..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date: 9 September 2011
Media Advisory: N/18/2011

Inaugural meeting of the Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Group
on Women, Peace and Security
to be held at the United Nations Conference Centre, 13-14 September 2011

Bangkok (ESCAP Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section) – Bringing together leading experts from Governments and civil society organizations from across Asia and the Pacific, the newly established Regional Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security will hold its inaugural meeting at the United Nations Conference Centre on 13 and 14 September 2011.

Launched last October by the United Nations Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, the Group – the first of its kind at regional level – will aim to provide high-level technical advice and support to Governments, civil society and other relevant players in the Asian and Pacific region on the effective implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

A landmark legal and political framework, the UNSCR 1325 focuses attention on the particular impact of conflict on women and calls for women’s equal engagement in conflict resolution and peace building.

During the two-day meeting, the Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security will share their extensive knowledge and experiences by analyzing global and regional trends and in particular the challenges faced in fully implementing UNSCR 1325 in the region. On the basis of this expert analysis, the Group will identify priorities for work over the next few years so that women’s rights in the area of peace and security can be guaranteed.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security.

What:              Presentation of the Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security and its workplan for 2011-2012

When:             Wednesday 14 September 2011, from 14.00 to 15.00 hours

Where:            United Nations Conference Centre, Meeting Room H

Who:               Speakers include:

• Ms. Sunila Abeysekera, Executive Director, INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre, Sri Lanka
• Ms. Kamala Chandrakirana, Founder, Indonesia’s National Commission on Violence against Women
• Ms. Helen Hakena, Executive Director, Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency, Papua New Guinea
• Ms. Teresita Quintos-Deles, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the Philippines
• Ms. Bandana Rana, President, Saathi, Nepal
• Ms. Sima Samar, Chairperson, AfghanistanIndependent Human Rights Commission, Kabul
• Ms. Ethel Falu Sigimanu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs, Solomon Islands

Interviews can be arranged upon request with members of the Working Group or members of the secretariat.

For further information, please contact:

Thawadi Pachariyangkun, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, Tel: + 66-2-288 1861, Cell:  + 66 81 634 38 76, E-mail: pachariyangkun.unescap@un.org and unisbkk.unescap@un.org

Montira Narkvichien, Communications and Outreach Officer, UN Women East and Southeast Asia, Tel: + 66-6-288 1579, Cell: + 66 81 667 8900, E-mail: montira.narkvichien@unwomen.org  

Wanphen Sreshthaputra, Social Development Division, United Nations ESCAP, Tel: +66 2 288 1586, Cell: + 66 81 824 38 25, E-mail: sreshthaputra-korotki@un.org