Israel, Emirates, Morocco and Bahrain launch their first joint initiative in defence of women's role in peace processes
The UN Human Rights Council held its last session on Wednesday in a climate of global instability and charged with demands. Among other events, the 48th summit saw the presentation of a joint statement on behalf of Bahrain, the UAE, Israel and Morocco in conjunction with the University for Peace, a UN agency based in Costa Rica, which was endorsed by 50 countries.
The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri, presented the declaration on the role of women in diplomacy and peace work. The document reaffirms the fundamental role of women in peace processes and conflict prevention, and called on all states to make a firm commitment to ensure the advancement of women in preventive diplomacy and peace building. The Spanish Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the University for Peace to the UN, David Fernández Puyana, declared that, with this achievement, the institution "fulfils its mandate".
The joint declaration is the first formal initiative presented by Israel and the Arab states that normalised their relations in the Abraham Accords, a historic pact for the region. Israel's permanent representative to the UN, Meirav Eilon Shahar, said: "I am particularly pleased that the important issue of women in peace processes is at the centre of this statement and I believe it is a testament to the new dynamic we want to promote in our region and beyond.
The Bahraini Ambassador stated that the missive "is consistent with Bahrain's distinguished experience in empowering Bahraini women and enhancing their leadership role in laying the foundations for international peace and security through its notable and recognised diplomatic presence in international fora. Moreover, it conveys an important message of peace derived from the deep-rooted values of Bahraini society, the vision of its wise leaders and its pioneering experience in the field of peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance".
The Moroccan representative to the United Nations, Omar Zniber, expressed himself in the same vein: "The initiative is in line with the will and the need to work in a communitarian and active way to build peace and security, based on people-to-people relations and opportunities, placing women at the centre of action for peace building and conflict resolution. We are very pleased, as the Moroccan Delegation, to promote this action".
The Emirati diplomat and permanent representative to the UN added that the UAE has made "strong progress in advancing the women, peace and security agenda, including, the launch of the Sheikha Fatima Women, Peace and Security Initiative and the launch of the UAE's First National Action Plan in response to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in March 2021. The UAE mission to the UN continues to work with all missions on this important agenda.
