2025 AWP

2025 AWP

The 7th International Conference on Action with Women and Peace

Name : The 7th International Conference on Action with Women and Peace

Topic : WPS@25: Priorities and Innovation for the Future

Date : November 13, 2025

Location : Lotte Hotel Seoul

Host : Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Language : Korean, English

  • Opening Session

Opening Remarks

  • Kim Jina, 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Keynote Speech  (*pre-recorded video message)

  • Ilwad Elman, Chief Operating Officer, Elman Peace and Human Rights Centre (Virtual live participation)
  • Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, United Nations*
  • Liberata Mulamula, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, African Union*
  • Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Founder and CEO, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)*

Congratulatory Remarks  (*pre-recorded video message)

  • I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Executive Director, ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR)
  • Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines*
  • Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights*
  • Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights*
  • Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and for Human Security*
  • Amy Pope, Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM)*
  • Kirsi Madi, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director*
  • Arlene B. Tickner, Ambassador at-large for Gender Issues and Feminist Global Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia*

Panel Discussion 1

  • 25 Years of WPS on the Ground – Achievements and Lessons Learned from the Asia-Pacific

This session reflected on the progress made in implementing the WPS agenda over the previous 25 years, with a focus on specific strategies and initiatives led by women’s organizations and women leaders working to promote peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. Panelists highlighted enabling factors, persistent gaps, and the evolving challenges faced by local actors. They also identified priority actions and future directions to protect and advance the WPS agenda in the region and beyond.

Moderator

  • Jasmin Nario-Galace, Senior Program Director, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)

Panelists

  • Shin Heisoo, Chair, Board of Directors, Korea Center for UN Human Rights Policy (KOCUN)
  • I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Executive Director, ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR)
  • Zahra' Langhi, Senior Advisor on Inclusion and Women, Peace and Security, Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY)
  • Asa Torkelsson, Chief, UNFPA Seoul Representation Office

Panel Discussion 2

  • New Frontiers – Innovating WPS in an Era of AI and Cyber Technologies

AI and digital technologies were reshaping the landscape of warfare and peacebuilding. They had the potential to accelerate progress in WPS implementation, while also posing risks that needed to be mitigated. This session examined the dual nature of technologies—as tools that could both advance and undermine WPS goals. Panelists discussed strategies to:
i) leverage AI and digital platforms for peace and humanitarian work;
ii) incorporate WPS perspectives into efforts to regulate the use of technologies and prevent their potential misuse in conflict settings; and
iii) enhance digital security, access, and capacity for women peacebuilders.

Moderator

  • Yoon Jiso, Director of Center for International Development and Cooperation, Korean Women’s Development Institute (KWDI)

Panelists

  • Paola Vesco, Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
  • Mona Demaidi, Vice President of AI at Arab American University and Chairwoman of Intersect Innovation Hub
  • Gaelle Demolis, Policy and Programme Specialist, Governance, Peace and Security, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
  • Shin Soyeon, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Video Presentation

  • Expanding the Circle – Inviting New Voices into the Conversation

In this video, youth peace advocates who participated in a pre-conference workshop (AWP Youth Forum) share their perspectives on the way forward for the WPS agenda.

Youth Session

  • Joining Hands – Empowering Intergenerational Leadership and Learning

This session brought together women peacebuilders and scholars across generations to explore how cross-generational partnerships could strengthen the WPS agenda. Panelists examined how mentorship, capacity- and confidence-building, and resource sharing could bridge generational divides. They also reflected on the structural and institutional barriers that limited intergenerational collaboration and proposed strategies to ensure that young women were not only included but also empowered as leaders and catalysts for peace.

Moderator

  • Angela Muvumba Sellstöm, Senior Researcher, Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)

Panelists

  • Ilwad Elman, Chief Operating Officer, Elman Peace and Human Rights Centre (Virtual live participation)
  • Kim Sae-Ryo, Representative, UNHCR Korea
  • Emilia Hannuksela, Consultant, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
  • Wai Wai Nu, Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Peace Network (WPN) in Myanmar (Virtual live participation)

Global Youth Contest

  • Illustrations
  • Grand Prize

The Embrace of Solidarity, Digital Peace
Jeon Subeen

  • Merit Award

The Goddess of Peace, Born from Seeds Sown by Women and Youth
Jang Seoin

  • Instagram Comics
  • Excellence Award

Firewall Femme: AI and Women’s Cyber Resistance
Fernanda Serrano Corona

  • Slogans
  • Honorable Mention

Wisdom of Yesterday, Code of Today, Peace of Tomorrow
Kang Young Jae

Panel Discussion 3

  • Standing Together – From Survivors to Agents of Change

This session focused on advancing a survivor-centered approach to conflict-related sexual violence, as emphasized in UN Security Council Resolution 2467 (2019). Panelists discussed how to ensure that survivors’ rights, agency, and dignity were placed at the center of prevention, recovery, and redress frameworks, as well as how to fully recognize survivors’ critical roles as active agents in building more inclusive and sustainable peace. The discussion covered integrated support systems, including medical, psychological, legal, and economic support; access to justice and accountability mechanisms; and efforts to combat stigma and enable survivor leadership.

Moderator

  • Kim Eun Mee, 17th President (2021–2025) and Professor Emeritus, Ewha Womans University and Goodwill Ambassador, UN Women

Panelists

  • Esther Dingemans, Executive Director, Global Survivors Fund (GSF)
  • Dominique Vidale-Plaza, Director of Care and Country Programmes, Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation
  • James Heenan, Representative, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Seoul
  • Samuel Emonet, Executive Director, Justice Rapid Response

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