Statement of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See at the High-Level Forum on the implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace

New York, 2 September 2026

Madam President,

The Delegation of the Holy See welcomes the convening of this High-Level Forum, under the theme “Women’s Leadership to promote a Culture of Peace.”

In the current international context, a culture of power is taking hold, normalizing war and changing behaviour and relationships. This is happening at the expense of diplomacy based on respectful dialogue, which can overcome divisions through an understanding of each other.

It is crucial to foster a culture of peace that challenges the current “culture of power”. In fact, Art. 2 of the Declaration states that “a culture of peace comes about through values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life conducive to the promotion of peace among individuals, groups and nations.”[1] As Pope Leo XIV affirms, “peace is not simply one issue among others, but a prerequisite for the universal common good and a test of the moral maturity of peoples, especially of those who bear responsibility for governing.”[2]

In this regard the essential contribution of women to building and sustaining peace is to be reaffirmed. The Programme of Action specifically recognizes the need to “promote greater involvement of women in prevention and resolution of conflicts and, in particular, in activities promoting a culture of peace in post-conflict situations.”[3]

Women can and should play a much greater role in all these processes which are intended to heal societies fractured by violence and chaos. However, achieving this requires actions that enable women to exercise their leadership. As Pope Leo XIV said, it is “not enough to state simply that men and women have equal dignity and rights; it is necessary that this be reflected in concrete decisions, such as in laws, access to employment, education, social and political responsibilities, and the way society listens to and values women’s contributions.”[4]

It is only by closing this gap that women will have the possibility to become artisans of peace and guardians of life, thereby enabling a “Culture of Peace” to restore trust among nations.

I thank you, Madam President.

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[1] A/RES/53/243 (1999), Art. 2.

[2] Pope Leo XIV, Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas, 182.

[3] A/RES/53/243 (1999), Programme of Action, 16 (j).

[4] Pope Leo XIV, Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas, 57.