The photography exhibition of the United Nations entitled “Inclusive Diplomacy, Women’s Participation in Cyprus Negotiations”, which was opened on March 15 at the Ledra Palace Hotel, has been completed.

The exhibition, which started on March 15, drew attention to the important role of women in the Cyprus settlement negotiations over the years, and featured 10 women who took part in the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot negotiation committees and technical committees at certain times.

President Ersin Tatar’s Special Representative Ergün Olgun and the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides’ Special Representative were among the guests attending the event.

Speaking at the event, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus Stewart stressed the importance of women’s participation in peace processes.

“I am very happy to shed light on the effective contribution and increased participation of women in the delegations of both sides here today in the Cyprus settlement process,” Stewart said.

Addressing the importance of women’s role in the Cyprus negotiations processes, he wished the leaders to continue their commitment to ensure women’s participation through action plans.

Reminding that it has been twenty years since the UN Security Council accepted the integral role of women’s leadership in ensuring sustainable peace and security with Resolution 1325, Stewart stated that after the adoption of this resolution, the mediation and peace building processes, which equally accepted the contribution of women, are much more sustainable and long-term.

Stressing that the goodwill mission and UNFICYP contributed to the development of the action plan, which envisages the full equal and meaningful participation of women in the negotiation processes, he said, “Our next task is to implement this important plan, which is the responsibility of all of us, and the UN is ready to support both sides throughout this process.”

Also speaking, Sülen Karabacak, a member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiation team stated that the exhibition in which she also took part was a visual reflection of the women who have contributed to the Cyprus problem for years but are not talked about.