PH to host International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security

The Philippines is set to host the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security later this month, government officials said on Friday.

The conference will take place from October 28 to 30 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

''From October 28 to 30, this year we will be joined in Manila by representatives from more than 54 countries from Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and Asia Pacific including 25 ministers, vice ministers and other senior officials in discussions which aims to illuminate the role of interregional multi-stakeholder networks for exchanging experiences, best practices and challenges related to the meaningful engagement of women in peace-building,'' Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a Palace press briefing.

''Our hosting of the conference reflects our commitment to the women, peace and security agenda which is not only evident in our national policies but also extends beyond our borders, finding resonance in our engagements with the United Nations, ASEAN and other international organizations,'' he added.

Philippine officials said the conference would address the enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and post-conflict reconstruction.

With the theme “Forging Collaboration and Convergence for Advancing Women, Peace, and Security,'' the conference serves as a testament to the country's relentless pursuit of mainstream gender responsiveness in its systems. 

According to Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez, the Comprehensive Philippine Peace Process aligns with the aspiration of the UNSC Resolutions on women, peace, and security, particularly resolutions 1325 and 1820.

''This plan emphasizes a conflict-sensitive and peace-promoting whole of society and an empowering approach that is geared toward peace enforcement, peacemaking, and most importantly, the peacebuilding concepts,'' Galvez said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News