Over 60 participants representing NATO Allies and partners, Kosovo institutions, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, and academia are attending the KFOR Conference on “Women, Peace, and Security” held in Thessaloniki, Greece.
In his opening remarks, KFOR Mission Commander Lieutenant General Enrico Barduani emphasized that this event brings together key international and regional actors to strengthen dialogue on peace and security.
He underlined the essential role of women across various fields, stating that women are crucial in promoting diverse perspectives in dialogue, crisis prevention, and conflict resolution.
“In its key security role, KFOR is proud to empower the critical contribution of women in strengthening regional cooperation through an impartial and inclusive approach,” Barduani stated.
Prominent guests contributed to today’s session. Caroline Ziadeh, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, recalled the origins of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and shared best practices in its implementation.
Former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, highlighted the role of women in crisis settings and shared personal experiences. She presented the work of the Jahjaga Foundation, established in 2018 to empower marginalized communities, promote interethnic reconciliation, and advocate for social justice.
Lieutenant General Athanasios Garinis, Commander of NATO’s Rapid Deployable Corps in Greece and co-organizer of the event, spoke about the important role of women within this corps.
Finally, NATO’s Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security, Irene Fellin, addressed the conference via video.
She conveyed greetings and appreciation from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for this important KFOR initiative and added:
“Lessons from past and ongoing wars and crises remind us of the urgency of implementing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. Political, institutional, and community leaders all have a role in driving this transformative change.”
The NATO Special Representative on Women, Peace, and Security serves as the high-level focal point for NATO’s work in this area.
This event continues tomorrow and marks the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.
