Statement on International Women’s Day as delivered by Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan at the 1556th meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council

Mr. Chairperson,

I join the previous speakers in extending my delegation's congratulations on International Women's Day.

This occasion offers a valuable opportunity not only to celebrate progress, but also to reflect on persistent challenges in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women.

In Armenia, these efforts are rooted in a strong historical legacy. In 1919, the First Republic of Armenia was among the few nations in the world to grant women not only the right to vote but also the right to be elected, with three women serving in Parliament. That same year, Armenia appointed Ms. Diana Abgar as its envoy to Japan, making her one of the first female Ambassadors in the history of diplomacy.

Today, that legacy is reflected in solid achievements. Women occupy 36 percent of seats in the National Assembly, with Armenia climbing from 81st to 45th place among 186 countries in the 2025 Women in Politics index. Women's leadership extends well beyond Parliament, as 44 percent of Armenia's diplomatic staff are women and their presence across the executive branch, including in the key positions, continues to expand.

The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025 places Armenia among the leading countries in women's educational attainment, with consistent progress in political representation. This extends to the professional sphere, where women make up approximately 40 percent of Armenia's IT sector and nearly 52 percent of its scientists, figures that noticeably surpass global averages.

At the same time, Armenia recognizes that progress must be consolidated and deepened. We are committed to addressing remaining gaps in a systematic manner. The 2025-2028 national Gender Policy Strategy, adopted in April 2025, addresses structural barriers through measurable targets in governance, education, employment and health and, for the first time, acknowledges gender-sensitive climate resilience as a national priority. In this context, as host of COP17 to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in October 2026, Armenia is committed to ensuring that the voices of those most affected by biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, particularly women and girls, are heard and reflected in its outcomes. Effective environmental governance cannot be achieved without women's meaningful participation and leadership.

Promotion of gender equality requires collective international action. Armenia appreciates the continued cooperation with the OSCE in this regard. We welcome ODIHR's ongoing National Assessment of Gender Equality in Political Life in Armenia, conducted under the EU-funded project "Stronger Democratic Institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries". This initiative is an important step toward identifying challenges, sharing best practices and advancing women's meaningful participation in political life.

Mr. Chairperson,

Turning to the security dimension, central to this Organization's very purpose, we must recognize that women and girls continue to bear a disproportionate burden in times of war and conflict. For this reason, Armenia firmly advocates the full implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, ensuring women's meaningful participation in peace and security processes at all levels. Our Third National Action Plan on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for 2025-2027 entitled "Investing in Global Efforts for Peace" seeks to strengthen women's decision-making role, combat gender-based violence and advance post-conflict recovery with particular focus on border communities.

Let me conclude by reaffirming Armenia's conviction that lasting peace, strong institutions and truly inclusive development can only be built on the foundation of women's full and equal participation. We remain resolute in our commitment to turning pledges into tangible outcomes for women and girls across all spheres of life.

Thank you.