Minister Pandor to participate in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debates on the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine and Women and Peace and Security in New York on 24-25 October 2023

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has undertaken a Working Visit to New York to participate in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s two high-level debates, namely (i) the Situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine and (ii) Women, Peace and Security on 24 and 25 October 2023, respectively.

Under the Presidency of Brazil, the UNSC has convened a high-level open debate on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine. The Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, will preside over the meeting and has invited Minister Pandor to participate in this open debate.

The open debate has been elevated to a High-Level (Ministerial) Meeting, because of the prevailing situation in Israel and Palestine.

On Wednesday, 25 October 2023, Minister Pandor will participate in the United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security.

The Debate will take place under the theme: “Women’s Participation in International Peace and Security from Theory to Practice”.

October is considered by the United Nations (UN) as the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) month, because Resolution 1325 on Women in Armed Conflict was adopted in October 2000.

Consequently, the Security Council always holds an annual open debate on WPS in October to commemorate Resolution 1325 and evaluate its implementation.

Resolution 1325 was adopted to primarily highlight the impact of armed conflict on women and girls and to advocate for the full involvement of women in peace processes including conflict resolution, peace negotiations, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction.

Both meetings on 24 and 25 October will start at 10h00.

Minister Pandor will also use the opportunity of her visit to New York to hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts from other countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.