UN Resolution on Women, Peace and Security discussed at OSCE-supported conference in Montenegro

The co-operation between state and non-state actors in implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was the topic of an OSCE-supported conference held in Podgorica on 4 June 2013.

In his opening address, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj, called on Montenegro – which has already ratified Resolution 1325 – to fully implement it, ensuring the participation and close co-operation of civil society and public institutions. He voiced hope that the discussion at the conference would lead to concrete steps, such as the adoption of a National Action Plan to implement the Resolution.

The conference participants also discussed regional and international experiences in implementing the Resolution. Andreea Vesa, Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, presented the legal and political framework, underlining that it was necessary to provide guidance for states, regional organizations and other stakeholders to address the needs of women and girls before, during and after armed conflict.

Selena Tasić, Programme Manager with the Public Policy Institute, presented Serbia’s experience with the implementation of its own National Action Plan. Nada Drobnjak, Chairperson of the Committee for Gender Equality of Montenegro’s Parliament, gave an overview of the regional governmental co-operation in managing the implementation process.

The event was initiated by the Public Policy Institute and organized jointly by the OSCE Mission, the UNDP Office in Montenegro, the Committee for Gender Equality, the Interior Ministry, the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, and the Women Police Officers Network in South-Eastern Europe.