Montenegro Marks International Day of Women in Diplomacy

with the Inaugural Event of the Network of Women Diplomats

June 24, 2025

A woman plays the cello on stage, with UN and Montenegrin flags in the background. — UNDP/Radonja Srdanović

On the occasion of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, on 24 June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, together with its newly established Network of Women Diplomats and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a gathering to facilitate exchange and dialogue on the role of women in diplomacy and international affairs. The event brought together members of Montenegro’s diplomatic network and women diplomats accredited in Montenegro.

As the inaugural event of the Network of Women Diplomats of Montenegro, the gathering served as an excellent opportunity to engage in open dialogue about the ongoing challenges and necessary actions for more equitable representation of women in diplomacy and global politics. Participants highlighted the persistent barriers to full and equal participation of women in foreign policy, while also underlining their vital contributions to global governance, leadership, diplomacy, peace, and international cooperation.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Montenegro, Silke Hollander, emphasized that in a time when global diplomacy faces challenges of inequality and exclusion, the creation of the Women Diplomats Network sends a powerful message of change.

“For us the Women Diplomats Network represents an alliance of mutual support and shared advocacy. It is a practical and timely initiative - a space for mutual support, learning, and collaboration. It creates new opportunities to exchange experiences, build connections, and work together with policy makers to advance gender equality in diplomacy. UNDP is honoured to work side by side with you and other women diplomats in Montenegro and together, I believe, we will inspire todays and next generations of women to see themselves as leaders on the global stage where they truly belong” Deputy Resident Representative Hollander stated.

Roundtable meeting with participants seated around a large table, discussing collaboratively.

A woman in glasses sits at a conference table, engaged in discussion, with a microphone nearby.

Group of professionals at a conference table, smiling and engaged in conversation.

A woman speaks at a conference table, looking engaged and addressing the audience.

Panel discussion on women's roles in diplomacy, featuring diverse participants at a conference.

A woman with long brown hair speaks at a conference table, gesturing with her hand.

Two women sit at a conference table, listening attentively during a discussion.

Three individuals seated at a conference, engaged and focused.

Five women stand together in a conference room, smiling, with flags in the background.

Expressing satisfaction that the International Day of Women in Diplomacy was being marked for the first time in Montenegro, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adis Pepić, noted that women currently make up the majority of the Ministry’s management board, as well as most of its expert and leadership roles. This, he emphasized, is a reflection of both their unquestionable competence and the Ministry’s supportive work environment. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s lasting commitment to gender equality in diplomacy, which has also led to the endorsement of the initiative to establish the Network of Women Diplomats, and which will be further embedded in Montenegro’s upcoming Foreign Policy Strategy.

Bosiljka Vuković Simonović, Coordinator of the Directorate for OSCE and the Council of Europe within the Ministry and one of the initiators of the Network, emphasized that the Network was established with the vision of enhancing the role and visibility of women in diplomacy and promoting gender-transformative policies. Its aim is to mainstream gender perspectives not only in foreign policy but also across the institutional functioning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As an inclusive forum, the Network is open to all Montenegrin women diplomats—from seasoned professionals who led some of Montenegro’s most significant diplomatic achievements, to those just beginning their careers. She added that the Network draws inspiration and strength from the rich legacy of women who have historically led transformative change in Montenegro—something that today’s generations are called upon to carry forward in the continued pursuit of gender equality.

Marija Stjepčević, Acting Director-General for Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the importance of the event as a testament to the strong cooperation between the Ministry, the Network, and UNDP in addressing the ever-relevant issue of women’s positioning in international politics and diplomacy. She acknowledged that while the Ministry’s efforts in promoting gender equality have yielded positive results, the establishment of the Network is a strong step in the right direction. However, she also reminded that this is an ongoing process – one that continues to face challenges and requires sustained effort.