UN2020: Enhancing peace, disarmament and the role of women

Webinar: Wednesday June 24, 2020. 11:00 – 13:30 EDT

On June 26, 1945, the UN Charter was adopted with the principle aim to ‘save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.’ The Charter requires member states to resolve their conflicts peacefully (Article 2.3), prohibits the threat or use of force in international relations (Article 2.4), provides a range of mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of conflicts (Article 33), and obliges the Security Council to implement a global arms control and disarmament plan in order to ‘maintain international peace and security with the least diversion for armaments of the world's human and economic resources.’ (Article 26).

2020 is the 75^th anniversary of the UN, and a time when governments and civil society are assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the UN and providing input into enhancing its effectiveness. This year is also the 20th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, peace and security, which  reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction.

One important contribution to this dialogue is Human security for public health, peace and sustainable development, an international appeal of 250 women legislators, religious leaders and civil society leaders from 50 countries which was released on May 24, 2020 to coincide with International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament. It focuses on the increased importance of disarmament in a world impacted by COVID-19, and supports United Nations’ initiatives for peace and disarmament including the global ceasefire initiative and the UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament.

This webinar will highlight key aspects of the UNSG’s disarmament agenda, explore ideas in the May 24 appeal, and discuss how these ideas can impact in the UN 2020 process in order to make a positive contribution to peace, security and disarmament.

Event details

Zoom webinar | Wednesday, June 24, 2020 | 11:00 – 13:30 EDT (17:00-19:30) CET).
Click here to register.
Click here for the event flyer and program.

Speakers:

• Ms Izumi Nakamitsu (United Nations), Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; 
• Mr Fabrizio Hochschild (United Nations), Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the United Nations' 75th Anniversary;
• Ms María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (Ecuador), Member World Future Council and President of the 73^rd UN General Assembly;
• Ms Gabriela Cuevas Barron (Mexico), Member, Mexico CHamber of Deputies. President, Inter-Parliamentary Union;
• Baroness Sue Miller (UK), PNND Co-President and Vice-Chair, UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Security and Non-proliferation;
•  Ms Divina Maloum (Cameroon), Founder of Children for Peace. Co-winner of the 2019 International Children’s Peace Prize
• Ms Elizabeth Warner (USA), Managing Director, Ploughshares Fund and the Women’s Initiative
• Rep Carol Ammons (USA), Member Illinois State Assembly. Member, Women Legislators’ Lobby.
• Ms Ann-Sofie Nilsson (Sweden), Ambassador for Disarmament and Nonproliferation.
• Dr Hedy Fry (Canada), PNND Canada Executive Member. Special Representative on Gender Issues for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. (tbc)

Event Co-Chairs:

• Ms Kehkashan Basu (UAE/Canada), Youth Ambassador for the World Future Council. Winner of the 2016 International Children's Peace Prize.
• Mr Jonathan Granoff (USA). President of the Global Security Institute.
  Representative to United Nations of the World Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates

With special guest performance by Holly Near (USA), acclaimed singer, song-writer, actor and founder of Redwood Records.   

Organised by Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), Women Legislators’ Lobby, Women's Action for New Directions (WAND) and World Future Council.