S/PV.6411Resumption1 Security Council

The President: I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than five minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. I shall now invite the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, His Excellency Mr. Frank Belfrage, to take the floor.

Mr. Belfrage (Sweden): I would like to start by thanking the Republic of Uganda for ensuring that the 10-year anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) has been given a very prominent part of this month's Security Council agenda. And I would also like to align Sweden with the statement of the European Union to be delivered later today. During the ministerial meeting on Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) - a call to action - a month ago, Governments from all corners of the world demonstrated their support and their conviction that women have a central role to play in achieving durable peace in conflict regions. So far, some 20 countries have adopted national action plans on resolution 1325 (2000), and we were happy to note the intention of many more countries to adopt and implement such plans. We heard inspiring examples of transnational cooperation in sharing experience and knowledge with those whose plans are still in progress. Many of us also emphasized the importance of including civil society and women's groups in such processes and other work. Four years ago, Sweden presented its first national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Today we are in the process of implementing our second national action plan, for the period 2009-2012. It permeates our security and development policies and makes resolution 1325 (2000) a special focus in our contribution to crisis management, in our humanitarian assistance and in our development cooperation with countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. A concrete example is the upcoming appointment of a special ambassador-at- large in Sweden for the work of implementing resolution 1325 (2000). Other concrete examples from the field include the Sudan, where Sweden is contributing some 45 million Swedish kronor - around €4.5 million - via the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) to a variety of organizations promoting women's role and participation. Sweden also 2 contributes to UNIFEM. in Afghanistan, with some 62 million Swedish kronor - just above €6 million - including for support for the Afghan national action plan for women. Additional contributions are directed to the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan and its programmes for girls. We have also been active in strengthening the gender perspective in European Union (EU) crisis management policy and operations, for example by sending gender advisers/focal points to EU missions in Kosovo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Georgia. We welcome the Security Council's request to the Secretary-General to provide a single coherent framework based on the set of indicators aimed at tracking the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). It is time, we feel, to make sure that we, the Member States, can be held accountable for our commitments. Sweden welcomes the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and we congratulate its first Executive Director, Ms. Michelle Bachelet. Sweden will support her efforts in a substantial manner, both financially and politically. Civil society and the participation of women's groups play an important role. Women's groups help empower women so that the voices of women in conflict areas are heard and can influence the work to achieve peace. They conduct research on women's role in conflict, they alert us to tragedies, they report to us on progress and they provide expertise. Sweden is grateful for the valuable work of such groups and acknowledges the need for wider cooperation with civil society at all levels. We would encourage UN Women to show the leadership necessary to facilitate the wide inclusion of women's organizations in the work of the United Nations in our collective ambition to achieve durable peace and equitable and sustainable global development. The Secretary-General's report (S/2010/498) shows once again that enhancing women's participation is an efficient method for achieving security and development for local communities as a whole. And, given the importance of having women in leading positions, we would strongly encourage the appointment of more women Special Representatives and deputy heads of mission. We welcome the targeted efforts to train and deploy more female mediators. We welcome the efforts of the senior Police Adviser of the 10-60385 Department of Peacekeeping Operations, including her determination to increase the number of female police officers in peace keeping operations, since this also responds to operational needs on the ground. Sweden is committed to continuing to sustain at least the same proportion of female police officers in peacekeeping operations as in its National Police Service. Finally, I would also like to emphasize the work being done by Ms. Margot Wallstrom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and her Office. The Special Representative's work is of outstanding importance, and the results in the next few years will be an important indicator of the international community's ability to address the structural violence that is directed towards women.

The President: I now invite Her Excellency Mrs.Aloysia Inyumba, Senator of the Republic of Rwanda, to take the floor.

Ms. Inyumba (Rwanda): I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting and for giving my delegation the opportunity to participate in this debate, as we mark the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). I also welcome the report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security (S/2010/498) and endorse the recommendations in that report. The Rwandan delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Minister of International Cooperation of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. The Rwandan Government officially launched, on May 17th this year, a national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) for the period 2009-2012. The development of this action plan started with a baseline study which highlighted tremendous contribution that Rwandan women have made to peace, security, justice and reconciliation since the genocide of 1994, together with current challenges facing women in conflict management. This process was carried out in a very participatory way. Our country has a national steering committee chaired by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, with the participation of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, the private sector, civil society and United Nations agencies. I would say that the process in my country has been very participatory and very engaged. 10-60385 Our action plan has a number of major components. The first is our commitment to the prevention of violence and conflict. Our national programme commits us to dissemination of national and international laws dealing with women, the revision of all discriminatory laws and the identification of all existing discriminatory practices and adoption of strategies to address these challenges. We have also begun the ratification of international laws and conventions, and we are in fact in the process of domesticating those laws. Also in our action plan we have a specific chapter on the protection and rehabilitation of victims. We have started to establish gender-based violence centres at the grass-roots level throughout the country, and we initiated a law on prevention and punishment of gender-based violence, which was passed in 2009. It includes penalties and substantive mechanisms to empower the national police, the Ministry of Defence and other security agencies to contribute to stabilization and to ensuring that women are protected in conflict. In Rwanda we also have gender desks in all departments. Specifically, we emphasize training for all personnel involved with the issue of gender-based violence in our country. We have also initiated an action plan and an awareness and training programme especially for our peacekeeping forces that go to Darfur. Other than the general mandate that they have as part of a peacekeeping mission, they also have a special objective of ensuring that women and refugees in the Sudan are protected. Last week, my country deployed a delegation of 90 women police officers to the Sudan as reinforcements for their brothers there and ensure that they promote best practices, from which Rwandan women have also benefited. It is in the context of the high-level International Conference on the Great Lakes Region that we have today begun in my country an international conference, chaired by our President, on the role of security organs as part of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). In line with our action plan and with the reinforcement of women's participation in decision- making organs relating to peace and security, I am proud to say that we have advanced in terms of women's participation, with a high level of representation of women in parliament - 56 per cent. This extends into the lower echelons such as local government, the judiciary and the private sector. The 3 action plan in our country also promotes peacebuilding, especially bearing in mind that, with our experience in conflict management in a post- genocide situation, we have a lot to offer the region. We remain firmly committed, and we will continue to play an important role at the national, subregional and global level in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We recently established a successful structure called the Women's Forum of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region whose sole mandate is to ensure that resolution 1325 (2000) is fully embraced in the region and that all women from the 11 countries of the Great Lakes region benefit from it and share their experiences in the region.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of New Zealand.

Mr. McLay (New Zealand): New Zealand appreciates the opportunity to participate in and mark the anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and thanks those involved, particularly Uganda, for organizing this debate. Throughout those 10 years of conflict, peace, destruction, reconstruction and change, women and girls have been the most affected, although I think we would also say that in those 10 years there have also been some significant advances. Some women and girls have benefited from greater involvement in peace processes, greater representation in key decision- making positions and a stronger focus on the prevention of violence. There have been major institutional achievements. For example, New Zealand strongly supported the establishment of UN Women, with Michelle Bachelet at its head, and we look to that organization to demonstrate leadership, including on this issue. The past 10 years have also demonstrated that much still needs to be done. Rape is still used as a tool of war, as was recently and horrifically demonstrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Women are still excluded from or not adequately represented in peace processes, their rights are curtailed and, all too often, they lack or are denied access to humanitarian and development assistance. Full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is needed to address those deficiencies. New Zealand agrees with the Secretary-General's conclusion that the main factor impeding full implementation is the lack of a clearly framed, single, coordinated approach, complemented by meaningful indicators to track progress. There are many concrete ways to develop such a framework. In addition to those already mentioned by the Minister of International Cooperation of Canada on behalf of the Friends of Women, Peace and Security, I will highlight just two that New Zealand considers particularly important. First, because implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is difficult to measure, we call on the Council to endorse and utilize the indicators outlined in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/498). Some still require development, but that is best achieved through implementation, tracking and continued close engagement with civil society. And, by themselves, the indicators are not enough; the information they yield must then be analysed and incorporated into the Council's work. Given its expertise, UN Women will be well placed to lead this analysis, but it must also be able to interact regularly and directly with the Security Council. Secondly, while there have been excellent policy developments on resolution 1325 (2000), they have rarely been translated into action on the ground. To ensure more action, the Security Council could better incorporate 1325 issues into its daily work, for example, when it discusses country situations, peacekeeping mandates or sanctions, or when it holds Arria Formula meetings. Further, an effective leadership system within the Council could be developed to ensure that 1325 issues are regularly integrated into the Council's work. Given the churn of non-permanent members, that responsibility could be jointly shared by a permanent and a non-permanent Council member. Better integration of 1325 issues does not just feel or sound good: it makes practical sense. Involving women in peace processes, stopping sexual and gender-based violence and guaranteeing the protection of women's rights will better ensure a lasting peace, which will, in turn, improve the Council's ability to maintain international peace and security. Member States also have responsibilities for the implementation of 1325 (2000) nationally and within their regions. Women constitute up to 30 per cent of New Zealand's contribution to United Nations and United Nations-mandated peace missions - among the highest rates in the world. The New Zealand Defence Force pursues a diversity strategy that values the full integration of women, including at senior levels. New Zealand's region is the Pacific, where women are playing critical roles in brokering and maintaining peace in places such as Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Timor-Leste. Despite their important role, however, women remain marginalized from formal negotiations, are seriously underrepresented in national decision-making processes and are still vulnerable to domestic violence. As well as raising awareness of resolution 1325 (2000) in the Pacific, New Zealand's aid programme identifies women and girls as a priority group for attention, supports initiatives to mitigate the exposure of women and girls to violence and specifically includes the need to support the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Elsewhere, New Zealand's Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan, Afghanistan, has several initiatives to ensure the full participation of women in our Provincial Reconstruction Team and in the Afghan National Security Forces which the Team supports. Likewise, in Timor-Leste, New Zealand is working with the National Police Force on projects to address high rates of gender-based violence. But, like others, New Zealand can still do more, and it agrees that commitments are required to ensure the advancement of the 1325 agenda. We therefore commit to developing a national plan of action on resolution 1325 (2000). We commit to mainstreaming issues faced by women with disabilities in our implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We commit to increasing the number of women in the higher ranks of our Defence Force and becoming more effective in retaining women in the Force throughout their careers. And we commit to working with others in the Pacific - countries and civil society - to ensure that resolution 1325 (2000) is better implemented. We call on others to also make similar concrete commitments, including on the needs of women with disabilities: commitments which, when combined with a more effective approach by the Council, will ensure full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). That, in turn, will mean that, as Governments come and go and as conflicts break out and abate, women and girls are protected and can fully participate in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal.

Mr. Moraes Cabral (Portugal): I would like to commend Uganda, as President of the Security Council, on the initiative to commemorate the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). Allow me also, Sir, to very warmly greet President Michelle Bachelet, to congratulate her on her appointment to head UN Women and to assure her of Portugal's full support in her demanding tasks. Portugal naturally shares the views that will be expressed by the representative of the European Union later regarding the implementation of the resolution, but let me underline some aspects of particular significance to my country. As so many before me have said today, resolution 1325 (2000) is a landmark in recognizing the urgent need to mainstream a gender perspective in the prevention, management and resolution of armed conflicts and in all stages of peacebuilding processes. Portugal believes that important progress has been accomplished in the implementation of the resolution and the other important resolutions that have followed. However, we all recognize that significant challenges still remain. On the one hand, women are still underrepresented at all levels of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts and are poorly represented in formal peace negotiations. On the other hand, violation of the human rights of women is still a dominant feature of conflict, and sexual violence is too often widespread in both conflict and in post-conflict situations. It is our shared understanding that women are indispensable actors of change and development. Therefore, it is fundamental to overcome the traditional view of those actors as mere vulnerable victims in need of protection and to implement measures that guarantee that their perspective is taken into account at all stages of peacebuilding processes by the international and local actors involved. Indeed, women have a crucial role to play in rebuilding war-torn societies and in promoting social cohesion. In that context, we should seize this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring women's effective participation in peace and security and to translate that commitment into enhanced action. This open debate of the Security Council and the many side events that are taking place this week are an excellent opportunity to review the progress achieved in implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), to recognize our main achievements but also our shortcomings, and to discuss how we can boost its impact on the ground. Portugal will certainly continue to pursue the objectives set out in the resolution and to increase its own accountability. We stand ready to contribute to that process in the forthcoming months in the Security Council. In that area, as in many others, the international community has to move in a concerted way with an integrated approach. Portugal strongly believes that national action plans constitute an important mechanism to accelerate progress in implementing resolution 1325 (2000). A year ago, we adopted a national action plan that encompasses our commitment to its implementation and corresponds to the consolidation of a gender perspective in national politics. Under that action plan, we have established five main strategic objectives, translated into 30 specific objectives, for which implementation, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have been identified and developed. The first of the five main objectives is to increase women's participation and to mainstream gender equality in all phases of peacebuilding processes and at all levels of decision-making. The second is to promote capacity-building for those involved in peacebuilding and development aid efforts with regard to gender equality and gender-based violence, as well as other aspects covered by resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). The third objective is to promote and protect women's human rights in conflict areas and in post- conflict scenarios, taking into consideration the need, on the one hand, to prevent and eliminate all gender- based violence perpetrated against women and girls and, on the other, to promote the empowerment of women, both politically and economically, and their participation in all post-conflict activities. The fourth objective is to invest in and disseminate knowledge on issues concerning women and peace and security, including training and awareness-raising actions among decision makers and the broader public. The final objective is to promote the active participation of civil society in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and in the national action plan. As I have stressed before, Portugal remains available to engage with the United Nations and other international actors in sharing experiences and good practices that allow us to move forward in this decisive area.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Germany.

Mr. Wittig (Germany): Let me first of all thank you, Mr. President, for giving today's subject such a prominent and fitting place on the Security Council's agenda this month. Germany aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the European Union later in the debate. As a member of the Group of Friends of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), Germany attaches great importance indeed to the issue of women and peace and security. We therefore commend the Secretary-General for his very comprehensive and substantial report (S/2010/498), especially his clear and action-oriented recommendations on the implementation of the resolution. We fully share his analysis with regard to the gaps that still exist and the need to introduce indicators and an adequate monitoring mechanism. That will enable us not only to measure progress, but also to ensure that all aspects of resolution 1325 (2000) are adequately addressed. The protection of women and their participation in all parts of society are two sides of the same coin. Resolution 1325 (2000) clearly stipulates that women must be seen as active players whose contributions in all aspects of peacebuilding and peacekeeping processes are absolutely essential for the reconstruction of societies and in achieving sustainable peace and development. Empowering women is important in security sector reform, as well as in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes. Germany therefore also welcomes the action plan contained in the Secretary-General's report on resolution 1889 (2009) (S/2010/466), including the call for increased financing for gender equality and women's empowerment in countries emerging from conflict. It is time to move towards more concrete action. What can Member States and the United Nations as a whole do? Starting with my own country, the German Government will shortly present its third implementation report on resolution 1325 (2000) to Parliament. While striving for the full and timely implementation of the entire resolution, looking ahead, priority will be given to, first, increased participation of women in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms, particularly in higher positions; secondly, to financial and technical support for United Nations gender-awareness-raising campaigns; thirdly, a gender perspective during and after the negotiation of peace agreements; and fourthly, the special needs of women combatants in demobilization and reintegration processes. To achieve progress in those areas, Germany will set up a list of national and international priority initiatives. We will also continue to support international organizations and non-governmental organizations in promoting women's empowerment. We are of the opinion that partnerships between Member States and the United Nations are crucial. The United Nations police standardized training curriculum on investigating and preventing sexual and gender- based violence, organized by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and funded by my country, is but one example. In several seminars, women police officers from all parts of the world can come together, share their experiences and work out a concept of how to better prevent abhorrent crimes of that nature from happening in the future. Besides actions being undertaken by Member States, the United Nations as a whole has an important role to play in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). As in other areas, delivering as one should form the leitmotiv for United Nations action. All relevant United Nations entities should work together closely in order to guarantee that the available resources are effectively channelled and measured against the indicators proposed in the Secretary-General's report. The setting up of an efficient monitoring system that measures progress achieved for women on the ground is also essential. In this context, Germany welcomes the creation of the new gender entity UN Women, which should play a leading role in this regard. The new Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Bachelet, whom we warmly congratulate, has our fullest support for the challenging task lying ahead of her. 10-60385 I am confident that with the realization of all the commitments made today, we can and, we hope, will achieve real progress in meeting the challenges ahead of us.

The President: I call on the representative of Chile.

Mr. Errazuriz (Chile) (spoke in Spanish): Chile associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and the statement that will be made by the representative of Costa Rica on behalf of the Human Security Network. The year 2010 is a year for taking stock of progress in the human rights of women and in gender equality. We are commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, and its Platform for Action, as well as the tenth anniversary of the Millennium Declaration (General Assembly resolution 55/2) and of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. In our hemisphere, the Organization of American States is marking the Inter-American Year of Women, under that banner "Women and power: towards a world of equality". My Government attaches great importance to this issue and to the difficult situation created by modern conflicts, in which women and children are most affected by the degradation of their living conditions and fundamental rights. We are therefore particularly grateful to you, Sir, for having convened this debate at an opportune moment for evaluating progress and dealing with pending issues. Among those is the implementation of this important instrument, which Chile has always supported together with its complementary resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009). In our view, this implementation will be effective only if we undertake to ensure that this decade is focused on action and accountability in the areas of prevention, participation and protection. Accordingly, we welcome the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/498) and its annex containing indicators for a preliminary road map, which we will have to carefully improve after consultations with Member States and on the basis of information they provide. In this connection, we believe that the questionnaire-based consultations conducted by the United Nations Development Fund for Women - part of UN Women - represent an important innovation in the matter of accountability. Our country is in a position to issue a national report on this matter next year, on the understanding that our country's commitment will strengthen support for the report. Women's participation in peace negotiations has been limited to less than 10 per cent. We therefore strongly advocate the inclusion of women in the negotiation processes and the compilation of reliable statistics on the subject, in line with the indicators proposed by the Secretary-General, as well as women's organizational processes and the training of women as negotiators using, inter alia, mechanisms available in the system and cooperation initiatives for the training of women in this area. We also emphasize the need for greater gender mainstreaming in the system, in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 2009/ 12, entitled "Mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system", which Chile facilitated. This should be accompanied by a mainstreaming of resolution 1325 (2000) nationally and internationally. As stated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Chile at the ministerial event entitled "A 1325 Call to Action", held here at Headquarters in September, Chile's ongoing foreign policy commitment to peacekeeping operations has resulted in the introduction into its national policy of the formulation of new approaches such as that in resolution 1325 (2000), emphasizing the participation of women in peace and security efforts. Our commitment is reflected in the adoption of a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). It is the only such measure adopted in our region, and it concentrates on three major areas. First, in the area of foreign affairs, although the Foreign Ministry clearly bears primary responsibility for the implementation of this plan, we are taking the initiative of adopting a cross-cutting approach, incorporating it into our domestic policy. For example, domestically we are adopting gender-sensitive policies in staff recruitment, and externally we have shown our commitment to international humanitarian law through support for the adoption of the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Secondly, concerning the role of our defence institutions, these institutions participated actively through working groups in the drafting of the plan. Most of the commitments made in this area are now being fulfilled. The review of the curricula of the various educational establishments, the compilation of gender-disaggregated statistics and the inclusion of more women in peacekeeping operations are examples of activities included in the plan and that reflect the contribution of the defence sector. The action plan's third focus is civil society. One of the key aspects of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) was the inclusion of civil society in the public process of launching this initiative - not as a mere spectator or recipient of the final result, but as an active party. Furthermore, the plan resulted in the acceptance of the proposal to create an observatory of mixed membership, made up of public agencies and civil society bodies, with the task of participating in the process of accountability subsequent to the publication of the plan. We therefore believe that an element of vital importance in the implementation process will be the compilation of statistics to measure how well the mechanism is working. In our view, although there are few measurable examples, speedy action must be taken to allow quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the results of women's participation in the processes. On the subject of regional challenges, we believe that, with over 6,000 men and women of the armed forces of Latin America and the Caribbean currently participating in peacekeeping operations around the world, the time has come to involve the majority of countries of the region in the challenge of implementing this resolution. In this scenario, we see new possibilities for South-South triangular cooperation. In this the inaugural year of UN Women, led by former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet; five years after the 2005 World Summit; 10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000); 15 years after Beijing; over 30 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and 35 years after the first World Conference on Women in Mexico City, Chile reiterates its strong commitment to women's human rights and their full and equal integration into society.

The President: I give the floor to the representative of Honduras.

Ms. Flores (Honduras) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this open debate of the Security Council on the contribution of women to international peace and security. We acknowledge the visionary work of the Council and its members, aimed at enhancing the principles of resolution 1325 (2000) and the empowerment of women. We are pleased with the new gender entity, UN Women, under the leadership of a distinguished stateswoman, Michelle Bachelet. The Secretary-General has also shown an excellent example in incorporating women into the upper management of the Organization, and I reiterate our commitment to cooperation and support for all. For reasons that have been extensively studied and debated through the ages, women and children have always been the vast majority of the innocent victims of violence and armed conflict. The irony remains that these victims, the most vulnerable and most affected, emerge from their precarious condition of fragility to provide great consolation in times of anguish, to be healers of suffering and to help mitigate the torments caused by ruthless violence in all its manifestations. Due to the very nature of their being, women, from birth, learn to be peacemakers and negotiators in conflicts. This is the task that they carry out entirely naturally within the bosom of their families, and by virtue of their innate abilities as catalysts of agreements in the intimacy of their homes and in the most complex situations. We have seen them acting as mediators in hostilities, as bridges to overcome differences and as intermediaries in serious disputes. Women listen with their feelings. Through the healing of the heart and the balm of emotion, they can reach the soul to cure wounds, where medicine stumbles and science fails. Sometimes relief comes more from soothing the affliction than from treatment of an actual physical injury, just as a mother puts her child to sleep with the mellifluous whisper of her voice and the soft caresses of her love, women soothe pain with only the breath of their serene words and their tranquil presence. There is no doubt that in armed conflict valiant, exceptional and extraordinary attitudes produce heroes. But just as there are heroic acts forged in the heat of battle, there are also those forged in the battle for life, in times of peace, exemplary conduct that contributes to peace. Undoubtedly to those heroic feats of war we can attach well-known names, like medals for honour and bravery, but there are also many names of those unknown people who perform epic deeds in peacetime, which, owing solely to their numbers, remain shrouded in the deepest silence. I come from one of those small nations, as the poet has said, where our history could be written in a teardrop, and I can vouch for this second type of heroism. For example, those self-sacrificing mothers in my homeland, bearing the cross of poverty on their shoulders, with no companionship other than their solitude and the burden of their responsibilities, support and educate their children, so that they can achieve their impossible dreams. They are heroines of peace. There are those dedicated women who, defying prejudice and defeating the inertia of inequality, climbed the mountain peak. They are heroines of peace. When, in Central America, where I come from, we passed through the bloody polarization of the 19805, the women who enlisted in any of these civilian trenches to aid the destitute, to care for refugees or take part in the reconstruction of their homeland were, unquestionably, heroines of peace. When, in my country, we suffered the impact of a brutal natural disaster that shattered the geography of our country into hundreds of pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle, all of those compatriots and those women who came from other parts of the world as members of volunteer missions, to help in that moment of misfortune, to repair lives, to breathe encouragement to the grief- stricken - they were all heroines of peace. The immigrants who, desperate and hopeless, leave their beloved homeland, risking everything, even their lives, to reach a destination that offers a way to provide for their kin - and who, ironically, with their remittances, help sustain the sickly economy of the country from which they fled - they are heroines of peace. There is no greater contribution than acts of solidarity, large and small, that brighten the darkness, that make coexistence easier and lighten the heavy burden of life. That woman, who is real, who exists everywhere, and whom we do not see, because we have become accustomed to her silent, daily, constant and untiring presence; that stranger who, without monument or tribute, builds peace every day, because the cry of suffering, the agony of tribulation, has neither nationality nor borders. I close with the deepest recognition of every heroic act, but with a feeling of great admiration for all the heroes and heroines ofpeace.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Mr. Staur (Denmark): Allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting, thereby ensuring that all key actors are engaged in the vital debate on how to achieve full implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and its follow- up resolutions. The two recent reports from the Secretary- General on women and peace and security (S/2010/498) and on women's participation in peacebuilding (S/2010/466) point to some of the main prerequisites for ensuring that peacemaking, peacebuilding and long-term planning after conflict become sustainable through the full participation of women. The implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) has for been inadequate over the past 10 years, but these two excellent reports, which we fully support, have made a big step forward by providing sound analysis and concrete recommendations that are ready to be implemented. The remaining piece in the puzzle would seem to be a single comprehensive framework for the United Nations system, with clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the various actors and with clear and measurable goals, targets and indicators. Obviously, the newly developed indicators presented in the Secretary-General's report should guide not only the work of the United Nations but also that of Member States, regional organizations and civil society, all of whom have equally important roles to play when it comes to advancing this landmark resolution. Denmark encourages the efforts aimed at further consolidating the United Nations peacebuilding architecture and enhancing system-wide strategies. We welcome the establishment of UN Women and the appointment of Ms. Michelle Bachelet as the first leader of that entity. UN Women must play a key role in leading the agenda on women and peace and security, while ensuring close and effective cooperation with all relevant United Nations actors, such as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs, the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Support Office, as well as funds and programmes. We see the creation of UN Women as a vital step in achieving the full mainstreaming of women and gender issues in this area. Denmark remains as committed as ever to implementing resolution 1325 (2000). We were the very first country to adopt an action plan for its implementation, and we are currently implementing our second national action plan for 2008 through 2013. This plan places an even stronger emphasis on using women's untapped potential, on involving women actively and on an equal basis in peacebuilding processes and decision-making at all levels, and with a focus on visibility at the country level. As part of our international outreach, Denmark and the United States will co-host an international conference on the role of women in global security in Copenhagen later this week. The conference will gather political, military, business and civil society leaders and experts to share best practices and discuss how to expand and effectuate women's key roles in peacemaking, peacekeeping and in security-related activities. The goal of the conference is to help us all explore new paths to enhancing and improving women's vital role in the critical political, military and economic processes that lead to sustainable peace and security. The conference will build on concrete know-how from a number of countries that are experiencing or have experienced conflict, including Afghanistan, Liberia and your own country, Mr. President, Uganda. One concrete example of how we have chosen to improve the conditions of women in a conflict zone is our ongoing work in support of women's networks and organizations in Afghanistan. The right of women to justice, a strengthened rule of law and a strengthened civil society at the provincial level are all fundamental tools in combating the negative impacts that armed conflict has had on women in Afghanistan. The women's networks have built the basis on which women can play an active and constructive part in addressing the peace, reconciliation and reintegration process in the country. Finally, on the eve of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), we must not give up on the accomplishments we have made so far. Rather, we must strive to ensure that the women and peace and security agenda finally becomes central to the peace and security debate.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

Mrs. Aitimova (Kazakhstan): I thank the delegation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda for convening this special, emotional and very substantive meeting of the Security Council. Look at how many Ministers we have here today - even more than one might have predicted or expected! I already consider today's discussion to be a success because of the participants, especially the high-level participants. At the outset, I wish to express our warmest congratulations to the Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, Ms. Michelle Bachelet. We are confident that, under her leadership, attention to women's issues will take a quantum leap forward. The year 2010 marks the tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), which is a landmark legal and political framework that acknowledges the importance of making women's participation and gender perspectives an integral part of peace negotiations, humanitarian planning, peacekeeping operations, post-conflict peacebuilding and governance. The successful launch of the Open Days on Women, Peace and Security under the auspices of the United Nations in June 2010 in several countries, followed by the Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security at United Nations Headquarters last week, as well as numerous other forums, events and activities, brought to light and dramatically carried forward our many accomplishments and the need to move forward from the resolution to action. This is the moment for critical assessment and for delineating a road map of action for the way ahead. My delegation is committed to realizing the vision of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions adopted in support of it. We commend the United Nations, Member States and civil society, and particularly women themselves, for being the driving force for the inclusion of a gender perspective in dealing with peace and security issues and for working as partners with the United Nations. While individual success stories are inspiring, women as a whole remain marginalized in round tables on mediation, with their needs and voices remaining unheard. UNIFEM. reports that in 24 peace processes over the past two decades, women comprised less than 8 per cent of negotiating teams and made up only 3 per cent of the signatories of peace agreements. These are very small ratios, considering that women constitute 50 per cent of the world's population. Kazakhstan fully endorses the report of the Secretary-General on women's participation in peacebuilding (S/2010/466), with its steadfast commitment to accelerating progress toward increasing the number of women in peace negotiations. We wholeheartedly support his recommendation to ensure that at least 15 per cent of United Nations funds for peacebuilding be dedicated to projects that address the specific needs of women and girls, advance gender equality and empower women. We call not just for adequate financing but also for judicious fiscal management to ensure resources for gender training and for supporting non-governmental organizations and local groups. It is vital that those groups work with us on issues of food security, nutrition, health and HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, education, rehabilitation, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration, as they deal with women affected by war. It is unfortunate that, even in my part of the world, women who carry the burden of the tragedies of conflict continue to need special attention. Of major concern for us is the challenge presented by the very high incidence of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict reconstruction phases. Of the 300 peace agreements signed since the end of the Cold War, only 18 of them included any mention of sexual and gender violence. My delegation therefore strongly supports the request made by Ms. Margot Wallstrom, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, to obtain additional funding for her operational work, which would result in bridging the gap in data collection on sexual violence in the chaos of war and in the subsequent development of systematic and rigorous response strategies. Kazakhstan also welcomes the drafting of a comprehensive set of indicators aimed at tracking implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and underscores with appreciation the intensive work of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, Ms. Rachel Mayanja, and her office in developing a more methodical monitoring system and especially in condemning rape as a tactic of terror and war. My country has great expectations for the future contribution of UN Women, a newly established entity of the United Nations family, which will be able to take the lead in revitalizing ongoing efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), bring about greater United Nations system-wide coherence and improved interrelatedness among key United Nations and regional human rights instruments, especially those focusing on women and children, which have a direct bearing on resolution 1325 (2000). My delegation recommends strengthening the mandate of UN Women so that it can serve as the lead agency in implementing efforts made pursuant to resolutions on women and peace and security. It will have to collaborate with agencies dealing with humanitarian, development, human rights and aid to development issues, as well as the defence forces of concerned countries. It will also have to engage the participation of women activists, war victims and other groups, including women refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, in order to shape programmes and services. Kazakhstan also pays great attention to the measures recommended by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) that seek to increase the proportion of women sent by troop-contributing countries and raise the number of women police officers deployed in peacekeeping operations to 20 per cent by 2014. My delegation endorses having DPKO set concrete benchmarks for the participation of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities from the highest decision-making level to field operations on the ground and in communities, through far-reaching campaigns to raise awareness about women's rights. My delegation welcomes the development of national action plans by several Member States, as proposed by the Secretary-General, to include women in peace and security measures, and expresses concern at the lack of such plans by countries most affected by war. We urge Member States to formulate their own plans by incorporating the best practices and lessons learned from other countries. To conclude, as we go forward, let us work with determination to strengthen women's participation and influence in conflict prevention, social justice, coexistence and peacebuilding efforts in situations of closed political systems and in conflict-affected States. Resolution 1325 (2000) is structured on the three main pillars of participation, protection and prevention, and is a most powerful tool for women's organization, mobilization and action.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh.

Mr. Rahman (Bangladesh): At the outset, let me thank the presidency of Uganda for organizing this very important open debate of the Security Council. Our appreciation is also due to the Secretary- General, the Under-Secretaries-General, the President of the Economic and Social Council, the representative of the Civil Society Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security, and other ministers and representatives of several Member States who spoke earlier today, offering their visionary guidance, commitment and directives for women's empowerment in the context of peace and security. We also offer our heartiest congratulations and a very warm welcome to Ms. Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. We assure her of our fullest support. Ten years ago, the Security Council adopted the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. Bangladesh, a member of the Council at that time and one of the core sponsors of the resolution, was closely associated with the adoption of this historic document, which endeavours to ensure women's rights and roles in peace and security. The provisions of the document apply not only to States, but also to actors involved in post-conflict peace processes. We take a modicum of pride for what we did a decade ago. We are, however, disappointed to note that violence against women and girls is ongoing, as delineated in various reports. As has been noted, women and girls suffer most as victims of conflict, while in the peace process they are mostly deprived of the dividends. Women and girls are often Viewed as bearers of cultural identities. Thus, they become prime targets. Therefore, the onus lies on us to ensure that the oppression of women and girls, particularly based on gender, is stopped forever. We are well aware that poverty, the struggle for scarce resources, and socio-economic injustices lie at the heart of conflicts, and all of them sadly create breeding grounds for such social blights, including violence against women and girls. The repercussions not only impact on the safety and security of women and girls, but also exacerbate political and economic situations, as well as the security of nations. Therefore, protecting women's rights is not an option, but an obligation that requires coordinated action from all of us. We recognize that empowering women will lead to their taking command of resources and assuming adequate leadership capabilities for the efficient management of those resources. Therefore, we emphasize the fulfilment of the economic needs of women and the necessity of their engagement internationally at all levels and in all forms of decision- making processes. While the former could be achieved by ensuring women's access to and participation in income- generating and entrepreneurial activities such as micro- credit, education, vocational training and public health, the latter could be ensured through the recruitment of women, particularly to senior-level positions of the United Nations, including in the posts of Assistant Secretaries-General, Under-Secretaries-General and Special Representatives of the Secretary-General. In order to obtain a clearer understanding of the needs of southern women, we have to ensure that women from the global South get due recognition in the consideration of such recruitment. For proper coordination with the field, the fair representation of troop- and police-contributing countries must be ensured, as decided previously by the General Assembly and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. From our national perspective, I deem it a privilege to make a few remarks about gender mainstreaming in Bangladesh. It is now universally known that women occupy the top political leadership in our country. The Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the equality of men and women within the broad framework of non-discrimination on the grounds of religion, race and gender. The Government has adopted a national policy for women's advancement and a national plan of action. A women's development implementation committee, headed by the Minister for Women's and Children Affairs, monitors the implementation of policies for women's empowerment. The result is highly positive. To cite just one example, the enrolment of girls in both primary and secondary schools exceeds that of boys, helped by waivers of tuition and the provision of stipends for girls in secondary schools. The Government has enacted laws for protecting women against domestic violence and is currently implementing a number of projects for developing the capabilities of women. Many affirmative actions have been taken that help women in distress and old age. In order to involve women in decision-making processes, the Government has adopted a quota system for women in our national Parliament and in the recruitment of our civil service officers, alongside direct elections and open competition. In the maintenance of international peace and security, we take pride in our modest contribution of troops and police to United Nations peacekeeping missions. The recruitment of women to police forces and the military amply demonstrates our commitment to women's empowerment in both the national and the international arenas. We are pleased that we were able to deploy a full contingent of an all-female formed police unit to the friendly country Haiti following the devastating earthquake there. I am pleased to recount that our all-male troop contingents are fully briefed on gender issues. We hope that sufficient further training will be arranged to reinforce their understanding of these issues. We are aware that we need to mainstream a gender perspective into all conflict prevention activities and strategies, develop effective gender-sensitive early warning mechanisms and institutions, and strengthen efforts to prevent violence against women, including various forms of gender-based violence. In conclusion, I would reiterate that we in Bangladesh have been making our best efforts to ensure women's empowerment and participation in all spheres of life. We realize that much more needs to be done. We are willing to replicate in our national policy any good practices that we come across globally, and are similarly ready to share our relevant experience with others.

The President: I shall now give the floor to the representative of Liechtenstein.

Mr. Barriga (Liechtenstein): At the outset, let me join others in commending you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate on the occasion of the anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). We warmly welcome the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/498) and the recommendations contained therein as an important step in moving the women, peace and security agenda from rhetoric to action. We also align ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. When the Security Council adopted the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on 31 October 2000, it acknowledged the negative impact of armed conflict on women and highlighted their decisive role in conflict prevention and in consolidating peace. Ten years later, however, the plight of women and girls in armed conflicts continues unabated. The implementation of the women, peace and security agenda remains slow and uneven at best. Recent incidents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed once again that sexual violence is used as a method of warfare to achieve military and strategic ends. Women are still excluded from decision-making processes in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction. Women continue to be seriously underrepresented as special representatives of the Secretary-General. We therefore welcome the Secretary-General's action plan for women's participation in peacebuilding. We do regret, however, that the Council was not able to expressly welcome that forward-looking report (S/2010/466). It is our firm belief that the advancement of the women and peace and security agenda is intrinsically linked to the way the Security Council receives and analyses information on implementation. Of course, it also depends on the commitment of Member States to take concrete action. We therefore commend the Council for endorsing the 26 indicators against which the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) will be measured. We believe that information collected through the indicators should, where appropriate, also be disaggregated by disability in order to address the lack of data in that respect. We reiterate our support for the call to action of the ministerial event of 25 September 2010, which encouraged Member States to commit themselves to concrete, time-bound and measurable actions. To underscore this commitment, we have contributed to the financing of the monthly action points of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. These points highlight how the Security Council can integrate relevant content of resolution 1325 (2000) in its daily work, in particular on country-specific issues. We hope that this can make a small contribution to the more general goal of effectively integrating the substance of the Council's thematic work in its operational decisions. In addition, we have partnered with Switzerland to support the PeaceWomen project to publish the Women, Peace and Security Handbook. The handbook provides language derived from best practices and is meant to assist the Security Council in incorporating relevant substance of resolution 1325 (2000) when designing mandates for missions on the ground. Furthermore, we will continue our financial support for the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which adopts a gender-based perspective across all programming and has a specific focus on victims of sexual and gender violence. We hope that the Fund will get more support from States as a result of their national efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000). Resolution 1325 (2000) and its follow-up resolution 1820 (2008) call for decisive action against sexual violence in times of armed conflict. The explicit inclusion of sexual violence in the provisions dealing with war crimes and crimes against humanity was one most significant advances in international law reflected in the Rome Statute of the ICC. Today, the Court is dealing with a number of situations where sexual violence is rampant, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Court therefore has jurisdiction over any crimes within the remit of its Statute committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1 July 2002. In fact, the Court will soon begin trying Callixte Mbarushimana, a Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda militia leader arrested on 11 October this year, who is indicted on charges of sexual violence, among other things. The work of the Court is therefore of direct relevance to the 1325 agenda, as the Security Council anticipated when referencing the Rome Statute in resolution 1325 (2000) ten years ago. It is therefore astonishing that the role of international criminal justice in general and the ICC in particular are entirely absent from the latest report on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). This is not the report's only defect, but is perhaps the most serious one. Fighting impunity is clearly a central part of our efforts to eradicate sexual violence. It must therefore be an integral part of any future efforts in this body and of the reports submitted for its consideration.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Estonia.

Mrs. Intelmann (Estonia): The Security Council debate today and the numerous initiatives related to resolution 1325 (2000) all over the world confirm that women are no longer an invisible or irrelevant aspect of armed conflicts. Women have the right to be protected in conflicts and can and should be able to contribute to peace processes. However, despite the progress made since 2000, these principles still need to be better translated into reality at the global, regional and national levels. Estonia is committed to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its follow-up resolutions, and my delegation would like to align itself with the comments and commitments to be made on behalf of the European Union and with the statement made earlier by the Minister of International Cooperation of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends. I have the pleasure to note that last week Estonia adopted its national plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Over the next four years, the plan will help systematize and enhance our activities both at the national level and in regional and international organizations. Estonia, as a Member of the United Nations and a number of regional organizations, continues to expand its contribution to international peace and security. We continue to participate in international civilian and military operations and to contribute to development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. The action plan that I just mentioned contains commitments with regard to the inclusion of the gender perspective in these activities. First, it includes steps to increase gender-related expertise, as well as general awareness and support for the inclusion of a gender perspective in crisis management at all levels through enhanced training. Secondly, the plan includes measures to expand the possibilities for women's participation in international civilian and military missions and for increasing the share of women occupying posts related to peace and security. These include analysis of the variables influencing women's participation in military, police and international missions and targeted information and recruitment campaigns, to name but two. Thirdly, gender equality and the promotion of the situation of women and girls continue to be among the priorities of Estonia's development cooperation and humanitarian activities. In Afghanistan, for instance, our projects have been aimed at supporting women's access to health care and education. Finally, Estonia continues to actively support the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the European Union, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Estonia's action plan is a common commitment taken by a broad range of stakeholders, including governmental institutions and civil society organizations. Its implementation will be monitored jointly on the basis ofa set of indicators. Estonia welcomes the steps to increase coherence and accountability in implementing resolution 1325 (2000), including taking forward the set of indicators to track its implementation, and calls for their swift operationalization. We further welcome the call for the development of a strategic framework to guide United Nations implementation of the resolution in the next decade, which would include concrete targets and indicators to ensure the consistency and systematic evaluation of this process. The establishment of a working group to review the progress made would, alongside a set of global indicators, also contribute to more thorough analysis and the definition of further goals with regard to women and peace and security. Estonia strongly condemns grave violations of the rights of women and girls, including targeted sexual violence, and supports measures to combat impunity for these crimes. We support the call to include sexual violence as a priority element in resolutions mandating Security Council sanctions committees, which should include sexual violence as a criterion for the designation of individuals for targeted measures. Finally, let me note our appreciation of the work of Ms. Margot Wallstrom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and offer my congratulations to the new Under- Secretary-General in charge of UN Women, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, whose leadership in this role will be of crucial importance to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). I would also like to refer to the vital role of the Civil Society Advisory Group in facilitating the discussions on the further implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as well as the work of the Group of Friends led by Canada.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Switzerland.

Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): We thank you, Sir, for having convened this debate. The participation of a number of ministers shows the importance that Member States and the Security Council attach to the topic of women and peace and security. We also welcome the presence of Under- Secretary-General Michelle Bachelet. Switzerland associates itself with the joint statement of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, delivered by the representative of Canada, and the joint statement of the Human Security Network, delivered by the representative of Costa Rica. When entering the building this morning, participants passed by our exhibit "N0 Women - No Peace" in the entrance hall. You saw the curtain with the portraits of the 1,000 women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, looking down at the rickety peace table on the opposite side of the hall. I hope that, 10 years from now, these women will not be looking at that table, but sitting around it, as active and respected negotiating partners in all peace processes. You are perhaps surprised, Sir, that I am wearing a scarf today. As chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, I travelled to Bujumbura a few weeks ago, and I had the opportunity to meet with women's organizations there. During the elections, they had decided to wear a white shawl like this in public to show their desire for peace. That initiative had a significant impact in successfully limiting the violence during the election phase. Today, I would like to carry the voices of these women into this Chamber, commending them for their courage and determination. In fact, I had promised them that I would wear this scarf at my first appearance before the Security Council, and I am going to keep that promise. As the Council can see, the word "amahoro" is still here, which means, ifI am not mistaken, "peace" in Kirundi. But civil society is not the only one with the capacity and responsibility to create peace. It is also up to the Security Council, as the parent of resolution 1325 (2000). The Council must use of all the instruments at its disposal. We welcome the establishment, in that regard, of a set of global indicators, which the Council will endorse today. This represents important progress in ensuring follow-up to resolution 1325 (2000). However, the application of these indicators calls for political leadership by the Council. Switzerland therefore supports the idea of a "1325 lead country" and the creation of a single comprehensive framework to support the implementation of the resolution. UN Women could contribute to this goal by creating a 1325 office within its institution. We hope that Margot Wallstrom, who was appointed under resolution 1888 (2009), will play a significant role as an interlocutor for conversations between the United Nations system and the Security Council. We also hope that she will provide the Council with detailed information on instances of sexual violence. The recent events in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remind us of the urgent need to put an end to the cruel practice of using rape as a method of warfare. Resolution 1820 (2008) affirmed the Council's intention to consider targeted sanctions against parties to armed conflict who commit rape. In addition, we have international criminal justice instruments at our disposal, in particular the International Criminal Court, to ensure that such crimes do not go unpunished. However, it should be kept in mind that States bear the primary responsibility to prevent such crimes and to bring perpetrators to justice. The representative of Liechtenstein just mentioned the monthly action points of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, which we support together with them. In addition, we are offering the Council a handbook, prepared by PeaceWomen, highlighting the various obligations that derive from the resolution, with many best practice examples as guidance. Here is the handbook, it is available, and I urge participants to use it. As Member States, we are also called upon to systematically apply a gender perspective in our political processes. Switzerland adopted a national action plan early on, which has proved to be a useful instrument. Our second and revised national action plan will come into force within the next few days. When participants leave the building today, I encourage them to take another look at the exhibit in the entrance hall. Walking on the red carpet, they will see which countries have adopted national action plans to date. And they will notice that there is still plenty of space for many more.

The President: I now give the floor to Mr. Walter Fullemann, Permanent Observer and head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the United Nations.

Mr. Fiillemann (International Committee of the Red Cross): I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for giving the opportunity to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to address the Security Council today. The ICRC, as an independent and neutral humanitarian organization that is independent from the United Nations, recognizes the importance of the Security Council's efforts to address the situation of women in the context of peace and security. Women and girls are frequently placed at the epicentre of conflicts, endangered not only because of their proximity to the fighting, but also because they are deliberately being targeted, as a method of warfare. Since the adoption, 10 years ago, of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, women's issues have been very much at the forefront of the international agenda. For its part, the ICRC decided some 10 years ago to emphasize, across all its programmes and operational activities, the particular respect and protection accorded to women and girls by international humanitarian law. Women separated from their family are often left without financial and emotional support. Displaced women, having been forced to flee their home, may have to assume extra responsibilities and find themselves at greater risk of sexual violence and abuse. Moreover, their access to safe drinking water, food or health care is often hampered. To strengthen its response in promoting the protection of women, the ICRC has developed a multidimensional approach to identify and address the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls in armed conflict and other situations of violence. This approach recognizes, first and foremost, that women are not totally vulnerable and display remarkable strength and courage in wartime, often finding ingenious ways of coping with the difficulties they face. When considering the needs of women during conflict, prevention is essential. While it is imperative that the international community react to sexual violence as to any other crime, it is also essential that Member States resolutely engage in preventing sexual violence. Through the promotion of international humanitarian law, the ICRC presses all parties to an armed conflict to respect the categorical prohibition of all forms of violence against women. Activities in the communities are often carried out together with local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, especially activities aimed at breaking the taboos surrounding this issue and sensitizing local communities so that survivors of sexual violence are not stigmatized. Through instruction and training programmes on international humanitarian law for armed forces and armed groups, the ICRC emphasizes the prohibition of rape and other forms of sexual violence and advocates its inclusion in the internal regulations and manuals of armed forces and groups. The ICRC strongly encourages Member States to include in their national legislation provisions to ensure better respect for women and girls at all times, particularly in times of war and other situations of violence. Such measures have an impact on both prevention and accountability. The key message of the ICRC today is simple: the existing rules of international humanitarian law must be respected. Where they are not, those responsible for violations must be held to account. The ICRC welcomes the importance the Security Council attaches to full respect for international humanitarian law. Indeed, better respect for the existing rules of international humanitarian law would ensure much better protection for women and girls in armed conflict and other situations of violence. To conclude, the ICRC reiterates its commitment to the spirit of resolution 1325 (2000), and, more importantly, the ICRC will continue to promote, in its own work, the respect that international humanitarian law guarantees for women and girls.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Monaco.

Mrs. Picco (Monaco) (spoke in French): The Principality of Monaco attaches the greatest importance to the protection of innocent civilian victims of conflict. Among them, women and children are clearly the most vulnerable. The fact that, over the past decade, women and children have become the targets of unspeakable violence is unacceptable. Thus, the Security Council's recognition of this scourge when it adopted resolution 1325 (2000), on 31 October 2000, was a major turning point in mobilizing the international community. We underscore the essential contribution of civil society, which has made possible significant progress and helped us to define women's participation as an essential element of peacebuilding processes and recovery efforts in affected countries. Although the role of women in development no longer needs to be proven, it is equally crucial to ensuring lasting peace, social cohesion and political legitimacy. Women's contributions are not an end in themselves; they are also crucial elements in achieving peacebuilding priorities. In that regard, in order to ensure the rule of law, there must be support for the establishment and strengthening of national institutions. Resolution 1325 (2000) also underscores the need to scrupulously respect the provisions of international humanitarian law and human rights instruments. It is imperative that atrocities not go unpunished, especially those in which rape is used as a weapon of war. We note with interest the establishment of a comprehensive framework dedicated to the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and to holding all parties concerned accountable. Taking into account the indicators included in the annex to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/498) should allow us to measure progress and highlight areas deserving of our attention. In that regard, we welcome the efforts and initiatives of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in particular in the areas of training and increasing the participation of women in peacekeeping operations and police forces. My delegation unreservedly supports the determination and commends the courage and resolve of Ms. Margot Wallstrom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and of Under-Secretary-General Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, in coordinating our efforts on behalf of women. We hope that the political will we have generated will continue to assert itself.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Iceland.

Mr. Palsson (Iceland): Ten years ago, the recognition of gender equality as a security issue by the Security Council was a watershed event, both for women and for the Organization. Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the Council acknowledged not only the needs and concerns of women in connection with peace processes, but underlined the participation of women as an important prerequisite for sustainable peace. A decade later, the record reflects some positive developments, as highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/498). However, truth be told, progress has been slow and ultimately disappointing. Only a handful of countries have adopted national action plans to implement resolution 1325 (2000). In the meantime, armed conflicts still devastate the lives of women and girls in many parts of the world. Women are often subjected to terrifying gender-based sexual violence, which most of the time goes unpunished. Women are also regularly marginalized in peacemaking. This is hardly a satisfactory state of affairs. Therefore, we must now focus on action, implementation and accountability so that, 10 years from now, we can look back with a sense of achievement and say that we have made a difference. There is a vital need for a system for monitoring the status of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Therefore, Iceland urges the Security Council to adopt the indicators put forward in the Secretary- General's report so that United Nations organizations, Member States and civil society are able to measure the impact on the ground and men and women around the world can reap the benefits. At the same time, UN Women should play an important role in overseeing the monitoring and implementation of the indicators, as well other issues related to resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions. Allow me to reiterate my Government's commitment to supporting UN Women and to congratulate the new Under-Secretary-General, Michelle Bachelet, on her recent appointment. Iceland also welcomes the appointment of Margot Wallstrom as the first Special Representative of the Secretary General to fight the spread of sexual violence in conflict situations. We stand ready to support the Special Representative in her important work. Advancing the aims and working towards the strengthening of resolution 1325 (2000) is a priority for Iceland. All Icelandic diplomatic missions are required to support the aims of resolution 1325 (2000) in their work. Iceland is working actively to advance resolution 1325 (2000) within NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in addition to our work at the United Nations. Iceland's national action plan has been in place for almost three years. Preparations are under way to revise the plan, with a view to adapting it next year. This will be done through a participatory and transparent process involving political leaders at the highest level, all relevant Government agencies and civil society. The plan will contain specific goals, clear indicators and a transparent monitoring mechanism. It will also take fully into account pertinent Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security. My Government has also undertaken projects to highlight, strengthen and implement resolution 1325 (2000). Particular effort has been focused on women's empowerment. Our gender equality training programme is an international undertaking run in cooperation with the University of Iceland. Its explicit purpose is to promote gender equality and women's empowerment through education and training. It is our hope that the programme, which is now in its second year and includes fellows from Afghanistan and Palestine, will in due course be recognized as an official United Nations University programme, making it the fourth such programme located in Iceland. In addition, Iceland has emphasized the importance of gender perspectives in international climate talks, for we are confident that the increased participation of women will help the international community foster a more sustainable response to the scourge of climate change. Ten years on, it is time for the international community to get serious about the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). While women are often depicted as victims of armed conflict - and rightly so - it is important to bear in mind that they are more often than not an integral part of the solution. Let us make the coming decade a decade that counts and a time when we no longer tolerate impunity for crimes, women's needs and rights are respected, and women and men are equal partners in forging lasting peace.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Viet Nam.

Mr. Bui The Giang (Viet Nam): I thank you, Mr. President, and the delegation of Uganda for convening this important high-level meeting to mark the tenth anniversary of the historic resolution 1325 (2000). We thank the Secretary-General for his report contained in document S/2010/498, on women and peace and security, as well as his report contained in document S/2010/466, on women's participation in peacebuilding, which he presented to the Council a few days ago. We congratulate Ms. Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as Executive Director of the newly established United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and we welcome her participation in today's meeting of the Council. We assure her of our full cooperation in the execution of her important mandate. Following the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we have noted with appreciation the Security Council's increased commitment to women's role in peace and security, which has been illustrated not only in its active participation, but also in its role as key promoter in the United Nations system in advancing the women and peace and security agenda. We are heartened to see greater awareness at both the national and international levels, resulting in an unprecedented number of activities carried out in highly diverse forms and in a wide range of areas by all stakeholders to promote women's role and rights in relation to peace and security. Most visible at the international level is the better coordinated work within the United Nations system - particularly among the Special Adviser on Gender Issues, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the United Nations Development Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - in mainstreaming gender in peace and security, and in addressing issues that may impact women's participation in peace processes, including humanitarian and socio-economic issues. We particularly commend the adoption early this year of the three-year Joint Strategy on Gender and Mediation initiated by the Department of Political Affairs and UNIFEM, and the proposed seven-point action plan, which contains actions needed to enhance women's participation in peacebuilding - a fundamental factor to prevent war and empower women. In this connection, we sincerely hope that the newly established UN Women, once it has completed its transitional arrangements, will become a stronger entity and take the lead in the women and peace and security agenda. At the national level, among other things, the national action plans being designed, adopted and put in place represent a meaningful contribution. We hope that adequate resources will be made available to ensure the full implementation of these plans. Against such a backdrop, it is worrisome to learn from the Secretary-General's report that "10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), significant achievements are difficult to identify or quantify. The conditions and opportunities that women and girls face in situations of armed conflict continue to be abhorrent and effective methods for monitoring impact are lacking." (S/2010/498, para. 3) My delegation is of the view that much more remains to be done to better protect women and girls from all forms of violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, further empower them and increase their participation in all stages of peace processes. The fact that women have constituted less than 8 per cent of negotiators in United Nations-mediated peace processes and less than 3 per cent of peace agreement signatories since 1992; that only 16 per cent of peace agreements between 1990 and 2010 contained references to women; and that less than 3 per cent of post-conflict spending is dedicated to women is unacceptable. Women, being not merely victims, but rather agents of change, should be able to involve themselves more in peace talks to better reflect their priorities in the text of peace agreements. Moreover, having emerged from many destructive wars, we in Viet Nam are convinced that women can play an active role in peacebuilding and reconstruction if and when they are empowered economically, financially, politically and institutionally, and when their special needs, including health and education, are properly addressed. With this in mind, we hope that the seven commitments listed in the Secretary-General's report contained in document S/2010/466 can be fully honoured so as to ensure women's equal involvement as participants and beneficiaries in local development, employment creation, income generation, front-line service delivery, and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes in post-conflict situations. My delegation appreciates the monumental work done by United Nations entities, in consultation with Member States and civil societies, in building the set of indicators annexed to the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/498). We share the view that the indicators can provide a helpful tool kit for the United Nations system and those countries that wish to use them on a voluntary basis. At the same time, we believe that certain indicators need more careful consideration in order for the whole set to be balanced and of an encouraging rather than an imposing character, and hence more effective. As a nation deeply committed to women's emancipation and empowerment, Viet Nam has always supported the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), and our contribution to the drafting and adoption of resolution 1889 (2009) by the Security Council in October 2009 is just one example of this. In the same vein, we seriously take this review of the 10-year implementation of RESOLUTION 1325 (2000) as a chance to reinforce our determination to work harder with the international community, the United Nations system first and foremost, towards a world of genuine equity and equality for women.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Luxembourg.

Ms. Lucas (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): Luxembourg commends the Ugandan presidency of the Council for having organized this open debate to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) - the first resolution of the Council specifically to address the impact of war on women and their role in peacemaking. Women and girls are often the first victims of conflict, and they have specific needs after conflict ends that must be taken into account if the conflict is to be brought to a lasting end. It is also critical that women be more involved from the outset in peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts at all levels in order to ensure their better participation in development efforts and to increase the likelihood that peace will last. The seven-point action plan presented by the Secretary-General in his recent report on women's participation in peacebuilding (S/2010/466) is an excellent tool in that respect. If implemented, it will serve as a valuable contribution to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). The important debate of 13 October on post-conflict peacebuilding (see S/PV.6396) afforded the Security Council an opportunity to consider that report for the first time, and we hope that it will rapidly result in concrete follow-up to the proposed plan of action. As the representative of the European Union will underscore in his statement, with which Luxembourg fully associates itself, 10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) we regret to note that the progress achieved in its implementation and in the implementation of its follow-up resolution remains unsatisfactory. I should like to commend the very candid analysis contained in the Secretary-General's most recent report, in which he concludes that one of the main obstacles to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is the lack of a harmonized and coordinated approach in the context of a clear framework with concrete and specific objectives and a set of results indicators. We encourage the Secretary- General to pursue his intention to reforge the system- wide plan of action as a strategic planning tool. A significant role in that task must fall to the new United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Luxembourg supports the recommendations elaborated by the Secretary-General in his report. Increased efforts are necessary at all levels, including the national level, to ensure the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Within the framework of its national gender equality plan, Luxembourg is committed to systematic support for initiatives aimed at incorporating the gender perspective into the work of international and regional organizations, and to ensuring that it is taken into account in conflict and post-conflict situations. My country also strives to ensure the systematic taking into account of the gender perspective in its cooperation projects and humanitarian action to better achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We fully support the peace initiatives undertaken by local women's groups and the work of non-governmental organizations to ensure the equal participation of men and women in post-conflict situations. Our national plan of action also provides for an increase in the percentage of women and men, be they civilian or military, who are specifically trained in gender issues to participate in peacekeeping operations. Allow me to cite a specific example of our support. The "Women and war" project, an initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, has enabled us to elaborate guidelines for a multidisciplinary approach to the prevention of and fight against sexual violence. Ten years ago, resolution 1325 (2000) requested all parties to armed conflict to take specific steps to protect women and girls against acts of gender-based violence, especially rape and other forms of sexual abuse. It also emphasized that all States bear the responsibility to put an end to impunity and to bring to justice those who have been accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, including all forms of sexual and other violence against women and girls. The acts of mass rape that were committed this summer in North Kivu demonstrated in the most brutal way that we are very far from having put an end to the use of sexual violence as a tool of war. In September, my Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs told the General Assembly (see A/65/PV.14) that such brazen violations of human rights must be tolerated no longer. Impunity must end, and the fight against impunity cannot remain an abstract objective, but must become an effective and concrete reality whose success we must all work towards together. I would like to encourage the Security Council to step up its efforts in the fight against impunity and to impose targeted sanctions against all parties responsible for grave violations of human rights and women rights, including perpetrators of sexual violence. My delegation warmly welcomes the Council's decision to recommend the use of the indicators drafted by the Secretary-General, and encourages all stakeholders to operationalize them as rapidly as possible. Such a clear, ongoing and comprehensive follow-up mechanism will assist Member States, the United Nations system and the Security Council to assess the progress achieved and to strengthen the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). However, on a note of slight disappointment, we would have liked to see the Council at the same time set up a working group to evaluate progress achieved based on the annual reports of the Secretary-General and to formulate recommendations for the Council on the best possible way to fill the gaps and to meet the challenges in order to accelerate such implementation. Before I conclude, allow me to pay tribute to the essential role played by both civil society and women's organizations in the creation and implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Without their commitment and contributions, the issue of women, peace and security would never have enjoyed the attention it merits and must without question continue to enjoy in the future.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Jamaica.

Mr. Wolfe (Jamaica): I wish on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to thank you, Sir, for convening this open debate on women's equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Resolution 1325 (2000), unanimously adopted by the Security Council 10 years, ago brought to light one of history's best-kept secrets: the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls. Recognized as a historic and unprecedented document, the impetus for its adoption was strong. That led to, for the first time, the Security Council devoting an entire meeting to a debate on women's experiences in conflict and post-conflict situations and their contributions to peace. Ten years on, as we celebrate the anniversary of that watershed event, significant achievements are difficult to identify. It remains a matter of serious concern that women have become caught in the centre of violent conflicts and often become the direct and deliberate victims of the most egregious abuses committed by parties to armed conflicts. We must therefore strengthen our resolve to eliminating the disproportionate effects of war on civilians, particularly women and children. Over the years, the Council's presidential statements have called on Member States, the United Nations system and civil society to commit to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), including through the development of strategies and action plans, the establishment of monitoring and accountability mechanisms at the international and national levels, and ensuring the full and equal participation of women in all peace processes. But some of us have not yet heeded this call. My delegation recognizes the important work that the United Nations has undertaken in increasing the representation and participation of women at high levels within the United Nations system. The most recent instances of this were the appointments of the Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Executive Director of the new gender entity, UN Women, and of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Let me once again reiterate Jamaica's heartiest congratulations to both women and assure them of our continued support in fulfilment of their mandates. Nevertheless, we believe that much more needs to be done, and in this we call upon Member States to play an integral role in ensuring the appointment of qualified women at high levels. My delegation is aware that resolution 1325 (2000) does not exist in a vacuum. Many resolutions, including 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009), which focus on sexual violence in situations of armed conflict, were created on the momentum generated by resolution 1325 (2000). Treaties, conventions, statements and reports also preceded it, and thus formed its foundation and an integral part of the women, peace and security policy framework. Although they have been late in coming, my delegation is pleased to note that on this the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), there are now signs of increased commitment and action by the Security Council to ensure that the goals of the resolution are fully implemented. The Security Council's expressed intention to take action on a comprehensive set of indicators on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is a very encouraging development. These indicators would represent a clear step forward for improving accountability and the implementation of the groundbreaking resolution. As we all know, resolution 1325 (2000) reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and also in peacebuilding. We acknowledge that, in some parts of the world, women have become increasingly effective participants at the peace table and have continued to assist in creating an enabling environment for conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. However, progress in these areas has not been consistent. Jamaica has played its part in ensuring the participation of women in peace and security over the years through its increased presence in United Nations peacekeeping operations. We have also been encouraging the recruitment of women police officers to peacekeeping missions, being keenly aware of the impact that their experience and service have had on the United Nations and host country's recognition of the role of women in peace and security. Our women peacekeepers, despite serving in some of the most difficult, high-threat environments and inhospitable places and faced with diseases and violence, have nonetheless been having a positive impact on the lives of women and girls in conflict situations. Our women peacekeepers have increasingly acted as role models in the various local environments, inspiring by their very example women and girls in the often male-dominated societies where they serve, demonstrating to communities that peace is inextricably linked to equality between men and women, and persuading disadvantaged women and girls that they can indeed achieve. Our women peacekeepers continue to be dedicated to the tasks to which they have been assigned. They have made tangible differences in the lives of many, while showing the world the caring and committed face of the United Nations. It is clear that peacekeeping long ago evolved from its traditional role of silencing the guns, and has been redefined increasingly as an avenue for fostering a culture of sustainable peace in countries devastated by conflicts. Today, Jamaica recommits itself to ensuring that this vital work will continue, through active participation as long as it is needed. We reaffirm our collective commitment to building a world free from the scourge of war. The persistence of violence against women in situations of armed conflict detracts from the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, whose targets in many ways are intertwined with the goals of resolution 1325 (2000). Today's celebration is therefore a reminder that the high cost of peacekeeping and of reconstruction in post-conflict situations weighs heavily in favour of prevention and peacebuilding measures to address the root causes of deadly conflicts. Women have proven instrumental in building bridges rather than walls. Women are entitled to an active rote in rebuilding their societies. Their ability to influence the direction of change and to create a more just social, economic and political order should not be overlooked. Gender equality therefore is an essential precursor to democratic governance and inclusive and sustainable human development. Finally, the United Nations Population Fund State of World Population 2010 report - "From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change" - speaks of the three Rs, resilience, renewal and redefining roles between boys and girls and men and women. It further shows how communities and civil society are healing old wounds and moving forward. We concur that more still needs to be done to ensure that women have access to services and have a voice in peace deals or reconstruction plans. But we believe that recovery from conflict and disaster presents a unique opportunity to rectify inequalities, ensure equal protection under the law and create space for positive change. Thus, by ensuring that all aspects of resolution 1325 (2000) are implemented, we will give women the chance to use their voice and their advocacy in ensuring sustainable peace for all.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Mr. Abdelaziz (Egypt): At the outset, Mr. President, allow me to express our sincere appreciation for your initiative to convene this ministerial meeting of the Security Council on this important occasion. Our appreciation also goes to the Secretary-General for his important report (S/2010/498) on the steps and measures taken to implement resolution 1325 (2000). We also appreciate the role played by the United Nations machinery, including both the Security Council and the General Assembly, and all United Nations Member States that are taking effective steps in that regard. We express our appreciation for the briefings we heard at the beginning of the Council's meeting today. This year we are commemorating 10 years since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security, which reflected, and still reflects, the responsibility of the international community to ensure, protect and advance women's rights in conflict and post-conflict situations and in peace processes. Egypt has always been supportive of resolution 1325 (2000) and its full implementation. It has long played a historic role in ensuring the protection of women in armed conflict situations. Egypt was even among a number of States that contributed to the formulation of the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict, which was adopted by the General Assembly as resolution 3318 (XXIX) as early as 14 December 1974. That important Declaration, which has gone unnoticed in Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and all subsequent relevant Security Council resolutions and statements, condemned and prohibited all attacks and bombings on civilian populations, particularly women and children, thus planting the early seeds of dealing effectively with women's issues through the subsequent Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and beyond. A strong and sustained campaign is led by our first lady, through the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement, to support and foster international and regional action to overcome the dangers to which women are exposed in situations of armed conflict and post-conflict situations and to ensure gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Movement has organized a series of regional and international seminars and workshops, with the support of United Nations entities, in order to effectively implement national action plans to implement resolution 1325 (2000), with a special focus on promoting a culture of peace and enhancing women's role in peacemaking, peacekeeping and post- conflict peacebuilding. Among these significant activities, an international forum entitled "Towards enforcing Security Council resolution 1325 (2000)" was held in Cairo in 2006, where very practical recommendations were approved. Egypt will continue to support Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and will host an international conference on the implementation of the resolution in November this year. This parallels our national efforts and our efforts as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to pay greater attention to the advancement of women and gender equality and to solidifying and enhancing UN Women. This was evident in the establishing of the NAM. First Ladies Summit, which started its activities in 2009 during the NAM. summit at Sharm el-Sheikh, and which held another meeting in Rome early this year to deal with the participation of women on issues of food security. The Secretary-General's report, prepared at the request of the Security Council, contains a set of proposed indicators to track the implementation of the resolution. These indicators, which we believe the Council should approve, should apply only to the situation of women in conflict and post-conflict situations within the scope of application of resolution 1325 (2000). Generalizing these indicators and attempting to impose them as a common basis for reporting by States Members of the Organization, United Nations agencies and institutions would require thorough consideration and approval by the General Assembly as well. Moreover, Egypt strongly believes that any attempt to extend the scope of application of the proposed indicators beyond conflict and post- conflict situations, or any attempt to provide a wider definition of conflict and post-conflict situations would be a clear encroachment by the Security Council on the competence of the General Assembly and would negatively affect the mandate, competence and effectiveness of UN Women, the entity that we all struggled to create to deal effectively with the promotion and protection of all women around the world through ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women. It would also cause clear duplication in the work and activities by legally binding international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other significant documents and instruments, including the Programme of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo in 1994, the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and many other documents. Egypt trusts that the Security Council supports its activities as much as it supports resolution 1325 (2000), and we look forward to continued dialogue between the Security Council and the General Assembly, in a spirit of cooperation and coordination that would ensure the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), along with the enhancement of the role of UN Women and other bodies working to support women's activities.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

Mr. Limeres (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): Argentina wishes to associate itself with the statement made by the Minister of International Cooperation of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. At the outset, Mr. President, I would like to congratulate you on your initiative to convene this open debate. Argentina's participation in peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance missions is among the pillars of its foreign policy. For that reason, as we commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the Argentine Republic wishes to underscore its firm commitment to the role of women in peace and security. Argentina played a dynamic role in the negotiation and adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 1999 and 2000. The resolution brings together two objectives that are part of our national policy with regard to gender and defence: the promotion and protection of the human rights of women, and the inclusion of women in peacekeeping operations. Resolution 1325 (2000), then, reaffirms the important role that women play in the prevention and solution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, underscoring the importance of women's participating on equal footing with men and of their full participation in all initiatives aimed at maintaining and fostering peace and security. In that connection we wish to highlight the policies carried out by our Government in the defence sector. In recent years the Ministry of Defence - under the leadership of a woman, Dr. Nilda Garre - has undertaken a profound process of mainstreaming a gender perspective. That began by granting a voice to female members of our armed forces, which allowed us to diagnose their situation and led to reform that included the repeal of discriminatory resolutions in that sector. That process culminated with the National Plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the defence sector. In 2007 Argentina was selected by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to undertake a pilot programme in the region to disseminate the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). In that framework, the Argentine Foreign Ministry convened an inter-ministerial group on gender and peacekeeping. In 2008 the Foreign Ministry organized, with the support of DPKO and UNIFEM, the first regional workshop for developing a gender policy in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance. That workshop was a valuable contribution that prompted a debate among the countries of our region and the mainstreaming of a gender perspective in public policies in all sectors. To continue making progress towards the objectives set out in resolution 1325 (2000), we wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm some of the commitments taken on by Argentina. First is the implementation of quantitative and qualitative tools to measure and to know in numerical terms - but also strategically - what the situation is with regard to participation of women in peacekeeping operations. On that point it is worth emphasizing that we are planning to publish in March 2011 the results of the surveys undertaken with the contingent deployed in Haiti. It gathers their experience in gender matters prior to deployment and looks at their experience with the effective implementation of a gender perspective during the mission. Another point is continuing to develop a data base that gathers statistics on the voluntary participation of women in peacekeeping operations, including the number of women deployed and their roles in the missions, inter alia. Further, we will move forward with programmes of training on issues of gender and human rights for contingents that are soon to be deployed. That will include developing curricula that consider the gender perspective in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, by integrating both women in the contingents and women in the local population. Finally, in the Argentine National Centre for Joint Training for Peacekeeping Operations, the annual curriculum will include an international seminar on gender and peacekeeping operations, an initiative has no precedent at the international level. I wish to stress the importance that Argentina affords to the systematization of international information on the matter so as to ensure the effective implementation of this standard, which is a valuable guide for ensuring respect for the human rights of women in conflict situations and makes visible the important contribution of the inclusion of the gender perspective in peacebuilding processes. To conclude, my delegation wishes to take this opportunity to once again commend Ms. Michelle Bachelet on her being named to the helm of the new gender entity, UN Women. We wish her the greatest success in her work, and we are convinced that the problems of women and peace and security will gain visibility and will make firm progress under her leadership.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of the Netherlands.

Mr. De Klerk (Netherlands): Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate and for the opportunity to participate in it. My delegation would like to make a few remarks in addition to the European Union statement yet to be delivered. The importance of women's participation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and reconstruction is clearly addressed in the landmark Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Resolution 1325 (2000) has become one of the best-known resolutions the Security Council has adopted. It should become one of the most widely implemented resolutions. Basically, we need to talk to women, to obtain a better understanding and resolution of a conflict. We must protect women, to keep them and their families safe from violence and to keep their communities stable. And we must involve women, to build back a more secure and economically viable society. On 4 December 2007 the Netherlands adopted the Dutch National 1325 Action Plan, relying on a broad support base. The signatories - including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and the Interior, civil society organizations and knowledge institutions - took it upon themselves to jointly make a difference within the field of women, peace and security. As a result of our integrated approach, where diplomacy, defence and development are mutually reinforcing, gender has been fully incorporated in the assessment framework for Dutch contributions to peacekeeping operations. Together, we invested €23 million in 2009 to support women's organizations in fragile States, to promote female leadership and political participation, and to increase gender capacity. An active role for women is essential in interventions aimed at ending conflicts and increasing security, stability and human security globally. But is not enough. We need the partnership of men: male leaders who speak up about the atrocities of sexual violence, male commanders that instruct their uniformed services on how to protect civilians. The Netherlands and Australia will support a United Nations training module on sexual Violence geared towards peacekeepers. We will furthermore support a human rights training package geared towards the Congolese national army. In 2011 we will also continue our joint Foreign Affairs/Defence training on women, peace and security for our own staff. Our second commitment is the Dutch support to the originally Canadian Justice Rapid Response initiative to bring perpetrators to justice. This multilateral standby facility gives United Nations entities and Member States access to a roster of rapidly deployable criminal justice professionals. They will perform human rights and international criminal justice investigations, undertake special political and fact-finding missions and form commissions of inquiry, as well as security sector reform assessments. Criminal investigations and forensic inquiries are of great importance to ending impunity and preventing heinous crimes committed against women in armed conflict. The Netherlands currently has five people at the disposal of the roster of rapidly deployable criminal justice professionals. The Dutch Government has summed up its efforts and results to date in a booklet that will be launched next month, entitled "The Dutch Dos on Women, Peace and Security". Ten years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we can say that more perpetrators of sexual violence are being brought to justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more women are taking part in decision-making processes in the Sudan, and more Afghan women are demanding support in exchange for their votes. These are results we can take pride in. But let us not fool ourselves - there is still a long way to go before the spirit of resolution 1325 (2000) has fully permeated the work of the United Nations, its Member States and civil society. And that is why the Netherlands pleads for strengthened accountability mechanisms for the implementation of our commitments expressed here today. We also believe that defining clear roles and responsibilities for Member States and within the United Nations system would be conducive to stepping up our efforts to reach the goals of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions. We are on the eve of a new decade of promoting women, peace and security. We now have a shared responsibility to implement our joint commitments.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Peru.

Mr. Gutierrez (Peru) (spoke in Spanish): I thank you, Sir, for having convened this open debate on resolution 1325 (2000) and the role of women as it relates to peace and security. I also thank the Secretary- General for having introduced his report (S/2010/498), and the others who have spoken today. I welcome the presence among us of President Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women and a very distinguished representative of Latin America. Resolution 1325 (2000) was a crucial milestone, which we must duly underscore because it was with the adoption of that resolution that this topic took its place on the agenda of the Security Council and was therefore no longer to be considered a matter of secondary importance. Instead, it took on a crucial and relevant role in efforts towards international peace and security. Resolution 1325 (2000) was the starting point for subsequent developments in the Security Council related to this topic, aimed at ensuring the participation of women in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and the fight against sexual violence against women and girls. For this reason, that resolution, together with resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009), has provided the international community with a framework for addressing the needs of women in conflict and post-conflict situations. Ten years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we reiterate that the participation of women must be an integral part of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts. This is the view of my country, which currently has a number of female military observers. However, we wish to broaden the participation of women, and Peru is therefore training female personnel, who we hope will be ready for deployment in the second half of 2011. As indicated by the Secretary-General in his report on women's participation in peacebuilding (S/2010/466), women are decisive agents in the three pillars of lasting peace: economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy. In that regard, we agree with the Secretary-General that the participation of women in peace processes allows for the integration of a gender perspective in post-conflict planning, which is essential to ensuring the participation of women in long-term peacebuilding. On numerous occasions in this Chamber, we have heard truly moving testimony from women victims of sexual violence. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict has stated that this type of Violence is a tactic of war and as such can be planned for and predicted. We cannot allow it in any way to be considered an inevitable consequence of armed conflict. However, I must say, that recent events have unfortunately shown us that the capacity to respond to such acts must be greatly strengthened. As my country has stated on other occasions, a crucial consideration in addressing this problem is having information that would allow us to take preventive measures and to respond swiftly to such situations. We must explore mechanisms that allow for reliable information exchange on acts of sexual violence in order to take measures aimed at reducing and fighting this scourge. It is the View of my delegation that the capacity for such information exchange among United Nations agencies, the various committees of the Security Council and the Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict should be substantially strengthened. Furthermore, it is important for military personnel deployed on the ground to undergo training and awareness-raising to enable them to respond appropriately to situations of sexual violence. We must also bear in mind that, as the Secretary- General recalled, the security of women and girls is not guaranteed once a conflict has come to an end. We must therefore ensure that there is a focus in post-conflict phases on the strengthening of the rule of law that ensures respect for their rights and access to justice. Fighting impunity for gender-based violence is essential in the peacebuilding process, as noted by the Peacebuilding Commission Working Group on Lessons Learned. With regard to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) throughout the United Nations system, the Secretary-General, in a spirit of great transparency, has recognized that the 2008-2009 Action Plan illuminated the fragmentation in implementation initiatives, which requires a comprehensive strategy to ensure that efforts do not go to waste. The indicators that have been presented form, in this respect, the basis for a comprehensive consideration of the progress made by the United Nations system and Member States in the priority areas of prevention, participation, protection, relief and recovery. These clearly reflect the complementary nature of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009). We also agree with the Secretary-General that UN Women could serve as the coordinating body for the follow-up on these indicators. As stated in the Secretary-General's report, resolution 1325 (2000) has played an important role in facilitating the participation of non-governmental organizations, including women's organizations, in promoting women's participation in peace processes. In this regard, we should like to thank the Permanent Missions of Austria, Mexico and the United Kingdom for having convened an Arria Formula meeting on 19 October, which allowed us to learn more about the work being carried out by various organizations on the ground and to gain a better understanding of the scope and challenges of resolution 1325 (2000). Ten years after the adoption of the resolution, we believe that the Security Council should consider a number of the recommendations put forth by the Secretary-General, in particular the possibility of establishing a set of objectives, goals and indicators for the next 10 years, or of creating a working group to follow up on the resolution. We have made progress in recognizing the importance of the participation of women in peace and security. However, there are many challenges that we have yet to tackle, given that this is a matter of changing the lives of women and girls, who have the right to live free from fear and violence, enjoying respect and equal opportunities.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Mr. Sial (Pakistan): My delegation wishes to join others in congratulating the Ugandan presidency for convening this important open debate on women and peace and security as we mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). Pakistan believes that it is an important occasion to assess the progress made by the United Nations in addressing the situation of women in conflict and post-conflict situations. As we gather to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the situation of women and girls in conflict situations remains far from satisfactory. The report of the Secretary-General on the occasion of the tenth anniversary notes that "Despite an apparent firm foundation and promise, 10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), significant achievements are difficult to identify or quantify. The conditions and opportunities that women and girls face in situations of armed conflict continue to be abhorrent" (S/2010/498, para. 3). Resolution 1325 (2000), in addition to other issues, also underscored the desirability of expanding the role and contribution of women in United Nations field-based operations. The Secretary-General has observed in his report that significant progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) has been made in the peacekeeping arena. However, more needs to be done. As the largest troop-contributing country, Pakistan fully recognizes the important role of women in peacekeeping operations. We are proud of our women who have served as police officers, doctors and nurses in difficult and dangerous operations in Africa and the Balkans. Currently, we have 58 women deployed in five peacekeeping missions, including 38 in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. We are willing to deploy even more police women in Darfur subject to the completion of their deployment formalities. We fully support the mainstreaming of the gender perspective in peacekeeping operations and believe that the appointment of gender advisers in the field and at Headquarters has served a useful purpose. We are supportive of all steps that increase the participation of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities. Pakistan is equally conscious of the importance of the gender sensitization of peacekeeping troops and is complying with this important aspect by incorporating the two United Nations standard generic training modules in its training doctrine. We are therefore fully supportive of the efforts of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in developing training materials that could be used in the predeployment and induction training of personnel. We believe that peacekeeping missions must also be provided with adequate resources for the discharge of their mandates. It is unrealistic to expect that they would be able to fulfil their complex mandates without the availability of required resources. The protection of civilians, including women and girls, will remain one of the important mandated tasks and objectives of peacekeeping. However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that only a peaceful and secure environment can ensure protection of civilians and that such conditions can be maintained only by capable and resourceful national authorities. The gender perspective in peacekeeping must be dovetailed with a comprehensive peacebuilding endeavour, factoring in particular requirements of women in post-conflict zone. For long-term peace, economic recovery and social cohesion, women's access to health, education and entrepreneurship is essential. In this context, the Secretary General's report on women's participation in peacebuilding (S/2010/466) candidly puts forth a seven-point action plan. Women's participation in the mediation and policy formulation of various peacebuilding efforts targeted at particular requirements for women can be a force multiplier. However, such action plans should run in harmony with overall peacebuilding strategies, with due regard to broad institutional contexts and strict professionalism. We believe that while the Security Council has come a long way in integrating the issue of women, peace and security into its actions, it needs to demonstrate greater political will while ensuring accountability in the implementation of the resolution.

The President: I give the floor to the representative of Israel.

Mr. Waxman (Israel): I would like to thank you, Sir, for convening this important meeting. I would also like to thank Under-Secretaries-General Michelle Bachelet and Alain Le Roy; Mr. Hamidon Ali, President of the Economic and Social Council; and Ms. Thelma Awori for their presentations, and to recognize the presence of many ministers and Government officials who have travelled great distances to this meeting. The statement made from afar by the Secretary-General is testament to his commitment to this issue. The Council's adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) 10 years ago was a watershed event in the protection of women and girls in conflict. The international community was and should remain proud of this accomplishment. The resolution helped to galvanize Member States' resolve to tackle this issue. In recent years, the Council has adopted several additional resolutions also focused on the intersection of gender and conflict - namely, resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) - and the United Nations has issued a number of reports and studies on the issue. Now, the inclusion of a gender-based perspective is becoming commonplace in peacekeeping missions and their mandates, peacebuilding efforts, and United Nations country teams. In this regard, efforts to increase the number of women in missions' senior leadership and deployed as mission personnel are notable. However, recent events, such as the violations that took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Guinea, starkly highlight the wide gap that remains between the noble aspirations and the level of protection some women receive on the ground. Israel welcomes the development this year of indicators for progress in implementing resolution 1325 (2000). The wide-ranging measurements are the most significant step forward to date in our attempt to determine where the international community and States have been successful, and where we fall short. If these indicators are to be truly useful, however, the information they generate must be used to address shortcomings in a concerted and candid manner in order to ensure that the goals of the resolution are met. The United Nations has a number of effective tools at its disposal to help push forward this objective. The Security Council, for example, could designate consistent leadership within the Council on this issue and consider methods to maintain its engagement in a more comprehensive manner. In addition, the Secretary-General could, in appropriate situations, make greater use of the team of experts to deploy to areas of concern, as allowed for in resolution 1888 (2009). These experts could assist States in strengthening the rule of law, including building judicial capacity and security sector reform. Such efforts would go a long way towards achieving justice for victims and discouraging future abuse. To ensure the meaningful inclusion of women in peacemaking processes and post-conflict reconstruction, some societies will have to experience a seismic shift in gender attitudes on the ground. Although resolution 1325 (2000) and its related resolutions concern gender-based violence and the transition to a post-conflict society, these issues are inextricably linked to the situation of women's rights as a whole. States that ignore this simple fact may be disappointed with the long-term results of their efforts. But if States accept this reality and strive to address it, they are likely to enhance their stability and even economic recovery in the aftermath of conflict. Member States bear a large part of the responsibility for implementing the provisions of 1325 (2000). In the spirit of the resolution, Israel has amended its Women's Equal Rights Law to mandate the inclusion of women in any group appointed to peacebuilding negotiations or working towards conflict resolution. Israel also seeks to assist other countries in their implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Through its international cooperation agency, MASHAV, my Government organizes programmes in women's leadership and capacity-building for women's non-governmental organizations. We believe that the skills learned in these programmes can make a real difference on the ground in post-conflict recovery. Resolution 1325 (2000) is a milestone on the long road to the protection of women in conflict. We should collectively renew our commitment to its provisions. Israel, for its part, rededicates itself to ensuring that it upholds this landmark achievement at home, and stands ready to join hands with any nation, anywhere, to help realize this goal.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Tunisia.

Mr. Ben Lagha (Tunisia): At the outset, I express my thanks to the presidency of Uganda for having convened this important meeting and my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his insightful report on this topic (S/2010/498). My delegation is particularly pleased to participate in this debate on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), a landmark resolution of which Tunisia, as a non-permanent member in 2000, was among the initiators, along with Bangladesh, Namibia, Canada, Jamaica and Mali. Today likewise, my country attaches great importance to this topic and wishes to underscore its strong commitment to the protection of women in conflict and post-conflict situations, as well as to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in all its aspects. Tunisia's interest in this subject arises from its long-standing commitment to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, a strategic choice made by my country upon gaining its independence in 1956 and which has become an integral part of its national development policy. The advanced status enjoyed today by Tunisian women, who hold 30 per cent of decision-making and responsibility positions, is one of the most prominent results of that choice. My country firmly believes that peace, development and democracy cannot be achieved and cannot be sustained without the active involvement of women in public life and in decision-making. The tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) is a propitious occasion to take stock of progress and identify the shortcomings. This resolution laid out the normative framework that has guided United Nations work on gender-mainstreaming policies across a broad spectrum of functions and projects in which the United Nations is engaged. It should be recognized that today there is greater awareness of sexual violence in conflict, as well as an increased focus on addressing it. It has become widely accepted that women have a critically important contribution to make regarding how peace can be achieved and maintained, and therefore women's views are more and more taken into account in the planning and execution of peace processes, peacekeeping operations and post-conflict recovery. The appointments of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Executive Director of the new gender entity, UN Women, to whom we reiterate our full support, are the most recent achievements in this regard. However, despite 10 years of efforts, significant achievements are yet difficult to identify on the ground, to use the Secretary-General's own words. Commitments to the protection of women and girls have fallen short of the pledges made. Women remain deliberate targets of gender-based violence, in particular sexual violence, in many conflict and post- conflict areas, especially in Africa, as was the case recently. These shameful crimes are a reminder that we remain far from meeting the goals set in resolution 1325 (2000). Moreover, women still have little access to decision-making positions. Their participation in peace and security processes remains far below desired levels, and the gender composition of peacekeeping missions is still unbalanced. In short, major gaps in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) remain to be addressed. The tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) is also an occasion to reinvigorate our efforts at the international and national levels. We share the view of the Secretary-General that our efforts need to be channelled through a single coherent and coordinated approach, guided by a clear framework with concrete and specific goals and targets. It should be recognized, however, that national ownership of the resolution is the key approach to ensuring its effective implementation. The prime responsibility to combat the use of rape as a tool of war rests with Member States, as does the responsibility to increase the participation of women in peace operations and peace talks, to protect and promote the rights of women and girls, and to integrate the gender perspective in different policy areas. Member States can make a particularly important contribution to ensuring the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) through the development of national action plans. Capacity-building and adequate funding to implement these plans remain a challenge that need to be addressed. My delegation is pleased to state in this regard that Tunisia is about to finalize and adopt its national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). This plan will, among other things, encourage women's training in peacekeeping and peacebuilding so as to provide qualified personnel who could be deployed in field-based United Nations operations. It will also enhance predeployment training, with particular focus on the special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence. It will also endeavour to contribute to international efforts aimed at raising greater awareness about these issues through the convening of special regional events. Tunisia hosted a regional seminar on this topic in September, which allowed participants from the Western Mediterranean countries to exchange views and national experiences regarding the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Tunisia will further develop the implementation of this resolution as part of its comprehensive approach to gender equality and women's empowerment because we believe that empowering women is a moral imperative. It is also a sound policy and one of the greatest investments that we can make. In conclusion, the tenth anniversary, which coincides with the launching of the African Women's Decade, provides an opportunity to reaffirm the spirit and core message of resolution 1325 (2000) that sustainable peace is achievable only with the full and effective participation of women. We must seize this opportunity to refocus international attention on the aims of the resolution and to galvanize all concerned parties to turn good intentions into concrete action and a tangible reality.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.

Ms. Silveira (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I should like to join the numerous delegations that have taken the floor in congratulating you, Sir, for having convened this debate and in expressing most heartfelt thanks to all those, especially the women, who work every day to promote peace and security in all corners of the world. Since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), great advances have been made on the women and peace and security agenda, in terms of both breadth and depth, in such a way that today it occupies an important place in the range of legal instruments, policies and concrete activities of this Organization in conflict and post-conflict situations. Despite this progress, women and girls undoubtedly continue to be the most vulnerable and most excluded in such situations. Reports from various conflict and post-conflict zones on physical and moral violence against women are a permanent reminder of the enormous gap that exists between our words and agreements in this forum and the reality of life on the ground. However, and while it is impossible to measure it, we are convinced that the gradual and cross-cutting adaptation of the United Nations since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) to address the vulnerability and exclusion of women has averted many ills and promoted the gender perspective in many processes where otherwise this would not have been the case. I should like to underscore a number of points that we believe are worthy of further efforts, such as the need to pay greater attention to the reintegration of Victims whose rights have been seriously violated, in particular in cases of sexual abuse or exploitation; the need to continue fighting against impunity for those responsible for such violations; and the need to take better into account the economic and social dimensions of women's participation in post-conflict situations, with particular emphasis on access to education and employment. In that regard, we understand that the establishment of indicators such as those put forward by the Secretary-General will make a crucial contribution to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of our actions. Uruguay believes that the women and peace and security agenda is a fundamental part of a larger agenda that inextricably links the situation of children in armed conflict and, of course, the protection of civilians in armed conflict. It is therefore essential to make progress in the most coordinated manner possible in order to achieve synergies, avoid duplication of effort and take advantage in the most effective way of the instruments available to the Organization on the ground. Clearly, peacekeeping operations are one of those tools, and a very relevant one. Over the past 11 years, such operations have gradually incorporated civilian protection mandates, giving special attention to women and children. Progress has been significant. However, periodic attacks against civilians, including in mission deployment areas, demonstrate the Organization's limitations in meeting the expectations of both local populations and the international community. Measures that could overcome many of those limitations include clear and predictable strategies tailored to each mission; better coordination with the various actors on the ground, especially with host countries, which have the primary responsibility for protection; and greater material resources, which are absolutely essential. We continue to be committed to development and to the implementation of the agenda for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, paying particular attention on women and children, both through our work at Headquarters and through our Blue Helmets on the ground. We also reiterate the importance of achieving the broadest possible support for that agenda. The high level of participation in today's debate is clear evidence of that. The intrinsic complementarity that exists between participation and protection is probably the main concept at the heart of resolution 1325 (2000), on which so much has been built and developed. It is therefore crucial to continue to promote greater participation by women in the various forums and areas linked to peace processes. In that regard, I should like to conclude by making special mention of the appointment of Ms. Michelle Bachelet at the helm of UN Women. We are certain that with her leadership, that new entity will play a central role in all areas linked with the women and peace and security agenda at the United Nations.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Solomon Islands.

Mr. Beck (Solomon Islands): Let me thank your delegation, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on the follow-up action on resolution 1325 (2000). My delegation also wishes to thank the Secretary-General for his report on women and peace and security (S/2010/498). Before I contribute to this debate in my national capacity, I would like to associate myself with the statement to be made by the representative of Papua New Guinea on behalf of the Pacific small island developing States. The role of women as actors in the search for peaceful settlements of today's conflicts is an indispensable requirement for sustainable peace and development for developing countries, in particular countries such as mine, which is one of the 18 among the 49 least developed countries that are emerging from conflict. During our ethnic conflict, a group of women from multi-ethnic backgrounds gathered under their own initiative to approach and speak to militants on both sides. As mothers, they used their respective cultural norms to draw militants' attention to the social and human consequences of their actions. In so doing, they gained their trust and confidence in order to provide essential items across conflict lines. Mine is a country of more than half a million people who speak some 87 different languages. For the past seven years, Solomon Islands has been assisted by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The Mission is made up of Pacific neighbours, led by Australia and strongly supported by New Zealand. RAMSI has provided us space and support to promote and implement resolution 1325 (2000) nationally and throughout the Government. In that respect, Solomon Islands has restructured its State security institution. For the first time in our young history, we have more women in our police force. The police force has also established a unit to deal with post-conflict sexual and gender-based violence, in coordination with other line ministries and staffed with officers trained in gender sensitivity and human rights. On the issue of mainstreaming gender funding within the Government system, that is a work in progress. I am pleased to say that baseline data have been established, allowing small women's machinery in the country to develop strategies to enhance gender capacity within the national system. Having said that, the challenge ahead is huge. The social-system structures, institutions and values of Solomon Islands are centred on our natural resources. Eighty per cent of Solomon Islands land is customarily owned and undocumented. Traditional land operates under three land-tenure systems: matrilineal, patrilineal and chiefly. To localize resolution 1325 (2000) in small island developing States, we must look at the challenges women face on a daily basis, in particular the impact of climate change, which is now a threat multiplier. Climate change has induced population relocations and is uprooting populations from low-lying islands to higher ones. People leave their ancestral land and move into other land-tenure systems. If not well managed, that will create another time bomb, as land allocated to relocated populations is fixed and suffers from overuse for agricultural production. It is a matter of time before we see displaced populations entering customary lands, which will trigger future hot spots of conflict. The frequency of natural disasters has created food insecurity for women and has, to some extent, disempowered them, as their land is swallowed up by the rising sea. Water insecurity is forcing mothers to make difficult choices, including having to spend more time seeking food to put on the table and neglecting children and not sending them to school. Equipping Solomon Islands women with technologies for storing traditional crops will better prepare them to manage the frequent disasters they face. On the issue of governance, Solomon Islands adopted a political system - the Westminster system - that does not recognize the traditional decision-making role of women in tribal societies. Women's traditional role gets subsumed in the modern decision making- process, which further weakens the power base of women in their traditional setting. I am pleased to say that Solomon Islands has not shied away from looking at the issue of gender representation in our national Parliament. An ambitious plan for temporary measures to advance women's participation was launched last year. However, it did not receive enough support and needed more consultation. We hope that it will receive attention over time. The initiative did generate a tsunami of interest, and we have an ongoing conversation on it. I merely mention that because women in our part of the globe live and operate in two worlds, the traditional and the modern world. Solomon Islands has adopted various conflict- prevention mechanisms in an effort to prevent the country from sliding back into conflict. The South African model of a truth and reconciliation commission is operating, allowing Victims to seek justice and offenders forgiveness. The Government is looking at the notion of complementing that with a forgiveness bill to bring about a process for former militants who seek reconciliation with society. The challenges faced by my country in implementing resolution 1325 (2000) include the establishment of a gender early warning system. However, it was project-driven, and the initiative slowed when the project ended. It is important that, whatever gender-related activities are carried out, it is done on a sustainable way and established within existing gender institutions, in particular faith-based women's groups that are rural-based, community- focused and meet frequently. Secondly, there needs to be a shift in approach by the United Nations in supporting the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), away from a one-size-fits-all approach of over-regionalizing issues while disregarding the varying levels of development within Pacific small island developing States and country- specific development needs. In that respect, over the years, Solomon Islands has continued to call for upgrading the United Nations presence in our country, as we are currently managed from a regional office abroad. Thirdly, it is important that the multilateral system work for small countries. Too often, we see that we are too small for the global system to work for us. In conclusion, Solomon Islands joins others in welcoming the operationalization of UN Women, looks forward to working with the new gender entity and reaffirms its commitment to resolution 1325 (2000).

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of El Salvador.

Mr. Garcia Gonzalez (El Salvador) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to express my delegation's thanks for your timely initiative, Mr. President, to convene this open Security Council debate to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. This initiative under Uganda's presidency this month accurately reflects the relevance of this question for developing countries. I take this opportunity to welcome the presence of Under-Secretary-General Michelle Bachelet here today and reiterate our congratulations for her appointment as the head of UN Women. We wish her every success in her work and assure her of our cooperation in fulfilling her mandate. The Government of El Salvador acknowledges and values the progress made thus far, both by the international community as a whole and by Member States in particular, in reaffirming the important role of women in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding. These efforts also reaffirm the need for women to participate on an equal footing and to be fully involved in all initiatives aimed at maintaining and promoting peace and security, as well as the importance of increasing their participation in decision-making processes for conflict prevention and resolution. El Salvador welcomes the evolution of this historic resolution and the subsequent adoption by the Council of resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1882 (2009) on the prevention and response to sexual violence in conflicts and resolution 1888 (2009) on the participation of women in peacebuilding. We see those resolutions as crucial elements for confronting the challenges and obstacles to the full participation of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts as well as in public life after conflict. El Salvador acknowledges and welcomes the important contribution made by the Peacebuilding Commission to efforts to promote and strengthen the participation of women in peacebuilding following conflict. We also welcome the efforts made on a daily basis by civil society organizations, especially women's movements, aimed at incorporating the gender perspective in peacekeeping operations. We hope for an increase in women's representation at all levels of institutional decision-making, as well as in national, regional and international mechanisms, to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts through a renewed effort aimed at encouraging concrete action that promotes a more strategic and systematic approach to this important question. El Salvador, as a troop-contributing country, is making a significant contribution, relatively speaking, to peacekeeping operations in terms of members of its armed forces and the national civil police force. At the same time, we are also endeavouring to promote the gender perspective and the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) within those national institutions. In addition, through the El Salvador Institute for the Advancement of Women, we are promoting a strategic re-alignment, as of 1 June 2009, to bring about a society with full gender equality by reducing the gender gap and by combating all forms of violence against women. In that regard, we have drawn up and are implementing the second national policy for women, which includes the priorities of the five-year development plan and the lessons learned from the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in the framework of our previous national policy for women. To conclude, allow me to share the following thoughts with Council members. In our view, the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) presents a valuable opportunity to establish a bridge between the Security Council and the General Assembly in terms of the participation and inclusion of women in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding. It is now time for comprehensive cooperation between these main bodies of the United Nations on this question, for the benefit of women, girls and all the peoples of the world.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

Mr. Kleib (Indonesia): Let me begin by joining others in expressing our appreciation to you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate marking a decade of our efforts with regard to implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). I also thank the Secretary- General for providing us with his important report (S/2010/498). The participation of several ministers, high-level officials and distinguished speakers in this debate clearly reflects the global commitment to enhancing the role of women at all stages of peace and conflict resolution processes. Our debate comes at a timely juncture, with the recent establishment of UN Women and appointment of Ms. Bachelet, who joined us today for the debate, as its first Under-Secretary-General. Let me reaffirm Indonesia's support for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. That resolution was the culmination of the growing realization of women's diverse roles in and contribution to conflict resolution and building peace. It has been an important complement to the range of international frameworks on women, including the Beijing Platform for Action, which addresses, among other things, women and armed conflict as one of the areas for action. The resolution has galvanized efforts by Member States, the United Nations system and civil society organizations, thus making it one of the most translated resolutions of the Security Council. For the ten years following its adoption, the Security Council's attention towards women's participation in peace processes and the elimination of sexual violence in armed conflict has been unwavering. The adoption of resolution 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009), as well as the appointment of Margot Wallstrom as the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict testify to the Council's deep commitment. Furthermore, Indonesia also takes note of the activities by the United Nations system to implement resolution 1325 (2000) through the System-wide Action Plan, which covers the five pillars of the resolution. Commendable efforts have been made through the Plan. However, as reflected in the Secretary-General's report, despite the increasing number and intensity of activities to implement resolution 1325 (2000), progress has remained slow, fragmented and without clear direction, lacking time- bound goals and targets. The recently established UN Women will, we hope, therefore contribute to enhancing coherence and coordination in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Noting that the resolution has galvanized important efforts at all levels on women, peace and security, it is important for the Council to continue making efforts to ensure its effective implementation. The international community has every interest in ensuring the full involvement of women in all stages of the peace process, peacekeeping and peacebuilding: women as peacemakers, women as peacekeepers and women as peacebuilders. In an era when opportunities and knowledge abound, we find that women's potential contributions to conflict resolution processes have not been adequately harnessed. That represents an enormous deficit in our common efforts. Excluding or omitting women's participation in conflict resolution processes weakens efforts to increase representation by major stakeholders to achieve sustainable peace based on inclusion of all perspectives. Thus, widening the opportunity for women's participation at various stages of peace and conflict resolution processes demands our continued full support. The Council's adoption of the presidential statement (S/PRST/2010/22) today marks an important step to enhance the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Looking forward, the Council has recognized the need to implement resolution 1325 (2000) more consistently. One of the areas underlined is the need for timely and systematic reporting on women and peace and security issues. The Secretary-General's recommendation to track the implementation of the resolution based on a set of indicators was discussed in a previous debate in April (see S/PV.6302). We take note of the consultations held by the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women with all geographic groups to develop the indicators. Bearing in mind the Secretary- General's notation that the indicators will be operational in two years, we encourage continued consultations with all Member States on their practical application. It is important to take into account the specificities of relevant countries. In order to ensure the United Nations readiness to apply the indicators in the future, efforts must be made to develop working methods within the United Nations system. To conclude, let me reiterate that the responsibility to implement relevant Security Council resolutions with a view to enhancing women's participation in peace processes, including the protection of women, rests primarily with the respective Governments. Therefore, achieving sustainable progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) requires national ownership, along with adequate capacity and resources. It is also imperative to take into consideration the specific needs and conditions of each respective country. For this reason, the support of the international community, including civil society networks, continues to be important to achieving this noble goal.

The President: I shall now give the floor to the representative of Australia.

Mr. Quinlan (Australia): I thank you, Sir, for convening this very necessary discussion. As we all know, women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of conflict, but can be very powerful in ending it. Durable peace requires the specific needs of women and girls to be addressed. We must recognize women as potent agents of peace. This tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) obviously provides an opportunity to review what we have done well over the past decade, to look ahead and, more importantly, to see what more can be done, must be done and how it can be done better. We have achieved much over the past 10 years, but nowhere near enough. Over 20 countries have finalized national action plans on women, peace and security. Many more, including Australia, are currently developing plans. We should not underestimate the importance of those plans. They encapsulate political will. They set out concrete steps that countries will take to translate the ideals of resolution 1325 (2000) into action. They are, in fact, a meaningful and practical way to achieve progress on the ground. We have seen some improvements in the capacity of women at the local level to engage in peace processes that affect them. For its part, Australia continues to be active in this field. In our own immediate region, we have supported women who are themselves mobilizing in Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Fiji, Tonga and elsewhere to end conflict and foster peace and reconciliation in their own communities. The narrative a few moments ago from the Permanent Representative of Solomon Islands is encouraging testimony to what can be done, but of course equally a stark statement of how hard the actual task is. Australia certainly will continue to work with United Nations partners, civil society and national Governments to ensure that women in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere play a central role in peacemaking. The past year witnessed a rapid rise in the collective will to address sexual violence in conflict, although such Violence continues abhorrently. Resolution 1888 (2009) did break important new ground. We welcome the appointment of Margot Wallstrom as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Her views on how the United Nations system could improve its handling of the protection of civilians in this area should be considered very carefully. Despite the achievements - limited though they are in some areas - of the past decade, there is widespread recognition that much more remains to be done to realize the promise of resolution 1325 (2000). Ten years on, far too many gaps remain. Resolution 1325 (2000) still needs to be addressed in a comprehensive and strategic way. Although many activities have been undertaken over the past 10 years, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of these initiatives is yet to be conducted. To do so will require data. That data will need to be assessed against reliable and relevant indicators to evaluate results, determine the impact and identify best practices and lessons learned. That must then form the basis for new and effective policy responses. We welcome the comprehensive set of indicators developed for use at the global, regional and national levels to track implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as outlined in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/498), and we would ask the Security Council to endorse those indicators and put them to use, particularly where they are relevant to the Council's work. The indicators should be deployed by all relevant parts of the United Nations system to collect data and inform policy and programmatic responses, particularly at the country level. They should also be used as one method to inform policy at the national level. The recent mass rapes in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo obviously highlight to all of us the challenges still faced in ensuring that sexual violence in conflict is addressed comprehensively throughout the entire United Nations system, particularly as part of United Nations peacekeeping operations. There remains a gap between our collective expectations of what the United Nations system should be able to do and the actual capacity of peacekeepers on the ground. Operational guidance, training and resources need to be provided to mission leadership and peacekeepers so that they are prepared to take action in response to threats against civilians. Australia was pleased to support the joint analytical inventory developed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, under the auspices of the inter-agency network United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The inventory was released this year. It is a key tool for the United Nations to use in improving its ability to protect civilians from sexual violence in conflict as a part of peacekeeping operations. We are committed to working with our United Nations partners to fully operationalize this tool, including by incorporating it into predeployment training for peacekeepers. I am also pleased to announce that Australia will fund the roll-out of the scenario-based training materials for peacekeepers to prevent and respond to sexual violence. We will also continue our funding to the Gender Standby Capacity and the Protection Standby Capacity Project to better ensure that the broader protection needs of women are addressed in humanitarian crises. The establishment of UN Women provides real opportunities to move forward on women, peace and security. We commend Ms. Bachelet's commitment to this goal and are of course ready to support her efforts. Effective and tailored in-country programmes, formulated on the basis of data analysed against the global indicators, will be essential. We look forward to UN Women working with all relevant partners to develop a comprehensive framework to guide the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). To conclude, we know that our common resolve to take effective action on women, peace and security must not abate with this tenth anniversary. Australia will continue to work with others on how best to improve our collective response in this critical and vital area. We all have an irreducible obligation to do much better than we are doing.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Croatia.

Mr. Vilovic' (Croatia): Let me begin by extending our congratulations to you, Mr. President, and your delegation on your presidency of the Security Council for the month of October, and by assuring you of the full support of my delegation. I also thank you and your delegation for initiating this meeting and bringing the Council together to discuss an issue that is critically important to the Republic of Croatia and, surely, to all nations. Allow me to extend a warm welcome to Ms. Michelle Bachelet and wish her success in her future work as the first Executive Director of the newly established gender entity, UN Women, and Under- Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Given her high political stature and experience, we deem that Ms. Bachelet will enhance the gender equality agenda and that UN Women will grow into the principal voice for gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women. Croatia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Belgium on behalf of the European Union. Here, I would like to make additional remarks in my national capacity. The adoption by the Security Council of resolution 1325 (2000) bears testimony to the progress made during the past decade in the area of women and peace and security. This historic resolution has focused much-needed attention on the question of women's empowerment, which represents a priority for my country. While all the resolutions on women and peace and security are equally important, resolution 1325 (2000) serves as an umbrella resolution in addressing women's empowerment, their task as peacebuilders and their fragile position as victims of war. The Republic of Croatia welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of this landmark resolution (S/2010/498), the recommendations contained therein, as well as the presidential statement adopted by the Council today(S/PRST/2010/22). We call upon the Security Council to endorse the indicators developed by the Secretary-General as soon as possible. The commitments set forth by the resolution are commendable, but translating words into action is the only way of resolving the remaining issues - and the issues are many. As numerous situations on the agenda of this Council have shown, women still have a long way to go in order to fulfil their empowerment goals as well as to fully realize their human rights, both in times of war and peace. The empowerment of women is imperative to the full achievement of human rights, as well as to overall economic and political development and progress. Although women are widely recognized as effective agents of peace, they still have little access to decision-making positions and peace negotiations. More should be done. Armed conflicts continue to have a devastating impact on women and girls and are often accompanied by gender-based violence, including the increasing scale and brutality of sexual violence, often used as a means of war. Impunity for such acts of violence against women is still prevalent and the prosecution rate very low. Even on Croatian territory, in the heart of Europe, rape was used as a method of intimidation and terror during the aggression to which Croatia was exposed in the early 19905. We are fully aware of the role both the Security Council and the international community can play in addressing sexual violence against women and girls, especially when used by political or military leaders as a means of achieving political or military objectives. We believe that the Security Council needs to provide strong and effective leadership on this issue, including by taking concrete action when necessary, with the ultimate aim of eradicating this abhorrent behaviour. Such acts of violence demand further action by the Security Council to strengthen the rule of law and to end impunity. They need to be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators brought to account, and it is therefore imperative for the International Criminal Court, as well as national courts, to be the last instance of justice for the victims and a reminder that there can be no tolerance for the crime of rape. We are pleased to see that progress has been made in several areas and that the United Nations system continues to engage in a wide range of good practices. We encourage the strengthening of the coordination among United Nations agencies both at Headquarters and in the field, especially in monitoring and reporting on situations where parties to armed conflict engage in rape and other sexual violence as a means of war. Nevertheless, more consistent and comprehensive reporting on sexual violence would enable the Council to address the protection of women and children in a more systematic manner, whereas the Council should include specific reporting requirements in resolutions establishing or renewing mandates. More needs to be done also at the national level. The integration of the resolution has to be country- driven, and Member States need to take responsibility for its success by ensuring that it is integrated into national policies. We urge countries to apply a broad gender-mainstreaming approach across Government, for instance through a system-wide approach that links development, humanitarian and defence issues. All plans should include civil society consultations, as well as monitoring and reporting mechanisms. I am pleased to say that Croatia has taken steps to integrate the gender perspective into its national security policy through its national strategy for the promotion of gender equality, and is currently developing its national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), which is expected to be adopted in 2011. Under the leadership of its first female Prime Minister, Croatia will continue to give its firm support to all areas of the women and peace and security agenda. We see it as a gender-based peace agenda that involves addressing the disproportionate effect of conflict on women and combating sexual violence. It is also about securing the full, equal and effective participation of women at all stages of the peace process, giving them an equal role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in peacebuilding. The realization of these goals is essential to safeguarding basic human rights and achieving human security and lasting peace.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Afghanistan.

Mr. Tanin (Afghanistan): I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important and historic debate on women and peace and security. On behalf of my delegation, I commend you on your able leadership of the Council this month. We welcome not only the Secretary-General's extensive report (S/2010/498) before us, but also the Secretary- General's first cross-cutting report on women and peace and security (S/2010/173). On the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), it is important to take a step back to gain a more global perspective and to celebrate how far we have come, as well as to recognize areas for improvement in terms of the participation and protection of women in situations of conflict. These have been 10 years of overwhelmingly strong consensus around the resolution. During this time, my country has emerged from decades of suffering to achieve major progress for women. We now work in solidarity with the international community to eliminate the deeply rooted tragedy of the disproportionate effects of conflict on women and to highlight the crucial role of women's leadership in the peace process. The Afghan people have suffered immensely for more than 30 years under foreign invasions, civil wars and Taliban rule. In the 1990s, Afghan women were the targets of brutality and widespread violence, including gender-based violence and oppression. The Taliban completely removed women from all aspects of public life, depriving them of such fundamental rights as education and participation in both the economic and political sectors. The enemies of women's rights remain strong in their efforts. They misrepresent Afghan traditions, using their own interpretations of Islam to justify their actions. Since 2001 Afghanistan has made considerable progress in the advancement of women. The Government of Afghanistan has committed its energy and resources to strengthening the rights of women and improving their role in all aspects of political, social, cultural and economic life, as shown through our National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan. The voices of Afghan women have been increasingly amplified by our growing, vibrant civil society and the active presence of women in the media. Key areas of success for the improvement of the lives of women have been in the spheres of political participation, education and health. As we finalize the results of our second parliamentary election, we recall that, last month, millions of Afghans went to the polls to make their voice heard. In those recent elections, 406 out of 2,556 candidates were women. That compares with 328 women candidates in 2005, and ensures that women will fill at least all the 68 seats, or 25 per cent, allocated for women and will likely win additional seats. Women will fill at least a quarter of the Afghan parliament, nearing our Millennium Development Goal of 30 per cent, and will make up 18 per cent of Government employees. There are now over 1,000 women in the Afghan National Security Forces. We plan to increase the number of women in the Afghan National Police to over 5,000 in the next five years. The presence of women in those crucial positions has had a significant impact. We are proud of their resilience and bravery in protecting our population. Remarkable progress has been made in terms of the number of women and girls at all levels of education and the increased literacy ratio of girls to boys. Around 37 per cent of the 7 million students in Afghanistan are female. Today, Afghan boys and girls have equal access to education. We must continue our efforts to teach girls to read and to provide more accessible schooling for women and girls, particularly in rural areas. Furthermore, by providing basic health services to nearly 90 per cent of our population, in Afghanistan, health care has improved tremendously for both men and women. That sector also provides employment opportunities for women, as over 20 per cent of doctors and half of the health-care workers in Afghanistan are women. The commitment of the Government of Afghanistan and the support of the international community have been crucial factors in our achievements regarding women in the past decade. During the London and Kabul Conferences, in January and July of this year, we reaffirmed our commitment to protecting the rights of women. As the country moves towards seeking a new political framework for peace and reconciliation, it is vital to make sure that those achievements are sustained and that the rights of women are protected in the future. While we consider the peace talks to be an important part of our shared stabilization efforts, the human rights and women's rights enshrined in our Constitution are non-negotiable. Today, I can affirm that women's rights will remain a priority in all peace talks and at every single step of the reconciliation process. We see our reconciliation process as the way to end violence for all Afghan people, including women. The representation of women in the Afghan Peace Jirga in June 2010 and the inclusion of 10 women representatives in the newly established High Peace Council are important steps in efforts to guarantee the active involvement of women in the peace process and facilitate reconciliation talks with those who are willing to renounce violence. At the 10-year mark, as we reflect on the successes and challenges of resolution 1325 (2000), we welcome the Secretary-General's report of 28 September 2010 (S/2010/498), which suggests clear, revised indicators for measuring the success of that resolution. We now have an extremely useful set of tools, which must be implemented in order to gauge our impact in that area going forward. We must revisit the original goals and objectives of resolution 1325 (2000) in order to strengthen the monitoring process, address potential gaps and learn from one another's best practices. We are appreciative of the crucial role of the international community and thank the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for its support of all national efforts towards improving the situation of women in Afghanistan. We extend our gratitude to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) for engaging women's groups to support the efforts of authorities to improve the investigation of sexual violence, thus strengthening the capacity of communities to prevent such horrendous acts. We are committed to further working with UNIFEM. in completing our report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in the near future. We also appreciate the roles of all United Nations bodies, such as UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Population Fund, for their efforts towards improving the lives of women in Afghanistan. We have high expectations for the work of UN Women and support the development of a strong relationship with that institution going forward. Resolution 1325 (2000) is not just about rescuing women, nor jus about helping women who are struggling to overcome conflict, but about recognizing the unique role of women as peacemakers and creating opportunities for women to excel in leadership roles. What better place in the world than Afghanistan to demonstrate the importance of that issue. Afghan women are not damsels in distress. They have been victimized, but they are not helpless victims. They have their own ideas about the needs of women in their country and must be listened to and supported on their paths to self-empowerment. Honouring resolution 1325 (2000) and the subsequent resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) is not only a commitment on the part of the Afghan Government, but a necessity. While women are generally the first to be affected by conflict, let us all look forward to witnessing women as the first beneficiaries of peace.

The President: I shall now give the floor to the representative of Palestine.

Mr. Mansour (Palestine): Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), unanimously adopted on 31 October 2000, is considered the most significant legal and political document in the advancement of the role of women in the fields of peace and security. It was welcomed by women worldwide, particularly women in situations of armed conflict and women living under foreign occupation, as it was seen as an essential tool for their protection and empowerment. Indeed, resolution 1325 (2000) not only provides tools to strengthen women's capacity and promote gender equality, but also addresses the impact of armed conflict and war on women, calling for measures to be taken by the international community, including the Security Council, to protect them in times of conflict, post conflict and peace. It is also important to recall that the Council expressed concern that civilians, mainly women and children, account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict, and it reaffirmed the need to fully implement international humanitarian and human rights law for the protection of the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts. The importance of resolution 1325 (2000) for Palestinian women stems from its content and direct applicability to their unique situation. On one hand, it provides a framework for their protection against the crimes committed by Israel, the occupying Power, while, on the other, it recommends the means to strengthen their role in the decision-making process, including in terms of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Regrettably, however, women's hopes for more tangible improvements in their daily lives have not been realized. A review of indicators regarding the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) shows that little progress has been achieved and that major gaps remain between the objectives of the resolution and their attainment. In this context, we share the assessment made by the Secretary-General in his report, in which he stated: "Despite an apparent firm foundation and promise, 10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), significant achievements are difficult to identify or quantify. The conditions that women and girls face in situations of armed conflict continue to be abhorrent and effective methods for monitoring their impact are lacking." (S/2010/498, para. 3) This regrettable fact is extremely tragic in the case of Palestinian women. Their situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, remains one of a dire humanitarian crisis that has impacted all aspects of their daily lives, causing extensive suffering, misery and loss. Indeed, the vast toll of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian women cannot be overemphasized; nor can the impact of Israel's systematic human rights violations against Palestinian women and their families. This now 43-year Israeli military occupation has caused innumerable hardships and challenges for Palestinian women, which require the international community, in line with resolution 1325 (2000) and other relevant resolutions, to exert greater efforts to finally bring an end to this deplorable situation. Moreover, in the context of today's debate, we believe it is appropriate to call once again upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for all the crimes committed against Palestinian women and to end its impunity. A recent, tragic example of the international community, mainly the Security Council, failing to protect Palestinian women came during and after the latest Israeli war of aggression against the Gaza Strip, with its traumatizing impact on women and children. That failure shows the extent to which resolution 1325 (2000) has been totally ignored and breached by the occupying Power without any accountability. In this regard, we continue to witness unbearable human suffering in the Gaza Strip as a result of that aggression, in which more than 1,400 civilians were brutally killed, including hundreds of innocent women and children, and 5,500 other civilians were injured. This, along with the widespread destruction of Palestinian property and infrastructure and gross violations of human rights committed against the Palestinian civilian population by the occupying Power, has compounded the dire consequences that the illegal, inhumane Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip has had on the population, with severe poverty, unemployment and rampant hardship gravely impacting the socio-economic and psychological conditions of Palestinian women. At the same time, living conditions in the West Bank remain intolerable, in particular as a result of Israel's ongoing seizure and colonization of Palestinian land, particularly in and around East Jerusalem, for the construction and expansion of illegal settlements and the apartheid annexation wall, as well as ongoing home demolitions and evictions, resulting in the continued dispossession and displacement of Palestinian women and their families, obstruction of freedom of movement and acts of terror and Violence by Israeli settlers against innocent Palestinian civilians. Those and countless other Israeli Violations, together with the constant humiliation of the Palestinian population, continue to have vicious consequences on the advancement and empowerment of Palestinian women. In conclusion, as we observe the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), let us renew our commitment to action and shoulder our responsibility to take more effective measures to fully implement this important legislation by the Security Council. Let us move forward on our commitment to end all types of violence against women, protect them from the scourge of war and advance their participation at the highest level, for these are surely key components of peace and security in our world.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Mr. Sefue (United Republic of Tanzania): Let me begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to the delegation of Uganda for organizing this open debate. The tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) provides us with an opportunity to further reaffirm the indispensable role of women in conflict prevention and resolution and peacebuilding. My delegation associates itself with the statements made by the representative of Namibia on behalf of States members of the Southern African Development Community and by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. We thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2010/498). The set of indicators annexed to the report provides a good and objective basis for monitoring the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). It is our hope that the Council will endorse those indicators. As an equal component of any society, women should have equal and active participation in formulating political, economic and social policies. Equally, as victims of exclusion, as vulnerable targets in conflicts and as mothers and breadwinners, women have high stakes in conflict prevention and resolution, and in all issues related to peace and security. Yet, in the name of tradition, in the name of culture and sometimes even in the name of security, women have continued to be excluded, and too often they have been set aside while men brokered peace agreements. We are encouraged, therefore, that more and more women are challenging this viewpoint and are increasingly demanding involvement as stakeholders in their communities. Their potential as peacebuilders must now be harnessed. We have to make concerted efforts to support and strengthen the capacities of women and their networks to actively participate in all processes of conflict prevention and management, as well as in peacebuilding and peace consolidation. In this regard, we commend the efforts that have been undertaken by various stakeholders, in particular the United Nations system, civil society and various national political leaders, in promoting the participation of women in peacebuilding and peace consolidation processes. The adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) was an important milestone in empowering women in the critical areas of peace and security, where women have often been deliberate targets and silent Victims of violent conflicts. The effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is therefore a necessity. In this regard we wish to emphasize the following points. First, there is a need to create more awareness and to provide technical support for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions, such as 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009), specifically in national gender machineries, foreign affairs ministries, the judiciary and the army. Secondly, women's participation in peace processes and post-conflict planning should be routine, predictable and mandatory. Such participation must now be the norm, not tokenism. Thirdly, women's political and economic empowerment and the promotion and protection of women's and girls' rights are critical for promoting women's participation in conflict prevention, post-conflict activities and gender mainstreaming in post-conflict strategies. More funds should now be provided in this regard, including to ensure that women have access to quality education, to capacity-building through entrepreneurship and to economic opportunity. Fourthly, support for post-conflict countries should include reform of their justice systems and security sectors to ensure that there is a credible and supportive environment for the participation and protection of women. Fifthly, impunity for all those who abuse women and girls and violate their human rights, as well as for those who commission such acts, must cease forthwith. These persons must be speedily brought to justice. Sixthly, we must support UN Women, which is well placed to coordinate the various actors within the United Nations system and bring coherence to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Allow me to conclude by encouraging the Security Council to continue to be seized of this matter.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Nepal.

Mr. Rai (Nepal): My delegation wishes to express its sincere appreciation to you, Mr. President, for organizing this important open debate on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. Resolution 1325 (2000) was a landmark in the efforts to inject the perspectives of women and gender into every aspect of the peace process, peacekeeping operations, rehabilitation and reintegration, and governance structures in the aftermath of conflict. The resolution has been vital not only for promoting gender equality within United Nations activities while addressing issues related to conflict, peace and security, but also to efforts to encourage Member States to mainstream a gender perspective in the areas of peace, security and the post-conflict reconstruction of nations. As we commemorate the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), it is quite pertinent to take stock of our achievements, identify shortcomings and exchange views and experiences relevant to our future courses of action on the effective implementation of the resolution. This debate could serve as an opportunity to gather pragmatic input, experiences and policy suggestions. We are appreciative of the various notable efforts in a broad range of areas that the United Nations system, Member States, civil society and other actors have made towards implementing resolution 1325 (2000). But there are many areas in which our concerted efforts are still much needed. My delegation wishes to see an increased number of women in high-ranking positions in the United Nations system, as well as peacekeepers in the field. My Government attaches great importance to resolution 1325 (2000), and we are in the final stage of preparing our national action plan for the effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). As a nation emerging from conflict and moving towards lasting peace, stability and prosperity, Nepal is fully aware of the benefits of effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Our national action plan is structured around five pillars: participation, protection and prevention, promotion, relief and recovery, and monitoring and evaluation. As enshrined in its interim Constitution, Nepal is committed to setting aside 33 per cent of seats in Parliament for women. We are also committed to continuing an affirmative action policy in our civil service with a view to bringing women into the decision-making levels of the public sector. We are also committed to increasing women's participation in our army and police forces. The Government of Nepal has adopted various measures to fight gender-related violence, establishing a toll-free hotline in the Office of the Prime Minister, a gender violence prevention fund, and gender violence control committees in every district in the country. We have also set up local peace committees in every district - empowered to address conflict at the local level and to mediate between conflicting parties - with at least 33 per cent participation by women. We are committed to establishing women's and children's service centres in police stations across the country for the expeditious investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-related violence cases. Women cannot be the silent bearers of the pain and sorrows of conflict, with all of the psychosocial trauma and stigmatization that implies. They are peacemakers and the very foundation of social cohesion and integration. They are an inherent part of the reconstruction and rebuilding of our country. The time has come to consolidate and redouble our efforts to enhance women's involvement in peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding by putting resolution 1325 (2000) into practice.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Fiji.

Mr. Thomson (Fiji): At the outset, the Fiji delegation wishes to salute you personally, Mr. President, and your Government, and to convey our gratitude for your convening this important event. At the same time, we thank the Secretary-General for his most comprehensive report (S/2010/498). Fiji associates itself with the statement to be delivered this evening by the representative of Papua New Guinea on behalf of the Pacific small island developing States (SIDS). For the purposes of this event, we first wish to comment on the pronouncement, highlighted in the Secretary-General's report, that in the 10 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), its overall implementation has been slow. Undoubtedly, progress has been made, but much work remains to be done in implementing the resolution and assessing the progress of individual countries. On a more positive note, we welcome with appreciation the initiative of the Security Council and the work carried out by the Secretary-General in establishing the set of indicators, which will not only track the implementation of the resolution, but also serve as a guide for all Member States in their efforts to achieve its goals. We believe that such universal indicators can be used to full advantage only if national frameworks and policies are put in place to implement the various thematic areas of the resolution. This belief is based on the fact that the slow rates of overall implementation of the resolution derive from the difficulties faced by many countries in linking and incorporating its relevant principles into practical Government policies. It is for this reason that the Pacific SIDs are of the view that the first important step for us to take is to develop a regional framework that incorporates the principles of the resolution, with clear policy guidelines on its application to our unique national and regional characteristics. We believe that this will provide the impetus to accelerate the implementation process in the Pacific. Consequently, the Fiji delegation reiterates the Pacific SIDs' request for the United Nations to support the convening of a regional high-level meeting to develop and adopt a regional action plan on women and peace and security in order to support implementation of the resolution at the regional and country levels. In addition, with the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, we are hopeful that it will also play an active role in providing the expertise and advice the region requires. Fiji is fully committed to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). This commitment is exemplified in our continuing efforts to meet the goals set out in the four broad thematic areas of the United Nations System-wide Action Plan. In the area of participation, our policies strongly encourage the recruitment of women in our security forces and their deployment, with equal opportunities, to peacekeeping missions. We support the global effort to increase the participation of women in United Nations police peacekeeping roles to 20 per cent by 2014. We encourage the provision of pre- and post-deployment training of our peacekeepers and welcome further assistance and expertise in this aspect of training. Furthermore, we support the participation and representation of women at all levels of decision- making. In our consultations and interactions with civil society and the public, we are fortunate to have femLINKpacific, a Fiji-based non-governmental organization that specifically deals with resolution 1325 (2000). We also welcome the appointment of its coordinator to the United Nations Civil Society Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security. The Fiji Government promotes the enhancement of efforts to collaborate with the expertise and experience of women's civil society, with a View to enhancing the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) at the national level. We consider this event to be an important opportunity to take stock of achievements, best practices and lessons learned. It is an important step towards achieving the intent of the resolution. To this end, we look forward to further exchanges of best practices from other countries and regions on resolution 1325 (2000) and call for the support of the United Nations system in assisting Fiji and Pacific SIDS in the implementation of that resolution.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Papua New Guinea.

Mr. Aisi (Papua New Guinea): I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Pacific small island developing States (Pacific SIDS) represented at the United Nations, namely, Fiji, whose representative has just spoken, Nauru, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and my own country, Papua New Guinea. I wish to thank you, Mr. President, and your delegation for convening this important event. I would also like to acknowledge Ms. Bachelet's presence amongst us this evening. The Pacific SIDS are committed to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We welcome the launch earlier this month of the Regional 10-60385 Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security in Asia-Pacific by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The Advisory Group will advise and support Governments, civil society and other relevant players on the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the Asia-Pacific region. Our countries look forward to working with the members of the Group. In order to advance the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its related resolutions - and I would mention here, especially, resolution 1889 (2009) - in the Pacific region, it is important that we focus our work on approaches that reflect the reality of the situation on the ground in our island countries. We ask the United Nations to support the convening of a regional high-level meeting to develop and adopt a regional action plan on women and peace and security to support the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) at the country level. This proposal was supported in the outcome statement of the eleventh Triennial Conference of Pacific Women, convened by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in August of this year. We consider that the development of a Pacific regional action plan to support the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) would bring women into official processes and build on our efforts to integrate resolution 1325 (2000) into the regional peace and security agenda. Moreover, a Pacific regional action plan also has the potential to bring together a series of high-level regional commitments into viable national action plans, which is essential to enhancing security sector governance policies and programmes in our region and will allow us to develop tailored solutions to the challenges that our diverse nations face. Inadequate funding remains a serious challenge to the success of the national action plans. We also recognize the work of Pacific non-governmental and civil society organizations like FemLINKpacific in advocacy and programme efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000) and request the United Nations and other donor partners to continue to provide resources for such efforts, particularly to enhance women's participation in prevention and broader peacebuilding. We also ask the United Nations to support pre- and post-deployment training of peacekeepers in our region, both police and military, particularly to ensure the incorporation of human rights compliance. 10-60385 Finally, the Pacific SIDS wish to highlight the importance of conflict prevention as an essential element of resolution 1325 (2000). Unabated climate change risks increased violent conflict in many parts of the world, and the consequent impacts on women and girls are potentially beyond the capacity of the international community to respond to adequately. Adverse impacts of climate change alter the distribution and quality of natural resources such as freshwater, arable land, coastal territory and marine resources. These changes can increase competition for available resources, weaken Government institutions and lead to internal and international migration. Further, the adverse impacts can create obstacles that substantially interfere with the ability of nations to maintain territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. All these impacts of climate change create severe risk of increased violent conflict in many parts of the world, with ensuing impacts on women and girls during and after conflict. We consider that climate change severely jeopardizes the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). So, we reiterate our call for climate change and security to be an item on the agenda of the Security Council. If the United Nations responds to the threat of climate change, it has the potential to truly prevent conflict and thereby reduce violence against women.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Burundi.

Mr. Gahutu (Burundi): Mr. President, my delegation would like to thank you for organizing this debate on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). I would also like to commend the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of the resolution (S/2010/498). Throughout the many conflicts that Burundi has gone through, the people of Burundi have understood that the search for a viable and promising peace cannot be carried out by men alone but should also include women. Moreover, it has been well known for a long time in my country that women are the pillar of the family and therefore of society. When society is shaken by an armed conflict, its grisly effects inevitably have repercussions for women and their children. Therefore, the women of Burundi have understood that they should play a role in the search for peace. Thus, since the crisis broke out in Burundi in 1993, women's organizations have become involved in 45 bringing together different groups of the population who were sharply divided along political and ethnic lines in collaboration with local administrations. During the same period, two decisive events were under way at the regional and international levels. The first was the Arusha negotiations, which gave the women of Burundi a seat at the negotiating table. The second was the period of the evolution of resolution 1325 (2000), here at the United Nations. Some observers, moreover, believe that the peace negotiation process in Burundi, which formally began in 1998, two years before the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), inspired many actors who, drawing on the lessons learned in Arusha, certainly helped to improve the text of the resolution. Consequently, the peace agreement signed by the protagonists in the Burundi conflict in August 2000 already contained a gender-specific dimension in some of its provisions and protocols. On 31 October 2000, when resolution 1325 (2000) was solemnly adopted by the Security Council, Burundi was in a good position to implement it, given not only the experience that Burundian actors had recently acquired in Arusha and the backing of international organizations in the support of women of Burundi during the peace process, but also the challenges still to be tackled, in particular, agreeing on a ceasefire with the armed movements and the implementation of the gender-specific dimensions of the agreement. Since 2005, Burundi has sought to give women an important role in managing public affairs. The unremitting struggle of the women of Burundi, together with the determination of the Government, made it possible to achieve the results that the whole world can see today in terms of the representation of women in decision-making bodies, both at the executive and the legislative levels. Indeed, after the elections this year, the women of Burundi have enjoyed a significant presence within decision-making bodies. They hold 32 and 44 per cent of the seats in the National Assembly and the Senate, respectively, and 42 per cent of the ministerial portfolios in the Government, including in the Ministry of Finance, Agriculture and Livestock Farming, Trade, Tourism and Industry, and Justice, and this is just to cite a few of the posts that have long been held by men. In the judicial branch, there is a good level of representation of women in high offices. Three women 46 in fact preside over the following higher courts: the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court and the Administrative Court. In a society characterized by male dominance in the highest State offices, those positions reflect an important change in terms of gender. Turning to peacekeeping, it is important to emphasize that, at this time, the idea of having women in the police and army is socially accepted, even if their numbers have not reached those of women in other institutions. In our policy with regard to the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, women have been included and benefit equally from this policy. Their specific needs are taken into account, be it through the assistance that has been granted, in the past, to former male combatants or through the integration of women into the national defence forces. The question that remains crucial in Burundi is that of customary law and the access of women to property and inheritance. That issue has become a social concern that the Government of Burundi must address in order to align itself with the parliamentary debate convened in 2004, which resulted in a proposed draft law on succession, matrimony and rights. With the significant representation of women in the Parliament and the Government and with the determination of all of the actors in Burundi to fight against social inequality, there is hope that the new law will be promulgated after consultations among all actors. In order to fully achieve the objectives of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), women in civil society, under the leadership of the Ministry of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender and in partnership with United Nations agencies, have drawn up plan of action for resolution 1325 (2000) comprising eight pillars that outline the steps to take to make this resolution effective. The topics promoted through these pillars are primarily participation, conflict prevention, protection against violence against women and children and community recovery. In terms of the latter, projects have already been carried out through the peacebuilding programme in the western part of our country, but, given the enormous needs in post-conflict reconstruction, gender-based projects need to be encouraged and established throughout the country. 10-60385 In order to ensure that the participation of women becomes more active and grows, there are also the issues of strengthening their capacities and establishing a fund to ensure their continuous participation in various activities, so that they can take charge of their own destiny. In this connection, during the Global Open Day for Women and Peace on 11 June 2010, the women of Burundi firmly recommended to the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi the establishment of a basket fund that would facilitate the economic recovery of women in the context of post-conflict reconstruction. In that respect, we welcome the creation of the new entity, UN Women, and given the enormous task facing its Director, Under-Secretary-General Bachelet, we hope that she will receive the sustained support of Member States, so that the new entity can respond to the expectations of women, who are only asking for access to resources. Once this has been achieved, the empowerment of women will have become a reality.

The President: I shall now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines.

Mr. Cabactulan (Philippines): I would like to start to by expressing my heartfelt congratulations to Madam Michelle Bachelet for her appointment as Under-Secretary-General and Director of UN Women. We are confident that, under her leadership, the newly established UN Women will be able to perform its mandate expeditiously and effectively. As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), it is incumbent upon us to take stock of the progress made since its adoption a decade ago and identify concrete actions to reinforce the integration of gender equality perspectives in the framework of peace and security. The Philippines attaches great importance to the integration of gender equality perspectives in peace and security issues. This is demonstrated by the fact that five years before the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the Philippines had already established the Philippine Plan for Gender Responsive Development, 1995-2025, a 30-year plan that gives due recognition to the important role of women in peacebuilding efforts and initiatives. We are also pleased to note the Secretary- General's observation in his report on women and peace and security (S/2010/498) that the development of national action plans to guide the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) represents a particularly important contribution by Member States and that a total of 19 such plans, some in post-conflict nations, have already been adopted. Implementation of national action plans is a key strategy for the achievement of commitments in the area of women, peace and security, and we hope to see the adoption of more national plans by other Member States to ensure the systematic monitoring and evaluation of activities with respect to policy goals. I am pleased to say that this year, on 25 March 2010, the Philippines became the first Asian country to adopt a national action plan on women and peace and security, implementing Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Our plan envisions enhancing and strengthening women's role in peacebuilding processes. Our plan has four major goals: first, to ensure the protection and prevention of violence of women's human rights in armed conflict and post-conflict situations; secondly, to empower women and ensure their active and meaningful participation in areas of peacebuilding, peacekeeping and conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction; thirdly, to promote and mainstream a gender perspective in all aspect of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding; and fourthly, to institutionalize a monitoring and reporting system to monitor, evaluate and report to enhance accountability for the successful implementation of the Philippine National Action Plan and the achievement of its goals. The National Action Plan now serves as a reference point in assessing the Philippine Government's commitment to the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1898 (2009) and other resolutions on women and peace and security. Significant steps have been taken by my country to enhance the participation of women in peacekeeping operations, and we are determined to pursue policies and programmes that would help ensure full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the international arena. In fact, in 19 United Nations peacekeeping missions where the Philippines actively participate and in the United Nations Missions in Haiti, Darfur, Golan Heights, Liberia, Sudan and Timor-Leste, 68 Filipino women are now serving with dedication and effectiveness. Notwithstanding the advances made in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), challenges and obstacles remain. We take note of the Secretary- General's conclusion in his report that a major constraint to the implementation of the resolution has been the absence of a single coherent and coordinated approach guided by a clear framework, with concrete and specific goals and targets and supported by a meaningful set of indicators to track progress. We agree that there is a need to set up a comprehensive framework to establish strategic system-wide priorities and coherence. We support the endorsement of the indicators contained in the annex to the Secretary-General's report as guidelines for the overall monitoring of global and national implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We recognize that there will always be gaps and divergences in that implementation, but we remain optimistic that those inadequacies will be addressed in order to accelerate progress in the achievement of women's full and equal participation as active agents in peace and security. Finally, I should like to manifest my country's support for the Security Council's continued leadership in all issues encompassed under resolution 1325 (2000) and other, related resolutions to ensure that those issues are fully and consistently reflected and integrated in the Council's agenda.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Belgium.

Mr. Grauls (Belgium): Belgium aligns itself with the statement that will be made later on behalf of the European Union (EU). We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). Women's participation in peace processes increases the likelihood that women's needs will be met, that their status in society will be enhanced and that their well-being will improve. It is disconcerting, in that regard, that 10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we are still excluding half of the world's population when we are discussing sustainable peace and trying to build democracy. If the ideals to which we committed ourselves in resolution 1325 (2000) are to become a reality, it is clear that we need to increase accountability and monitor our commitments. We therefore call on the Security Council to endorse the indicators developed by the Secretary-General and to establish an accountability and reporting mechanism in order to monitor the implementation of the resolution on the basis of those indicators. Belgium also welcomes the creation of UN Women and the appointment of Under-Secretary- General Michelle Bachelet as its first head. In the fight against impunity, Belgium further asks the members of the Security Council to use, and effectively impose, targeted and graduated measures against all parties to conflicts who violate women's rights, including perpetrators of sexual violence and commanders who commission or condone the use of sexual violence. We believe that the Council should include sexual violence in resolutions mandating its sanctions committees, and those resolutions should include sexual violence as a criterion for the designation of political and military leaders for targeted measures. Belgium attaches great importance to the full and thorough implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as well as of the follow-up resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009). In the run-up to this debate, and in order to raise awareness and come to real and concrete commitments around the celebration of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), Belgium, together with the European Union, organized three events at different levels. We organized a high-level conference in Brussels on women's participation, an experts' seminar in Geneva on protection and a ministerial-level lunch here in New York last month. In 2009 and 2010, Belgium has supported activities related to resolution 1325 (2000) and women's rights in 14 countries, not only politically, by raising the issue in relevant dialogues and by facilitating meetings with women's groups, but also financially. In the past two years, more than €30 million has been spent on gender-related projects in fragile States. Two years ago, Belgium also adopted a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Without a doubt, the plan has contributed to increased ownership at different levels of public administration and civil society. For example, our Ministry of Defence has assigned clear duties within its staff and adopted specific budgetary lines for the implementation of all activities relating to the implementation of the national plan of action that fall within its responsibilities. We commit today to revise our national action plan by 2012, in full cooperation with civil society and taking into account EU indicators, as well as the indicators that we hope to see adopted by the Council today. We further declare ourselves ready to consider assisting the development of such a plan by any country that would welcome our support. Finally, let me add, as Chair of a country-specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, that that Commission is a very appropriate framework in which to include the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) among its activities.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Ms. Blum (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. Colombia appreciates the convening of this open debate to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. I would also like to take this opportunity to especially congratulate Under-Secretary-General Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as the first Executive Director of UN Women. I am grateful for her presence here today and for her comprehensive statement. In his report on women and peace and security (S/2010/498), the Secretary-General acknowledges that significant progress has been made in several areas. However, he also warns that much remains to be done to realize the vision of resolution 1325 (2000). In particular, the report refers to the need to redouble efforts to ensure that women can play their rightful role in conflict prevention and resolution and in reconstruction processes. Similar efforts are needed to protect women from abuse during conflict, including gender-based violence. In order to meet the various existing international commitments with regard to the promotion and protection of the rights of women, including Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security, Colombia has at its disposal a significant constitutional, legal and institutional framework and gender-based strategies that cover social, economic and cultural aspects. Among recent developments, I would like to mention that, as recognition of the particular needs of women and with a view to ensuring a life free of violence, in December 2008 we adopted law No. 1257 of 2008. That law sets out standards of awareness, prevention and punishment for forms of violence and discrimination against women. It extends the concept of Violence against women to any act or omission that causes death, injury or physical, sexual, psychological, economic or patrimonial injury because of gender, as well as threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether in the public or private spheres. In addition, under decree No. 164, of 25 January 2010, the national Government set up the Inter-Agency Group to Eradicate Violence against Women, a body that will facilitate comprehensive, targeted, accessible and quality care to women who are victims of violence and will act as a forum to coordinate and organize the various entities engaged in that task. Furthermore, the Presidential Advisory Office on Gender Equality, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the United Nations Population Fund and the International Organization for Migration jointly run the Integrated Programme Against Gender Violence, which seeks to help prevent, treat and eradicate gender-based violence affecting Colombian women both publicly and privately. The Programme underscores the most frequent and severe cases nationally and gives particular attention to displaced, indigenous and Afro-Colombian women. In peacebuilding, State bodies work together in joint efforts to guarantee the protection of women from risks that affect them in areas where there are illegal armed groups. Furthermore, ensuring inclusion of the gender perspective and the full participation of women in the prevention of violence is being promoted. In that regard, with the support of the European Union and citizen participation, the Peace Laboratories programme is being promoted in areas affected by violence. That initiative explores paths of dialogue and coexistence, peaceful mechanisms for resistance and protection of the civilian population. Women are beneficiaries and/or agents of projects that promote peace in those areas. Moreover, guidelines for the displaced population are being drawn up with a targeted gender approach. Their goal is to provide effective care that responds to the specific needs and impact that displacement has on women. The guidelines are based on three guiding aspects: participation a focus on law, and a gender- perspective approach. The national policy for the socio-economic reintegration of people demobilized from illegal armed groups seeks full inclusion of the gender perspective approach in institutional actions. Likewise, there is a programme for the prevention of domestic violence in families with reintegrated persons. Although Colombia has a significant legislative framework and public policies that mainstream the gender perspective and variables, there persist challenges such as full integration, a review of indicators on the basis of international standards and the adoption of specific measures against gender-based violence. For their part, the bodies responsible for implementing the Organization's policies and mandates on women and peace and security within the United Nations system must strengthen coordination and cooperation and avoid duplication of work. My country trusts that the new gender framework adopted by the United Nations and, in particular, the new entity UN Women ensure consistency in the Organization's activities. Strengthening the role and capacity of women and respect for their rights are priority areas for the Government of Colombia. As a member of the Security Council's Group of Friends of resolution 1325 (2000), my country reaffirms its commitment to implementing policies, plans and programmes that broaden and strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding.

The President: I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Pedro Serrano, Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

Mr. Serrano: I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having invited the European Union (EU) to this important debate. The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration. Despite 10 years of efforts, progress in protecting women in conflict situations and in promoting their participation in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding and reconstruction has fallen short both of the commitments that the international community has made and of the needs on the ground. Violence, in particular sexual and gender-based violence, against women and girls in conflicts continues to devastate the lives of many and perpetrators too often enjoy impunity, as events in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remind us. The European Union is strongly committed to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its follow-up resolutions. We urge all parties to intensify their efforts to reach the common goal of full implementation. In 2008, the European Union adopted a comprehensive approach to the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), encompassing humanitarian, development, security and foreign policy measures. In practical and operational terms, the European Union has a range of programmes addressing the needs of women and girls in conflict-affected and post-conflict situations, such as funding medical services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In less than two years, it funded projects with a direct impact on women and peace and security worth over €300 million in 67 countries. The European Union has started using a gender marker to track gender mainstreaming in its development cooperation programmes and has appointed gender advisers or gender focal points to all its peace and security missions. The European Union works closely with the United Nations and civil society to boost women's participation in peace and security. Inspired by the United Nations example, European Union delegations and missions organized Open Door Days to mark this tenth anniversary and to meet with local women's groups. Last week, the European Union and the African Union organized a seminar in Addis Ababa, bringing EU civil society representatives to discuss such issues with African representatives and to make recommendations for joint African Union-European Union actions. The European Union is now also creating the new European External Action Service. There is a firm commitment to further the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and following resolutions in our diplomatic, defence and development efforts, as well as to strive towards gender balance. As for renewed and measurable commitments, we are looking, first, to develop specific standard training elements on gender and human rights in crisis management, to be used by European Union staff and peace and security missions and operations, with the aim of increasing gender capacity and female civil and military participation in peace missions. Secondly, by 2013, the European Union will develop local strategies to implement resolution 1325 (2000) in its development cooperation activities in at least 60 per cent of fragile, conflict or post-conflict countries. Thirdly, to further boost women's participation in peace and security, in 2011 we will implement specific capacity-building projects to support civil society and women's networks in crisis-affected countries. Fourthly, we are committed to reporting regularly on the implementation of EU women and peace and security commitments, using the 17 EU indicators that were adopted in July 2010. Those EU indicators seek to measure progress and assess gaps in implementation of the EU's comprehensive approach. The first report is in the process of being completed. It is a strong commitment towards strengthened accountability. The EU thus commits to increasing its own accountability. The European Union is encouraged by the Security Council decision to take forward the set of indicators developed by the Secretary-General to track implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in situations of armed conflict and post-conflict and other situations. The European Union now calls for a swift operationalization of the indicators. The newly established UN Women will play an important role. It has our full support. The European Union also supports the Secretary-General's other recommendations. In the Secretary-General's next annual report to the Council, the EU hopes to see proposals for a single comprehensive framework, consisting of an agreed set of goals, targets and indicators, to guide the implementation of the resolution in the next decade, including defining clear roles and responsibilities within the United Nations system. The European Union considers that a dedicated working group should be established to review progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and to make recommendations to the Council on how to address gaps and challenges and accelerate progress in implementing the resolution. The EU asks the Security Council to redouble its efforts in the fight against impunity. Targeted and graduated measures should be imposed against all parties to conflict responsible for grave violations of women's rights. Perpetrators of sexual violence, including commanders who commission or condone the use of sexual violence, should be held accountable. The Council should include sexual violence as a priority element in resolutions mandating its sanctions committees, and these should explicitly include sexual violence as a criterion for the designation of political and military leaders for targeted measures. The EU also emphasizes the importance of the rule of law in general and the strengthening of national and international judicial systems to promote women's legal empowerment. Finally, the EU is convinced that ownership and awareness can be strongly increased by developing national action plans or other strategic instruments. The EU member States currently have 10 national action plans, with two more in the pipeline.

The President: I now give the floor to Mr. Tete Anto'nio, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations.

Mr. Antonio (spoke in French): Given the time allotted to us, I will try to state the essence of my statement, which has been provided to the Secretariat. I represent an organization that comprises a quarter of United Nations Member States, so we do have much to say. I would like to apologize on behalf of Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra, who was unable to stay on in New York to participate in today's debate. I would also like to commend the Ugandan presidency for raising issues that are of great interest to Africa. I commend the role of the Secretary-General, who despite being far away was resolved to address us this morning. I especially commend the United Nations commitment to Africa. This month, we launched the African Women's Decade in Nairobi, Kenya. The United Nations was represented by Deputy Secretary- General Asha-Rose Migiro, another African sister serving the Organization. We also commend the leadership of Ms. Bachelet. Her term has begun well with this energetic and busy meeting, punctuated for once by applause. We assure her of the African Union's cooperation. I am compelled to begin by stressing the great interest that Africa attaches to the subject at hand. Africa is host to 70 per cent of the United Nations peacekeeping operations, so today's issue is of direct relevance to its peoples. I would like to thank all the women of the world for the solidarity they demonstrated, above all to the women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when they marched this month in Bukavu. In so doing, they manifested their solidarity with all the women and, by extension, the peoples ofAfrica. I would like to offer some background. The African Union (AU) is about the same age as Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). I am sure it will be understood that this historic coincidence or opportunity has had an impact on the very structure of the African Union Commission, with its five female and five male Commissioners. That is a sacrosanct rule of the African Union. The Constitutive Act of the African Union incorporates gender elements from the international bill of human rights, as does the Union's Solemn Declaration on the Equality of the Sexes. This issue is clearly of great importance to the African continent and is reflected in its legal instruments. (spoke in English) Regarding the specific topic of today's debate, the African Union has continued to develop its specific policy and institutional capacity in this area. In July 2003, following a decision by the Executive Council, the African Women Committee on Peace and Development was strengthened to serve as an advisory body on peace and security matters and on empowerment and advocacy for gender equality in general to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The African Union Gender Policy, launched two years ago, stresses the need to reinforce good practices of respect, equality and human dignity between men and women in the workplace and in society at large, and to enforce zero tolerance for gender-based violence, sexual harassment, assault, rape, sexual favours, gender stereotyping, sexism and abusive language and actions in the workplace, society and situations of conflict. It stresses the need ensure severe sanction and punishment for perpetrators of such acts. It further calls for the use of the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups as the basis for programmatic interventions in Africa, which should incorporate measures to prevent sexual abuse and pervasive discrimination against women and girls as weapons in armed conflict, and to promote their equal status in society. The AU Gender Policy also calls for the mobilization of women leaders to participate in peace mediation and related processes and in post-conflict processes. It also calls for the AU to work jointly with relevant United Nations bodies on measures to track violations against women and girls during conflict and to find lasting solutions to abuses. The African Union is further committed to working towards addressing violence against women perpetrated through human and drug trafficking, and to articulate the gender perspectives of child labour, prostitution and abuse. Furthermore, the African Union has developed a gender training manual for AU peacekeepers, designed to be a resource for the African standby force and other hybrid operations, and for training institutions in troop-contributing countries. Other important measures taken by the AU include the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the AU Gender Policy and the launching of the African Women's Development Fund. The AU has also taken measures in the context of the Regional Economic Communities in order to give further impetus to the efforts for overall gender equality in Africa. As is known, in February 2009, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union declared the period 2010-2020 as the African Women's Decade, which was just launched, as I mentioned earlier, in October in Nairobi. We have also taken further measures in the framework of the Secretary-General's campaign to end Violence against women. The AU, jointly with United Nations agencies in Addis Ababa, launched the Africa UNiTE campaign on 30 January. During the African Union's Year of Peace and Security in Africa, 2010, the Gender Directorate of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa also worked closely with the AU Peace and Security Department and the Peace and Security Council to ensure that gender issues were well addressed in this framework. I think I have to conclude my statement here. There are many proposals that are discussed in the written text that I provided to the Secretariat. But I would like to thank all the women who have played leadership roles in resolving conflicts in Africa, from Mozambique, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the ongoing conflicts in Somalia and in the Sudan. In conclusion, I would like to join my voice to those who have called for the adoption of the indicators to help monitor implementation, address the issue of fragmentation in global progress in implementation and provide a basis for monitoring the success of national action plans in implementation. (spoke in French) That is a summary of what we wished to say this evening. I would like once again to thank the delegation of Uganda for having brought such a high standard to Africa's participation in the Security Council.

The President: I now give the floor to the delegation of Burkina Faso.

Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso) (spoke in French): It is a genuine pleasure to see Uganda presiding over the Security Council in this month of October, and I congratulate the delegation on the excellent way in which it has carried out that responsibility. The contribution of Uganda to the work of the Security Council is greatly appreciated, and, as the end of the Ugandan presidency approaches, I would like to express our great satisfaction. Before embarking on the subject at hand, I would like to say that we take note of the statement just made by the representative of the African Union. The choice of the subject for this debate is extremely relevant to our time. Moreover, if any country is qualified to summon us to this debate, it is Uganda, which has experienced this topic's terrible realities in a concrete way on the ground through the depredations of the Lord's Resistance Army and by virtue of belonging to a region where every day the drama of women in armed conflict is played out. I need remind no one here of the hopes raised by the Security Council's adoption in October 2000 of resolution 1325 (2000), and subsequently of resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009), which provide clear proof of the special attention the Council gives to the lot of women and girls who live in life-threatening conditions in armed conflict zones and daily pay a heavy toll. Ten years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), what account can we give? First of all, we can legitimately welcome some achievements, notably at the institutional level, with the appointment of Ms. Margot Wallstrom as Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Another gain is the identification by the Secretary-General of 26 indicators for the monitoring and revitalization of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) (reports of the Secretary- General S/2010/173 and S/2010/498). We should also mention the adoption of resolution 1882 (2009), which allows the specific consideration of the case of girls, by extending the monitoring and reporting mechanism on sexual violence against children and the killing and maiming of children. We also note the initiatives taken by States, the United Nations system, regional organizations and civil society in particular, in the realms of the prevention of sexual violence, the promotion of gender equality, the training of mediators, the strengthening of the capacity for women and others. Unfortunately, that progress and all of those efforts and the regular consideration of the issue of women and peace and security by the Security Council have not ensured the protection of women and girls during conflicts, nor their full involvement and participation at all stages of the peace process, not to mention the fact that the issue of the inequalities and disparities between men and women continues to be a challenge. With respect to sexual violence, the situation is the more terrible for its unequalled scale and the unspeakable suffering of its victims. Even some refugee camps and displaced persons camps have become unsafe places for women and girls, instead of being islands of peace. We note, among other obstacles, the low degree of access of women and girls to basic social services and legal mechanisms and the meagre participation of women in peace negotiation processes. With such a record, what should be our response and what actions should be taken? On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), we think that it is necessary to step up our commitment to a complete implementation of its noble objectives in a number of ways. That includes making the protection of women and girls an absolute priority at the legislative, judicial, regulatory and operational levels; strengthening the participation of women in the process of settling and mediating conflicts, including during decision-making processes; and consciousness raising among the different parties so that they realize that they must carry out their respective obligations and fully assume their responsibilities. Other important steps are the economic reintegration of women, including former combatants, and taking into account gender issues in security sector and judicial reform; wide publication of resolution 1325 (2000) to combat wide-spread ignorance of the resolution; dialogue with non-State actors in cooperation with States, so as to inform them of and sensitize them to the content of the fundamental texts and their responsibilities; and calling on States to adopt plans of action featuring clear objectives and deadlines, with the involvement of women's groups in the conception, formulation and implementation of those policies. One of the challenges for an ideal implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) remains coordination. Given the multisectoral nature of the issue, every entity and agency of the United Nations should play its role, in the framework of a common, coherent effort capitalizing on individual strengths. From that point of View, we hope that the appointment of the Under-Secretary-General for UN Women, Michelle Bachelet - whom we congratulate - will help fulfil the need for rationality, coherence and coordination. To conclude, I would like to recall that my country, Burkina Faso, adopted in 2009 a national gender policy, which was drawn up in a participatory and inclusive way. For its implementation a three-year plan of action - 2011 to 2013 - was drafted and adopted. In terms of gender equality, the adoption of a law setting quotas of 30 per cent in the legislative and municipal elections is an important step forward. Its implementation will certainly contribute to better representation of women in politics. On 15 December 2009, Burkina Faso also launched a programme to combat violence against women. This year it commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with the clear motto: "The consequences of violence against women on victims, families and communities". Our national women's forum, set up in 2008, is a high-level forum exclusively focused on the specific concerns of women and presided over by the head of State personally. The latest of these was held last month and was an opportunity for the Government to launch the African Women's Decade: 2010-2020. The issue of women and peace and security will not find a definitive solution without the complete empowerment of women and their full participation in the lives of their communities and countries. That is why Burkina Faso again welcomes the establishment of UN Women in this year marking the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). We hope that that entity will enjoy all the support necessary for the success of its mandate. As with all of the bodies responsible for protecting women, Burkina Faso will also provide for its support.

Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri (India): At the outset, I would like to place on record India's appreciation to you, Sir, and through you to your delegation, for having organized this open debate to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). I belong to a country with a 5,000 year-old civilization that regards gender equality and the empowerment of women as its constitutive principles. I am equally proud to be a Sikh - a member of a religion which, at the time of its founding in the latter half of the fifteenth century, deemed it fit to incorporate gender equality and independence for women among its essential attributes. The imperative of the political empowerment of women cannot be overemphasized. India took a historic initiative of empowering women by reserving one third of the seats in more than 300,000 institutions of local self-government to women. As a result, today, out of the 3.2 million elected representatives in these local bodies, there are 1.2 million women, about 86,000 of whom serve as Chairpersons or Vice-Chairpersons of their respective units. We are taking further steps to increase the participation of women to 50 per cent in these institutions, which would take the number of elected women to between 1.6 and 1.8 million. Presently, a bill mandating such measures is under consideration by the Parliament of India. There are, perhaps, more democratically elected women in India alone than in the rest of the world put together. This political empowerment of women is an unprecedented feat in the entire history of the world. Today's open debate of the Security Council marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. I am honoured to take part in this debate. When resolution 1325 (2000) was adopted unanimously in 2000, it was a landmark resolution dealing with women's issues in the area of international peace and security. Recognizing this, the Secretary-General made a very pertinent point by saying that although women suffered the impact of conflict disproportionately, they also held the key to the solutions of the conflict. Resolution 1325 (2000) highlights the impact of armed conflict on women and the need for effective institutional arrangements to guarantee their protection and full participation in peace processes. Having had the resolution in operational mode for a decade, we now need to redouble our efforts to increase women's participation at all stages and all levels of peace processes and peacebuilding efforts. We can achieve lasting peace and security in any country only when women are represented at the negotiating table or in talks on post-conflict reconstruction. In the same vein, let me add that the three pillars of lasting peace - namely, economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy - cannot be achieved without the active engagement of women. India has consistently held the view that the greater participation of women in the areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction is an essential prerequisite of lasting peace and security. Let me also add my voice to those of other speakers who have called for the greater deployment of female military and police personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and for the provision to all military and police personnel with adequate training to carry out their responsibilities. In this regard, we especially encourage those who champion the importance of the participation of women peacekeepers and have the inclination and capacity to do so. Over the past six decades, India has contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers to virtually every peacekeeping operation. We have necessary disciplinary provisions in place to ensure that reports of incidents of violence against women, children or civilians are dealt with firmly, swiftly and resolutely within our existing legal provisions. In 2007, India even had the distinction of being the first country to deploy a full female peacekeeping unit - a 100-strong contingent in Liberia. Deployments similar to this oft-cited Indian example remain, unfortunately, a rarity. India will be happy to contribute positively to this process. As one of the largest contributors of troops to the United Nations, India has been conscious of its responsibility and has trained its troops on this important issue. The United Nations system, Member States and civil society have made steady and noticeable efforts in implementing resolution 1325 (2000). While the Secretary-General and several speakers before me have pointed out the mixed results in the implementation of the resolution by the international community and the United Nations system, it is worth noting that the appointment of women to senior decision-making positions, as well as their participation in mission planning, reporting, assessment, post-conflict planning and peacekeeping operations, have increased. We welcome this, but must stress the need to do much more. Equally pertinent is the role played by civil society in internalizing the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000) while addressing issues in various conflict zones. We would also, in particular, like to encourage local communities to step forward and assume their rightful role in conflict zones. Discussions on the establishment of a Security Council working group dedicated to reviewing the progress in implementing this resolution are relevant and have our support. We are confident that such an effort will go a long way towards transforming words into concrete action. The United Nations system has also come up with a useful set of indicators as global markers of progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). India has taken note of the set of 26 global indicators in the four key areas. We believe that reaching agreement on the set of goals, targets and indicators to monitor the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) should be the first step in reducing the fragmentation of information and monitoring progress on this critical and important issue. We are equally mindful that the development of such indicators, benchmarks and guidelines, given their sensitivity, should involve a process of broader intergovernmental consultations and discussions before their eventual adoption. One must also be aware of the difficulties in obtaining authentic, credible, corroborative and verifiable data from conflict-ridden environments. We are happy that Member States were able to reach consensus earlier this year in establishing UN Women, which will be fully operational by January 2011. We were, in that context, particularly pleased by the presence of the newly appointed Under-Secretary- General who heads this Entity with us earlier today. With the consolidation of authority and responsibility within the United Nations system on women's issues, I am positive that the United Nations system will also coherently coordinate and assist Member States, at their request, in the implementation of the resolution 1325 (2000). We unequivocally, unambiguously and resolutely condemn the abhorrent behaviour of sexual violence in armed conflict, regardless of who perpetrates it, be they party to an armed conflict, peacekeeping personnel, including their civilian components, or humanitarian actors. There is a need for more stringent regulations in combating and eliminating this menace. We would also request the Secretary-General to further strengthen his efforts to ensure zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations peacekeeping operations. We have not yet attained a global culture of human rights that could serve as a unifying force rather than a divisive force. As the world's largest democracy, India considers it an honour to uphold and cherish the concept of gender equality and the empowerment of women. I would like to reiterate India's firm commitment to its international obligations flowing from resolution 1325 (2000) and its successor resolutions, and I look forward to engaging constructively and proactively with other delegations in the Security Council from the beginning of next year, when we assume our responsibility as a member of the Council. Let us not lose the momentum that has been generated on this issue on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), a symbol of strength for women and peace and security.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

Mr. Bouchaara (Morocco) (spoke in French): Allow me at the outset to express my gratitude to you, Mr. President, for having organized this open debate on a subject to which Morocco attaches particular significance and which directly concerns our continent of Africa. My delegation would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement and his report (S/2010/498). My thanks also go to Ms. Bachelet for her contribution to this debate. I would take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Bachelet, on behalf of my country, on her appointment as the head of UN Women, and we wish her every success in the fulfilment of her mandate. I also thank the President of the Economic and Social Council and Mr. Alain Le Roy, as well as Ms. Thelma Awori speaking on behalf of civil society, for their important contributions to this debate. Our debate today provides us with the opportunity to take stock of the commitments that have been honoured and the goals that have been met, as well as the further efforts that remain to be carried out to implement resolution 1325 (2000). In this respect, we can be proud of the fact that the momentum created by the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) has paved the way for a strengthening of the judicial and institutional arsenal at the national and international levels for promoting and protecting women's rights and their empowerment in conflict and post-conflict situations, in particular through the adoption in several countries, including in Africa, of specific national action plans. Furthermore, significant progress has been recorded in terms of women's participation in peacekeeping operations and decision-making processes, and we welcome that progress. However, we must note that, despite those efforts, the situation of women and girls in several regions around the world remains difficult and sometimes even intolerable. This is particularly true in situations involving fresh outbreaks in armed violence, violations of international humanitarian law by military or paramilitary groups, the use of child soldiers, in particular young girls, extreme poverty, pandemics and sexual violence. My delegation would like to commend the efforts undertaken by the Security Council to ensure regular reviews of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), in particular through the inclusion of the gender perspective in the resolution of conflicts and peacekeeping within the various organs and institutions of the United Nations, and the importance of the role of women in general in matters concerning peace and security. In terms of establishing quantifiable indicators in the follow-up to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as requested by the Security Council, we should note, as was indeed highlighted by the Secretary-General, that these indicators must be further enhanced. The debate organized a few weeks ago by the Security Council on post-conflict peacebuilding (see S/PV.6396) allowed us, among other things, to highlight the substantial contribution of women to peacebuilding processes. The success and durability of peacebuilding processes after conflict often depend on the full participation of women in such processes. In that regard, lasting solutions must be proposed for women, in particular women refugees, who are often the first victims in conflict and post-conflict situations. It is clear that the Secretariat has undertaken substantial efforts to promote the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We therefore believe that the creation of UN Women will contribute to improving coordination between the various United Nations entities involved. This will have a positive impact on United Nations system support to the various national and regional stakeholders involved in implementing resolution 1325 (2000). Furthermore, we must commend the central role played by civil society organizations in the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) and in its implementation these past ten years. Since that adoption, they have carried out substantial work in terms of collective awareness- raising and have enhanced the mobilization of efforts to achieve the objectives of resolution 1325 (2000). In conclusion, the Kingdom of Morocco believes that the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) will require better representation for women in national, regional and international institutions, in particular in conflict prevention and management processes, as well as full respect by the parties involved for the resolution's provisions, better coordination between the various national and international stakeholders, and more sustained support by the United Nations in terms of cooperation and technical assistance.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Namibia.

Mr. Emvula (Namibia): 1 would like to put it on record that it was earlier agreed that Namibia would deliver two statements during this time slot, but due to time constraints and to make your task, Mr. President, a little bit easier, we have agreed to give precedence to the statement to be delivered on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), while our own will be distributed along with the earlier statement. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Southern African Development Community member States - Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and my own country, Namibia. Allow me first and foremost to congratulate you, Sir, on having created this opportunity for an open debate on this very important issue. We also thank the Secretary-General for his report on women and peace and security (S/2010/498). SADC is delighted that today marks 10 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security, which was unanimously adopted during the time of the Namibian presidency of the Security Council in October 2000. The resolution sought to ensure women's full and active participation in conflict resolution, peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction. It also sought the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence in conflict and post-conflict situations. It affirms that women are an integral part of peace and security. SADC welcomes the creation of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the appointment of Ms. Michelle Bachelet as its Executive Director. We are confident that UN Women, in addition to devoting its attention to the economic empowerment of women at the country level, will also greatly enhance coordination and coherence on women and peace and security. Gender equality and the empowerment of women is one of the founding principles of SADC, as enshrined in its Treaty. The 2008 SADC Protocol on Gender and Development puts measures in place to ensure that women enjoy equal representation and participation in all key decision-making positions by 2015. The Protocol also calls upon SADC member States to take the necessary steps to prevent and eliminate incidences of human rights abuses of women and children during time of armed and other forms of conflict. As we believe that effective peacebuilding starts at the national and subregional levels and then proceeds to the international level, it is of vital importance that the United Nations works closely together with regional groups such as SADC. To that end, the United Nations and SADC signed an agreement, on 21 September, to work together on issues vital to peace and security, such as conflict prevention, mediation and elections. The framework for cooperation is intended to strengthen and draw upon the experiences of both organizations and to allow the Department for Political Affairs to utilize SADC's knowledge and understanding of the region and its mediation, peacemaking and peacebuilding capacities. SADC is deeply concerned about the widespread and systematic sexual violence to which women and girls are subjected in conflict situations. It is our considered view that all parties to armed conflict should respect regional mechanisms and international law applicable to the rights and protection of women and children. SADC has devoted a lot of effort to empower and advance women. However, women still remain largely underrepresented in key decision-making structures and in peacemaking and peacebuilding processes. The region believes that, given the opportunity, women are active agents of change and play a critical role in the recovery and reintegration of families after conflicts. Women are also instrumental in bringing about reconciliation and democracy in post-conflict societies. SADC therefore remains fully committed to the full and effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as well as to ensuring that the rights of women and children are promoted and protected.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine.

Mr. Kyslytsya (Ukraine): I would like to begin by commending the presidency of Uganda for convening this thematic debate to give the Council and Member States an opportunity to have a broad exchange of views and proposals on such an important issue. Ukraine aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. Today's debate presents yet another important opportunity to promote the effective, coherent and systematic implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), which gave much-needed and welcome visibility to the question of women's empowerment, their role as peacebuilders and their vulnerable position as victims of war. As a non-permanent member of the Council in 2000, Ukraine was one of the 15 countries that voted for resolution 1325 (2000). That decision by the Council has been a milestone document on the empowerment of women. We welcome the latest report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the resolution (S/2010/498) and support its recommendations. Ukraine welcomes the development of a set of indicators for use at the global level to track the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We urge Member States to begin to use the proposed indicators for which data already exist. We believe that the empowerment of women is important for the realization of the human rights of women, as well as for economic and political development. It is equally important for durable peace, security, early recovery and reconciliation. Ukraine stands fully committed to the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009). However, there must be a coherent strategy to cover all aspects of the protection of women and women's rights. In that regard, Ukraine welcomes the establishment of the United Nations composite entity, UN Women. We hope it will bring about much-needed improvements in the work of the United Nations on gender equality, including in the area of international peace and security. Despite all international efforts, women continue to be the most vulnerable victims of armed conflict and to be targeted with the most brutal forms of sexual violence. In addition to that, women also experience the trauma of losing relatives and friends in armed conflict, as well as having to take responsibility for the care of surviving family members. They also constitute the majority of refugees and displaced persons. My country is greatly concerned about that situation and strongly condemns the targeting of women and girls in situations of armed conflict. We welcome Security Council efforts to pay special attention to the particular needs of women affected by armed conflict when considering action aimed at promoting peace and security. We believe that the Security Council has a special responsibility to support women's participation in peace processes by ensuring a gender balance in United Nations peacekeeping missions. We welcome the fact that the Council has already recognized the important role of women in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. In line with the position of the European Union, Ukraine considers gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women not only as important objectives but also as the means to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and as an essential part of the development agenda. As an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping efforts, Ukraine has for years contributed women civilian police and military observers to the Organization's peacekeeping missions. We believe that the presence of women in United Nations missions can foster confidence and trust among local populations, which are critical elements in any peacekeeping mission. In performing their tasks, women are perceived to be compassionate, unwilling to opt for force over reconciliation and ready to listen and learn. They are also widely seen as contributors to an environment of stability and morality that fosters the progress of peace. At the same time, women are still underrepresented in decision-making with regard to conflict resolution. Their initiatives and visions for peace and security are rarely heard during peace negotiations. In that regard, I would like to stress that the international community should use the potential of women as agents of preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. In conclusion, Ukraine reiterates its readiness to continue to work constructively with other Member States in order to ensure the protection of women in armed conflict and women's participation in peace processes.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Hungary.

Mr. Koriisi (Hungary): I align myself with the position of the European Union (EU) as communicated by the head of the EU delegation a short while ago. We are convinced that women's participation in the maintenance of peace and security is in itself a basic human right. In this context, we are pleased that this issue has achieved a prominent place on the international agenda. We believe that the involvement of women in peace negotiations and conflict mediation should be supported. Furthermore, let us remember that peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction are not only about achieving an end to hostilities, but also about the beginning of a new future. We have to recognize that violence against women, including sexual and gender-based violence, poses a real threat to broader security and creates a serious challenge to the full and active participation of women in peace processes. We believe that systematic sexual violence, used as a tactic of war through the deliberate targeting of civilians, in particular women and girls, significantly aggravates the situation during an armed conflict. Those lasting negative impacts may seriously impede the recovery and reconciliation processes as well. I would like to take the opportunity to confirm that the Government of the Republic of Hungary is strongly committed to implementing resolution 1325 (2000). We stand firmly behind endeavours aimed at mainstreaming gender issues in the strategies, policies, programmes and actions aimed at promoting the participation of women in decision-making and peace processes. Upon assuming the Presidency of the European Union for the first semester of 2011, Hungary intends to maintain the current momentum by organizing a conference as a follow-up to the series of events marking the tenth anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). I strongly believe that enhanced cooperation in the field of women rights, peace and security and the joint commitment to foster the implementation of this agenda will ensure that women fully enjoy their fundamental rights, which are the basic components of lasting peace and security.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Costa Rica.

Mr. Ulibarri (Costa Rica): It is an honour for Costa Rica to speak today in its capacity as Chair of the Human Security Network. The Network is a cross- regional group of countries that includes Austria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland and Thailand, as well as South Africa as an observer. On behalf of the members, I would like to express our appreciation to the Republic of Uganda for convening this important ministerial-level open debate on women and peace and security, which is a priority issue for the Network, and thank Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, for her presentation of the Secretary- General's report (S/2010/498), marking the progress we have made and highlighting the challenges we continue to face in implementing Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). Today, we are commemorating the tenth anniversary of that resolution, which recognized the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in peacebuilding, and opened a new path in the protection of women's full enjoyment of all human rights in armed conflicts and in the efforts to strengthen the participation and representation of women in peace and security processes. It is evident that this landmark resolution has greatly contributed to an increased political focus on the area of women and peace and security. Over the years, the Council has remained active in this area through the adoption of resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and, most recently, resolution 1894 (2009). With resolution 1888 (2009) the Council established the mandate of a Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. We welcome the appointment of Margot Wallstrom to that important position. Together those resolutions form the basis of the United Nations policy framework on women and peace and security, and guide Member States, United Nations entities and civil society. We also welcome the recent creation of UN Women. With its central focus on supporting the attainment of gender equality and the empowerment of women in all aspects and in all situations, this new entity will make a crucial contribution to meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide and will accelerate progress in further advancing the women and peace and security agenda. We welcome the appointment of Michelle Bachelet as head of the new entity, and we look forward to cooperating with UN Women, both here in New York as well as in the field. However, despite the progress of the past ten years, many challenges remain. The abhorrent conditions that women and girls have faced in armed conflict situations persist and effective, and comprehensive methods for addressing those realities are still lacking. As we speak in this Chamber, discrimination and Violence against women in conflict and post-conflict situations, often seemingly committed with complete impunity, are still rampant in certain areas of the world. The horror of such gender- based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, continues to be brought to the attention of the Security Council, and efforts to prevent such crimes, including through peacekeeping missions, and to fight impunity have to be redoubled. Let us not forget the statement delivered by Alain Le Roy, Under- Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, in the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly just days ago, stipulating that widespread or systematic use of sexual violence against civilians in armed conflicts is used as a tactic of war. That is indeed a very disturbing fact of today's reality. An urgent and effective response from the international community is required. There must be clear objectives, starting with ending impunity, empowering women, rejecting various forms of discrimination, mobilizing political leadership and increasing awareness of rape as a tactic and consequence of armed conflict. In addition, greater coherence and a more systematic response by the United Nations system and increased consultation and cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, Member States and civil society are vital to the success of such action. With regard to impunity, we should recognize the essential role of international criminal justice, and particularly of the International Criminal Court, in addressing cases of sexual violence in armed conflict. The Rome Statute, in itself a major achievement, recognizes sexual violence as a potential war crime and crime against humanity. Now, the Court is examining situations involving sexual violence, which demonstrates the central contribution that international criminal justice can and does make in dealing with sexual violence in armed conflict. The widespread or systematic use of violence against women in armed conflicts is a security issue as well as, of course, a human rights issue. It affects a whole society, significantly exacerbates situations of armed conflict and may impede the restoration of international peace and security. As has recently been reaffirmed by the Council in a presidential statement (S/PRST/2010/20), the Peacebuilding Commission plays an important role in promoting and supporting an integrated and coherent approach to peacebuilding, including women's participation. Women play a pivotal role in the economic recovery of post-conflict countries. The PBC has committed to working on this issue as part of its broader efforts to promote and address women's post-conflict needs. But this fact must also be recognized at the political level by increasing women's participation in political posts, whether appointed or elected; by systematically ensuring the full and equal involvement of women in peace negotiations; and by taking into account women's needs in peace agreements. Furthermore, education is a fundamental requirement for eliminating violence against women in armed conflict, and in this respect civil society has a key role to play in the peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes. The issue of violence against women in armed conflict is closely related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict, which is a priority of the Human Security Network. Both the protection of civilians and the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000) should be fully incorporated into the mandates of all peacekeeping operations. All Member States have a responsibility to implement resolution 1325 (2000). The development of national action plans is a key component of Member States' commitment to fulfilling that responsibility, and the coming decade should aim for action and accountability. Women's full enjoyment of all human rights has been at the heart of the Human Security Network since its inception. We are committed to supporting meaningful steps to promote and enhance the role of women in peace processes. Without women's participation in this area, sustainable peace will not be possible. Women must be an integral part of all our thinking on peace and security. We look to the Security Council for strong leadership in the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its related resolutions.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of the Bahamas.

Ms. Bethel (Bahamas): Like previous speakers, I would like to commend you, Mr. President, for your initiative in organizing this important event. This meeting marks an important milestone - the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). My delegation praises the valiant efforts of the countless people who have worked tirelessly to put women at the centre of global efforts for peace, not only in responding to their needs as victims, but 4 equally importantly - in drawing on women's talents as peacemakers. As noted in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/498), notable efforts have been made by the United Nations system, Member States, civil society and other actors across a broad range of areas. We have seen increased participation of women in decision-making roles and peacekeeping operations, which is indicative of the important role that women can and must play in the development of peace. However, despite this progress, we continue to receive shocking reports of atrocious abuses and sexual violence against women in conflict zones, as recently occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Warring parties must first and foremost halt all systematic and individual abuses against women. My delegation believes that the Security Council and the international community as a whole owe it to these victims and others around the world to do much more to prevent such crimes, punish the perpetrators and establish conditions where violence against women is treated like the societal anathema it is. The Council has a special responsibility to enable the United Nations to do the best job it can on this front. This meeting is an opportunity for us all to declare our commitment to achieving this goal. But it should be more. It should spark concrete action, through a more coherent and coordinated approach geared towards helping women, not next year or next month, but right now, today. My fellow countrywomen and countrymen in the Bahamas count ourselves most fortunate, for we have no first-hand knowledge of the horrors and ravages of war and civil strife. Nonetheless, we feel the pain and suffering of our fellow human beings caught up in conflict and war in other parts of the world, particularly the women and children who are disproportionately affected by such negative circumstances. As noted by Martin Luther King, Jr., "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere", and one might correctly extrapolate from that notable quote that conflict anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. For this reason, we feel compelled to lend our voice to this important debate today and to recognize the important role of women in this process. In recognition of the meaningful participation of women at all stages of the peace process, including disarmament, and in the integration of a gender perspective, we note the recent introduction of a draft resolution in the First Committee (A/C.1/65/L.39), spearheaded by our sister Caribbean Community country of Trinidad and Tobago, on women, disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation, and we welcome this as another important step in the right direction. We welcome the fact that since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the Security Council has given this issue increased attention. But we urge members of the Council and all other countries to back these declarations and directives with appropriate resources: police, troops, funds, equipment and training. These are solid tools that can be used in assisting individual women to surmount their circumstances and contribute to lasting peace and the development of their communities and countries. Currently, just 8 per cent of the 13,000 United Nations police officers are women. The Organization must promote the recruitment and training of more skilled women, not only as police officers but at all levels, especially in leadership positions. The Secretary-General's assertion that "securing lasting peace and security requires commitment and ownership of decisions by Member States as well as all parties to armed conflict" (S/2010/498, para. 81) should serve as an axiom undergirding all our efforts in this regard. It is an axiom that cuts across gender lines, cultures and levels of development, and it demands the support of us all. If we can empower all of the good words and positive intentions in this Chamber with real action, that will unleash the much more transformative power of the world's women and usher in a better future for all. This must be done with the full engagement, participation, cooperation and support of men. Finally, we are greatly encouraged by the appointments of Margot Wallstrom as the Secretary- General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Michelle Bachelet as the Executive Director of UN Women. My delegation is confident that the leadership roles these two women will play in their respective arenas will greatly advance the causes that have brought us together today, and I assure them both of my delegation's support and cooperation.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

Ms. Ojiambo (Kenya): Kenya welcomes the leadership shown by Uganda in holding this debate during its presidency of the Council. This is a clear demonstration of just how important it is for us to tackle the growing problem of sexual and gender-based violence if we are serious about resolving conflict, empowering women and advancing gender equality. The issue that we are addressing today - women and peace and security - is important and deserves the international community's utmost attention and unequivocal support. Nearly 10 years ago, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1325 (2000), which ever since has constituted a basis for cooperation among all the parties concerned in the field of women and peace and security. National ownership by all Member States of this resolution is crucial. We report that we have made modest gains in creating institutions and developing frameworks aimed at addressing violence against women in conflict situations. We still, however, sadly recognize that women and children continue to suffer disproportionately in times of conflict. Today, we recognize that violence against women in all its manifestations must be dealt with firmly and decisively. It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Kenya's commitment to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), whose adoption we consider a milestone. Kenya condemns all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence, and has always urged compliance with both humanitarian and human rights law during times of conflict. Women must be protected from violence and other atrocities during times of conflict. Additionally, women must participate in rebuilding efforts, free from threats, intimidation and discrimination. It is important, therefore, that in pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict situations, the special needs of women be respected and their concerns addressed. My delegation recognizes the fundamental factor that women's perceptions, concerns and opinions must form an integral part of all decision- making processes at all levels in all peace and reconciliation processes. Indeed, traditional stereotypes that have consistently kept women away from the negotiating table are already being broken and must continue to be broken. In Kenya, the newly promulgated constitution has entrenched pertinent provisions relating to the participation of women at the highest levels. The legislature will now have 47 and 16 seats reserved for women, in the National Assembly and the Senate respectively, in addition to those who will be elected from the various constituencies. Furthermore, in all cases where special interests are represented in the legislature, the seats will be divided equally between men and women. As relates to national commissions and other bodies, the representation by women shall not be less than 30 per cent of the total membership, and a woman shall serve in one of the two highest positions in the entity. Pursuant to the resolution, Kenya has made deliberate efforts to increase the participation of women in peacekeeping missions. Currently, we have women in uniform deployed in the peacekeeping missions in which Kenya is participating, and we are determined to increase that number. With the recent establishment of UN Women, we believe that women will have a stronger voice to speak on issues affecting them, including the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). The coordination of the various agencies, offices and mandate holders that deal with women, and violence against women in particular, will be crucial to the implementation of the resolution. While it is understood that the Security Council has an important role to play in dealing with peace and security matters internationally, States bear the primary responsibility to protect their citizens - women and children in particular - from violence. It is in this regard that my delegation calls for more concerted efforts by the international community and the Security Council to prevent and address the myriad issues surrounding conflicts. Indeed, countries in conflict and those that have recently emerged from conflict have unique challenges which, if not comprehensively addressed, will lead to either a continuation of or relapse into conflict. The international community must provide the necessary framework and assistance to ensure that women do not suffer needlessly from conflict or its aftermath. The adoption of resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) clearly demonstrates an increased commitment on the part of the Security Council to address violence against women. Kenya expresses its deep gratitude to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2010/498), which, inter alia, showcases the key sectors where tangible progress is being made in this context and identifies gaps and challenges in implementation. Kenya is particularly grateful for the indicators that have been suggested in the report and will seek to engage further with all Member States and stakeholders in order to achieve the widest acceptance of them. My delegation believes that the indicators are preliminary and form an important basis for overall monitoring of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Adhering to the indicators, however, will have budgetary implications, for which support is requested. As relates to the implementation of the resolution, many challenges still continue to hamper countries' efforts to implement it, such as lack of capacity to implement gender mainstreaming initiatives, weak accountability mechanisms and limitations with respect to funding and resources. All these issues have to be addressed to ensure systematic integration and implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). In conclusion, I wish to reiterate my country's commitment to implementing resolution 1325 (2000). Indeed, we are happy to report the ongoing discussions being carried out among stakeholders in Kenya to develop a action plan for the implementation of the resolution. We support the Secretary-General in his continued efforts to mainstream resolution 1325 (2000) throughout the United Nations system.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

Mr. Osman (Sudan) (spoke in Arabic): I would like at the outset to congratulate you once again, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month, as well as your initiative to convene this open debate on women and peace and security to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). That resolution led to the adoption of the 2008-2009 System-wide Action Plan for implementation across the United Nations system and to the identification of standard indicators to measure progress and the time frame needed to apply the indicators at the regional and international levels. Here we recall the prior report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security (S/20lO/l73), which set out strategies and principles to guide the forging of a strong framework for addressing gender equality and the status of women, especially in situations of armed conflict. On this occasion, we note the need to move forward with the full implementation of the resolution over the next decade by adopting comprehensive and robust regional action plans in this field. These must include capacity-building for developing countries that have been afflicted by conflict, especially since the item "Women and peace and security" has been one of the most active on the Council's agenda over the past 10 years, as evidenced by the subsequent adoption of three other resolutions - resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) - and presidential statements and statements to the press on the same topic. All of this has been accompanied by a substantial body of periodic reports of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security. When considering the status of women, we are able to say proudly that the Sudan has deep-rooted pioneering experience in this field, as Sudanese women have always been genuine partners in the political and decision-making structures of our country since their participation in the election of the first Sudanese parliament in 1954 on the eve of our declaration of independence. These gains for women developed further when women were elected as members of the Sudanese parliament in 1964, following independence. Moreover, my country has applied the concept of equal pay for equal work for men and women since 1967. It was therefore only natural that the gains of Sudanese women in terms of political participation continued to develop, reaching the level of 25 per cent representation in the federal parliament as well as in provincial councils, in accordance with the laws governing the elections that were held in my country last April. This means that a quarter of the seats in Sudan's federal and provincial legislatures are held by women, which was mentioned by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, in her statement at the opening of this debate. It is worth mentioning as just one example that in the judiciary alone 79 judgeships are held by Sudanese women, many of whom have presided as judges of the Supreme Court. Sudanese women have also held high-ranking diplomatic positions, including ambassadorships, and have been commanders in the armed forces, the police and the security forces. As for combating the phenomenon of violence against women, the Government of the Sudan has adopted a national strategy that was prepared by all relevant official and public actors. The strategy has been implemented at the central and provincial levels. The fruits of the strategy include the establishment of social police units which deal with women's issues and combat all forms of discrimination and violence against women, including sexual violence. Many specialized centres have also been founded at the central and provincial levels in order to coordinate women's efforts in the fields of peace and development and to offer women-oriented guidance and consultations on bolstering the concept of gender equality and dealing with the status of women in areas afflicted by war, be it in the southern parts of the country or in Darfur. It is worth noting here that disarmament, demobilization, resettlement and reintegration programmes have given special priority to the situation of women, in close coordination with relevant United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Today, we would like to commend the existing cooperation with UNIFEM. and its active role in translating the aforementioned action plan into tangible reality. We look forward to seeing UNIFEM, through the new gender Entity at the United Nations, play a larger role in terms of building national capacity and supporting efforts aimed at the advancement of women and improvement of their status, especially in post-conflict areas. We would also like to recall aspects relating to the status of women within the framework of attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. Building the capacity of developing countries and enabling them to achieve the Goals would be the most efficient way to improve the status of women, bearing in mind the Beijing Platform for Action and especially in the light of the close link between the Platform for Action and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and their impact on factors relating to progress in improving the status of women. The Government of the Sudan has been celebrating the tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security since 10 June. In Khartoum, our capital, we held an expanded workshop and an open day to celebrate the anniversary, in coordination with the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) and the Sudan country offices of United Nations agencies, at the forefront of which was UNIFEM. It is also worth noting that preparatory work for the open day included workshops attended by women in several parts of the Sudan, including Khartoum and Juba, the capital of the southern province, the Warab province in the south and the provinces of East and Central Equatoria, as well as the three provinces of Darfur. We would also note that, in coordination with UNMIS and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), 88 women members of provincial councils have been trained on mainstreaming a gender perspective on all levels, and female police units in the south and in Darfur have been trained in capacity-building. The situation of women in armed conflict has always been part of dealing comprehensively with the root causes of conflict. Therefore, we endorse the report's reference to a work plan covering the underlying causes of conflict, such as poverty, socio-economic and gender inequalities, endemic underdevelopment, weak or non-existent institutions and the absence of effective governance. This approach is based on the fact that war is war. Wherever war breaks out, its negative impact affects the vulnerable parts of society: women and children. Accordingly, we affirm that a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement of conflicts is the mother of all solutions for all issues pertaining to the situation of women in armed conflict. We also affirm that the Security Council's effectiveness in implementing and following up on resolution 1325 (2000), including the specific measures undertaken to that effect, must be based on accurate information. I repeat: all these actions and measures must be based on accurate information contained in the Secretary-General's periodic reports on the issue, not on information cited in the reports of certain non-govemmental organizations and media organizations. We also affirm the need for the Council to rely on the country reports submitted by Member States on their implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We urge the United Nations and its missions to organize workshops and consultative round tables with those involved in countries affected by conflict in order to exchange experiences regarding the overall situation of women in armed conflict.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Silva (Sri Lanka): Mr. President, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to participate in this important debate. Also, we appreciate the briefings by the Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Executive Director of UN Women, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, the President of the Economic and Social Council and the civil society representative. The adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) 10 years ago was a landmark in our efforts to recognize women's contribution to the maintenance and promotion of peace and security and their specific needs and concerns during and in the aftermath of armed conflicts. In many ways, today's debate is an assessment of the evolution of this issue as well as an opportunity to identify the challenges that lie ahead. Although the devastation stemming from armed conflicts does not discriminate along gender lines, it is known that women and children, particularly girls, often experience a disproportionate share of harm during and in the aftermath of armed conflicts. It is known that in the context of some armed conflicts involving non-State actors, young girls are often forced into early and underage marriages and early pregnancies in order to avoid forcible recruitment into the fighting ranks by non-State actors. Such practices have serious health implications for the young mothers and their children. The practice of recruiting young women and girls as suicide bombers - undoubtedly a vicious and obnoxious practice - not only snuffs out their worldly aspirations but also deprives their communities and societies of their productive contributions. The perpetration of sexual violence against women leaves them debilitated psychologically and, in most instances, physically as well. The challenges faced by women in post-conflict environments remain formidable. Often, they are forced to contend with family dislocation, social ostracism and shattered livelihoods. Some face the everyday reality of being single mothers. In many ways, a level playing field in terms of gender equity continues to elude women in post-conflict contexts as well. Those are serious issues that call for the urgent and undivided attention of the international community. Sri Lanka, having grappled with a virulent form of terrorism perpetrated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is fully cognizant of the despicable reality that clouded the lives of the young girls and women in the north and east of our country. The Council will recall that Sri Lanka had to intervene in the Council's deliberations under resolutions 1539 (2004) and 1612 (2005), on children and armed conflict, to focus attention on the abhorrent practice of child recruitment for combat by LTTE terrorists and on the deployment of young women as suicide bombers. With the defeat of terrorism in May 2009, through a massive humanitarian rescue mission our Government took concerted action to rehabilitate and reintegrate all former child combatants. Among them, 351 were girls. Knowing that those children had been forced to take up guns instead of school books, the Government of Sri Lanka adopted a prudent, practical and compassionate approach towards their reintegration, an approach based on the principles of women's empowerment, livelihood training, psychosocial support and, above all, restorative justice. For those who missed the opportunity to experience a childhood and a formal education, arrangements have been made through catch-up schools to enable them to complete examinations for the general certificate of education, irrespective of their current age. The State and society view them as Victims and not as perpetrators. The lessons learned and the good practices adopted by Sri Lanka in the arduous process of rapidly restoring the future of those children deserve appreciation. Ours is a success story that has no parallel elsewhere. With regard to former adult LTTE cadres, the Government has placed high priority on their social and economic reintegration. In recognition of that priority, a vocational, technical and language-training programme has been developed under our accelerated skills acquisition programme. It includes, among other things, training in information technology, heavy machinery operation and the electrical, mechanical and apparel sectors. That is intended to enable former LTTE members to participate fully in the various employment opportunities that are being created along with the ongoing massive infrastructure and other development projects in the north and the east of our country. Furthermore, with a view to harnessing the potential of the social integration and social development of those former combatants, the ministry in charge of rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Hindu Congress and the Commissioner-General for Rehabilitation, organized a wedding ceremony for 53 couples who wished to get married. An equal number of houses were constructed for the newlyweds to complete their rehabilitation programme as husband and wife. We are mindful of the challenges before us on the larger subject of women and peace and security. On the policy level, programmes have already been identified to address the critical issues facing women and girls in the post-conflict phase. We are especially focused on the special needs of thousands of widows and orphans. However, resource limitations are a challenge in our efforts to accelerate and implement the envisaged ameliorative programmes for those segments of the population. We sincerely thank our friends in the international community for their generous support for the livelihood development programme for the country's widows. Despite the resource challenges, it is nevertheless heartening to note that the 2010 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum ranks Sri Lanka at number 16 in the area of gender parity. In page 27, the report notes that "Sri Lanka is distinctive for being the only South Asian country in the top 20 for the fourth consecutive year. Sri Lanka's performance remains steady as it maintains the same rank as 2009. In addition to higher-than-average performance in education and health, Sri Lanka continues to hold a privileged position regarding political empowerment." Sri Lanka will conduct a national population census in 2011 for the entire country, the first such country-wide census since 1981. The census will pave the way for adopting gender disaggregated methods to address data gaps in areas such as women and girls with disabilities and their access to educational and health services. Such focused census-taking will facilitate the development of policy inputs to initiate and strengthen programmes for women and girls in areas that have escaped adequate policy focus. There is no doubt that consolidated action will further empower women and girls in post-conflict Sri Lanka. We believe that the proliferation of small arms increases the risk of interpersonal violence, including domestic and societal violence, which often continue after conflicts. Hence, curbing the spread of small arms will be a step in the right direction in minimizing gender-based violence. As resolution 1325 (2000) focuses extensively on women's role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, Sri Lanka stands ready to extend its support to achieve gender parity in United Nations peacekeeping activities and in carrying out gender-related mandates of peacekeeping missions. Necessary background efforts, including pre-deployment training, have been completed to deploy an all-female battalion, comprised of 855 personnel and 28 female officers, at any given time. Sri Lanka is also willing to share its experiences in this area with other countries in need of such assistance, through relevant United Nations agencies. We remain hopeful that the Council will make every effort to ensure that the indicators proposed for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) are also acceptable to, and achievable by, all Member States. That is especially so given our varying levels of development and prevailing socio-economic conditions. We wish to caution, however, that as one third of the proposed indicators in the Secretary-General's report are qualitative in nature, a balanced, transparent and objective approach must be exercised in the selection of data. Also, it is important to carefully design, through extensive consultations, the methods that would be used to verify the quantitative data. After all, it is the collective responsibility and objective of all of us Member States to ensure a world free, safe and fair for all women and girls.

The President: I now give the floor to the NATO Civilian Liaison Officer to the United Nations.

Ms. Lemos-Maniati: On behalf of NATO, it is a special pleasure for me to be here today with the Security Council to mark this important anniversary. Exactly 10 years ago, the Security Council adopted the important resolution 1325 (2000). It the first resolution to address the impact of conflict on women and the contribution that women can make to solidifying peace. It recognizes that the major security, economic and governance challenges of our time cannot be solved without the protection and participation of women at all levels of our society. As such, resolution 1325 (2000) is truly a landmark resolution which we must all live up to. NATO is ready to play its full role by pursuing a pragmatic approach. With our partners, we have agreed on a comprehensive list of concrete actions to mainstream gender perspectives into NATO's partnership programmes. Resolution 1325 (2000) has become a fully integrated element of NATO's comprehensive approach to crisis management. The Alliance currently has 150,000 women and men engaged in operations from Afghanistan to the Balkans, but also off the Horn of Africa. In these gender-sensitive environments, we have made it clear that the involvement of women in operations is crucial if we want to establish relationships and trust with civil society. It is important to ensure that women are present, active and take decisions at all strategic, operational and tactical levels. In September 2009, NATO issued a military directive to all NATO commanders and allied and partner nations for the integration of resolution 1325 (2000) and gender perspectives in NATO military organizations and the planning and execution of operations. It included a strict code of behaviour for all military personnel serving in NATO-led operations. The directive paved the way for the deployment of NATO's first military gender advisers in the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force in the autumn of last year, complementing the network of national gender advisers already fielded in some of the provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan. Gender advisers will also soon be deployed to the Kosovo Force and begin work at the level of our strategic commands. This approach has enabled us to mainstream a gender perspective from NATO's senior political level all the way to the tactical engagement level of NATO troops in operations. A related, important aspect is education and training; it is one of the keys to changing mindsets. Our education institutions are engaged in this process, providing predeployment training for all civilian and military personnel of peacekeeping operations. But looking ahead, NATO intends to do more. We will continue mainstreaming resolution 1325 (2000) in our operations, recognizing that mainstreaming gender perspectives requires a continuous and shared effort until it becomes the norm. We will continue developing education and training in civilian and military frameworks. We will continue to engage with other international organizations - including the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) - as well as with the civil society, to share our experiences, lessons learned and best practices. Here, we welcome the establishment of UN Women; we wish all the best to Ms. Bachelet and are looking forward to working with her. We will continue encouraging nations to develop national action plans and to promote the participation of women in their armed forces. In Afghanistan, in particular, we will continue to encourage women to take their rightful place in shaping their country's future. We will continue to support Afghan women's networks, which play a key role in the development of governance and social and economic development, and to help train female police and security officers. Finally, we will also enhance our efforts to mainstream resolution 1325 (2000) in the Alliance's everyday business. NATO must continue to become a modern place of work where decisions can be taken professionally and efficiently. For this to happen, a healthy gender balance is as important. One decade on from the adoption of the Security Council's groundbreaking resolution 1325 (2000), we are confident that we can take the next steps. We will remain committed to taking practical and pragmatic actions with our allies and our partners. We will remain active and engaged, and we look forward to continuing our efforts and cooperation beyond this anniversary.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Sierra Leone.

Mr. Kamara (Sierra Leone): My delegation would like to thank you for organizing this debate in connection with the tenth anniversary of the adoption of what has become a landmark resolution in the history of the United Nations - namely, resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report contained in document S/2010/498. From our own experience, sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full and effective participation of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace processes, and post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding. A few weeks ago, the Security Council itself acknowledged the efforts that Sierra Leone is making towards the prevention and resolution of conflict and in peacebuilding. In resolution 1941 (2010), the Council commended the Government of Sierra Leone for recognizing the important role of women in peacebuilding, with reference to resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), by establishing national strategies relating to women, peace and security. Today, we can boast of a national action plan launched by President Koroma on 8 June, which was developed through a process that has been acclaimed by many as highly participatory and inclusive. This comprehensive plan includes a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that all actors are accountable for its full implementation. Prior to the launching of our national action plan, we also launched an overarching national gender strategic plan, with which the national action plan has been harmonized with a view to mainstreaming its implementation into the President's Agenda for Change. Increasing the participation and representation of our women in peace and security programmes within a democratic governance structure for us is key. To ensure that the role of women in the local Government machinery is enhanced, the Local Government Act stipulates gender parity at the municipal level. We have also ensured a significant improvement in the participation of women in the security and justice sectors by appointing a number of women to senior management positions. In 2008, for instance, there was a landmark appointment. A woman was appointed as Chief Justice of the judiciary of Sierra Leone. Nine of the 21 judges are women, while four of the seven Supreme Court justices are also women. The first female brigadier in Sierra Leone - also the first in West Africa - was recently appointed as a major step towards the implementation of the equal opportunities policy adopted in 2009 by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Access to justice for our women has been reinforced through the enactment of the three gender- responsive laws: the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Devolution of Estates Act. These laws are designed to promote women's human rights and protect women against discrimination. The illicit flow and use of small arms and light weapons during the 11-year rebel war was devastating, particularly for our women and girls. In this regard, the enactment of the National Commission on Small Arms Act of 2010 and the formal establishment of the National Commission should, among other things, enhance our capacity to address the issue of violence, including gender-based and sexual Violence. We have also established a National Committee on Gender- based Violence to look into cases of abuse and violence against women and girls. Moreover, pillar 3 of the Sierra Leone national action plan specifically deals with the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators as a way of addressing the question of impunity for sexual and gender-based Violence. Among other impressive strides taken by the Government of Sierra Leone to improve the welfare of our women and girls are affirmative action for girl- child education and the recent adoption of the free health care delivery initiative for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under the age of five. We are well aware that it is our national responsibility to implement the provisions of this groundbreaking resolution. We acknowledge the support of the Unite Nations system and the international community as a whole in what we have been able to achieve since resolution 1325 (2000) was adopted 10 years ago. We count on their continued and sustained support, especially that of United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone, in this noble venture.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Trinidad and Tobago.

Ms. Boissiere (Trinidad and Tobago): Trinidad and Tobago welcomes the opportunity to make its contribution to the debate on this significant topic almost a decade to the day after resolution 1325 (2000) was adopted by the Security Council. We also thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2010/498) on this important subject. Trinidad and Tobago recognizes the competence of the Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter in matters related to the maintenance of international peace and security and wishes to support the efforts made by the Council to integrate a gender perspective into that traditionally male-focused thematic area. It is our view that the seminal character of this resolution cannot be overemphasized, as it was the first to recognize the need for the involvement of both women and men in efforts to attain sustainable peace and security. The significance of the resolution is also observed because of its call for the integration of perspectives on the special needs of women and girls in relation to post-conflict reconstruction and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration initiatives. Our support for the resolution is based not only on our legal obligations under the Charter, but also on our own national laws, which have entrenched the inalienable rights of women into our domestic legal framework. We note with satisfaction that resolution 1325 (2000) highlights the cross-cutting nature of gender considerations in all areas related to peace and security. In a similar manner, Trinidad and Tobago has developed a draft national policy on gender and development, which seeks to underscore the essential contribution of women to national development and integrate the gender perspective into all levels of national policy. Trinidad and Tobago also supports the important role of United Nations specialized agencies and bodies and the role they play in gender-mainstreaming initiatives and the promotion of women. In this regard, we are particularly encouraged by the establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and we congratulate Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Entity. Additionally, we have made annual contributions to the United Nations Children's Fund and, in the past, to the United Nations Development Fund for Women. We subscribe to the rule of law in the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security as well as in the empowerment and advancement of women. In keeping with that approach, and in recognition of the importance of the achievement of some of the measures outlined in resolution 1325 (2000), Trinidad and Tobago, as a responsible member of the international community, has implemented in its domestic legal system not only its obligations under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977, but also its obligations under other instruments, including, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The vulnerability of women and girls in situations of armed conflict and, in our specific circumstances, armed violence, continue to engage our attention. Consequently, we have implemented and continue to implement measures to eliminate and mitigate the effects of armed violence, particularly against women and girls in our society. As such, and in light of the 15- year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which, inter alia, calls for the elimination of violence against women, Trinidad and Tobago has developed a procedural manual on domestic violence to guide the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in addressing this issue. We also offer gender training workshops to members of our armed forces. Notwithstanding the importance of the implementation of agreements on peace and security, Trinidad and Tobago is of the view that the prosecution of those accused of committing grave crimes against women and girls during armed conflict is a key factor in the attainment of lasting peace. As a result, Trinidad and Tobago as a founding State of the International Criminal Court has given domestic legal effect to the Rome Statute, which established the Court, and has also encouraged adherence to the instrument by Member States of the subregion of the Caribbean Community. Any failure to prosecute the perpetrators of grave crimes against women and girls would not only contribute to a culture of impunity, but would also be at variance with resolution 1325 (2000). In the spirit of advancing the dual agenda of the attainment of international peace and security and the empowerment of women, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago announced during the general debate of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly (20th plenary meeting) our intention to introduce in the First Committee at the present session a draft resolution on women, disarmament, non- proliferation and arms control. It is our view that this draft resolution complements Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) by focusing on the participation of women in processes geared towards the advancement of disarmament and international peace and security. The draft resolution seeks to emphasize the value of women as contributors to the achievement of international peace and security and encourages Member States to promote and support their involvement at the policymaking and other levels. The draft resolution has since been introduced in the First Committee as document A/C.1/65/L.39/Rev.l and has already attracted support from Member States. Trinidad and Tobago welcomes further support for this initiative and looks forward to the adoption of the draft resolution by consensus. In conclusion, Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to working with other Member States as well as its partners at the regional and hemispheric levels in order to provide an environment which promotes the involvement of women in matter relating to peace and security.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Botswana.

Mr. Ntwaagae (Botswana): My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the delegation of Namibia on behalf of Southern African Development Community (SADC). I would like to extend the gratitude of my delegation to you, Mr. President, for having convened this important meeting on women and peace and security. We congratulate Ms. Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. We assure her of our full support in the discharge of her mandate. As 2010 marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security, it is of the utmost importance that we strive to ensure gender equality, fight violence against women and to enhance women's participation in international peace and security. Resolution 1325 (2000) represents one of the most important milestones of gender mainstreaming in the United Nations. Since its adoption in 2000, this important tool has allowed the United Nations and its agencies, through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Women and Peace and Security, to work together on these issues. Considerable attention has also been paid to its implementation at the national and international levels. Today's deliberations reaffirm the great importance that we attach individually and collectively to the impact of conflict on women and to the role that women can play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. The deliberations also provide an opportunity to reaffirm the core message of resolution 1325 (2000) that sustainable peace will be possible only with women's full participation, perspectives, leadership and presence wherever we seek to make and keep the peace. As the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/498) indicates, some progress has indeed been made in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as demonstrated by the notable efforts made by the United Nations system, Member States, civil society and other actors. In this regard, a number of activities covering a broad range of areas have been undertaken over the past decade. However, we remain concerned that, in spite of the adoption of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), which have become beacons of hope for millions of women and girls, crimes of rape and sexual violence persist. Women and girls continue to be targeted, while rape and sexual violence continue to be used as weapons of war. Women also constitute the majority of the world's refugees and internally displaced persons. However, we share a sense of optimism that, given our collective will, especially within the Security Council, we can bring an end to impunity and to this crime against humanity. In this regard, we call upon all concerned parties to refrain from committing human rights abuses in conflict situations, including sexual violence, to respect international humanitarian law and to promote non-violent forms of conflict resolution and a culture of peace. We recognize that peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men. One of the most important issues to be addressed with regard to women and armed conflict remains women's participation in conflict resolution and the negotiation of peace agreements at the national and international levels. In the same vein, we recognize that women's equal participation in decision-making at all levels is key to better advance and address the specific needs and concerns of women. We believe that if women are to play an equal part in the maintenance of peace and security, they must be empowered politically and economically and represented adequately at all decision-making levels, both at the pre-conflict stage and during hostilities, as well as during peacekeeping, reconstruction and reconciliation. In this respect, it is also our belief that the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) can be achieved only through increased recognition of the crucial role of women, as well as their participation and involvement in all efforts aimed at preventing and resolving conflicts. We fully share the opinion that gender equality should be recognized as a core issue in the maintenance of peace and security. Therefore, we must ensure that the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000) are realized in order to enable women to participate fully and equally in all levels of decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Women must become full agents in the shaping and rebuilding of their communities in the aftermath of war. It is our duty to continue to work towards the full implementation of this resolution at the national, regional and international levels. In conclusion, Botswana attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of the rights and interests of women and to advancing the status of women. The Government of Botswana has made major achievements in protecting women from violence and in ensuring a secure environment where their rights are protected and their participation in decision-making bodies is guaranteed.

The President: I shall now give the floor to the representative of Ghana.

Mr. Christian (Ghana): Ghana is pleased to join others in congratulating the delegation of Uganda on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of October and for convening this debate on resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2010/498) and his statement here this morning. We equally thank the newly appointed head of UN Women, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, for her briefing to the Council. My delegation is confident that, with her appointment, this key position is in capable hands. Resolution 1325 (2000) is indeed important and unique, as it was the first of its kind to link women's experiences in conflict to the international peace and security agenda, focusing attention on the impact of conflict on women and girls and calling for women's engagement in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Ghana welcomes the findings of the Secretary- General's report, which acknowledges the growing participation of women in decision-making and in peacekeeping operations, as well as the key role played by civil society in keeping critical issues on the development agenda and supporting women peacemakers in conflict areas. It also recognizes the key role played by the United Nations Development Fund for Women in the implementation of the resolution and notes that gender has become a more prominent feature of mission planning. In spite of these achievements, the report indicates that methods for monitoring the impact of the resolution are dismal. Although the 2008-2009 System-wide Action Plan was credible in terms of strengthening results- based management, it had design and development weaknesses that will require extensive consultations and redesigning. Tools for measuring progress, such as the comprehensive set of indicators on resolution 1325 (2000), have been designed to ascertain the impact of international efforts on women's issues in order to address the substantive gaps that remain between policies and their implementation. These indicators should also monitor success in the implementation of national action plans. However, 10 years on, most Member States have yet to implement national action plans, with only 20 countries having adopted them. We hold the view that the slow progress of Member States in fully implementing resolution 1325 (2000) is the result of poor monitoring, lack of awareness at the national, regional and international levels, lack of capacity to operationalize the resolution, compartmentalization of issues raised by the resolution, poor coordination among various security sectors, and poor funding and stereotyping of the resolution as a women-only tool. It is our belief that resolution 1325 (2000) will further enhance our country's strong traditions on issues of peace and security, as exemplified through our support of peace missions and the activities of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. In this context, Ghana, in partnership with the Women Peace and Security Network Africa and the Canadian Government, has taken steps to realize the final stages of establishing Ghana's national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000). Despite the intensified efforts made in the past decade, there remain major analytical gaps, and globally women account for only 2 per cent of military peacekeeping personnel. Another question is on how processed information can be compared among different country situations. We should also bear in mind that the structure and resourcing capabilities of UN Women will come into effect only on 1 January 2011. Consequently, continued attention and support are required to ensure the meaningful participation of women at all stages of the peace process. The Council could endorse a single comprehensive framework to guide implementation of the resolution, or it could endorse the set of indicators while urging Member States to adopt national action plans for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We further encourage the Secretary-General to take steps to reiterate his commitment to the resolution and to expedite the process towards the full implementation of all 26 indicators. This year marks the tenth anniversary of this landmark resolution. As we review the progress made so far, let us resolve to work harder to ensure its fuller implementation. There is therefore a need to share experiences and good practices across the board. We all have a duty to exhibit the political will to ensure that the next decade is one of action. The United Nations system will need to intensify its efforts to support Member States in accelerating the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Armenia.

Mr. Nazarian (Armenia): I join previous speakers in thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate on a topic that has gained sound public and political acknowledgment. Armenia aligns itself with the statement delivered this evening by Ambassador Serrano of the European Union. I would like to make some brief observations in my national capacity. Let me start with a quotation from the Beijing Platform for Action: "Peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men and development" (A/CONFJ77/20, annex 11, para. 131). Although a very simple and straightforward statement, it goes to the heart of what we are discussing today, namely, that gender equality and security go hand in hand. Armenia takes note of some positive developments. During the past decade, the Security Council has put in place a normative framework for women's participation in peace processes, the elimination of sexual violence in armed conflict, the protection and promotion of women's human rights, and the mainstreaming of gender equality and perspectives in the context of armed conflict, peacebuilding and reconstruction. As noted by the Secretary-General earlier this year, many peace processes now regularly include consultations with women's peace groups. In many post-conflict countries, the number of women in Government has increased dramatically, and they have used their public decision-making roles to advance women's rights. Despite the progress, however, much still needs to be addressed and accomplished, as the female voice is not always heard. In that regard, the most important item on the agenda is to increase the presence of women in decision-making processes. Women remain largely excluded, especially from efforts to find workable solutions to conflicts. We should further promote their participation. The costs of conflicts are borne disproportionately by women and children. Since women pay the primary price when peace is absent, they are important stakeholders in peacebuilding. As such, the inclusion of women in all stages of the peace process guarantees a more lasting and representative settlement. A number of research studies have also indicated that women generally are more collaborative, and thus more inclined towards mutual compromise. Women often use their role as mothers to cut across international borders and divides. We have experienced this first hand in our region. Earlier this year, representatives of Armenian and Azerbaijani women's non-governmental organizations discussed ways to find peaceful solutions to the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. The peace dialogues are oriented towards increasing the role of Armenian and Azerbaijani women in peace processes and towards the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). More meetings between the sides are expected to take place. As we discuss the role of women in peacemaking and peacebuilding, we cannot ignore an issue that is inextricably tied to it - violence against women and girls in conflict situations. It is unfortunate that, despite the existence of international legal instruments and normative mechanisms, there has been a disturbing escalation in levels of sexual violence during and after armed conflicts. During the past decade, particular attention has been paid to addressing some of the specific crimes experienced by women and girls during armed conflict, namely, rape, trafficking, enforced prostitution and enslavement. It is critical to ensure accountability for past and present crimes and not to grant impunity to perpetrators. Otherwise, we would provide amnesty for future crimes. Having had the privilege to chair the fifty-fourth session of the Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year, I would like to emphasize that special attention needs to be paid to children who are victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence, especially girls, who are usually the largest group of victims in armed conflict. In addition to the physical damage, sexual violence often leaves lasting harm and stigma. By recalling the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as relevant provisions contained in instruments of international law, the Commission on the Status of Women has expressed grave concern about the continuation of armed conflicts in many regions of the world and about the human suffering and humanitarian emergencies they have caused. Peacebuilding needs the involvement of women. Women's roles in peacebuilding in Bosnia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and many other places in recent decades highlight the importance of their full participation. Women need to be present to discuss issues such as genocide, impunity and security if just and enduring peace is to be built. Armenia will continue to work closely with the United Nations and all other interested parties - including the newly established UN Women, under the competent leadership of Michelle Bachelet - to implement and expand the agenda of resolution 1325 (2000), with a view to bettering the situation of women around the world.

The President: There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 10.20 p.m.