Albania will organize this Wednesday the open debate "Keeping promises": The role of regional organizations in implementing the agenda "Women, peace and security, in the face of political unrest and taking power by force", after taking over the presidency of the Security Council in United Nations since 1 June. 

On this occasion, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Olta Xhaçka has shared a message on social networks, where she stated that the recent events in different parts of the world, in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar, Mali, Ethiopia, etc. ., have threatened not only the fragile achievements of the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda, but also the lives and work of women peacebuilders and human rights defenders. 

Meanwhile, the Minister added that the recent escalation of military coups and the seizure of power by force has drastically affected the prospects of women's organizations and gender equality advocates in these countries and tested the ability of the international community to fulfill the mandate of the Security Council. 

"Since June 1, 2022, Albania has assumed the presidency of the Security Council. This is a great privilege and responsibility at the same time! As part of our commitment, to protect and further advance the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda in the Security Council, Albania will organize on June 15, a landmark event, an Open Debate entitled "Keeping Promises: "The role of regional organizations in implementing the 'Women, Peace and Security' agenda, in the face of political unrest and the seizure of power." 

Since the historic adoption of Resolution 1325 (2000), the normative framework in the field of "Women, Peace and Security" has continued to be widely developed. However, despite the development of such policies over the last two decades, the same cannot be said for their implementation. The meaningful participation of women at all levels of decision-making and their meaningful involvement in conflict prevention and peace process negotiation is still challenged by structural barriers, lack of access to political and economic resources, and a predominantly male-dominated domestic and international political mentality. 

Recent events in various parts of the world, in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar, Mali, Ethiopia, etc., have threatened not only the fragile achievements of the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda, but also the lives, work and work of women peacebuilders and human rights defenders. The recent escalation of military coups and the seizure of power by force has drastically affected the prospects of women's organizations and gender equality advocates in these countries and tested the ability of the international community to fulfill the mandate of the Security Council. 

Better coordination and closer cooperation, between the Security Council and regional and sub-regional organizations, can make a difference on the ground. More than ever, we need new knowledge and perspectives to accelerate the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. 

We strongly believe that regional and sub-regional organizations can play a crucial role in this regard, especially during these turbulent times. This is what we will try to achieve during the Open Debate: 

Identify persistent shortcomings in the implementation of the normative framework for the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda, in contexts dictated by a possible military coup or by seizing power by force; To share best practices and ideas on how the Security Council, or regional organizations, can advocate and further advance this agenda in such situations; 

Support the work of those women who contribute to peacebuilding, civil society organizations, and place gender analysis at the heart of our prevention and response strategies. 

Together, we can achieve much more and keep the promises made to our peoples, especially women and girls around the world", declared Minister Xhaçka.