Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security
Delivered by H.E. Mr. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia
27 October 2026
President,
We warmly welcome this open debate and would like to thank the briefers for their contributions.
Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and would like to add the following.
More than twenty-five years after the adoption of resolution 1325, the implementation gap of the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains deeply concerning. In conflicts, women and girls are often deliberately targeted, excluded from decision-making, and denied justice. While 18.8 per cent of women globally are impacted by conflict, in 2025 women made up only 5 per cent of lead negotiators across 57 peace processes. This reflects not a lack of capacity, but of political will. Women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in all levels of peace processes is essential for sustainable peace, conflict prevention and long-term stability.
Estonia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing the WPS agenda and putting it into practice at home and internationally. Through our fourth National Action Plan on resolution 1325, we continue to embed WPS in our domestic and international policies. Our National Plan therefore includes concrete actions to guarantee that women and men have equal opportunities to candidate and work in the security sector, including at the leadership level.
We also remain devoted to promoting safe, inclusive and rights-based digital transformation in order to advance gender equality. Estonia’s recent ranking as the first globally in Internet freedom proves that we walk the talk. Online harassment, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, transnational repression and disinformation targeting women politicians, human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers, among others, are pushing them towards self-censorship and discouraging their participation in society and politics. As an antidote, we need to ensure that international human rights obligations are respected throughout the life-cycle of digital and emerging technologies.
President,
Estonia remains gravely concerned by the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence and unequivocally condemns all acts, regardless of the perpetrator. Survivors’ access to health services cannot be compromised by funding cuts, nor the potential merging UNFPA as the key institution for sexual and reproductive health and rights with UN Women. Access to justice is equally important as accountability is the most effective means of prevention. In this regard, we are proud to have joined the global CRSV Prosecution Network and Community of Practice, helping to bring perpetrators to justice.
Last but not less importantly, allow me to draw attention to the fact that Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine is unfolding for the fifth year. According to UN sources, the number of civilian casualties in recent months and weeks has grown dramatically. The civilian critical infrastructure and residential areas have become the main targets of Russia’s relentless attacks. Women and children are main victims of these attacks. These attacks constitute war crimes. Russia’s actions as a permanent member of the UN Security Council are incompatible with its responsibilities and undermine international peace and security.
Excellencies,
Gender equality must extend to the highest levels of leadership. Estonia is proud to, once again, have a woman as its President. We also believe that after 81 years, it is high time for this organisation to be led by a woman.
Thank you.