The meeting of high representatives of ministries of defense and foreign affairs of member states and observes of US – Adriatic Chapter (A5)

Montenegro is committed to the implementation of the UN Resolution 1325 Women, Peace and Security and it adopted many strategical documents aimed at improving of position of women, including also increase of their participation in the process of decision making and peace processes – State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ljubomir Mišurović stated at online meeting, that was held at the level of high representatives of ministries of foreign affairs and defense of member states and observers of  US – Adriatic Chapter (A5).

Two panels held within conference comprised thus far results and future challenges in regard to implementation of the UN Resolution 1325 Women, Peace and Security.

Ambassador Mišurović appraised that, despite significant progress that has been globally achieved in regard to better position of women and girls in areas of conflicts and wars and gender equality is still present. In that context, he emphasized that it is necessary to undertake joint efforts on empowering of activities in this area as on national, as on regional and international level.

On that occasion, it has been emphasized that accessibility of all kinds of training and additional professionalization has been continuously provided, that are precondition for successful professional and carrier development of women in the Ministry of Defense and Army. In addition to that, according to the latest data, women in Army of Montenegro are represented in 14.7 %, that signifies the largest part in the Army so far.

Besides national, the importance of integration of gender equality topics through regional and international cooperation, has been stressed. In that regard, Ambassador Mišurović informed about successful cooperation with UNDP SEESAC through participation in the first regional project “Strengthening of the Regional Cooperation on the plan of the Integration of Gender Perspective in the reform of Security Sector in the Western Balkans states”. It has been stressed that Montenegro, as NATO member state, contributes to this area by financing various initiative, including trust funds and Office of Special Representative of NATO Secretary General for Women, Peace and Security.

The implementation of gender equality policy in the following period was discussed also, from the aspect of decrease of negative impacts of pandemic on specific activities that contribute to the more successful realization of the UN Resolution 1325.