lives and their communities. Portugal has sought to translate these principles into concrete national actions. In March this year, Portugal adopted its fourth national action plan for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The plan places particular emphasis on women's participation in conflict prevention and resolution, peace building and decision making, including by promoting women's participation in diplomacy, international missions and armed forces and security services. It also addresses prevention, protection, assistance and recovery. This is part of Portugal's longstanding commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, which we have implemented through national action plans since 2009. At the national level, Portugal is also advancing gender equality through the national strategy for equality and non-discrimination.

Portugal more equal, which?

Runs until 2030 and includes specific action plans addressing equality between women and men and the prevention and combat of violence against women and domestic violence.

These principles recognize that.

Women's leadership cannot be separated from economic autonomy, equal opportunities, protection from violence and balanced representation in decision making.

Portugal therefore believes that promoting a culture of.

Peace requires investment in women's leadership at every level, from local communities to national institutions, from civil society to diplomacy and international peace operations.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Portugal. I now give the floor to the representative of Senegal.

Thank you, Mr. President. Allow me at the outset to say how honored I am to join you today and to address this august assembly in my capacity as permanent representative of Senegal to the UN. President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Senegal is delighted to participate in this high-level forum on the promotion of a culture of peace, and we welcome the choice to focus on women's leadership as a catalyst for peace, dialogue and social cohesion. Deeply anchored in our traditions, peace in Senegal is built every day in families, in communities, in institutions, but also through dialogue among peoples. It is based on trust, solidarity, respect for human dignity and the determination to in all circumstances prioritize dialogue. 30 years on from the Beijing Declaration and 25 years on from the adoption of resolution 1325 by the Security Council, women's full participation in peace processes does however remain a major challenge. The Secretary General's report on the sustainable development goals presented at the high level political Forum in June 2025 was a stark reminder of this. Women remain largely underrepresented in peace negotiations, mediation processes and in security mechanisms even though they are often the main victims of conflicts. Violence, forced displacement, limited access to health services and to protection are all obstacles to their security and to their full involvement in peacebuilding. President, faithful to our commitment, Senegal adopted its second national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 for 2023 to 2027. We are also continuing with our efforts to strengthen women's involvement in peacekeeping operations. In this regard, we have appointed three women as force commanders between 2021 and 2025. In addition, 150 women from formed police units were trained, including 32 deployed to MINUSCO and 14 to MINUSMA in 2024. President, such progress shows that with the right conditions, a women's involvement is possible, and whether it's political will, the means and opportunities, but to go further, we strengthen our collective action. Senegal therefore calls for heightened international cooperation, sustainable, predictable funding for initiatives for women and peace, as well as concrete steps to promote their leadership at all levels of decision making. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Senegal. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Arab Emirates.

Mr. President, I thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this high-level forum, and I also thank Assistant Secretary-General Spehar, Ambassador Chowdhry, and Ms. Bowie for their important remarks. A culture of peace can only be truly realized with the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in the decisions that shape their societies. This is not only a matter of representation. Women's participation strengthens our collective capacity to prevent conflict. It broadens the perspectives, experience, and networks that inform decision making and contributes to identifying emerging tensions, bridging divides, and shaping more effective responses before tensions escalate into conflict. This understanding is captured in Security Council Resolution 2686 on tolerance, peace, and security. which recognizes women's leadership in preventing and resolving conflict, as well as their contribution to preventing the spread of intolerance and incitement to hatred. The resolution also calls for women's full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation at all levels of decision-making. Mr. President, more than 25 years after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, Important progress has been made in recognizing and expanding women's participation across the peace continuum. Building on that progress requires further strengthening women's leadership in conflict prevention and mediation, while also ensuring their meaningful participation and influence in decisions across peace processes. The United Arab Emirates is committed to translating these commitments into practice through our strategic partnership with UN Women, and the Sheikha Fatima bin Mubarak Women Peace and Security Initiative. The initiative strengthens women's capacities in diplomacy, peacekeeping, and security, and supports their contribution to stability and resilience in their communities and beyond. Such partnerships are a vital part of the broader efforts to advance women's leadership. We commend the important work of UN Women and the wider UN system in carrying forward our shared objectives, including by supporting women-led organizations and strengthening women's leadership across the peace continuum. Mr. President, when women are fully engaged in shaping institutions, strengthening communities, and helping define the future of their societies, they are also laying the foundations for peace long before crises can emerge. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the United Arab Emirates. I give the floor to the representative of Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. President, the Kyrgyz Republic welcomes the convening of the High-Level Forum on the Implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and fully supports its theme, Women's Leadership in Advancing a Culture of Peace. At a time of growing polarization, conflicts and crisis of trust, when hate speech is spreading and societies are finding it's increasingly difficult to sustain meaningful dialogue, advancing a culture of peace is essential to sustainable development and international security. The Kyrgyz Republic believes that the value of women's leadership extends well beyond women's participation in politics and public administration. Women are often among the first to recognize signs of tension within communities, among the first to experience the consequences of conflict for families and local communities, and among the first to help rebuild trust between people. This is why we see women not only as participants in peace processes, but also as architects of social cohesion. Peace doesn't begin only at the negotiation table. It also begins in families, schools, and local communities, where respect, mutual understanding, and the ability to listen to one another are nurtured. For the Kyrgyz Republic, this approach is particularly relevant. Women make an important contribution to maintaining dialogue between local communities, helping to prevent divisions, and strengthening trust where it's most fragile. Their work rarely receives international attention, yet it helps lay the foundations for long term stability. Against this background, the Kyrgyz Republic continues to advance the women, peace and security agenda and strengthen institutional support for women's leadership. In 2024, the state program to support women's leadership through 2030 was adopted, followed in 2026 by a new action plan for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. These measures are aimed at expanding women's participation in decision-making and strengthening their role in building a peaceful and resilient society. We are already seeing positive results. Following the 2025 parliamentary elections, women now hold one third of the seats in parliament, while at the local level their representation has approached 40%. This progress reflects not only greater equality of opportunity, but also contributes to more inclusive, effective and resilient institutions. The Kyrgyz Republic firmly believes that Investing in women's leadership is an investment in the resilience of society. Creating great opportunities for women to participate fully in public and political life helps foster a culture of dialogue, trust, and nonviolence. In this context, women's leadership should be viewed not only as a matter of equal rights and opportunities, but also as a strategic imperative for--.

I thank the representative of Kyrgyzstan. I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. A culture of peace and human rights are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing. Sustainable peace requires justice, development, and the full realization of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. It also demands non-discrimination and the full participation of women. because peace is shaped by and with women. Brazil has stood firmly by this perspective since the very beginning of this organization. In 1945, Brazilian Bertha Lutz, one of the very few women at the San Francisco Conference, firstly advocated for the inclusion of a reference to women alongside men in the preamble of the charter, making gender equality a constitutive mandate for the UN. Bertha Lutz's lesson and example remain vivid in Brazil's actions and aspirations. Brazil supports women participating fully, equally, meaningfully, and safely in peace and security, as well as on all aspects of public life. That includes their role as community leaders, mediators, human rights defenders, and peacekeepers. It means bringing a necessary gender perspective into mandates, planning and engagement with local communities. It also includes their full participation at the table where decisions are being made. Brazil has sought to translate this principle into action. We participate in the Ibero-American Network of Women Mediators and the Regional Network of Women Mediators of the Southern Cone. We also joined the Secretary-General's Common Pledge for Women's Full, Equal and Meaningful Participation in Peace Processes from the moment of its launch. Moreover, more than 300 Brazilian women have served as peacekeepers in different missions. Brazil also values the important role of the Peacebuilding Commission in this regard. It can give greater visibility to women mediators, support locally owned initiatives, and strengthen coherence among international actors. In this sense, it is essential that women's participation be mainstreamed across prevention, mediation, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping. It should also be present at every level from the UN headquarters to the local communities. This spirit is also reflected in Brazil's and Mexico's support for Michelle Bachelet's candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. Her candidacy represents an opportunity to elect the first woman Secretary-General, as well as to have a representative from Latin America at the helm of the organization. I thank you.

I thank Brazil, and I give the floor to the representative of Nepal.

Mr. President, Nepal welcomes the convening of this important annual high-level forum. It's a time when global peace and multilateralism are under unprecedented strains. strengthening a culture of peace is an urgent imperative and our shared responsibility. This requires justice, equality, inclusion, respect for human rights, and meaningful participation of women in decisions that shape our governance and societies. This year's theme, focusing on women's leadership, resonates deeply with Nepal's national priorities and lived experience. Nepal therefore supports the WPS agenda and remains committed to advancing women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation at all levels of peace and political processes. We are equally committed to the full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Our homegrown and nationally led peace process demonstrates the indispensable role of women in mediation, reconciliation, social mobilization and peacebuilding. Our constitution guarantees equality, social justice, proportional inclusion and mandates at least 33% representation of women in the federal parliament and provincial assemblies and 40% in local bodies. These commitments are reinforced by the national gender equality policy, gender responsive budgeting now exceeding 44% and laws addressing gender based violence and access to justice. On a positive note, women in Nepal represent over 34% in federal House of Representatives, 40% of elected position in local bodies, about 30% of the civil service, about 40% of school teachers, and more than 10% of security forces. Nearly three quarters of deputy mayors and vice chairpersons are women, many leading local judicial committees that bring justice, mediation, and protection closer to communities. Nepal also take pride in being among the top contributors of female peacekeepers who build trust, engage with communities, and protect civilians. Its persistent challenges, including inequalities, underrepresentation, and lack of access to resources are stuck. Mr. President, let me highlight few key points. First, institutionalize women's leadership across the entire peace continuum as their role is vital to conflict prevention, mediation, peace building, and reconstruction, and ensure tangible progress on the 2030 agenda, particularly SDG 5. Nepal stands fast to working with the broader UN membership and all partners to anchor women leadership at the heart of our collective endeavors. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Nepal. I now give the floor to the representative of Qatar.

Mr. President, at the outset, I would like to thank you for convening this high-level forum on the program of action on a culture of peace under the theme women's leadership to promote culture of peace. I also thank the distinguished panelists for their valuable contributions. The State of Qatar reiterates its full support for the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and its effective implementation. More than 25 years after its adoption, its message remains as important as ever. A culture of peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It requires respect for international law and human rights, justice and equality, tolerance and solidarity, and a commitment to dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Against the backdrop of today's global challenges, these principles are more important than ever. Let me convey three brief points. First, there can be no sustainable culture of peace without the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women. Women must not only be protected from the consequences of conflict, they must be leaders in preventing conflict, building peace, and shaping the decisions that affect their societies. This is a priority for the state of Qatar. We remain firmly committed to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and to creating greater opportunities for women to participate in dialogue, mediation and decision-making. Qatar has joined the Secretary-General's Common Pledge for women's full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes and is an active member of the Arab Women Mediators Network. Through the Qatar Fund for Development's Women in Conflict Zones Initiative, Qatar also supports women and girls affected by conflict, promoting their role as agents of change and peacemakers in the communities. Second, building a culture of peace requires us to invest in prevention and address the root causes of conflict. For Qatar, this means a continued commitment to mediation, dialogue, and preventive diplomacy, fundamental pillars of our foreign policy. It also means investing in education. Quality and inclusive education, particularly for women and girls and children affected by conflict, is one of the most powerful tools we have to promote tolerance, opportunity, economic empowerment, and peaceful societies. Third, a culture of peace requires effective multilateralism founded on international law and with a strong United Nations at its core. At a time when the multilateral system is under enormous pressure, we need United Nations capable of responding effectively to today's challenges. It is in this spirit that the State of Qatar fully supports the UNAD initiative and efforts to make our organization more effective, accountable, and responsive. Mr. President, the challenge before us is to turn our shared commitment to a culture of peace into a lived reality for all. The State of Qatar will continue its efforts to translate this commitment into concrete action. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Qatar. I now give the floor to the representative of Azerbaijan.

Mr. President, the full text of the statement will be circulated in writing. We would like to express our gratitude for convening the high-level forum commemorating the adoption of the declaration and program of action on the culture of peace. Azerbaijan firmly believes that progress towards the full development of a culture of peace can be achieved through values, attitudes, modes of behavior, and ways of life conducive to the promotion of peace among individuals, groups, and nations. Our society is inherently multicultural and multi-confessional with a history of peaceful coexistence that has endured for centuries. The government remains committed to taking consistent measures to promote tolerance and mutual understanding both nationally and internationally. As part of these efforts, Azerbaijan organizes the Forum on Intercultural Dialogue biennially, and this year, the seventh World Forum will be held under the theme Dialogue for a Shared Future: Building Bridges in a Fractured World from 27 to 29 October 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Mr. President, the program of action particularly emphasizes the role of women and the importance of their great involvement in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in activities promoting the culture of peace in post-conflict situations. Despite the end of the decades-long conflict and the progress achieved in advancing the peace agenda in our region, Azerbaijan continues to face the pressing issue of missing persons. The fate and whereabouts of more than 4,000 Azerbaijanis including 287 women, remain unknown. Clarifying the fate of missing persons and advancing related international efforts on matters of particular significance. Azerbaijan is undertaking large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the post-conflict period to enable internally displaced persons to exercise their right to return safely, voluntarily, and with dignity to their places of origin. Through the Greater Return Program, specific measures have been introduced to support the empowerment of women and girls and to facilitate their meaningful participation in the recovery process. However, the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the population is seriously hindered by the extensive contamination of the conflict-affected territories with landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Azerbaijan carrying out systematic mine action measures, including paying particular attention to the agenda dimension. Mr. President, in conclusion, I would like to reiterate Azerbaijan's strong commitment to taking effective measures at all levels to promote the values of a culture of peace in accordance with the program of action and other relevant international frameworks, including through the promotion of mutual understanding, dialogue, and cooperation. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Azerbaijan. I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. President, Excellencies, at the outset, I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly for holding this high-level forum and for her efforts to strengthen the culture of peace and to highlight the role of women in building peace. The Kingdom believes that the culture of peace is not just the absence of conflict. We are strengthening the values of dialogue, tolerance, and strengthening the full participation of women in building safe and prosperous societies and addressing challenges given the many conflicts and wars around the world. We need to enable women so that they can participate fully as this is a main pillar to achieve sustainable development and strengthen peace and security. Based on our 2030 vision, we took a number of steps to strengthen the participation of women in a number of areas and to expand her participation in decision-making processes and to also enable women to participate effectively at the political, social, and humanitarian levels. We also saw progress in the participation of Saudi women in diplomacy and in holding leadership positions and their participation in Saudi missions and in different international organizations. when planning for humanitarian and relief programs in order to reflect women's participation in strengthening international dialogue. Ladies and gentlemen, we pay special attention to women's role in conflict prevention and settlement and in humanitarian efforts. We reaffirm the important role of women in mediation and prevention and in building societies that are more resilient. My country is also making relevant efforts to advance the women peace and security agenda because we believe that the participation of women could strengthen and sustain peace. The Kingdom also strengthens the culture of peace at the national level through the efforts of our national centre to build bridges, to guarantee social cohesion and through national initiatives to enable young people and to spread the values of tolerance and strengthen dialogue between people and civilisations. In conclusion, we reaffirm that women are an essential partner in building peace and strengthening stability and sustainable development.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia. I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Thank you so much, Mr. President, Excellencies, esteemed delegates. Egypt is pleased to participate in this high-level forum on the program of action on a culture of peace, which provides an important opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to advancing a culture of peace at a time when conflicts, polarization, intolerance, and growing humanitarian crises continue to affect millions around the world. We particularly welcome this year's focus on women's leadership to promote a culture of peace. Women are not merely beneficiaries of peace. They are indispensable partners in building, sustaining, and protecting it. Their full, equal, and meaningful participation strengthens societies, contributes to conflict prevention and resolution, and enhances the prospects for sustainable and lasting peace. Egypt remains committed to advancing women's empowerment and participation across political, economic, and social life, and to strengthening their contribution to peace building and sustainable development. We also emphasize the importance of investing in education, economic opportunities, and capacity building for women and girls. Egypt has consistently supported the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325. We underscore that women's participation must extend throughout the peace continuum, from prevention and mediation to peacebuilding, reconstruction and development. And that particular attention must be paid to women living under conflict and occupation. Excellencies, more than a quarter of a century after the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, their principles remain as relevant as ever. A genuine culture of peace requires respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and the peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in international affairs, and respect for the right of people to self-determination. Egypt believes that promoting a culture of peace cannot be separated from addressing the root causes of conflict and instability poverty, inequality, occupation, discrimination, exclusion and the denial of fundamental rights create conditions in which violence and instability can flourish. Our efforts must therefore place prevention and sustainable development at their core, while ensuring that all people are able to live in dignity, security and freedom. In the end, Egypt will continue to work with all partners to advance a culture of peace grounded in the Charter, respect for international law and the equal dignity for all people. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Egypt. I give the floor to the representative of Armenia.

Mr. President, Excellencies, dialogue, tolerance, and respect for diversity are indispensable for safeguarding human dignity and building peaceful and inclusive societies. Yet amid deepening polarization and intolerance, the foundation of peaceful coexistence are increasingly under strain, with women often disproportionately affected by conflict and violence. Against this backdrop, the declaration and program of action on culture of peace together with relevant GA resolutions continue to provide an important framework for concerted international action. We remain firmly committed to promoting a culture of peaceful prevention at the core of our approach. At the UN, including through resolutions of the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, Armenia has consistently contributed to strengthening international efforts to prevent discrimination and violence. Education is equally integral to building peaceful societies, strengthening resilience against prejudice and discrimination while nurturing respect for diversity. In this spirit, Armenia initiated the GA resolution Education for Peace, adopted by consensus this June, recognizing the vital role of education in promoting tolerance, mutual understanding, and a culture of peace. Mr. President, Armenia particularly welcomes the forum's focus on women's leadership and recognizing that women's full, meaningful participation across peace and security is essential to advancing conflict prevention and achieving sustainable and lasting peace. This commitment is reflected in Armenia's implementation of the WPS agenda as an integral part of our broader commitment to democratic governance, human rights, and sustainable peace. Our third national action plan on WPS entitled Investing in Global Efforts for Peace seeks to advance women's participation and leadership in conflict prevention and peace building while safeguarding the protection of the rights of women and vulnerable populations affected by conflict. Women's political participation also remains an important priority for Armenia, including through their representation in elected institutions, with women constituting over 35% of the newly elected National Assembly. Mr. President, Armenia stands ready to work with all partners to advance tolerance and non-discrimination, promote women's full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes, and foster a culture of peace in accordance with the UN Charter and the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Armenia. I give the floor to the representative of Tunisia.

Thank you, Mr. President, Excellencies. We cannot talk about a culture of peace without addressing the threats that undermine peace, notably terrorism and violent extremism. These efforts cannot be successful without the full participation and leadership of women. Experiences have shown that we cannot just look at women as victims, women and girls, bear the brunt of the dangerous repercussions of terrorism and violent extremism, including sexual violence, trafficking in persons, displacement, and the violation of basic rights. At the same time, women play an important role in prevention, early warning, and confronting the rhetoric of extremism and strengthening the resilience of communities. Tunisia has sought to translate this conviction into tangible measures by adopting a national action plan for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. And within our priorities, we included prevention from extremism and terrorism and strengthening the role of women in building peace. Mr. President, participation of women is a main pillar in preventing terrorism and violent extremism. This role starts from family where women equally alongside fathers contribute to raising their children on the values of tolerance and moderation and in protecting children from hate speech and extreme ideas. Women also play an important role in identifying indicators of extremism, we believe in the importance of strengthening the participation of women in all stages to combat terrorism from prevention, awareness, decision-making, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The more present women are in society and decision-making processes, communities can then protect their children from extremism. and communities are stronger in confronting terrorism. The fight against terrorism starts before carrying guns and the loss of lives. It starts with fighting terrorism starts with education, awareness and prevention and strengthening the participation of women in the decision making process. empowering women in this fight is empowering families, protecting generations, and strengthening policies and decisions, and supporting the security and stability of society.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Tunisia. I now give the floor to the representative of Costa Rica.

Mr. President, Costa Rica welcomes the convening of this forum and joins the call to strengthen women's leadership as a cornerstone of a genuine and sustainable culture of peace. The figures speak for themselves. Between 2022 and 2023, only 0.4% of bilateral aid to conflict-affected contexts, equivalent to $186 million annually, reached women-led organizations, well below the 1% minimum recommended by the United Nations. the Peacebuilding Fund reduced its funding for gender equality from 95.8 million to 49.9 million dollars between 2023 and 2024. Costa Rica urges that this gap be addressed through direct and sustained financing. Women's participation in political and peace processes reflects the same disparity. In 2024, women accounted for only 7% of negotiators and 14% of mediators in formal peace processes worldwide. This exclusion persists despite evidence demonstrating that peace agreements signed by women have higher rates of implementation and are more sustainable over time. We welcome the recognition in the Secretary-General's report on the future of peace operations that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women is essential to prevent a relapse into conflict and its call for gender parity in mission leadership. Mr President, women's inclusion must take place at every level of peacebuilding efforts, from local communities and grassroots organisations to the highest levels of decision-making within this organisation. For this reason, Costa Rica firmly reiterates its support for the candidacy of Rebecca Greenspan for Secretary-General of the United Nations, a Costa Rican woman, a daughter of peace, who has carried that conviction to places where peace is not an abstract concept but a daily necessity. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Costa Rica. I give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Mr. President. Indonesia shares the view that women are not merely beneficiaries of peace, they are the architects of peace. Supporting women's leadership is therefore indispensable in preventing conflict and sustaining peace. Indonesia wishes to share two points. First, we must build on women's leadership at the grassroots. Indonesia has seen this firsthand. Women have helped communities recover from conflict, from supporting reconciliation after communal violence in Central Sulawesi, to strengthening peace and resilience in Aceh following the Helsinki Peace Agreement. Indonesia's Desa Damai, or Peace Village, initiatives builds on this experience by empowering women to lead community dialogue and strengthen social cohesion. This reminds us that peace is built every day in villages, schools, and households. Our duty today is to recognize, strengthen, and institutionalize it. Yet globally, women's roles remain marginalized in peace processes. In 2024, women accounted for only 7% of negotiators and 14% of mediators worldwide, despite clear evidence that peace agreements involving women are more likely to be sustained. This brings me to my second point. Women's leadership must be mainstreamed at every level. Nationally, Indonesia integrates women's empowerment into our development priorities. including by bringing our national action plans on addressing social conflicts and preventing violent extremism closer to local communities. Regionally, Indonesia initiated the Southeast Asia Network of Women Peace Negotiators and Mediators. Internationally, more than 150 Indonesian women peacekeepers serve across UN peacekeeping missions. They build vital community trust and de-escalate local tensions. Indonesia also supports women contribution to national peace process, including in Afghanistan. Mr. President, the message is clear. When women participate fully, equally, and meaningfully, peace is more inclusive and more likely to endure. Therefore, Indonesia calls on member states to match today's discussions with political commitment, sustained resources, and strong institutional support for women's leadership, because a culture of peace cannot be sustained without women at its heart. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Indonesia. I give the floor to the representative of Ecuador.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ecuador has traditionally been a country of peace. Ecuadorians make up a nation that is accustomed to living in peace on a territory full of biodiversity, where four regions of extraordinary natural richness come together, the Amazon, the Andes, the coast and the Galapagos Islands, a country that extends across lush forests, snow-capped volcanoes and the coasts of the Pacific, a country that hosts one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. This tradition of peace has been threatened in recent years by new forms of violence that cross borders and which require coordinated responses. Transnational organised crime is today one of those threats. It has undermined the rule of law, institutions and peace, as well as development and democracy. The national government is addressing this scourge thinking about the future of young people and children. The magnitude of this challenge has shown us that building sustainable peace requires much more than just the absence of violence. It requires us to address the root causes of conflicts, strengthen institutions, promote social cohesion and build lasting solutions. In this context, the leadership of women is essential. A lot has been said about the disproportionate impact of violence upon women, but not enough has been said about their proven capacities as change makers, peace builders and protagonists in driving change in their communities. States must guarantee the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in conflict prevention initiatives and peacekeeping processes, with the aim of achieving more resilient and inclusive societies and promoting a sustainable culture of peace. Mr President, achieving peace is a global responsibility. building a culture of peace is a lengthy complex and dynamic process which requires a spirit of mutual understanding and consultation Ecuador reiterates its commitment to the implementation of the program of action on a culture of peace and reaffirms the need for cooperation political dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes to prevail over confrontation violence and intolerance thank you very much

I thank the representative of Ecuador. I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mexico welcomes the convening of this high-level forum and reaffirms its commitment to the program of action on a culture of peace. For Mexico, a culture of peace is built through dialogue, and the full participation of all people in the prevention and settlement of conflicts. And for this culture to be truly sustainable, women must be at the heart of those efforts as mediators, negotiators, and peace builders. Women provide perspectives, knowledge, and experiences that enrich the forging of consensus and which help to lay the groundwork for lasting peace. Therefore, their full, equal and meaningful participation must be seen at every level of action for peace. In accordance with our feminist foreign policy, Mexico has aimed to turn this conviction into concrete action. In that regard, I am pleased to announce that last week, Mexico presented its second national action plan on women, peace and security for the period 2026 to 2030 with a multi-level cross-cutting intersectional and intergenerational approach and with strengthened participation from civil society. This new roadmap builds upon the progress made since the adoption of our first plan of action in 2021. It also responds to new challenges from an increasingly complex security environment. It keeps the four pillars of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, prevention, participation, protection and relief and recovery, and it strengthens them with new priorities such as territorial peacebuilding. This same vision guides our work at the regional level. During our pro-temporary presidency of the Ibero-American Network of Women Mediators this year, Mexico strengthened its governance and institutions by connecting the experiences of women mediators and peacebuilders from the local level, because peace doesn't just begin when a conflict ends. Peace begins when the voices of those making agreements are listened to and when they have a place at the table. And that is why Mexico reiterates that lasting peace requires the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, and that is participation that is more than just symbolic and which takes the form of a true ability to have an impact and make decisions. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Mexico. I now give the floor to the representative of El Salvador.

Mr. President, El Salvador is grateful for the convening of this high-level forum and recognizes the importance of devoting this meeting to the leadership of women in promoting a culture of peace. Building a culture of peace requires us to address peace as a permanent process, which is strengthened much a long time before crises emerge and must be sustained after them. In these efforts, women's leadership is essential. For decades, women have contributed to sustaining communities, mediating tensions, supporting victims, preserving memory and rebuilding the fabric of society. However, that contribution is still not fully reflected in the spaces where decisions about peace and security are made. More than 25 years after the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325, the Women, Peace and Security agenda provides us with a robust framework to close that gap, but normative progress has to be turned into concrete results. Participation in itself cannot be reduced just to being present. It has to mean a real ability to influence decisions, access resources, protection and recognition as actors for peace. President, as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission, El Salvador considers that the Commission has a particularly valuable role to play in bringing these perspectives to multilateral spaces, strengthening the participation of local peacebuilders and promoting greater consistency between prevention, peacebuilding and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. In this context, the support of the Peacebuilding Fund is particularly important. In El Salvador, the PBF's initiatives have helped strengthen women's organizations, expand institutional capacities, promote participation and leadership processes, support memory actions and psychosocial care, and generate intergenerational dialogue spaces focused on peacebuilding. This experience shows that investing in women's leadership is not just a way of achieving inclusion. It is an investment in prevention, social cohesion and the sustainability of peace. Our responsibility is to make sure that that leadership has space, the resources it needs and recognition. That's the only way we can move towards a culture of peace that is truly lasting and sustainable. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of El Salvador. We have heard the last speaker for this meeting Those delegations who were not able to deliver their statements are kindly requested to submit their statements to e-statements@un.org To be posted in the United Nations journal The high-level forum on the program of action on a culture of peace is now concluded The meeting is adjourned.