Qatar Pledges Continued Support for Women’s Role in Peace and Security at UN
New York, The Gulf Observer: The State of Qatar has reiterated its unwavering commitment to collaborating with the international community to enhance the role of women in peace and security, underscoring that supporting the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda is pivotal for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This statement was delivered by Her Excellency Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during the UN Security Council’s open debate on “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment.”
Her Excellency highlighted that, despite progress within the WPS agenda, numerous conflict zones continue to witness severe violations of humanitarian and human rights laws, often without accountability. She emphasized the dire conditions faced by women and girls in these areas, with specific mention of Gaza, where recent hostilities have led to profound humanitarian impacts, including airstrikes, critical health and supply shortages, the destruction of educational facilities, and widespread displacement.
Sheikha Alya called for greater recognition of women’s vital role in peacebuilding, advocating for concrete actions to empower women in conflict prevention and response. Emphasizing Qatar’s dedication to fully implementing the WPS agenda, she cited the country’s support for the UN Secretary-General’s “Joint Pledge for Women’s Participation in Peace Processes” and expressed pride in Qatar’s active role within the Arab Network for Women Peace Mediators.
In light of the upcoming 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Sheikha Alya stressed the need for accelerated progress on the WPS agenda’s four pillars: prevention, protection, participation, and relief and recovery. She lauded the recent adoption of the “Charter for the Future” as a significant step toward realizing these objectives and affirmed Qatar’s support for women’s full and equal involvement in all levels of peace processes as essential to lasting global stability.
Addressing the international community, Her Excellency called for actionable measures and accountability systems to monitor progress in integrating women into peacebuilding efforts. She also acknowledged the dual nature of emerging technologies in peace processes, noting their potential to increase inclusivity but warning of the risks associated with misinformation. She urged for protective frameworks to ensure the safety and active engagement of women in public discourse and peace initiatives.
