Kurdistan Region Reaffirms Commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
Date:
Erbil, 30 October 2025 - Senior officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the High Council for Women and Development (HCWD) convened in Erbil, Iraq, to commemorate 25 years since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The gathering highlighted the Kurdistan Region’s continued commitment to advancing women’s participation, protection, and leadership across all sectors through the new Kurdistan Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2025–2030).
With support from UN Women and hosted by the HCWD, under the leadership of Dr. Khanzad Ahmad, Secretary-General of the HCWD, the event brought together His Excellency Rebar Ahmed, KRG Minister of Interior, His Excellency Dr. Alan Hama Saeed, KRG Minister of Education, as well as senior representatives from the KRG Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs and the Department of Foreign Relations, along with other government officials, national and international stakeholders. The discussions focused on collective progress achieved under the previous plan and priorities for advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the years ahead.
H.E. Rebar Ahmed, KRG Minister of Interior, underlined in his keynote speech that sustainable peace and development depend on the full participation of women in shaping policy and decision-making. “Throughout the history of the Kurdistan liberation movement, women have played a significant role in safeguarding the security of Kurdistan and standing firm against any injustice or violation of their rights,” he said. Furthermore, he emphasized that the vision of the KRG is grounded in the principles of peace, justice, and equality, reflecting a firm commitment to integrating women’s participation across all sectors of governance.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Khanzad Ahmad emphasized the resilience and determination that have defined the Kurdistan Region’s efforts to advance women’s leadership, even amid years of hardship. “Even through conflict, crisis and challenge, the Kurdistan Region has continued to advance women’s leadership and security. Peace and prosperity cannot be achieved without women at the center,” she stated.
“The Action Plan in the Kurdistan Region is a model for collaboration and partnership to advance women’s leadership, access to services and employment, and their continued engagement in building lasting peace, recovery, and development,” said Janneke van der Graaff-Kukler, Deputy Regional Director and Officer-in-Charge of UN Women Iraq. “It reflects the importance of coordination across line ministries, civil society, and international partners, and underscores the central role of the High Council for Women and Development in guiding and shaping the Women, Peace and Security agenda. UN Women remains committed to supporting the High Council in advancing the Action Plan and strengthening the role of women in leading peace and development efforts across the Kurdistan Region,” she added.
The Kurdistan Regional Action Plan (2025–2030) builds on the achievements of the previous plan and reflects the long-standing partnership between UN Women and the HCWD to strengthen institutional coordination, enhance policy frameworks, and place women’s leadership at the center of peace and development efforts. The Plan also contributes to Iraq’s third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, ensuring coherence between regional and national priorities.