We, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of Australia and the Foreign and Defence Secretaries of the United Kingdom, reaffirm our shared commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda as a cornerstone of our foreign and defence policies.
Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in October this year, the promise of the WPS agenda remains unfulfilled. Around the world, women and girls continue to be disproportionally affected by conflict and insecurity, and their exclusion from conflict prevention and peace processes is preventing the achievement of lasting peace, security and prosperity.
Australia and the United Kingdom have long championed action across the four pillars of the WPS agenda: Participation, Prevention, Protection and Relief and Recovery. This includes driving progress to eliminate conflict-related sexual violence, and both nations are deeply concerned by its pervasive use as a deliberate and devastating tactic of war.
Together, we remain committed to the full implementation of the WPS agenda, including to:
- Promote women's leadership across all realms of peace and security, including conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping operations, and defence institutions.
- Support women-led organisations and human rights defenders working in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
- Strengthen accountability mechanisms to prevent and respond to sexual gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.
- Collaborate internationally to share best practices, build capacity, and advocate for the WPS agenda in multilateral forums and through the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.
We recognise that progress requires sustained political will and inclusive partnerships. As close partners, Australia and the United Kingdom will continue to work together to ensure that the WPS agenda remains central to our efforts to build a more peaceful, stable and prosperous world.
Issued in Darwin, this 27th day of July 2025.
