연설문
제5차 여성과 함께하는 평화 국제회의 개회사(11.30)
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- 2023-11-30 16:49:23
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Opening Remarks by H.E. Mr. Park Jin
Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Fifth International Conference on “Action with Women and Peace”
Opening Session / November 30, 2023
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
I am Park Jin,
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.
I am delighted to welcome you to the 5th International Conference on Action with Women and Peace.
I express my sincere gratitude to all of you
for joining us today, especially those who have traveled to Seoul.
I also wish to extend my appreciation
to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
for their valuable partnership
in organizing this conference.
Today, we have the privilege of hosting a diverse and distinguished group of speakers, ranging from policymakers to frontline practitioners,
all dedicated to advancing
the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda.
We convene at a time
when the world faces an escalation
in conflicts and crises.
Since 2017,
the number of women and girls
living in conflict-affected regions
has increased by fifty percent.
Regrettably, women and girls
often bear the brunt of the crises,
with their voices overshadowed
by other global emergencies.
In Gaza, for instance,
almost seventy percent of the casualties
in the ongoing conflict are women and children.
In Afghanistan, women and girls
are being denied their basic rights,
including access to education.
And in North Korea,
the regime’s prioritization of nuclear development
over the welfare of its people
forces many to flee,
exposing women to further exploitation
and human-trafficking.
Despite these grim circumstances,
the resilience of the women leaders and survivors
present today offers a beacon of hope.
You stand as survivors of conflict,
negotiators of peace, advocates for rights,
and architects of our shared destiny.
Your participation today emphasizes
the essential role that women play
in securing peace and security,
as recognized by UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
This resolution identifies women
not just as victims of conflict
but as powerful agents of change for lasting peace.
Yet, two decades since its adoption,
our actions have yet to match our aspirations.
The transformative promise
of the WPS agenda is yet to be fully realized.
As Korea aspires to become
a global pivotal state, or GPS in short,
we are dedicated to rewriting this narrative.
I believe Korea can become a true “GPS”
by realizing “WPS” agenda.
Our upcoming term at the UN Security Council from January 1 next year will be an opportunity
to amplify women's voices
and integrate their perspectives
into the Council's work.
Next year, we will also launch
the Action with Women and Peace Fund.
This is to support women’s
full and meaningful participation
in peace and security matters.
Our annual conferences
will continue to provide a global platform
to empower women and catalyze action
to implement the WPS agenda in full.
This year, our conference will confront
the challenge of promoting the WPS agenda
in the Security Council
in the face of deepening divisions.
We will gain insights
from women on the forefront of peacebuilding
and discuss ways to enhance
women’s participation in peace processes.
A special session will be dedicated
to the specific tribulations
faced by North Korean women.
And, for the first time,
we will engage the youth
in combating online gender-based violence,
hoping to ensure that the WPS agenda
remains relevant to future generations.
As we engage in today’s discussions,
we aim to send out a clear message
to women and girls worldwide:
Your voice is essential;
Your engagement is critical
to the peace and security we all hold dear.
I look forward to witnessing
the powerful conversations that will unfold today.
Thank you. /FIN/