Remarks at a UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace, and Security

United States Mission to the United Nations
Ambassador Dorothy Shea
Acting U.S. Representative
New York, New York
August 18, 2025

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. President. And thanks to Special Representative Pramila Patten for your sobering presentation, and I want to convey appreciation to Ikhlass Ahmed for your troubling and compelling reflections, which have framed our debate today.

The United States is committed to the elimination of sexual violence in conflict globally. All countries must work together to prevent and ensure accountability for perpetrators of these horrific crimes.

That is why President Trump, in 2017, signed into law the Women, Peace, and Security Act, a legal framework that codifies the objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and guides our work both at home and abroad.

The United States appreciates the work of the United Nations on this issue, especially that of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Colleagues, sexual violence affects entire communities. It disproportionately harms women and girls; it also affects men and boys. And for every case reported, countless others go entirely undocumented or addressed.

We recognize and honor the courageous survivors of sexual violence around the globe. We must work together to ensure all survivors have access to vital services.

We express appreciation to the SRSG and her team of experts for their dedication to ending impunity for these heinous acts, for promoting accountability by calling for countries to designate individuals and groups at the UN for engaging in these acts, and for working with countries to help them build the legal frameworks to address conflict-related sexual violence crimes, including those perpetrated by terrorist organizations such as ISIS. We will read with interest and concern the Secretary-General’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence.

Finally, Mr. President, we are proud to be the penholders on this topic for this Council. The United States played a key role in the launching of the CRSV mandate through Security Council Resolution 1888. And we look forward to contributing and continuing to support this important mandate.

I thank you.

Source: MyPR International