2nd World Forum on Women in Diplomacy.
Second World Forum on Women in Diplomacy on the theme "Women in Diplomacy: Influence in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding".
Session 1: will present global evidence and case studies demonstrating the impact of women's participation in peace processes.
Session 2: will examine pathways to move from symbolic inclusion to structural leadership through policy reforms, national action plans, and strengthened mediation
networks.
Session 3: will explore emerging peace and security challenges and include an intergenerational dialogue with women diplomats and peacebuilders.
The Forum will conclude with a summary of key messages, the presentation of
outcome document, and commitments to follow-up action.
I. Background and Rationale
The 21st century is marked by a proliferation of complex and protracted conflicts,
geopolitical fragmentation, and unprecedented humanitarian crises. Despite the global
recognition of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, anchored in UN Security Council
Resolution 1325 and its subsequent resolutions, women remain significantly underrepresented
in formal peace negotiations, mediation teams, ceasefire monitoring, and high-level diplomatic
decision-making.
Council on Foreign Relations studies consistently demonstrate that peace agreements
are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years when women are meaningfully involved in
the negotiation process. Evidence also shows that women mediators and negotiators broaden
peace agendas to include community needs, social cohesion, justice, and long-term recovery,
elements essential for sustainable peace. Yet, in major peace processes between 1992 and 2019,
women constituted only 13% of negotiators, 6% of mediators, and 6% of signatories (the
UN Secretary-General’s Report on Women, Peace and Security, 2023).
The absence of women in peace and security decision-making is particularly alarming
given the current global landscape of escalating conflicts, rising displacement, and the erosion
of multilateral trust. These challenges require diplomatic leadership that is inclusive,
representative, and capable of bridging divides. Women diplomats bring diverse perspectives,
negotiation styles, and priorities that strengthen conflict resolution and peacebuilding
outcomes.
At the same time, the root causes of increasing multidimensional fragility need to be
addressed consistently, whereby the rising water and climate-related insecurity constitutes an
important entry point for building community resilience and stability. The Cansu Global
Intergovernmental Initiative presents an example of complementing water diplomacy efforts
with community resilience to manage, absorb and mitigate water and climate related risks.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 16 on peaceful,
just, and inclusive societies, underscores the need for inclusive institutions and participatory
decision-making. The Pact for the Future (Section II: Peace and Security, Paragraphs 29-33),
the New Agenda for Peace (Section: Preventing Conflict and Sustaining Peace, Paragraphs
57-60), and the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries (Section: Peace
and Security, Paragraphs 161-165) further reaffirm that sustainable peace cannot be achieved
without women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation at all levels.
Against this backdrop, and building on RASIT’s pioneering approach to diplomacy
-broadening its meaning since 1968 beyond traditional statecraft to encompass Science
Diplomacy, Education and Cultural Exchange, and the Culture for Peace - the second edition
of the World Forum on Women in Diplomacy, is convened to advance a focused global
dialogue on transforming women’s participation in diplomacy and conflict prevention from
symbolic representation to structural influence and measurable delivery.
II. Objectives
1. Assess structural barriers that limit women’s leadership in diplomacy, mediation, and
peace and security decision-making, and identify reforms needed to transform
participation from symbolic to structural and delivery-oriented.
2. Highlight evidence-based research and case studies demonstrating the impact of
women’s meaningful participation on the durability, inclusivity, and implementation of
peace agreements, including through conflict prevention initiatives.
3. Identify strategies to institutionalize women’s leadership at national, regional, and
multilateral levels, including strengthening pipelines for women’s advancement to
senior diplomatic and peacebuilding roles.
4. Promote cross-regional dialogue among diplomats, policymakers, researchers, and
civil society to advance implementation and accountability for UNSCR 1325 and
subsequent Women, Peace and Security commitments.
5. Develop actionable, resourced, and measurable recommendations to ensure
women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in mediation, negotiation, and
peacebuilding processes.
6. Acknowledge and position women’s community development initiatives as core
contributions to achieve social stability and combat multidimensional fragility.
III. Expected Outcomes
1. A set of actionable, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen women’s
leadership in diplomacy and peace and security processes.
2. Enhanced visibility of women diplomats and their contributions to multilateralism and
conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
3. Strengthened partnerships among Member States, UN entities, academic institutions,
and civil society.
4. A Forum Outcome Document outlining commitments to advance structural,
accountable implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
5. Inputs to ongoing UN processes, including SDG 16 implementation, the New Agenda
for Peace, and Women, Peace, and Security reporting mechanisms.
IV. Format and Structure
The Forum’s structure comprises a high-level opening segment that sets the thematic
and global context, followed by three main discussion sessions:
Session 1: will present global evidence and case studies demonstrating the impact of
women’s participation in peace processes.
Session 2: will examine pathways to move from symbolic inclusion to structural
leadership through policy reforms, national action plans, and strengthened mediation
networks.
Session 3: will explore emerging peace and security challenges and include an
intergenerational dialogue with women diplomats and peacebuilders.
The Forum will conclude with a summary of key messages, the presentation of
outcome document, and commitments to follow-up action.
AGENDA PROGRAMME
10.00-10.30:
Opening Segment
Women at the Frontlines of Diplomacy for Peace and Security. The Opening Segment brings together dignitaries, senior officials, Permanent Representatives, and institutional
leaders to reaffirm the centrality of women’s leadership in shaping peaceful, secure, and resilient societies.
Framing the Forum’s objectives, the segment positions women diplomats as indispensable actors in advancing
multilateral cooperation and safeguarding global peace and security.
In their statements, dignitaries are encouraged to highlight the evidence demonstrating that women’s full, equal,
and meaningful participation in diplomacy strengthens conflict prevention, enhances negotiation outcomes,
and contributes to durable peace, as well as to underscore the need for renewed commitments to institutional
reforms, capacity‑building, and accountability.
Welcoming Remarks:
• H.E. Dr. Helena Dalli, Former EU Commissioner for Equality, Chair, World Forum on Women in
Diplomacy.
Opening Statement:
10.30 – 11.30:
Session 1:
Evidence and Impact: Why Women Matter in Peace Processes. This session presents the latest global data and research demonstrating the measurable impact of women’s
participation in peace processes. Through comparative studies, case examples, and evidence-based analysis,
speakers will highlight how women’s leadership in mediation and conflict resolution contributes to more
inclusive negotiations and significantly increases the likelihood of achieving durable peace agreements.
The discussion will underscore the strategic importance of women’s full and meaningful engagement across
all stages of peace processes, grounding the Forum’s deliberations in rigorous, policy-relevant evidence.
Moderator:
Distinguished Panelists.
11.30 – 12.30:
Session 2:
From Symbolic to Structural: Institutionalizing Women in Diplomacy Leadership
This session examines the reforms and systemic shifts required to embed women’s leadership at the core of
diplomatic institutions. Discussions will focus on policy reforms, national action plans, and the transformation
of diplomatic services to ensure women in diplomacy achieve full, equal, and sustained participation in
leadership roles.
The session will also highlight women’s contributions to diplomacy and mediation, emphasizing mechanisms
that strengthen support, visibility, and accountability across the international community, including within
bodies such as the United Nations Security Council.
In addressing emerging challenges and opportunities, the session will consider how to advance women’s
diplomatic leadership within multilateralism to deliver long-lasting peace and security.
Moderator:
Distinguished Panelists:
12.30 – 13.30:
Session 3:
The Future of Multilateralism: Women in Diplomacy for Peace and Security
This session explores the critical role of women diplomats in shaping a more resilient and responsive
multilateral system amid emerging global threats. Discussions will examine women’s leadership in addressing
climate-related insecurity, digital conflict, misinformation, and growing geopolitical fragmentation. Speakers
will highlight how women advance cooperative, culturally informed, and society-responsive diplomacy that
strengthens trust and multilateral engagement.
The session will also underscore women’s contributions to justice, accountability, and community resilience,
emphasizing their essential role in building a more inclusive and effective global peace and security
architecture.
Moderator:
Distinguished Panelists:
13.30-14.15:
Closing Segment
Commitments for the Present: Women Strengthening Peace, Security, and
Multilateral Action The Closing Session brings the Forum’s deliberations together with a concise summary of key messages
emerging from the discussions.
Participants will be presented with the draft Outcome Document, reflecting shared priorities and proposed
actions to advance women’s leadership of all abilities across diplomacy, peace, and security.
The segment concludes with a collective commitment to follow-up measures, reinforcing the Forum’s role in
driving sustained progress and strengthening women’s contributions to the future of multilateral cooperation. Moderator:
Respondent:
UN Member States Commitments.
Related Sites and Documents: Concept Note.
Meetings & Events
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