United Nations Security Council - Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security - Peace is decided with women: Emerging from conflict by enhancing their participation

17 June 2026

Joint Statement by the Feminist Foreign Policy Plus Group

delivered by H.E. Mr. Olivier Maes

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg

Madam President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 19 Members of the Feminist Foreign Policy Plus Group, a cross-regional New York based coalition bringing together Member States that are united in their commitment to place gender equality and the defence of all women’s and girls’ rights at the heart of their domestic and foreign policies.

We thank Colombia for organizing this open debate, and we thank you, Madam Foreign Minister, for presiding over our discussion today. This debate gives us an opportunity to further the Women and Peace and Security agenda, in addition to the annual debate taking place usually in October. We also thank the briefers for their presentations.

The last report by the Secretary-General on Women and Peace and Security from September last year confirmed the grim picture that we see across the world: against the backdrop of an increasing number of conflicts and protracted crises, the efforts to fulfil the commitments enshrined in Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security have been regressing over the past five years. As international law is flagrantly violated and conflicts become more wide-spread, women and girls are among the most vulnerable and the most directly impacted. Yet, when it comes to conflict resolution, women largely remain excluded from discussions.

Our group would like to make three points:

First: as the Feminist Foreign Policy Plus Group, we are convinced that policymaking is more effective when gender equality is placed at its center. We support the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all peace efforts and underline the need to increase the role of women as negotiators, as mediators, and as members of peace operations on the ground. The evidence shows that when women are part of the negotiations and have an active role in mediation processes, the resulting peace agreements are more sustainable and more just. We should therefore redouble our efforts to advocate for peace processes that are truly inclusive of women, reflecting the role of women in societies.

Second: all policy decisions should be underpinned by robust data and follow-up. Through the collection and analysis of data, awareness is created about the existing gaps in the implementation of the Women and Peace and Security agenda. Data is also essential to assess the needs and vulnerabilities of all women and girls. The UN System, including UN-Women, plays a key role in this area and continues to support Member States in collecting and evaluating relevant data.

And third: the maintenance of international peace and security depends not only on preventing conflict but on building more inclusive societies. This requires addressing the drivers of conflicts such as poverty, inequalities, climate vulnerabilities, exclusion, and marginalization, especially among women and girls. By placing the promotion of gender equality at the heart of our collective efforts, we can advance a foreign policy that is more representative, more equitable, and ultimately more effective in reinforcing lasting peace, upholding human rights and dignity, and driving sustainable development.

I thank you.