Cheongju, South Korea – September 19, 2025: Over 800 participants from 44 countries gathered at the Enford Hotel in Cheongju for the 2025 International Women’s Peace Conference, hosted by the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) under the theme “Beyond Conflict: Women’s Peace Leadership toward Hope and Recovery.”
The conference brought together prominent female leaders from conflict-affected regions, including H.E. Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké of Mali, Dr. Faiza Abdulraqeb Sallam of Yemen, and Hon. Aisha Al-Mahdi Shalabi of Libya, to share insights on peacebuilding, resilience, and leadership.
Voices from Conflict Zones
In the opening session, Hon. Shalabi emphasized the transformative power of women in war-torn societies, declaring, “We are the actors of peace.” Former Mali Minister Samaké highlighted women’s leadership in national recovery, while Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, former First Lady of Belize, championed inclusive governance through female leadership.
Dr. Amrita Kapur of WILPF presented global frameworks like UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, underscoring institutional support for women-led peace efforts.
Grassroots Peace in Action
The conference showcased real-world examples of women driving change. Hon. Maria Theresa Timbol shared her work transforming Mindanao into a peace hub, while Mongolia’s Boojoo Lakshm illustrated how feminist foreign policy expanded human rights diplomacy.
Ms. Ruth A. Richardson of INLW explored how women’s leadership in climate and water security fosters sustainable policy solutions.
Institutionalizing Peace Through Education
Speakers emphasized the role of education in sustaining peace. South Africa’s Ms. Mampurane Caron Kgomo advocated for institutionalizing peace via the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), while Ms. Lee Hae-ryoung addressed civil society’s role in Korean peninsula peacebuilding.
In the afternoon session, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister Nasseneba Touré Diané and Yemen’s Dr. Sallam discussed national-level peace education strategies. Mongolia’s Mrs. Lkhagvasuren Nyamtsetse shared her success in introducing peace education to 160 military personnel.
Peace Family Workshop and Cultural Exchange
Following the conference, IWPG hosted a Peace Family Workshop with 90 key members from Korea and abroad to develop action plans for sustainable peace. Participants included leaders from Myanmar, Mongolia, and Mexico.
Side events included the 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition and the Peace Culture Lounge, offering guests hands-on experiences with Korean traditions.
IWPG Chairwoman Na Yeong Jeon remarked, “This event brings together women worldwide who have not stopped working and uniting for peace despite conflict and war. This moment will be a meaningful platform to discuss concrete action items for sustainable peace.”
The conference was interpreted into six languages and livestreamed in two additional languages, reinforcing IWPG’s global reach and commitment to inclusive dialogue.
For more information, visit www.iwpg.org.