United States and Romania Host Fifth Capital-Level Meeting of the Women, Peace, and Security Focal Points Network

As 2023 co-chairs of the Women, Peace, and Security Focal Points Network (WPS-FPN) , the United States and Romania will host the fifth Capital-Level Meeting of the WPS-FPN in Washington, D.C.  from June 6-8.  The Network will gather under the Co-Chairship theme: “Advancing the adaptability and evolution of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) as a framework for implementing policy change.”

Launched in 2016, the WPS-FPN is a cross-regional forum coordinated by UN Women to share best practices and experiences related to advancing the global WPS agenda.  There are currently 99 members of the WPS-FPN, including countries and regional organizations, with each member country appointing a government official to serve as their coordinator, known as the National Focal Point.  The United States is honored to serve, alongside Romania, as the 2023 WPS-FPN co-chair, a testament to our commitment to driving the WPS agenda worldwide.  The United States is deeply committed to advancing gender equity and equality as a critical element of peace and security.  The safety of women and girls, in all their diversity, in conflict and crises, and their meaningful participation at all levels of political and security decision-making processes is essential to achieving sustainable global peace and security.

The Capital-Level Meeting will open with a plenary session on June 6 from 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the U.S. Department of State.  High-level speakers include Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins; Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein; U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Geeta R. Gupta; President of Hunt Alternatives and Harvard Kennedy School of Government Eleanor Roosevelt Lecturer in Public Policy Ambassador Swanee Hunt; Chief of Romania’s Gender Management Office and Romanian Focal Point Lt. Colonel Manuela-Elena Bercea; and UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous.

The opening session will be followed by a livestreamed event hosted by the U.S. Institute of Peace on The Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Critical Partnerships with Civil Society  from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. featuring remarks by high-level speakers including U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne Witkowsky and Executive Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate Natalia Gherman.

On June 7, the Meeting will continue with a series of workshops for National Focal Points and civil society to examine and share best practices for collaboration on implementing WPS efforts, followed by a formal evening reception featuring guest speakers addressing intersectionality and inclusivity in WPS.  On June 8, the National Focal Points will participate in discussions and hear from the academic community on reporting, WPS data, and existing and emerging security issues including climate change and power structures before joining a women’s history tour of D.C. and a reception at the U.S. Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington Cemetery co-hosted by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and security sector partners.

The Capital-Level Meeting’s opening plenary session on June 6 in the Dean Acheson Auditorium will be open to the press.  Pre-set time for cameras is 9:00 a.m. from the 23rd Street entrance.  Final access time for writers and stills is 9:30 a.m. from the 23rd Street entrance.

Registered Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued photo media credential (e.g., Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), or (2) an official photo identification card issued by their news organization, or (3) a letter from their employer on official letterhead verifying their current employment as a journalist.  Additionally, they must present an official government photo identification card (i.e., U.S. driver’s license or passport).

For additional information and interview requests, please contact the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at [email protected] and follow @StateGWI  on Twitter for updates.