Iceland hosts international peace conference

The theme of the ”Women Negotiating Peace” conference was the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and an important aspect of this is women’s participation in the ongoing peace processes.

The conference was held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the University of Iceland. The Icelandic Foreign Minister, Mr. Össur Skarphéđinsson promised that Iceland will continue to send experts to Afghanistan to support the democratization process:

- Endorsing women’s rights in Afghanistan and implementing 1325 is a challenging and difficult task, not least given the security situation and the strong determination of extremist groups to restrict women to their traditional roles as defined by an ultra-patriarchal society, the Minister said in his opening speech.

Key speakers also included the divisional manager of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in Afghanistan, Ms. Wenny Kusama, and UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, Ms. Rachel Mayanja.


Foreign Minister of Iceland, Mr. Össur Skarphéđinsson.
Photo: MFA



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