Emine Erdogan Champions Women’s Role in Diplomacy and Peace-Building at Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Antalya, The Gulf Observer: Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan took center stage at the high-level session on “Women, Peace, and Security” during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), emphasizing the pivotal role of women in diplomacy, crisis resolution, and peace-building. The panel, pioneered by First Lady Erdogan, convened on Saturday, attracting distinguished figures such as activist Tawakkol Karman, Ivana Zivkovic of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bineta Diop of the African Union Commission, alongside Desislava Radeva, the First Lady of Bulgaria, and Tamara Vucic, the First Lady of Serbia.
Activist Tawakkol Karman highlighted the historical impact of conflict on women, noting their resilience and leadership in times of adversity. Addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Karman decried the Israeli occupation, labeling it as a sad example of humanity’s degradation and the continuation of genocide. She emphasized the necessity of recognizing the plight of the people in Gaza and their struggle against death, hunger, and displacement.
Ivana Zivkovic, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Regional Director for Türkiye, expressed her honor to participate in the forum and emphasized the alignment of women’s security with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Zivkovic underlined the UNDP’s commitment to supporting displaced and refugee women and girls, especially in crisis settings like Gaza and Ukraine. She stressed that sustainable peace and development require gender equality, stating, “If half of our society is left behind, we cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Bineta Diop, the African Union Commission’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security, thanked Emine Erdogan for consistently highlighting issues related to “women, peace, and security.” Diop underscored the critical importance of effective diplomacy where women’s voices are heard and respected in overcoming global challenges.
Bulgarian First Lady Desislava Radeva expressed gratitude to the Turkish First Lady for her initiative and leadership in organizing the event. Radeva highlighted the disproportionate negative impact of armed conflicts on women and girls, stressing the need for the international community to involve women more effectively in peacebuilding and protection processes.
Serbian First Lady Tamara Vucic commended Emine Erdogan for hosting the significant program as part of the 3rd ADF, emphasizing the need for a new approach and understanding of global issues. Vucic echoed Erdogan’s belief that women play a leading role in rebuilding societies and elevating common values.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum continues to serve as a platform for critical discussions on global issues, with the “Women, Peace, and Security” panel contributing valuable insights and perspectives from prominent figures committed to advancing the role of women in diplomacy and peace-building.
