Ethiopia affirms commitment to support efforts to increase Women Peacekeepers

Addis Ababa, June 21, 2022 (FBC) – The Embassies of Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkiye, and Australia have jointly held a seminar on Tuesday in Addis Ababa on International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2022, under the theme: “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace”.

The seminar was held on the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Addis Ababa in the presence of the Ambassadors of MIKTA countries, Ethiopian Ambassador to Indonesia, Professor Fekadu Beyene, diplomats, scholars, and high-level officials of the UN, AU, and ICRC.

The Director-General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mr. Ayele Lire, delivered a keynote speech where he emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to supporting the efforts toward increasing the participation of women in peacekeeping operations.

He said, women peacekeepers are irreplaceable for having greater access to communities, promoting human rights, protecting civilians, and encouraging women in local communities to become a meaningful part of peace and political processes.

Currently close to 12 percent of women peacekeepers are serving in Ethiopian peacekeeping contingents in line with the UN Secretary-General initiatives on ‘’Action For Peace (A4P) on Women, Peace, and Security’’ he said.

According to Ayele Lire, Ethiopia is one of the top troop contributing countries, and at the moment, it stands 6th in the rank.

In recognition of the commencement of the 4th round Green Legacy Initiative, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Ethiopia, Al Busyra Basnur, invited the guests to join him in planting seedlings on the premises of the Embassy.

Discussions were made following presentations by the UN, AU, and ICRC representatives on the theme of the seminar.