Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama move forward with determination in their national plans on Women, Peace and Security

^{Photo: Participants of the Regional Academy of National Action Plans for Women, Peace and Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama. Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs}

Panama City, Panama - June 25, 2025.- From June 24-26, 24 leaders from Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama gathered to learn about how to design and implement Women, Peace and Security (WPS) National Action Plans.

Organized by UN Women, with funding from the PAX sapiens Foundation program, Our Secure Future (OSF), the Academy convened these stakeholders to strengthen their capacities and design concrete roadmaps towards the implementation of these plans.

During three days of intensive work held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, the participating teams made progress in formulating results-oriented roadmaps, addressing key elements such as theories of change, gender budgeting, strategic design, inter-institutional coordination, and monitoring and evaluation.

^{Photo: María Noel Vaeza, UN Women Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean, inaugurated the Regional Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama. Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs}

“Without women, there is no sustainable peace. This Academy is more than a training space; it is a platform for action for States to translate the Women, Peace and Security agenda into concrete and funded policies,” said Maria Noel Vaeza, UN Women regional director for the Americas and the Caribbean. “We are proud to witness countries such as Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama taking firm steps towards institutionalizing this agenda.”

^{Foto: Carlos Guevara Mann, viceministro de Asuntos Multilaterales y Cooperación, participó en representación del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Panamá, y destacó la relevancia de la Academia Regional de Planes de Acción Nacional para el rol de Panamá en el Consejo de Seguridad de las Naciones Unidas. Crédito: Juan Rangel / ONU Mujeres}

Structural violence, organized crime, political polarization, and forced displacement remain persistent challenges in Latin America. In this context, the implementation of NAPs is crucial for linking humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding with a gender approach. 

“The trajectory and principles promoted by the Panamanian State endorse our commitment to global peace and gender equity, which motivates us to a more active participation in multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council,” expressed during his speech the Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, Carlos Guevara Mann, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama.

“Panama firmly believes that the full inclusion of women at all levels of peacebuilding,” the deputy minister stressed, “is not only a matter of justice, but a strategic necessity to achieve lasting and sustainable peace in the world.” 

^{Photo: Alma Perez, UN Women Regional Advisor for Women, Peace and Security in Latin America and the Caribbean, at the inaugural workshop of the Regional Academy with participants from Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama. Credit: UN Women/ Juan Rangel}

“The National Action Plan Academy’s mission is to create an enabling environment for the effective implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This program provides practical tools, peer-to-peer learning spaces, and specialized technical accompaniment to government and civil society representatives involved in the development of their National Action Plans,” explained Sahana Dharmapuri, vice president of Our Secure Future.

“Through this joint initiative,” added Dharmapuri, “Our Secure Future and UN Women are providing technical training tailored to the needs of each country, building the capacity of decision-makers so that they have the necessary knowledge. In addition, the Academy continues to provide technical assistance during the process of developing and implementing the Plans.”

Since its first edition in 2024 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, the Academy has established itself as a catalyst for regional cooperation and learning. On that occasion, Trinidad and Tobago formulated the first Caribbean plan, paving the way for other countries in the region to strengthen their commitment to this agenda.

This second edition reaffirms the relevance of this joint initiative and strengthens strategic alliances to reduce violence and promote social cohesion through inclusive public policies in our countries. 

Learn more about the National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security in the region: 2-pager