In Yerevan, Latvian experts share their experience of implementing the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
03.06.2025. 14:11
On 2 June 2025, in Yerevan, Armenia, the Latvian Embassy in Georgia in cooperation with a non-governmental organization, the Center for Strategy and Development, organized a panel discussion “Together for Peace and Security: Women in the Peace Process” addressing the topics related to the implementation of the Women, Peace, Security agenda initiated by the United Nations.
One of Latvia’s priorities when running for a non-permanent member’s seat on the United Nations Security Council is gender equality and the women’s empowerment and, if elected, Latvia is committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security initiative through the UN agenda.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, underlined in her opening video address to the event: “In today’s discussion, we represent various regions, professions and areas of expertise; still, but we are united by a shared understanding and conviction that security is stronger and more sustainable when women are not only present but actively engaged in ensuring security at all levels.”
The aim of the discussion is to promote Latvia’s visibility and share our expertise on women’s participation in international politics and security. Latvia ranks among the leaders among EU Member States in terms of women’s representation in leadership positions, science and politics, and Latvia’s Armed Forces maintain one of the highest rates of women’s representation in NATO. Latvia is active in the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda with the aim of promoting gender equality, combating sexual violence in armed conflicts and supporting the active involvement of women in peace and resilience processes.
The participants of the event included the Director of the Department of International Organisations and Humanitarian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Katrīna Kaktiņa-Kalniņa, members of the Armenian government and non-governmental organisations, and diplomats. The discussion was moderated by the Head of the Board of Women for Security association, Sigita Struberga.
During the discussion, participants from Latvia and Armenia shared information and exchanged views on the preparation and implementation of the national Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda.
The Head of Department of Human Trafficking and Women’s Issues at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Sophie Bostanchyan, shared Armenia’s experience with migration crisis and prevention. Katrīna Kaktiņa-Kalniņa underlined the role of various partnerships to highlight diverse experiences and identify practical needs in crises. The Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Jan Plešinger, underlined the leadership of both genders in order to successfully implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda. An expert for the United Nations Office in Armenia, Artak Ayunts, called for enhancing women’s empowerment not only under post-crisis conditions but also in crisis prevention and peace process promotion. The President of NGO Democracy Today, Gulnara Shahinian, underlined the role of civil society organisations in the formulation and implementation of the National Plan.
One of the main takeaways of the discussion was that governments should more engage with NGOs – not only in drafting documents, but also in decision-making.
In conclusion of the event, Sigita Struberga led a simulation game, “Peace begins at home: Armenia’s response through the Women, Peace, Security agenda”.
The discussion was held within the framework of the public diplomacy programme supporting Latvia’s candidacy campaign for membership of the UN Security Council. Latvia is standing as a first-time candidate for an elected member’s seat for the term of 2026-2027, and its campaign runs under the motto of “Together for peace and resilience”. The overarching objective of the UNSC membership is to safeguard and strengthen the international environment conducive to Latvia’s security through exploiting and at the same time enhancing the opportunities offered by multilateral diplomacy.
Further information
The non-resident Latvian Ambassador to Armenia as from 14 February 2023 is Edīte Medne, who resides in Tbilisi, Georgia.