RSIS in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden, Singapore organised a panel seminar to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325: Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325). The event was held in the Residence of the Swedish Ambassador on 1 December 2015. It was attended by about 60 representatives from the public, private and people sectors. His Excellency, Håkan Jevrell, Swedish Ambassador to Singapore and Dr Ralf Emmers, Associate Dean, Associate Professor and Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) delivered the welcome remarks.

The blueprint for women, peace and security is rooted in the UNSCR 1325, which was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 31 October 2000. It was an international monumental step in recognising women’s critical role in peace and security. The panel seminar was held to move forward the women, peace and security agenda by understanding the impact of the resolution on women and children in the Asia–Pacific and also the implications during periods of natural disasters. The event was chaired by Dr Alistair D. B. Cook, Research Fellow and Coordinator for the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Programme in RSIS. The five panellists that participated in the seminar were, Ms Janet Lim, a fellow of the Singapore Management University, Executive-in-Residence for Geneva Centre for Security Policy and former UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations (2009-2015), Dr Mely Caballero-Anthony, Associate Professor, Head of RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies and former Director of External Relations at the ASEAN Secretariat (2011-2012), Ms Olivia Forsberg, Disaster Risk Management Advisor for Plan International, Dr Tamara Nair, a research fellow of the RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies and Ms Pia Bruce, Executive Director for National Committee for UN WOMEN Singapore. Each of them shared their views regarding the implementation of UNSCR 1325.