Minister Pandor Participates in UNSC Debates on the Middle East and Women’s Peace and Security

New York, October 24, 2023 – The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, embarked on a significant working visit to New York to engage in two high-level debates hosted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). These discussions revolve around crucial global matters: the Situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine, and Women, Peace, and Security, occurring on the 24th and 25th of October 2023, respectively.

Under the leadership of Brazil’s Presidency, the UNSC has called for a high-level open debate on the Situation in the Middle East, with a specific focus on the Question of Palestine. The Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, will preside over this meeting and has extended an invitation to Minister Pandor, highlighting the significance of her insights in this open debate.

This open debate has been elevated to a Ministerial level due to the current and complex situation in the region, particularly in Israel and Palestine. The presence of Minister Pandor underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing and finding solutions to the ongoing conflicts and tensions in the Middle East.

On October 25, 2023, Minister Pandor will actively participate in the United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security. The debate, framed under the theme, “Women’s Participation in International Peace and Security from Theory to Practice,” is a pivotal event during October, recognized by the United Nations as the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) month.

The UN declared October as the WPS month because it was in this month, specifically in the year 2000, that Resolution 1325 on women in armed conflict was adopted. This resolution aimed to spotlight the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and girls, advocating for their full involvement in peace processes, including conflict resolution, peace negotiations, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction.

Resolution 1325 remains an important milestone in the fight for gender equality and the recognition of women’s roles in building peace and security. The annual open debate on WPS in October is an opportunity to commemorate this resolution and assess its implementation worldwide.

Both debates, scheduled for October 24 and 25, will commence at 10:00 AM, providing a platform for global leaders to exchange views and strategies on these critical international issues. In addition to her participation in these discussions, Minister Pandor will seize the opportunity to conduct bilateral meetings with her counterparts from various countries, further strengthening South Africa’s diplomatic relations on the world stage.

Minister Pandor’s involvement in these debates emphasizes South Africa’s commitment to global peace, security, and gender equality, reflecting the nation’s active role on the international stage in addressing these vital concerns.