Concept Note

2024 AWP

Approaching 25 Years of UNSCR 1325: Sharing Lessons Across UN Missions and Nations

  • INTRODUCTION

The Republic of Korea is committed to promoting the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through its “Action with Women and Peace” initiative. This initiative is built on two pillars: 1) an annual conference that amplifies women's voices in the field of international peace and security; and 2) humanitarian and development assistance for women and girls in conflict-affected regions.

This December, Korea will host the 6th Action with Women and Peace Conference under the theme of Approaching 25 Years of UNSCR 1325: Sharing Lessons Across UN Missions and Nations. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, the conference offers a crucial platform to reflect on past achievements and chart the future of the WPS agenda. It will foster knowledge sharing and future collaboration across UN Peacekeeping Missions and Member States to ensure full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in building and sustaining peace for the next quarter century.

Additionally, this year's conference will include a special session on Myanmar, exploring the intricate ties between women, peace and security and highlighting the paramount roles women play as catalysts for peace. The conference will also feature youth session, where youth peace advocates will discuss opportunities and challenges in advancing the WPS agenda for our time and beyond.

  • BACKGROUND

In October 2025, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325. Adopted in 2000, UNSCR 1325 was groundbreaking as the first Security Council Resolution to recognize the unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls, and to champion their rights and potential to contribute to international peace and security.

Since 2000, the international community has made significant progress in advancing the WPS agenda. The adoption of UNSCR 1325 marked the beginning of explicit references of women and gender issues in peacekeeping mandates, with subsequent resolutions further expanding and refining the responsibilities of peacekeeping missions. In the past 24 years, over 100 Member States have adopted National Action Plans to integrate the WPS agenda into their national policies, reflecting a widespread commitment to turning the WPS agenda into tangible actions.

Despite these systematic efforts, the UN Secretary-General’s 2023 report on women, peace and security notes that women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in building peace is still far from being a reality. The UN Secretary-General’s 2022 report also highlights a concerning trend where generational gains in women’s rights are being reversed while violent conflicts, military expenditures, military coups, displacements and hunger continue to rise.

In this light, the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 will be a vital moment to take stock of the past achievements and chart a path forward. UN Peacekeeping Missions serve as a critical starting point, offering practical insights into implementing the WPS agenda on the ground, often in the most fragile and challenging environments. Another key area for reflections is the development and implementation of WPS National Action Plans, as governments play an indispensable role in ensuring the effective integration of WPS commitments into domestic policies and legislations.

Developments leading up to the 25th anniversary will be crucial in ensuring that the WPS agenda remains fit for purpose beyond the milestone. The upcoming conference will provide a platform for UN Peacekeeping Missions and Member States to share their experiences, discuss progress and challenges, and explore areas for future collaboration, adding to the broader discussions on the future of the WPS agenda.

  • OBJECTIVE

Facilitate inter-mission learning on implementing WPS mandates in peacekeeping operations, including in the context of accelerated drawdowns, and provide insights for the future WPS work of the UN Security Council

Explore strategies for developing, implementing and monitoring WPS National Action Plans (NAPs), with a focus on Asian countries’ experiences and lessons learned, and identify areas for cooperation to promote the WPS agenda in this region and beyond

Highlight the critical roles women play as catalysts for peace in and around Myanmar, and discuss ways to better support their peacebuilding efforts on the ground

Provide a platform for youth peace advocates, and showcase innovative ideas of youth participants to advance the WPS agenda for the next quarter century