International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has undertaken a working visit to New York to participate in two high-level debates at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

According to a Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) statement, the leaders will discuss the Middle East situation.

The debate, the department said, will also include the question of Palestine, and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Under the Presidency of Brazil, the UNSC has convened a high-level open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine."

According to the department, the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, will preside over the meeting and has invited Pandor to participate in this open debate.

"The open debate has been elevated to a high-level ministerial meeting because of the prevailing situation in Israel and Palestine."

On Wednesday, Pandor will partake in the UNSC high-level open debate on WPS.

The discussion will focus on women's participation in international peace and security from theory to practice.

"October is considered by the UN as the WPS month because resolution 1325 on women in armed conflict was adopted in October 2000.

"Consequently, the Security Council always holds an annual open debate on WPS in October to commemorate resolution 1325 and evaluate its implementation," the statement read.

Resolution 1325 was adopted to primarily highlight the impact of armed conflict on women and girls and to advocate for the full involvement of women in peace processes including conflict resolution, peace negotiations, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction.

Pandor will also use the opportunity of her visit to New York to hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts from other countries.