BRUNSSUM, The Netherlands – On Thursday, 20 March 2025, Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) welcomed Mrs. Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security (WPS), alongside a delegation from NATO’s WPS and Human Security (HS) teams. Against the backdrop of evolving security challenges, this visit reinforced NATO’s commitment to embedding WPS and HS principles into its strategic and operational frameworks.
The Women, Peace, and Security agenda is not just about fairness—it is about making our forces more effective, more resilient, and better prepared for modern security challenges
Mrs. Fellin, a leading expert on gender in security and international affairs, engaged in high-level discussions with JFCBS leadership and subject matter experts in planning, gender, and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC). These meetings provided an opportunity to assess how the WPS and HS agendas are being operationalized and their contribution to NATO’s broader mission of deterrence and defence.
During a pivotal discussion with General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, Commander of JFCBS, the conversation centered on the role of military leadership in advancing the WPS agenda, particularly in the context of Allied deterrence and defense posture.
General Miglietta emphasized the operational necessity of integrating WPS principles into JFCBS activities, stating:
"A comprehensive approach to security means understanding and leveraging the strengths of all segments of society. The Women, Peace, and Security agenda is not just about fairness—it is about making our forces more effective, more resilient, and better prepared for modern security challenges. At JFC Brunssum, we recognize that sustainable security is built on inclusivity, and integrating WPS into our plans strengthens NATO’s deterrence and defence posture."
Mrs. Fellin reinforced NATO’s commitment to WPS, stating:
“Strengthening the integration of WPS principles in military exercises, training, and education is essential, as is the continued effort to systematically embed gender perspectives into operational and tactical activities. The role of JFC Brunssum is key in this regard and I look forward to the reinforcement of our pol-mil cooperation.”
As JFCBS plays a key role in NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, including its responsibility for the forward defence of the Alliance’s Eastern Flank, the integration of WPS and HS considerations ensures a more adaptable, inclusive, and resilient operational approach. This visit reaffirms JFCBS’s commitment to advancing NATO’s WPS agenda and enhancing security through inclusive leadership and comprehensive planning.
