Celebrating 26 Years of UNSCR 1325 & Reflecting on a Year of Progress and Partnership

 On October 31, 2026, Our Secure Future (OSF) joins the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) community in commemorating the 26th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Adopted unanimously in 2000, this landmark resolution recognized the critical role of women in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery and established an international framework for advancing women's meaningful participation in peace and security decision-making. 

More than two and a half decades later, the principles enshrined in Resolution 1325 remain essential to addressing today's evolving security challenges. For Our Secure Future, 2026 has been a year of significant milestones, new partnerships, and expanded programming. As the initiative celebrated its 10th anniversary, OSF continued its work to translate WPS commitments into practical action through policy engagement, capacity building, and collaboration with partners around the world. 

Advancing Women, Peace and Security in Emerging Technologies 

In February 2026, Our Secure Future convened its WPS Technology Futures Symposium, bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the growing intersection of Women, Peace and Security and emerging technologies. The symposium provided an opportunity to examine how technological innovation is reshaping the security landscape and why women’s needs and priorities must be integrated into the development and governance of new technologies. Building on these discussions, OSF continued to advance its WPS AI Benchmark project, which focuses on developing practical tools to assess how artificial intelligence systems account for WPS risks and other considerations. OSF continues to be sought out for expert trainings and consultations on implementing WPS across topics and industries, and this year, has briefed partners at UN Women, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, and NATO’s TIDE Sprint. 

Together, these efforts reflect OSF's growing focus on ensuring that the WPS agenda remains relevant to the technologies and security challenges of the future.

Strengthening Regional Partnerships Across Latin America and the Caribbean 

Throughout 2026, OSF continued working with regional partners to advance WPS priorities across Latin America and the Caribbean. Through public speaking engagements, policy discussions, and collaboration with organizations including the Organization of American States (OAS), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and UN Women, OSF contributed to regional conversations on women's leadership, national WPS commitments, and the importance of inclusive approaches to peace and security.

Celebrating 10 Years of Our Secure Future 

May 2026 marked the 10th anniversary of Our Secure Future. Over the past decade, OSF has worked with policymakers, practitioners, civil society leaders, and international partners to strengthen understanding of WPS and support its implementation across institutions and regions. From OSF’s programs, meaningful and lasting change has resulted, including 11 Global policy adoptions  

The anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the OSF’s impact, celebrate the contributions of its partners, and recognize the broader community of advocates whose work continues to move the WPS agenda forward. It also reaffirmed OSF's commitment to adapting its work to meet emerging challenges while maintaining its focus on women's meaningful participation and leadership in peace and security.

Supporting WPS National Action Plans in Latin America 

In May, OSF supported the WPS National Action Plan (NAP) Academy convened in Montevideo, Uruguay, in partnership with UN Women. The Academy brought together stakeholders from Uruguay, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia to exchange experiences and strengthen regional collaboration around the development and implementation of WPS National Action Plans.  

Building on OSF's previous NAP Academy engagements in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Montevideo convening reflected the importance of continued peer learning, technical exchange, and regional cooperation in translating national WPS commitments into meaningful outcomes. OSF's broader Academy programming remains focused on equipping stakeholders with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to strengthen national approaches to WPS.

Expanding Parliamentary Leadership in the Indo-Pacific 

On September 28–29, Our Secure Future, in partnership with Sasakawa USA, convened the WPS Parliamentary Academy in the Indo-Pacific. The two-day Academy brought together parliamentarians, government officials, and civil society leaders from Japan and the Philippines to explore the role of legislative institutions in advancing the WPS agenda. 

Through facilitated discussions, practical exercises, and peer exchange, participants examined parliamentary oversight of WPS National Action Plans, legislative approaches to advancing WPS, and opportunities to strengthen cross-regional cooperation and leadership. A central outcome of the Academy was the development of country-specific roadmaps outlining legislative goals and priorities for the months ahead. 

The convening represented an important expansion of OSF's WPS Academy programming, bringing a stronger focus on parliamentary leadership and the role of legislators in translating national and international WPS commitments into action. 

Looking Ahead: Building on 26 Years of Progress 

The 26th anniversary of Resolution 1325 is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in advancing women's participation and leadership in peace and security, while recognizing the continued need for sustained political commitment, institutional support, and practical implementation. 

For Our Secure Future, the work of 2026 demonstrates the many ways the WPS agenda continues to evolve. From emerging technologies and building and deploying the first WPS AI benchmark, to regional partnerships, national policy implementation, and parliamentary leadership, the OSF remains committed to helping institutions and individuals put WPS principles into practice. 

Finally, as we at OSF reflects on our own 10-year milestone, we extend our gratitude to our partners and the broader WPS community for their collaboration throughout 2026. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to strengthening partnerships, expanding opportunities for women's leadership, and advancing a more inclusive approach to peace and security.