Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

Sponsored by the Program on Women, Peace, and Security and the George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, the symposium is a chance to highlight the importance of women's perspectives and skill sets in national security. To secure our nations, what women know, what women see, and what women do must be part of the analysis and the operation of national security. President Donald J. Trump in his first term signed into law the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017, which was co-sponsored by then-Senator Marco Rubio and then-Representative Kristi Noem. The act codified into law the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which affirmed that women should be included in matters of war and peace and national security, including having a seat at peace negotiations, and being integral to post-conflict reconstruction planning. This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325's passage in the autumn of 2000. As Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations at the turn of the century, Ambassador Chowdhury was president of the Security Council and shepherded UNSCR 1325 to a successful vote during that time. For his efforts in promoting peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has been honored with many awards, including the U Thant Peace Award and the UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace. We are delighted that Ambassador Chowdhury will be our opening keynote speaker at the symposium.