27 November 2025, Seoul. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivered congratulatory remarks at the “7th International Conference on Action with Women and Peace (AWP)” hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on 13 November 2025 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. The conference was held under the theme “WPS@25: Priorities and Innovation for the Future” which also marks the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, which seeks to protect women in conflict situations and expand their participation in peacebuilding processes. 

In her remarks, SFA Lazaro highlighted the vital contributions of women to peace and security across various spheres, including science and technology, industry, literature, and public service. She noted that, more than two and a half decades after the establishment of the WPS agenda, the international community has made significant progress, yet much remains to be done.

Secretary Lazaro emphasized that ensuring the WPS agenda remains inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of women and children is a shared responsibility. She affirmed, “The Philippines attaches great importance to this shared cause and is ready to collaborate with the international community to promote the empowerment of women at all levels of government and society, and to shape the success of the global WPS agenda.”

The Philippines has long been a champion of the WPS agenda, becoming the first country in Asia to adopt a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. This plan supports the implementation of national mandates on women’s empowerment, gender equality, peace, and development. Looking ahead, WPS remains a Philippine priority during its 2026 ASEAN Chairship, underscoring its commitment to advancing WPS both domestically and regionally. END