Luxembourg Shows Support for UN Efforts to Prevent Sexual Violence in Conflict

Luxembourg's Minister of Defence and Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, participated in the United Nations (UN) Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Week, held in New York, from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 October 2024.

During the UN Security Council's annual open debate on women, peace and security, Minister Backes emphasised: "Next year will mark a turning point for the international community: 25 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325. With this historic resolution, the international community has underscored the absolute necessity of ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all areas of conflict prevention and peace. A powerful affirmation of a simple truth: 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 on Sexual Violence in Conflict, established in 2009 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1888. On this occasion, Minister Backes commended Hillary Clinton, who presided over the Security Council when Resolution 1888 was adopted, for her lifelong action in support of the rights of women and girls.

In her speech, Minister Backes stated that "despite the significant progress we have made and the global commitment to combating these crimes, sexual violence in conflict situations is on the rise, with state and non-state actors resorting to it in increasingly cruel and systematic ways".

Minister Backes also met with Pramila Patten, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. She assured the latter of Luxembourg's support for her crucial mission to promote prevention and combat impunity for sexual violence.

The minister gave the opening address at the "Gender and Peace Operations Research" conference of the International Peace Institute (IPI). She reiterated the crucial role that women play in peacekeeping operations and the positive impact of women negotiators on the success and sustainability of peace agreements, stressing that "the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in conflict resolution and peace processes must be an integral part of our defence posture."

Moreover, Minister Backes had a bilateral meeting with IPI President Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and met with Sima Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. They discussed the status of Sustainable Development Goal 5, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, and the threats to women’s rights posed by armed conflicts around the world.

Minister Backes also met with the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Alexander Zouev, and the Deputy Military Adviser, Major General Cheryl Pearce, to discuss peacekeeping operations, and in particular the role of women in these operations.

The agenda also included a bilateral meeting with the Executive Director of the NGO Security Council Report, Shamala Kandiah Thompson. During this meeting, the minister announced a financial contribution from Luxembourg to support the development of a report on children and armed conflict. The report will analyse new trends in this area and make recommendations.

Finally, Minister Backes met with Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Defence, and current President of the United Nations Security Council, as well as Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein.