NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has appointed Norwegian diplomat Mari Skåre as his Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security.
She will reinforce and promote the implementation by NATO of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and of related resolutions. Her mandate includes raising awareness of NATO's policies and activities in this area, ensuring their coordination, and cooperating with the United Nations and other relevant organisations. This is the first time NATO has appointed a special representative for these issues.
Ms. Skåre, who is currently the deputy permanent representative of the Permanent Delegation of Norway to NATO, has previously served as the deputy head of mission at Norway's embassy in Afghanistan, and as a counsellor at Norway's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
The Secretary General said the appointment shows NATO's strong commitment to protecting and promoting women's rights, role and participation in preventing and ending conflict, restated in May at NATO's Chicago Summit.
“The appointment of the Special Representative demonstrates how much NATO values the unique contribution of women to our armed forces and operations and their important role in conflict prevention and resolution,” he said. “That is why NATO has gender advisors at our top political and military headquarters and at our operational headquarters in Afghanistan and Kosovo. The appointment of a Special Representative means that these issues will be even better taken into account at the highest political level.”
The Secretary General thanked Norway for putting forward Ms. Skåre's candidacy for the post. He said, “I warmly welcome Norway's decision to support this appointment. The Alliance has made significant progress in implementing the goals articulated in United Nations Resolution 1325 and related resolutions, and I am sure that Norway's offer will help us make further progress in this important area.”
Ms Skåre is expected to take up her position in September.
