UNIDIR, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, convened a regional workshop in Ljubljana on 10-11 February to strengthen capacities for integrating arms control and disarmament considerations into National Action Plans on Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).
Arms control and disarmament measures are often absent from multilateral discussions concerning the WPS Agenda. Yet at the national level, States are increasingly connecting these policy areas through their National Action Plans (NAPs) on WPS.
UNIDIR’s recently released Closing Gaps report analyzed 197 NAPs on WPS, revealing that over 70% include at least one mention to arms control and disarmament issues. However, most of these references appear only in introductory sections, rather than under proposed actions. To support States with moving from recognition to implementation, UNIDIR gathered concrete examples of actions and indicators that can advance the WPS Agenda and prepared a practical toolkit for addressing weapons-related risks in NAPs. These resources formed a key foundation for discussions throughout the workshop.
A diverse group of engaged actors
The event brought together more than 30 experts from a dozen European countries – including Albania, Austria, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine. Participants represented a wide range of stakeholders, including officials from ministries, gender equality agencies, military and academic institutions, national cybersecurity authorities, civil society and international organizations.
The workshop opened with high-level remarks from Slovenian officials Neva Grašič, State Secretary, and Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Ambassador-at-Large for Women, Peace and Security. Both highlighted the urgency of addressing evolving security risks — including weapons proliferation, hybrid warfare and emerging technologies — through a gender-responsive lens. They also stressed the importance of full, meaningful and equal participation of women in all areas of international security, which is one of the main pillars of the WPS Agenda.
Gendered dimensions of weapons, technology and security
The programme included thematic sessions outlining how gender-related considerations shape demand for, as well as impacts of, firearms in the region. Participants discussed options to strengthen arms control and disarmament measures that also seek to prevent the occurrence of sexual and gender‑based violence, in line with the WPS Agenda.
Given current developments concerning the use of landmines, the workshop also featured experts working with mine action in a number of contexts. They shared common challenges and good practices to foster inclusive participation in demining, risk education, victim assistance and international cooperation.
Participants also had an opportunity to discuss cybersecurity and military applications of artificial intelligence. They explored how these technologies intersect with the WPS Agenda and how national actors can integrate these topics into their work, including in WPS NAPs. This can help to ensure that the WPS framework remains relevant in the digital age, and efforts around addressing challenges and opportunities created by new technologies are not undertaken in silos.
Learning by doing
One of the highlights of the programme was a hands-on simulation, where participants split into two groups, taking on distinct roles in a drafting exercise focused on developing a WPS NAP that included specific arms control and disarmament measures. This exercise aimed at providing national actors with concrete ideas on how to integrate arms control and disarmament into their WPS design, drafting process and implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation efforts.
The workshop concluded with renewed commitment from participants and new networks that will foster regional cooperation on arms control, disarmament and the WPS Agenda. UNIDIR and its partners will continue supporting States in advancing an inclusive approach to arms control and disarmament – one that ensures that gender equality and the WPS Agenda are not seen as add-on considerations, but rather central elements of international security.