Welcome
Statement by Minister of State Michelle Müntefering prior to her departure for New York for the UN Security Council open debate on women, peace and security – implementing Resolution 1325
Minister of State Michelle Müntefering issued the following statement today (24 October) prior to her departure for New York:
Foreign and security policy can and must no longer take place without women in the 21st century – neither in national governments and parliaments, nor in the UN, nor in its international peace missions.
The unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security on 31 October 2000 was a milestone in the UN Security Council. Implementing this resolution is a priority for Germany in the UN, as Foreign Minister Heiko Maas reiterated in his speech to the UN General Assembly this year.
I am looking forward to the UN Security Council open debate on 25 October and to speaking with representatives of UN Member States and civil society.
The UN and its Member States have already made some progress.
However, we still have quite some way to go as regards making further progress on implementing the Security Council’s important decision on Resolution 1325 by 2020 – 20 years after it was adopted. Women’s equal participation at all decision-making levels is a key element in creating security, stability and lasting peace in the world. We cannot afford to talk about women, peace and security in the 21st century without women sitting at the table as equal partners. They must be actors and shapers of peace and security.
Background information:
Minister of State Michelle Müntefering is representing Germany at the UN Security Council open debate on promoting the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda and sustaining peace through women’s political and economic empowerment, which will take place on 25 October. Over 70 statements are expected to be made during this debate. Bolivia currently holds the Presidency of the UN Security Council. Minister of State Müntefering will also hold talks in the UN Secretariat and with members of civil society. With this high level participation at political level in New York, Germany is underlining its active commitment to the implementation of Resolution 1325 and to Germany’s forthcoming non permanent membership of the UN Security Council in 2019 and 2020.