First Conference of the Women Peacekeeper held in New Delhi

The first Conference for Women Peacekeepers of the United Nations was held in New Delhi on 24 & 25 February 2025. The Conference brought together 35 nations whose women troops are active in the United Nations Peacekeeping operation across the globe.

The United Nations was represented by the UN Under Secretary General, Department of Peace Operations,Jean- Pierre Lacroix and the UN Special Coordinator Christian Saunders.

India is the second largest contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping operations. 

Amongst the UN Military Experts on Mission and Staff Officers in 2024,the largest women contingent -176 were Indian.

Organiser of the Conference 

The Conference was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the Union Ministry of Defence and the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) of the Indian Army.

Theme of the Conference 

• The theme of the  first Conference for Women Peacekeepers of the United Nations was “ Women in Peacekeeping: A Global South Perspective" .

Who inaugurated the Conference ?

The Conference was inaugurated by the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and he delivered the keynote address. 

The Conference was also addressed by Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff  and other senior officers of the Indian Army.

Aim of the Conference 

The main aim of the conference is:

• to discuss and explore the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations 
• discuss strategies to enhance their participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping operations.

Women in UN Peacekeeping operation 

According to the United Nations ,women are deployed in the civilian, police and military duties of the Peacekeeping operations.

•  As on 31st December 2024, of all the total UN Peacekeeper troops deployed, 11 percent were women.
• The maximum women peacekeeper were from Nepal-5753

UN Military Experts on Mission and Staff Officers

• As on  31st December 2024, 21% of all the Military Experts and Staff Officers  deployed for various Peacekeeping operations are women.
• Amongst all the countries maximum women experts and staff officers are from India- 176.

About  the Centre for UN Peacekeeping 

• The Centre for UN Peacekeeping is a joint endeavor of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Army.
• It is based in New Delhi.
• The center trains troops and trainers for the various United Nations Peacekeeping operations.
• It sends its Mobile Training Teams to friendly foreign countries as part of capacity building in the field of UN peacekeeping training. 

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