Secretary-General Urges Ministers to Intensify Resolve, Commitment to Achieve Gender Equality as Prerequisite for Sustainable, Inclusive Societies

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), to the ministerial breakfast on the high-level review of women, peace and security, in New York today:

I thank the Governments of Namibia and the United Kingdom for convening this ministerial breakfast and for their role as champions of women, peace and security.

Every day, we hear stories of horror about violent extremist groups that place the subordination of women at the forefront of their agenda.  The unwavering promotion of empowered girls and women should be at the top of ours.  Indeed, the newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is firmly rooted in gender equality and respect for the rights of all.

We must spare no effort to ensure we reach our ambitious goals for women, peace and security.  I am pleased that this year’s high-level reviews of our peace operations and peacebuilding architecture have acknowledged both the centrality and importance of this issue.

Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) has been instrumental in enabling the international community to move beyond viewing women as only victims of conflict to recognizing their right to be represented in decision-making and their essential role as agents of peace and progress.  Women’s participation and engagement is critical to mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.

As we mark the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations, the fifteenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) and the launch of the new plan of action for people, planet and prosperity in the 2030 Agenda, let us intensify our resolve and commitment to achieve gender equality as a prerequisite for sustainable, peaceful and inclusive societies.