May 27 2025

KFOR Marks 25 Years of UNSCR 1325 with Women, Peace and Security Conference in Thessaloniki

PRISTINA - The Commander of the NATO-led KFOR mission, Major General Enrico BARDUANI, today opened the KFOR Conference on “Women, Peace and Security” in Thessaloniki, Greece. The event will be held on 27 and 28 May 2025 and will mark the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Over 60 participants, representing NATO Allies and partners, are attending, the Institutions in Kosovo, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organisations, civil society, and academia.

In his opening remarks, Major General Barduani emphasised women’s crucial role in a variety of areas, adding that women are key in promoting diversity of perspectives in dialogue, crisis prevention and conflict resolution.‘In its pivotal security role, KFOR, is proud to boost women’s critical contribution in strengthening regional cooperation, through an impartial and inclusive approach'', the KFOR Commander pointed out.

The Women, Peace and Security agenda was launched on 31 October 2000 with the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept – the Alliance’s guiding document for the next decade – emphasises the cross-cutting importance of integrating the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda across NATO’s core tasks (deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security), and states that NATO will continue to advance gender equality as a reflection of its values.

KFOR continues to implement its mandate - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Mission on Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX) in their respective roles as security responders.