From October 22 to 24, 2024, the Minister of Defense, Minister of Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, participated in the United Nations week dedicated to the Women and Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
During the Security Council’s annual open debate on women, peace and security, Yuriko Backes intervened, emphasizing that “next year will mark a turning point for the international community: 25 years since the adoption of Resolution 1325 of the Security Council With this historic resolution, the international community has underlined the absolute need to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all areas of conflict prevention and peace. simple: there can be no peace without full respect for women’s rights.”
The minister also participated in the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary General responsible for the issue of sexual violence committed in times of conflict, created in 2009 by Resolution 1888 of the United Nations Security Council. On this occasion, Minister Backes congratulated Hillary Clinton, who chaired the Security Council during the adoption of Resolution 1888, for her lifelong work in favor of women’s rights and girls.
In her speech, Yuriko Backes lamented that “despite the significant progress we have made and the global commitment to combat these crimes, sexual violence in conflict situations is on the rise, with state and non-state actors resorting to it ever more cruel and systematic manner.
In the context of the 15th anniversary, Yuriko Backes met Pramila Patten, special representative responsible for the issue of sexual violence committed in times of conflict. She assured her of Luxembourg’s support for her crucial mission which consists of promoting prevention and fighting against impunity for sexual violence.
At the International Peace Institute (IPI) Gender and Peace Operations Research conference, the minister delivered the opening address. She reiterated the crucial role that women play in peacekeeping operations as well as the positive impact of women negotiators on the success and sustainability of peace agreements, emphasizing that “full, equal and meaningful participation of women in conflict resolution and peace processes must be an integral part of our defense system. Minister Backes also had a bilateral meeting with IPI President Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.
Yuriko Backes met with Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women. They had a discussion on the progress of Sustainable Development Goal 5, the 30th anniversary in 2025 of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the threats to women’s rights posed by armed conflicts in across the world.
Minister Backes also met with Assistant Secretary General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Alexandre Zouev, and Deputy Military Advisor, Major General Cheryl Pearce, to discuss security operations. peace, and in particular the role of women.
The program also included a bilateral meeting with the executive director of the NGO Security Council Report, Shamala Kandiah Thompson. During this meeting, Yuriko Backes announced a financial contribution from Luxembourg to support the development of a report on children and armed conflicts. The report will analyze new trends in this area and make recommendations.
Finally, Minister Backes met with Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Defense, currently President of the United Nations Security Council, and Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein.
Press release by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Diversity / Directorate of Defense
