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News

Leveraging the UPR for accountable security governance

At the United Nations Human Rights Council, DCAF co-organized a side event with the Permanent Missions of The Gambia and Switzerland on how the Universal Periodic Review can strengthen accountable, rights-based security institutions. Drawing on findings from DCAF’s forthcoming policy brief analysing over 100,000 UPR recommendations, the discussion explored how the UPR can help address governance gaps, promote inclusive and people-centred institutions, and prevent violence by tackling its root causes.

13 Oct 2025

Strengthening partnerships in Canada

DCAF’s Director, Ambassador Nathalie Chuard, and Head of Partnerships, Cristina Finch, visited Ottawa to engage with key Canadian partners on shared priorities in peace, governance, and inclusive security. Meetings with senior representatives from Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence focused on cooperation in Ukraine, Haiti, Lebanon, the Indo-Pacific, and the Sahel, as well as on gender-responsive governance, institutional capacity building, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

10 Oct 2025

Integrating gender into protection of civilians

At the 2025 UN PoC Week in New York, DCAF hosted a side event on how the Women, Peace and Security agenda can be embedded into Protection of Civilians within the framework of International Humanitarian Law. The discussion, with experts from the ICRC, MINUSCA, PAX Iraq, the Jamaica Defence Force, and the Royal Australian Navy, underlined that civilian harm is gendered, that gender analysis must shape all phases of protection efforts, and that leadership and accountability are crucial for impact.

06 Oct 2025

Moldovan delegation explores security governance in Estonia

With the support of the Estonian Organization for Development, Security and Sustainment, we organised a study trip to Tallinn for Moldovan officials from key national institutions to exchange with Estonian counterparts. The delegation explored Estonia’s model of security sector governance and crisis management. Discussions covered national resilience, risk preparedness, policy coordination, and inter-institutional cooperation, including the role of digitalisation, decentralisation, and citizen engagement in strengthening security.

03 Oct 2025

Justice and security governance in Bangladesh

DCAF joined partners in Bangladesh to wrap up the evaluation of the EU-funded “Acceleration to Justice” programme, implemented by UNDP. On this occasion, we met with Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), for an exchange on DCAF’s work in Asia and BIMSTEC’s current priorities. The meeting offered valuable insights into regional cooperation and the role of justice and security sector governance.

29 Sep 2025