HE Ghasaq Shaheen, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative

Mister President,

I thank the Greek Presidency for convening the Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security, a topic of high priority for the United Arab Emirates. And I also thank Secretary-General Guterres, UN Women Executive Director Bahous, and the civil society representative, for their powerful briefings.

Twenty-six years after the adoption of resolution 1325, we have made important progress. Yet, as conflicts spread, women’s representation in peace processes continue to be low – calling for our renewed commitment to the WPS Agenda.

In this respect, the UAE would like to highlight the following points.

First, women must be able to shape every stage of the peace continuum, from conflict prevention to recovery and reconstruction. National Action Plans are important tools, but they require clear responsibilities across governments to translate commitments into action. As the UAE develops its second NAP, the full, equal and meaningful participation of women remains central to its contribution to international peace and security.

Second, women’s leadership must be supported at every level, from local to global. The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace and Security Initiative upholds this goal, having trained 730 women in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and leadership across several continents. The UAE also advances women’s leadership and representation in policing, serving as Co-Chair of the High-Level Network on Gender-Responsive Policing, promoting related standards for police institutions worldwide.

Third, women must be able to work for peace without fear of sexual exploitation and abuse, including conflict-related sexual violence and technology-facilitated violence. Concrete measures, such as the SAFE-T Initiative, unveiled during the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, help curb digital acts of violence against women, improve protection and promote accountability.

Mr. President,

Looking ahead it is our collective responsibility to increase the meaningful participation of women in all sectors and at all levels of peace and security, and to ensure that no woman is being adversely affected by armed conflict and related violence. We must trust that these discussions will enrich the upcoming Global Conference on Women, Peace and Security and further empower women as leaders, peacebuilders, and agents of change for decades to come. 

And I thank you.