Philippines hosting International Conference on Women, Peace and Security

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will host the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (ICWPS) later this month, which is expected to be attended by representatives from more than 54 countries from Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and the Asia Pacific.

The conference will be held from Oct. 28 to 30 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“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 (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and other international organizations,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said at a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday.

The conference will not only be a platform for sharing insights and best practices on these important issues, but would also be a powerful demonstration of the Philippines’ leadership in harnessing collective commitment to advancing the women, peace and security agenda worldwide, Manalo said.

With the theme: “Forging collaboration and convergence for advancing women, peace and security,” the conference will highlight the power of inter-regional networks for exchanging experiences, best practices and challenges and is expected to be attended by around 400 participants composed of ministers, international delegates, members of the national steering committee on women, peace and security and participants from civil society organizations, the academic community, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, local government units and the private sector.

The conference will be a venue to address the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, the first legal document adopted in October 2000 to recognize the role and needs of women in conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding.

The Philippines has expressed optimism that the proposed “Manila Declaration” for the promotion of gender equality and women’s participation in peacekeeping will be adopted after the conference.

“The major outcome (of the ICWPS) would be a declaration. And we call it the Manila Declaration. It’s still being negotiated now in New York and it is involving all the member-states of the UN,” Manalo said.

“What we expect is that the declaration will include some key elements. Some of these are affirming commitments to gender equality and women’s participation, especially in peacekeeping and peace-building activities. And these are in fact called for in UNSCR 1325,” he added.

The Philippines has been part of the UN peacekeeping operations for 60 years, deploying over 14,000 Filipino peacekeepers.

The Philippines has committed to increase deployments of skilled female peacekeepers, recognizing their vital role in the success of these operations.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Philippines has been at the forefront of advancing gender equality, being the first Asian country to adopt the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

“This action plan emphasizes a complex, sensitive and peace-promoting rule of society and empowering approach that is geared toward peace enforcement,” Galvez said.