S/PV.9981 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, the Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Viet Nam and Yemen to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Ms. Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed, Founder and Coordinator, Darfur Advocacy Group. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I also invite the following to participate in this meeting: Mrs. Hedda Samson, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, and Mr. David Balsa Guldris, Special Envoy of the Presidency of the Central American Court of Justice to the United Nations. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/389, which con­ tains the report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, and docu­ ment S/2025/499, which contains the text of a letter dated 1 August 2025 from the Perma­ nent Representative of Panama to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General. I now give the floor to Ms. Patten. Ms. Patten: One morning, a young woman — a recent graduate in international relations — boarded a bus to collect her diploma in Khartoum. By the end of that day, her life as she knew it was over. Dragged from the bus, she was gang raped at gunpoint by four members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and left in a dark alley. The next morning, when she regained consciousness, she boarded the first bus she saw and ended up in Port Sudan. Later, when she realized that she was pregnant, she knew she could never return home to face her family. When I met her a few months ago in Port Sudan, she was struggling to care for her baby and to heal from her trauma. No words can give that young woman back her future or secure the future of her child. No words can make that daily bus ride through a war zone safe for countless other women and girls. Today’s meeting is rightly focused on identifying strategies to support survivors in conflict zones, where life-saving services are the least accessible at the very moment they are needed most. I sincerely thank and commend Panama for convening this critical debate. I wish that I could say that members of the Council will stand united in preserving the progress made by this mandate over the past 15 years. I wish that I could say that today’s debate will demonstrate to survivors the depth of our collective concern and the extent of our political courage. Yet, even as needs are mounting, humanitarian assistance is being slashed. Women’s front-line organizations are going from underfunded to unfunded. We are told there is no money for life-saving aid, even as military expenditure soars, and the world spends more in 24 hours on arms than it does in a year on addressing gender-based violence in conflict. We are told it is a question of competing priorities. So what is it that takes precedence over the safety and the rights of civilians? What future do we expect to build on the broken bodies and broken dreams of abused women and girls? Right now, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, clinics are being forced to turn survivors away for a lack of basic post-rape care. In South Sudan, women returning home from displacement camps are in desperate need of assistance to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. In the Sudan, Ukraine, northern Ethiopia and Gaza, healthcare systems have been decimated, and humanitarian organizations are forced to do more and more with less and less and less. It is 80 years since the adoption of the Charter of the United Nations, which affirmed the equal rights of men and women, and a quarter of a century since the advent of the women and peace and security agenda, which explicitly linked gender equality with the pursuit of peace. Yet instead of defending transformative progress, we are defunding life-saving programmes. I wish that I could say that every member of the Council will use their influence to be a global force for good, silence the guns, amplify the voices of women and foster the conditions of equality and inclusion that are vital to stability and peace. I wish that I could say that we will rise above denial and deflection, above politicization and recriminations, to take responsibility for the human suffering inflicted on our watch and to stand with survivors and service providers on the right side of history. I wish that I could say that the donor and diplomatic community will uphold its values and hold the line on funding for protection and assistance. But we shall see. If we are serious about peace, we must fund the institutions that make peace possible. If we are serious about security, we must reaffirm the rule of law and hold accountable those who commit, command or condone grave violations, including the atrocity crime of conflict-related sexual violence. Preventing and addressing this scourge is no longer merely an aspiration — it is a binding obligation that must be respected, implemented and enforced. There are many unseen faces behind the facts and figures presented in the report before us today (S/2025/389). Each of them holds a mirror up to our own moral responsibility. Picture the young Congolese woman who was gang raped by members of a Mai-Mai militia in retaliation for speaking out against sexual violence, then forced to flee her home under the threat of death, even as her assailants walked free. Think of the survivor of sexual violence in detention in Myanmar who described her We often speak of survivors, but let us not forget the women in Darfur who have committed suicide rather than face the near-certainty of rape by armed men. Let us not forget that the threat, terror and torment of wartime sexual violence is something that many do not survive. We have documented cases of family members being murdered for defending their loved ones, such as the Sudanese man killed by the RSF for resisting their attempt to rape his niece. We have documented cases of women being killed after rape, with a level of cruelty beyond comprehension. For this and other reasons — primarily the lack of access to services and safe reporting channels — the annual report can never paint a complete picture. The data we are able to present remains a chronic undercount, reflecting cases verified by the United Nations rather than the scale and magnitude of actual incidents. In the course of 2024, more than 4,600 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including as a tactic of war, torture, terror and political repression, were documented, marking a staggering 25 per cent increase from 2023, which itself saw a 50 per cent increase from the previous year. The increase in cases reflects the widening scope of warfare globally. The report now spans 21 situations of concern, with the highest number of cases being recorded in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia and South Sudan. Every year, we note the disproportionate impact on women and girls, who consistently account for more than 90 per cent of verified cases — 92 per cent this year. The report records violations against victims ranging in age from just 1 to 75 years and against persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities, racial and ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities. Sexual violence against children increased by a shocking 35 per cent over the past year, with incidents of gang rape rising dramatically, inflicting enduring generational harm. This year’s report raises the alarm about several striking trends. First, displaced and refugee women and girls continue to be exposed to heightened risks of sexual violence, which also inhibit safe return. Secondly, food insecurity is increasing the risk of exposure to sexual violence and exploitation, as humanitarian access is curtailed or blocked by belligerent parties. The unprecedented level of attacks on humanitarian workers has hampered access to life-saving support. Thirdly, the accelerated drawdowns and transitions of United Nations peace operations have diminished the capacity of the United Nations system to reach and support survivors, notably in Mali, the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Operational continuity must be maintained through all configurations of the United Nations country presence, including through the deployment of women protection advisers, currently present in less than half of the countries we cover. Fourthly, non-State armed groups, including United Nations-designated terrorist groups, continue to use sexual violence to consolidate their control over territory and lucrative natural resources and to incentivize the recruitment of fighters. This tactic strengthens violent extremist groups, criminal networks and spoilers to the peace, including through abduction and trafficking as part of a political economy that turns pain into profit. Fifthly, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons continues to fuel conflict-related sexual violence. United Nations data indicates that firearms are used in 70 to 90 per cent of recorded cases, despite the Arms Trade Treaty requiring States Finally, patterns of conflict-related sexual violence persist in both formal and informal detention settings, including against prisoners of war, as a method of torture to humiliate and intimidate in order to extract information. This has been documented in Myanmar, the occupied Palestinian territory, the Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen and Ukraine and against men, boys and migrants in Libya. This year’s report lists 63 parties credibly suspected of committing, or being responsible for, patterns of sexual violence in situations of conflict on the Security Council’s agenda, with new listings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya and the occupied Palestinian territory. Against that backdrop, my mandate pursues three main lines of response, namely fostering compliance by parties, enhancing service delivery and strengthening safeguards against impunity. In terms of compliance, my mandate has repeatedly called for greater coherence between the list of parties in the annex to the annual report and the designation of individuals and entities by sanctions regimes for targeted and graduated measures. The report and the list are tools for engagement to leverage compliance, protection and behavioural change and to ensure that policies of zero tolerance are not met with zero consequences. Conflict-related sexual violence is explicitly reflected in the designation criteria of nine sanctions regimes, resulting in some 30 listings, which sends a powerful political signal. This mandate has effectively leveraged the credible threat of sanctions and accountability measures to secure the release of women and girls abducted and held in military bases or by armed groups in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere. As part of its operational methodology, my mandate has signed more than a dozen joint communiqués and frameworks of cooperation with parties to armed conflict, most recently with the Government of the Sudan to enhance security sector reform, protection and assistance. Survivor-centred multisectoral services are not a soft issue but rather the ultimate expression of political will. The inter-agency coordination network, United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, which I chair, has been truly transformative in bringing these issues into focus through advocacy, knowledge-building and joint catalytic operations in the field. Through more than 60 life-changing projects spanning 18 conflicts, the network has reached thousands of survivors across Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, South Sudan, Darfur, Somalia and elsewhere. United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict has pioneered innovative strategies that move beyond reactive measures to activate early-warning systems and mitigate risk, shifting social stigma, strengthening solidarity networks and supporting reintegration. These projects have harnessed digital technology for safe and confidential referrals and have made use of mobile clinics to reach survivors in remote and volatile regions. The network has collated best practices and lessons learned into a unique global knowledge hub, which serves as an evidence base for effective solutions. In terms of accountability, including as a form of deterrence, my Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict has supported legislative reform, trained law enforcement officials in trauma-informed investigation and prosecution and ensured that conflict-related sexual violence is addressed in transitional justice processes. Signs of hope are evident in Colombia, where former commanders have been indicted for war crimes, including sexual violence, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where I recently supported the launch of a strategy to implement the law on reparations for survivors of sexual violence. The paradigm shift and bold arc of progress the Council set in motion, through the establishment of my mandate, marked a historic point in the global recognition of the gravity of wartime rape. Having long been underreported, underresourced and overlooked, wartime sexual violence is now increasingly addressed in security policy, including mediation processes, peacekeeping mandates, sanctions citations and transitional justice, ensuring more comprehensive solutions. Once lost to history, these crimes are now publicly recorded for posterity. It has been made clear that sexual violence is preventable, not inevitable; a crime of war, not merely a by-product or form of collateral damage, like a stray bullet or bomb that misses its target. It is now clear that victims of sexual violence are not simply caught in the crossfire — their identities, bodies, health and political agency are actively targeted. How we meet this moment of multi-crisis is the true test of our resolve. While political dynamics and funding decisions may vary, the laws, rights, needs and mandate remain. And we must remain steadfast to save succeeding generations from this scourge. Yazidi sexual violence survivor, now Nobel laureate, Nadia Murad wrote: “I want to be the last girl with a story like mine”. How many more “last girls” must be torn from their families, trafficked into sexual slavery and scarred by the senseless brutality of war, before we take decisive action? How many “last girls” must address the Council before their calls to action are heard and heeded and we end — once and for all — the ancient trilogy of wartime terror: looting, pillage and rape. Today, we have robust normative frameworks, we have the right institutional architecture, and we have enhanced our operational reach and impact. More than ever before, we know what works and should be taken to scale. We have the solemn promise of the Council, expressed in no fewer than six specific resolutions. We now need the political resolve and resources to make them real  — for every “last girl”, for every woman who boards a bus to what should be a brighter future, for every woman who risks her life to raise her voice and speak truth to power, wielded at the point of a gun. Over the next 15 years, our success will be measured by how effectively we close protection, assistance and accountability gaps. As for the survivors and front-line responders, who keep showing up — even unpaid and unprotected — I want to say: we see their courage, we hear their voices, and we will fortify their efforts. Even after the horrors and heartache I have witnessed during eight years in this mandate, I remain hopeful. Survivors and activists remain resilient and continue to have faith in this Organization, in the mission of the Council and in the rules-based international order.

I thank Ms. Patten for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Ahmed. Ms. Ahmed: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to address the Council today. My name is Ikhlass Ahmed, and I am the coordinator and founder of the Darfur Advocacy Group, an organization that advocates for civilian protection, documents human rights violations and provides direct support to victims, including to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, in the Sudan. More than two years into the conflict in the Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), civilians are under siege — we are facing unfolding genocide, famine and the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises. For the hundreds of thousands still trapped in El Fasher, where just last week at least 57 civilians were killed in an attack by the RSF, people are facing an impossible decision — risk their lives by attempting to flee or stay and starve. Conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, sexual slavery, kidnapping and the enforced disappearance of women, has become a hallmark of the war in the Sudan. These crimes have spared no one, from children as young as 1 to women as old as 75. More than 12 million people, primarily women and girls, are at risk of gender-based violence in the Sudan. Between 2023 and 2024 alone there was a 288 per cent increase in survivors seeking support. Conflict-related sexual violence is taking place across the country, including in Khartoum, across Darfur, in internally displaced persons camps and as women flee. And it is being committed by all parties to the conflict — the RSF, the SAF and their respective allies. These facts and figures do not begin to capture the horror of what is taking place in the Sudan, especially Darfur, where many women who were subjected to rape during the Darfur genocide are again experiencing the same violence at the hands of the same militias. Native African tribes, particularly the Zaghawa, Massalit, Tunjur, Fur and Berti, have been targeted on the basis of their ethnicity, indicating that sexual violence has been used as an act of ethnic cleansing and potentially genocide. One survivor from Zalingei told us “they treated me as if I were not even human.” Another survivor told us that when she and four other girls were raped in Zamzam camp by more than 12 RSF members, their attackers called them women of Falangaya, a slang term in Darfuri Arabic for black African slaves. In one particularly shocking example, the RSF kept close to 100 women in sexual slavery in Khartoum, only 54 of whom were found after the SAF took control of the area. Those who survive such crimes have recounted their nightmare experience in captivity. Many survivors have died owing to severe pain or injuries. Others have taken their own lives. Hardly a day goes by without a new report of rape of a woman or girl. As I address the Council, more than 30 women and girls are still being detained by the RSF inside a former medical supply building, east of El Fasher, some for more than seven months. We have no knowledge of their fate. These stories and these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg, as survivors often remain silent owing to stigma and fear of retaliation. The RSF are committing these violations in an organized, widespread and systematic manner, as part of a strategy aimed at humiliating communities, displacing them, grabbing their property, and breaking their will through the bodies of women and girls. Though the RSF are responsible for most of the cases we have documented, all armed groups are committing conflict-related sexual violence in the Sudan. Impunity has emboldened the SAF to commit sexual violence, including in Omdurman. We have also documented cases of women being raped by members of Support for victims of conflict-related sexual violence in the Sudan is nowhere close to meeting the overwhelming needs. Emergency contraception, prophylaxis and safe and timely abortion services are non-existent for most survivors. Women and girls are forced to give birth in dangerous conditions. Survivors need comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, legal aid, access to justice and mental health services, and they need to be able to access support safely, without facing additional harm. Women-led groups, emergency response groups and local volunteers, who are so critical, given the urgent needs of survivors, are also being targeted. Since the start of the war, there have been at least 174 separate attacks on healthcare providers and facilities, including clinics providing reproductive healthcare and emergency responses to survivors. Warring parties have also deliberately obstructed humanitarian access, including by looting supplies and restricting freedom of movement. Community-led mutual aid groups are also at risk. In April, the RSF burned down a women-led community kitchen in Zamzam camp, deliberately killing volunteers Hasanat Musa, who was pregnant, and Nana Bahar Idris. I want to make an important point right now: without the United Nations, without any mechanism for civilian protection, we front-line workers and local volunteers are the only actors on the ground. This makes what we do essential for saving lives. We can get food, medicine and supplies to those who need it quickly and through trusted channels. We can connect survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to the support that they most need. But we are at the breaking point. We are working under extremely dangerous conditions, without any resources. We desperately need funding to continue the work that is keeping our communities alive. Without Council members’ support, we will fail. We cannot afford to fail. The people of Darfur have been without any form of protection since 2020, when the Council made the premature decision to withdraw the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. Today, international law is being violated by all parties, and an almost unimpeded supply of weapons is flowing into the country. There is no sustained humanitarian access, no systematic monitoring of violations and no protection for civilians. Camps for displaced people, such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps and those in El Geneina, which should be protected, have instead become targets of the RSF. Without urgent intervention, more than 70 sites across Darfur are at risk of the same fate, leaving millions of displaced people trapped, starving and vulnerable. Impunity allows the cycle of violence in the Sudan to continue. Only one individual has been brought to trial since the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants 16 years ago against former President Omar Al-Bashir and his accomplices. This sends the dangerous message that perpetrators of sexual violence can walk free. We need the Council to send a different message: that all eyes are on the Sudan and that Council members will not allow another genocide to take place under their watch. I therefore call on the Council to do the following. It must prevent genocide in Darfur and demand that all parties fully comply with resolution 2736 (2024), including by seeking an immediate cessation of hostilities. The RSF must stop its siege of El Fasher and cease hostilities in South Kordofan and Darfur. In the absence of an immediate ceasefire, civilians must be protected. The Council must urgently consider all options for doing so, including deploying a peacekeeping mission in Darfur. It must ensure unhindered humanitarian access; demand an immediate end to No just and lasting solution to this conflict can be achieved without the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in the Sudan. We are indispensable to achieving peace and ensuring justice for all survivors of conflict- related sexual violence and must be included in any decisions to find a way out of the current conflict. Unfortunately, the crisis affecting women’s rights in the Sudan is not the only one that demands urgent international action. My sisters in Palestine, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, South Sudan, Yemen and too many others are facing tragically similar situations. Perpetrators violate women’s rights because they think they can get away with it. At an alarming moment for women in conflict zones around the globe, amid rising militarization and a backlash against our rights, we need Council members to stand with us. End wars and give peace a chance.

I thank Ms. Ahmed for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

At the outset, let me begin by commending Panama for convening this important open debate. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, for her comprehensive yet sobering briefing. Greece is grateful for her work and the work of her Office in delivering this very important mandate. Allow me also to thank Ms. Ahmed for her remarks. The Secretary-General’s latest annual report (S/2025/389) provides a stark reminder of the persistent and widespread use of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict. In the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, Ukraine, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, women and girls continue to endure rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced marriage and other acts of comparable gravity. Greece firmly condemns all forms of conflict-related sexual violence and calls on all parties to conflict to immediately cease such crimes. We also urge all the parties to conflict listed in the annex to the report to adopt time-bound measures and action plans for preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence and to fully implement them. In this respect, we welcome the fact that certain State and non-State actors have indeed undertaken relevant commitments, and we encourage them to fulfil them. In view of what I have mentioned, allow me to highlight three areas in which collective action could make a difference in responding to conflict-related sexual violence. First, we must ensure that all parties to conflict adhere to international humanitarian law by allowing unhindered humanitarian access so that multisectoral assistance can reach survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Access to life-saving services should be inclusive, survivor-centred and grounded in international human rights law, developed in close cooperation with the relevant United Nations mechanisms and civil society organizations active on the ground. To that end, the safety and security of humanitarian and United Nations personnel are indispensable, as is the protection of civilian infrastructure that enables the provision of healthcare, education and psychosocial support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Secondly, we must empower survivors and heal the physical, psychological and intergenerational trauma that they have suffered. The victimization, stigmatization, marginalization and exclusion of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence Thirdly, at the level of the United Nations and the Security Council, we must employ all available tools. In the context of mission transitions and drawdowns, no effort should be spared so that conflict-related sexual violence protection know-how is transferred and not lost. This could be achieved by retaining or further deploying women’s protection advisers. At the same time, it is important to ensure that sexual violence is incorporated as a stand-alone designation criterion in all sanction regimes. And of course, all international accountability avenues should be explored to address conflict-related sexual violence and uphold the rights of survivors. In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm Greece’s unwavering support for the mandate of Special Representative Patten. We remain committed to working closely with her Office to break the vicious cycle of conflict-related sexual violence, heal its devastating scars and help to restore justice and social cohesion.

We commend Panama’s presidency for organizing this open debate. I would also like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Pramila Patten for her briefing. We concur with the basic thrust of her statement — it is time to open doors, not close them, and it is time to enhance action and resources, not cut down on them, including for peacekeeping. We also take note of the statement made by Ms. Ahmed of Darfur Advocacy Group, and I am sure that any such dedicated briefing on any other situation, as she also mentioned, would be equally sombre. This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), which is a moment to reflect on our journey and to recommit to the women and peace and security agenda. Regrettably, the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2025/389) paints a grim picture, with alarming trends in the shape of escalating conflicts, record displacement and rising militarization, all of which expose civilian populations, particularly women and girls, to widespread conflict-related sexual violence. Sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war, torture, terrorism and political repression and as a tool to consolidate the illegal occupation of territories and the exploitation of natural resources. It must be condemned with one voice and resolutely addressed. The perpetrators must face justice because impunity only emboldens abuse. The problem is most acute in situations of foreign occupation, where the full scale of the systematic repression and abuse is often masked by a lack of transparency, access and reporting and where immunity laws shield occupying forces from accountability. These cases must not escape international scrutiny. They demand urgent attention from the Security Council and the Office of the Special Representative. A glaring example is in the occupied Palestinian territory, where thousands are facing violence, forced displacement and starvation at the hands of the occupying Power. Despite the limited access granted to United Nations monitors, the Secretary- General’s report has documented incidents of rape, sexual violence, prolonged forced nudity and repeated strip searches inflicted in degrading ways. The Council cannot turn away from such systematic abuse. Accountability is imperative. It is incomprehensible why this appalling situation did not find its place in the Secretary-General’s reports of all previous years. While the Secretary-General’s report conveys the severity and brutality of several situations of conflict-related sexual violence, by its own admission, “it does not purport to reflect the global scale and prevalence of these crimes” (p. 4) — crimes that also exist in other situations elsewhere around the world. Pakistan calls for a comprehensive response as follows. First, the meaningful participation of women throughout the peace continuum must be enhanced, not least because of their critical role in understanding the needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations. Secondly, a survivor-centred approach that empowers women and girls and restores dignity and rights must be adopted. Thirdly, special attention must be paid to situations of foreign occupation. They often witness the worst forms of sexual violence, which go unreported or are most difficult to monitor, record and prosecute. Fourthly, accountability must be ensured and impunity must be ended. Lastly, the root causes must be tackled by addressing unresolved disputes that perpetuate cycles of violence and human suffering. Pakistan has been a steadfast supporter of global efforts to shield and protect the most vulnerable from the effects of armed conflict. Our professional peacekeepers, including our women Blue Helmets, continue to set high standards — standing at the front lines, protecting civilians and upholding United Nations values — in some of the most dangerous and complex conflict situations around the world. Sexual violence is among the gravest crimes against human dignity. We must take urgent and resolute action to put an end to these abhorrent practices and the impunity that sustains them.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important and timely briefing. We also take note of Special Representative Patten’s briefing and thank Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed, Founder and Coordinator of the Darfur Advocacy Group, for sharing her sobering perspective on the situation of women and girls in the Sudan, and particularly El Fasher. Our delegation welcomes the continued commitment of the United Nations in addressing conflict-related sexual violence, an issue that continues to devastate lives across the world. Sexual violence is still used as a weapon of war, tearing at the fabric of communities and undermining the foundation for lasting peace and development. The majority of the listed parties engaging in conflict-related sexual violence are non-State actors, many of which operate in Africa, a continent already facing resource constraints and overlapping crises. Chronic underfunding and the limited deployment of women’s protection advisers continue to undermine the effectiveness of the collective response. In the light of these realities, my delegation would like to highlight the following four points. Secondly, our delegation stresses the importance of supporting African and national initiatives. In 2024, the African Union adopted the first continent-wide treaty, namely the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. This Convention commits member States to prevent, criminalize and respond to all forms of such violence, especially in conflicts, while centring survivors’ rights. In addition, the African Solidarity Initiative puts our continent’s commitment to post- conflict recovery into action by mobilizing local expertise and resources to support peacebuilding, assist survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and strengthen national prevention efforts. These mark a major step forward for African leadership and shared responsibility. It is essential to invest in these African frameworks and for international partners to align with African-led strategies, ensuring a unified and effective response to conflict-related sexual violence. Thirdly, my delegation urgently calls for the strengthening of accountability mechanisms. Impunity remains a root cause of recurring violence. We call for robust support for national and international investigations and prosecutions and for the Council to guarantee that sanctions and delistings are linked to real and verifiable progress. Fourthly and lastly, we must confront a fundamental truth — true protection for women and girls cannot exist while conflicts continue. The root causes of conflict, such as poverty and inequality, create conditions in which sexual violence thrives. Investing in the full and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding, inclusive development and the prevention of new conflicts can create an environment of peace and sustainable development in which all women are safe from violence, fear and despair. In conclusion, Africa is forging its own path through the aforementioned initiatives and countless local efforts. But ending conflict-related sexual violence is not a challenge any nation or organization can tackle on its own. My delegation remains committed to working together to translate words into meaningful action and deliver prosperity, justice and dignity to all survivors.

I thank the presidency of Panama for convening this timely and important open debate. We also express our appreciation to Special Representative Pramila Patten, for her comprehensive and sobering briefing, and to Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed, for her compelling contribution. We take note of their important recommendations towards developing comprehensive and coordinated responses to address sexual violence in conflict situations. We commend the many survivors  — women, men and children  — whose testimonies continue to inform the work of the Council and galvanize global action. The most recent report of the Secretary-General’s (S/2025/389) presents a sobering picture. With more than 4,600 verified cases in 2024 alone, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year, it is evident that conflict-related sexual violence remains a deliberate and widespread tactic used by both State and non-State actors to inflict terror, displace communities and undermine peace. Women and girls remain disproportionately affected, comprising more than 90 per cent of the documented cases. Despite the normative framework established by the Council through resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2242 (2015) and 2467 (2019), the persistent gap between commitment and compliance remains deeply concerning. As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report, more than 70 per cent of listed perpetrators are repeat offenders. Weak legal systems, inadequate political will, humanitarian access constraints and underresourced protection programmes continue to undermine efforts to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence. Of particular concern is the rising incidence of such violence in displacement settings, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sudan and across the Sahel. Armed groups exploit power vacuums and weak governance structures to target civilians with impunity. The withdrawal of United Nations peace operations without adequate transition planning or reallocation of resources further compounds these risks. Health infrastructure is being increasingly targeted in conflict, and humanitarian personnel are facing threats that constrain access to affected populations and the provision of essential services. Noting the discussions in the Council’s thematic briefing convened by Sierra Leone in August 2024 on “Sustaining women and peace and security commitments in the context of accelerated drawdowns of peace operations” (see S/PV.9700), it is imperative that the drawdown of, and the transition from, United Nations peace operations be accompanied by robust protection strategies, including the continued deployment of women protection advisers and the integration of conflict-related sexual violence mandates into residual missions or United Nations country teams. The presence of these advisers enhances early-warning, prevention and accountability mechanisms and must be supported through regular budget allocations rather than ad hoc contributions. Equally important is the need to invest in holistic multisectoral responses for survivors: healthcare, psychosocial support, legal assistance and economic empowerment. Services must be trauma-informed, survivor-centred and accessible, in particular in remote and conflict-affected areas. In Sierra Leone, for example, community-based initiatives such as Rainbo Centres have proven critical in offering integrated support to survivors and serve as models for scalable, locally owned interventions. At the national level and outside of the conflict context, Sierra Leone remains committed to advancing the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence. We have enacted laws prohibiting child marriage and gender-based violence and strengthened institutional mechanisms for redress, and we are currently reviewing our national action plan on women and peace and security to enhance its inclusivity and effectiveness. However, our efforts, like those of many developing countries, require sustained international support, technical assistance and predictable financing. We acknowledge the indispensable role of civil society and women-led organizations in prevention, documentation and service delivery, especially in areas where State structures have weakened. We therefore emphasize the need to create As we consider the theme of this year’s debate, Sierra Leone supports a forward- looking approach that integrates innovation and local ownership. Emerging tools such as mobile clinics, digital platforms for psychosocial support and survivor-led early warning networks can complement traditional mechanisms. At the same time, the importance of protecting women civil society leaders and human rights defenders must be emphasized, as they remain critical front-line actors in prevention and response efforts, particularly in contexts where State systems have collapsed. We also support stronger measures to address impunity. The consideration of conflict- related sexual violence in the context of targeted sanctions, the vetting of security personnel, reparations and transitional justice processes remains critical. The inclusion of sexual violence as a stand-alone distinct criteria in relevant sanctions regimes should be fully implemented and operationalized. In conclusion, Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to the full and effective implementation of the women and peace and security agenda and to the elimina­ tion of all forms of sexual violence in conflict. The dignity and agency of survivors must be central to our collective response. We must transform commitments into ac­ tion, resolutions into results and political will into tangible change. Ending impunity, strengthening institutions and restoring hope for survivors are not only legal and mor­ al priorities; they are indispensable to building just, peaceful and resilient societies.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Pramila Patten for her sobering presentation, and I want to convey appreciation to Ikhlass Ahmed for her troubling and compelling reflections, which have framed our debate today. The United States is committed to the elimination of sexual violence in conflict globally. All countries must work together to prevent and ensure the accountability of perpetrators of these horrific crimes. That is why President Trump, in 2017, signed into law the Women, Peace, and Security Act — a legal framework that codifies the objectives of resolution 1325 (2000) and guides our work both at home and abroad. The United States appreciates the work of the United Nations on this issue, especially that of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Sexual violence affects entire communities. It disproportionately harms women and girls. It also affects men and boys. And for every case reported, countless others go entirely undocumented or unaddressed. We recognize and honour the courageous survivors of sexual violence around the globe. We must work together to ensure that all survivors have access to vital services. We express appreciation to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and her team of experts for their dedication to ending impunity for these heinous acts, to promoting accountability by calling for countries to designate, at the United Nations, individuals and groups for engaging in these acts, and to working with countries to help them to build the legal frameworks to address conflict-related sexual violence crimes, including those perpetrated by terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham. We will read with interest and concern the Secretary- General’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2025/389).

From the outset, we would like to mention that we certainly share the view that sexual violence in conflict is a monstrous manifestation of cruelty and inhumanity that demands greater attention from the Security Council. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that combating sexual violence is but one aspect of the women and peace and security agenda. It is not the root cause of conflict and should not be considered in isolation from other important factors belonging to this agenda. First and foremost, the issue of women’s development, the eradication of poverty and women’s access to education in countries in situations of armed conflict must be given due consideration. Furthermore, it is worth pointing out that the consideration of issues of sexual violence in conflict should be exclusively region-specific. Evidently, every conflict has different causes and dynamics, and any attempts to prescribe one-size-fits-all solutions and measures with a view to defeating the phenomenon therefore seem superficial and futile. Today, for example, we were briefed in detail about the situation in the Sudan. However, we note with regret that the relevant United Nations structures prefer to rely on dubious speculations made by non-governmental organizations working remotely, rather than working on the problem of sexual violence in cooperation with the Government of the Sudan. How else can one explain the fact that the report under discussion today (S/2025/389) completely disregards the findings on this issue reflected in the report by the commission of the Government in the Sudan dated February 2025? We believe that resolving the numerous humanitarian, human rights and food security issues in the Sudan is possible only by attaining a lasting political settlement in the country. It is important to take into consideration the country-specific nature of the interaction between the parties to the conflict in addressing the issue of sexual violence in the Sudan. In general, any discussion on women and peace and security should be based on implementing the key resolution 1325 (2000) and be in strict compliance with the mandate set out therein, which means that women’s issues should be considered in the context of maintaining peace and security and in relation to the situations on the Council’s agenda. In that regard, we firmly oppose shifting the focus of our debate towards political and human rights aspects and insist that this be taken into consideration in the future work of the Security Council. In accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, as well as Protocol Additional I on international armed conflicts and Protocol Additional II on non-international armed conflicts of 1977, States parties are bound to investigate serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and their Protocols Additional. The Russian Federation strictly complies with its obligations under international humanitarian law, including with regard to the rights of prisoners of war. Therefore, we can say with confidence that the information contained in the annual report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence does not reflect reality. In particular, Russian law enforcement agencies have no evidence and have not initiated criminal cases regarding any sexual crimes allegedly committed by Russian military personnel during the special military operation. We know very well how fake news about rape is generated thanks to the scandal involving former Ukrainian ombudsman Ms. Denisova. Moreover, the so-called credible sources It is therefore not surprising that the relevant sections contain not a hint of evidence or indirect facts that would make it possible to establish the circumstances of cases  — perpetrators, victims, exact time of the crime, the crime scene and so forth. The report’s allegations that Russian military personnel and officials committed conflict-related sexual violence are based solely on anonymous sources and are therefore unsubstantiated. In other words, we are once again faced with a situation similar to that involving the aforementioned Ms. Denisova, whose deliberate lies, which were later acknowledged by the Ukrainian side, became the basis for numerous accusations against Russia. We would also like to recall that the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine was set up following a bilateral agreement between the Kyiv authorities and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Thus, the mandate of the mission is not backed up by the relevant Human Rights Council resolutions, but rather by a direct agreement between Ukraine and the Office. Therefore, the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine does not have the right to conduct investigations, and its findings are neither objective nor credible. Its bias is further evidenced by the fact that, under the pretext of ensuring the protection of personal data of victims and eyewitnesses, it still refuses to provide a list of persons who were allegedly killed in Bucha, which proves the staged and propagandistic nature of that disgusting provocation. Unfortunately, this unsavoury situation broadly dovetails with the style of work of OHCHR in recent years under the leadership of Volker Türk. It is difficult to view such consistent attempts to avoid presenting the facts and concrete evidence of the crimes allegedly committed by our country as anything but biased and fabricated manipulations, which is why we strongly reject such approaches by OHCHR and its chimeras created in Ukraine. Another example of the biased nature of the report is the fact that it contains materials gathered by interviewing Ukrainian servicemen who were prisoners of war in Russia and returned to Ukraine, as well as certain individuals residing in the territory controlled by Kyiv, in other words, persons whose testimony is a priori biased. And yet, with regard to references to conflict-related sexual violence committed against Russian servicemen who are or were in Ukrainian captivity, only to two cases of the threats of sexual violence is mentioned. This in no way reflects reality. Moreover, the barbarities by Kyiv’s servicemen against civilians, in particular in the Kursk region during the Zelenskyy regime’s ill-fated military misadventure that ended in April, are not reflected in the report at all. And that is despite the fact that fairly detailed information about such crimes is publicly available, and we have held three informal Arria formula meetings on that topic and provided testimonies from victims and eyewitnesses. Therefore, the accusations that we have refused to cooperate with Ms. Patten are perplexing, especially given our active dialogue with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict during the preparation of this particular report. It is Ms. Patten’s Office that is not cooperating with us, as our recommendations and comments have not been taken into account in the report. Given all this, we have a valid question: What is the real purpose of requesting unhindered access to our territories if the Special Representative demonstrates such an unwillingness to cooperate with us? If Mr. Guterres is genuinely eager to improve the effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations, he is well-advised to focus first and foremost on revising the Organization’s working methods in order to make them truly impartial. This is particularly important in an area as sensitive as conflict-related sexual violence. Unfortunately, its work fails to meet even the most basic standards and expectations.

Denmark thanks Panama for hosting this year’s open debate on conflict-related sexual violence. Let me also express our appreciation for the briefing and work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Patten and her Office and reiterate our steadfast support for this mandate. I also would like to thank Ikhlass Ahmed, Founder and Coordinator of the Darfur Advocacy Group, for sharing her experiences as a human rights defender. Let me speak plainly. Sexual violence is routinely used as a tactic of war. Lives are torn apart, communities shattered by violence and silence enforced at gunpoint. Conflict-related sexual violence is not collateral damage. It is a strategy. It is systematic. And it is used more and more. We must do everything to reverse this trend, prevent further violations, restore dignity, deliver justice and demand accountability. Denmark is appalled by the continued increase in conflict-related sexual violence cases recorded and verified in 2024. We take note of the increasingly worrisome developments in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, the Sudan and South Sudan, among others. We also take note that Hamas is now listed in the annex of the Secretary- General’s report (S/2025/389) as a party suspected of committing sexual violence and other violations. There must be accountability for all of these violations. Allow me to focus today on three points. First, as we meet today, systematic impunity persists while conflict-related sexual violence continues to claim lives and scar survivors. To deter future violations, affirm survivors’ rights and reinforce justice as a cornerstone of lasting peace, we must be steadfast in our commitment. This includes holding perpetrators accountable under international law. To that end, efforts must be strengthened for transitional justice mechanisms to prioritize the needs, rights and aspirations of survivors. Denmark also firmly supports the use of targeted sanctions against those who perpetrate and direct sexual violence in conflict, in line with resolution 2467 (2019). And we encourage increased information-sharing about sexual violence between the Office of the Special Representative and relevant sanctions committees and expert panels. We also call on all Member States to engage constructively with the Office of the Special Representative in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence. The Russian Federation and Israel, who are both mentioned in the report’s appendix, should honour their commitments and grant the United Nations unimpeded access for monitoring purposes and cooperate with the Special Representative and relevant United Nations entities. Secondly, we remain deeply concerned about the lack of resources and limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, especially in humanitarian emergencies and conflict-affected contexts, as mentioned by our briefer today. For a survivor, this often means suffering physical and psychological trauma in isolation, without community or professional support, or carrying fear of sexually transmitted infections without having access to the necessary medical care. All actors must respect and uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including by ensuring the protection of all humanitarian and medical personnel  — and ensuring uninterrupted, safe and non-discriminatory access to essential services for all affected populations. Thirdly, in the face of what may seem like insurmountable challenges, women persevere across the world. In the Sudan, local women’s networks play a pivotal leadership role in crisis response, organizing shelters and advocacy networks for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In Myanmar, women remain at the front line, leading the delivery of critical services, documentation efforts, legal advocacy and humanitarian coordination. And in Haiti, local women-led organizations facilitate safe spaces, counselling, dignity kits, mobile clinics and referral hotlines serving survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in displacement sites. It is our collective responsibility to underpin these efforts with resources, support and protection. We must stand firm against obstructions and reprisals against civil society organizations, service providers and front-line workers who lead the response to sexual and gender-based violence, including in situations with an absence of formal structures. In conclusion, ending conflict-related sexual violence is not only a moral imperative. It is a foundational step towards fostering reconciliation and sustaining peace.

I thank Special Representative Patten for her briefing. I have also listened carefully to the statement made by Ms. Ahmed. This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Council’s adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. However, we note with concern that sexual violence continues to be used as a tactic of war and terrorism. According to the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/389), the incidence of sexual violence in 2024 increased by 25 per cent over the previous year, with 92 per cent of the victims being women. This is indeed a disturbing trend. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes all sexual violence against women and girls and calls on the international community to step up its efforts in the following areas. First, it is important to enhance efforts to prevent and address conflicts. The ultimate goal of combating conflict-related sexual violence is not only to make conflicts free of sexual violence, but to make the world free of war. To achieve peace, we must abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, insist on the peaceful settlement of disputes and promote the political settlement of hotspot issues. Secondly, it is important to uphold the principle of ownership by the affected country, which bears the primary responsibility of preventing and addressing conflict- related sexual violence and protecting its women and children. The international community should support the country concerned by respecting its sovereignty and ownership and by strengthening its security and judicial capacity-building through bringing perpetrators to justice and seeking justice for victims. The relevant United Nations agencies should perform their respective roles and strengthen coordination. Currently, global humanitarian funding is decreasing. Victims of sexual violence, including women and girls, are finding it harder to access medical and psychological services. Traditional donors should step up their assistance to help victims of sexual violence heal their wounds and integrate into society. Thirdly, it is important to support women’s development and empowerment. Conflict-related sexual violence often reflects deep-rooted conflicts, such as gender inequality and underdevelopment. In addition to the peace perspective, the international community should also see and address conflict-related sexual violence from the perspective of women’s empowerment and sustainable development, commit to eliminating gender discrimination and differential treatment, alleviate the difficulties faced by women in their livelihoods, address their development gap and fully unlock women’s potential so that they can participate fully in the peace process, engage in broader economic and social activities and better enjoy the dividends of development. As the host country of the fourth World Conference on Women, China has always actively advocated and resolutely worked towards the global cause of women. China has sent more than 50,000 people to United Nations peacekeeping operations, including more than 1,000 Chinese women peacekeepers, who have been working diligently on their various jobs, bringing the hope of peace to people in conflict zones. We actively support developing countries in promoting women’s livelihood and their advancement. We have helped implement maternal and infant health programmes and happy school projects to develop female talents. We have supported UN-Women and other United Nations agencies in helping women in developing countries, especially in conflict zones, effectively address poverty and bridge the gender digital divide. China will host the World Conference on Women again this year in order to jointly discuss important strategies to advance the women’s cause globally. We are ready to work with the international community to promote a world of lasting peace and universal security and to further contribute to the early elimination of conflict-related sexual violence and to the advancement of women.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Patten for her briefing, for the work of her Office and for the latest report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2025/389). I also thank Ms. Ahmed for her powerful statement. Conflict-related sexual violence shatters lives and undermines peace. Impunity remains the norm, and resources to support survivors are increasingly stretched. We heard from Ms. Ahmed about the scale and brutality of this violence in the Sudan. We call on the warring parties to comply with their Jeddah commitments and cooperate with investigations by both the International Criminal Court and the United Nations-mandated independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan. In Ukraine, there is mounting evidence of Russian-perpetrated sexual violence against both civilians and detainees. United Nations reports suggest more than two in three detainees are affected. We have seen reporting of sexual violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and we continue to call for all reports of abuses by all parties to be fully investigated. And we have heard harrowing reports of widespread, systematic and deliberate acts of sexual and reproductive violence in conflict-affected parts of Ethiopia. The United Kingdom remains committed to this agenda. In the past year, the United Kingdom appointed a new Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and convened multiple United Nations discussions on sexual violence in the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine and other contexts. I will outline three priorities. First, we call for greater action to support survivors, ensuring their voices are at the heart of any response. The United Kingdom-founded International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict drives survivor-centred international action. I commend Ukraine’s chairpersonship of the Alliance this year. Secondly, we must work together to end impunity, ensuring that survivors can access justice without fear or shame. The United Kingdom is supporting efforts to deliver accountability, including through its work with the United Nations action network and the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict. Thirdly, there must be adequate and sustained resourcing to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence. The United Kingdom has continued to provide vital funding, enabling thousands of survivors to access medical, legal and psychosocial support. Twenty-five years after the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) was adopted, we urge members to make strides in fully implementing the resolution and the subsequent resolution 2467 (2019) on a survivor-centred approach. The United Kingdom remains resolute in its determination to work with partners to end the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence, support survivors, deliver justice and end impunity once and for all.

I would like to thank Panama for convening this debate. We listened carefully to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Patten and the civil society representative Ikhlass Ahmed. The Secretariat-General’s report (S/2025/389) is alarming regarding the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. It confirms the United Nations verified 12 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli armed and security forces. It also documents two cases of rape and four incidents of violence to the genitals against Palestinian men perpetrated by Israeli forces. It indicates that the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel further received credible information on detainees subjected to burns to the anus. Other incidents are detailed in the report. These, as the report itself underlines, are indicative, not comprehensive, given the lack of access to detention facilities and the continuing obstacles to reporting sexual violence due to fear and the lack of trust in complaints mechanisms. The Secretary-General warns of a dramatic rise in conflict-related sexual violence in 2024. Escalating conflicts were marked by widespread sexual violence, compounded by unprecedented levels of displacement and militarization. That dangerous trend is fuelled by the immunity enjoyed by some actors, most notably the Israeli occupying forces. Impunity fuels repetition. Silence rewards the perpetrators. We must reverse this pattern. Our collective commitment, as reaffirmed in the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), obliges Member States to take concrete measures to eliminate conflict-related sexual violence. Words are not enough. Action is required. Algeria calls for independent investigations into allegations of conflict-related sexual violence with full cooperation from all parties and effective protection for survivors and witnesses; concrete accountability measures, including targeted sanctions against perpetrators, to affirm that no one is above international law; the meaningful participation of victims at every level of peace negotiations, ceasefire discussions and post-conflict recovery; and adequate and sustained resources for programmes that protect and empower victims during and after conflict. The victims of conflict-related sexual violence deserve justice. No one is above the law. Israel’s occupying forces violate human dignity daily in Gaza. They weaponize sexual violence against a defenceless civilian population. Algeria urges the Security Council to act with courage, name the perpetrators, hold them accountable and restore the credibility of our mechanisms.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Pramila Patten and Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed for their briefings. The recent report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2025/389) presents a deeply concerning picture of the widespread occurrence and impacts of sexual violence in conflict situations. Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of brutal sexual violence used as a tactic of war, a cruel measure to humiliate, dominate and instil fear in victims. In 2024, innocent civilians were targeted with rape, gang rape and abductions by both State and non-State actors. We have noted that conflict-related sexual violence featured and continues to feature in high numbers in some of the worst conflict situations, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, compounding the humanitarian hardships faced by civilians. Once again, the proliferation and widespread availability of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition directly fuelled sexual violence in almost all the situations covered in the report. It is therefore critical to develop and strengthen strategies to address the interlinkages between sexual violence and the availability of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. The physical and emotional trauma wrought on victims, their families and their communities was compounded by inadequate access to necessary support services. Attacks on health infrastructure and health workers persisted, in violation of international humanitarian law, depriving victims of much needed medical and psychosocial support. Parties to conflict must comply with their obligations under We note the report’s assessment that impunity for conflict-related sexual violence remained the norm in 2024. It cannot be emphasized enough how crucial it is to combat impunity and its emboldening effect on perpetrators. Accountability for atrocity crimes can serve as a significant deterrent. More efforts must be made to provide legal support and access to justice to survivors of sexual violence. States must do more to ensure necessary protections and support for survivors, who are often hesitant to file complaints owing to fear of reprisals and stigma as well as lack of trust in justice systems. We commend those countries that are strengthening their legislative and justice frameworks to promote greater accountability for sexual violence. Guyana calls upon all parties listed in the report as committing, or credibly suspected of committing, or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict to immediately cease such heinous acts. Being on either list must serve as an urgent impetus to take remedial measures. The Security Council must utilize all tools at its disposal to address conflict- related sexual violence. This includes treating sexual violence as a stand-alone designation criterion for applying sanctions to persistent perpetrators. There must be stronger linkages between the parties listed in the Secretary-General’s annual reports on conflict-related sexual violence and the sanctions designations. The Council must also continue to insist that State and non-State parties to conflicts adopt time-bound commitments to prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence, and compliance with these commitments must be monitored. Mandate authorizations and renewals of peace operations must routinely include provisions to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Women’s protection advisers have a critical role in monitoring and reporting incidents of conflict-related sexual violence and ensuring access to timely and accurate information. It is noted that while the deployment of women’s protection advisers has been mandated in several Council resolutions, implementation has been lacking owing to insufficient allocation of resources. This must be addressed. In the context of drawdowns or transition of missions, monitoring, analysis and reporting functions related to sexual violence must be preserved. Gaps can be filled by strengthening capabilities of Governments and non-governmental organizations and transferring key functions from United Nations country teams. While women and girls are the vast majority of those affected by conflict- related sexual violence, they continue to be largely excluded from discussions and decision-making on matters related to peace and security. We emphasize that women’s full, equal and meaningful participation, including in decision-making, at all levels of political and peacebuilding processes, remains crucial to achieving peace and security. In conclusion, Guyana reaffirms its commitment to eliminate sexual and gender- based violence, end impunity and ensure that survivors receive the necessary support. It is only through collective action, political will and sustained investment that we can reverse the horrific trend that we are seeing.

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate on the crucial issue of protecting victims of sexual violence in conflict zones. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten, to whom The use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war continues, as conflicts multiply and worsen. Women and girls remain the primary victims, as attested to by the Secretary-General’s annual report (S/2025/389), released last week. In the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti and so many other conflicts, sexual atrocities are being committed on a horrific scale. In Ukraine — no, this is not an illusion, but a proven fact  — a permanent member of the Council, Russia, is committing sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war, in violation of international humanitarian law and the resolutions we have adopted together. To deny this is to deny the victims their dignity. This is unacceptable. I will emphasize three principles for action. First, victims must be guaranteed rapid access to essential healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare services. As the report underscores, essential first aid and immediate, short-term humanitarian assistance must be followed by sustainable support for survivors — women and men — in the medium and long term. In this regard, it is essential to maintain United Nations resources on the ground, build national capacities and work with civil society. We must also listen to the needs of survivors themselves. In this regard, France supports the Global Fund for Survivors of Sexual Violence, established by Ms. Nadia Murad and Mr. Mukwege. We also support other organizations that assist victims that are active on the ground, in particular through our national support fund for women’s organizations. The work of UN-Women and of the United Nations Population Fund is essential, including to support local organizations in prevention, awareness-raising and response. Secondly, we need to combat impunity and provide victims with access to justice and reparations. Their quest for justice is our quest. We welcome the support provided to national authorities by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict. In Guinea, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine and the Central African Republic, their action is yielding concrete results and must continue. The international network of judges specializing in sexual violence in conflict is a concrete and remarkable initiative. It was announced as a follow-up to the international conference held in The Hague in March 2024, which France co-sponsored. We also welcome the efforts of the International Criminal Court to investigate sexual crimes, as it is doing in Darfur and Afghanistan, and we urge those States that have not yet done so to ratify the Rome Statute. Thirdly, the prevention of sexual violence is at the heart of peacekeeping and security. The human rights component of peace operations is essential, along with the presence of women’s protection advisers. Maintaining a United Nations capacity to prevent sexual violence, report on it objectively and impartially and protect victims must guide our reflection on the reform of the United Nations. In conclusion, the elimination of sexual violence in times of conflict, the protection of victims and the duty of justice are collective struggles that we are determined to take up. As we mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) — which founded the women and peace and security agenda — in October, the Council can count on France and its feminist diplomacy to ensure that these issues remain at the heart of our action at the United Nations. Slovenia is alarmed by the findings of the Secretary-General’s latest report on this subject (S/2025/389). Women and girls remain disproportionately affected, comprising more than 90 per cent of the victims, while most of the reported incidents against men and boys occurred in detention. We are particularly concerned about the violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, the Sudan, Ukraine, Israel and Palestine. We condemn in the strongest terms the use of any form of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism or political repression. Such violence is human-made and therefore fully preventable. Its prevention requires addressing the root causes, including extremism, patriarchy and other harmful social norms and attitudes, enabling or contributing to gender inequality and impunity. In this respect, allow me to underline the following. First, the full realization of women’s rights and gender equality is fundamental to achieving lasting peace and security. We must move beyond statements of concern to the genuine and accountable implementation of equal rights and fundamental freedoms for women and girls. This requires ensuring the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all contexts and at all levels of decision-making, including any peace processes or prevention efforts. Their knowledge, leadership and experience are also indispensable for the development of survivor-centred and gender-responsive policies and services, including on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Secondly, we call for full respect for international law and ensuring accountability. Conflict-related sexual violence is a grave violation of international humanitarian law, often constituting war crimes, crimes against humanity or acts of genocide. To achieve justice for survivors, it is essential to ensure quality, accessible and non-discriminatory support services, including safe reporting mechanisms, medical and psychological care, legal assistance, access to justice and reparations. Accountability is essential to more sustainable peace. Finally, we must support those on the front lines. The protection of healthcare infrastructure, medical personnel and humanitarian actors from all forms of attacks is imperative and must be upheld. In addition, local women-led and women’s rights organizations are not merely service providers — they are essential peacebuilders. Slovenia condemns all attacks, intimidation and reprisals against women human rights defenders and peacebuilders. We call for a zero-tolerance approach to such violence. Behind every victim or survivor of sexual and gender-based violence is a person whose body and future has been weaponized. These acts are not random occurrences but calculated strategies, designed to humiliate, dehumanize and subjugate. The numbers in the Secretary-General’s report reflect only the tip of the iceberg, and as long as survivors remain silenced by fear, stigma and a lack of support, it will be impossible to understand the true scale and impact of conflict-related sexual violence. The horror of such violence extends to those children born out of these attacks, who often face societal rejection. The Security Council’s agenda on conflict-related sexual violence is both an acknowledgment of survivors’ suffering and a message that they are not invisible, that their voices are not ignored and that justice is not out of reach. At a time of global regression in women’s rights and international norms, we must demonstrate that this promise still holds weight. Slovenia will continue to contribute to these collective efforts. We reaffirm our strong support for the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict and United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, including through our contribution to the conflict-related sexual violence multi-partner trust fund. In conclusion, allow me to bring a message from the recent conference in Sarajevo organized together by UN-Women and the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Participants called for a redefinition of justice, not just in terms of verdicts and trials but in terms of recognition, reparation and healing. The message of the survivors was that we must always stand with those whose voices are too often silenced and never powerless. Let me echo the words of one of the survivors: women are not victims — they are witnesses and masters of our survival.

At the outset, my delegation thanks Panama for convening today’s open debate and expresses its deep appreciation to Special Representative Patten for her compelling briefing and to Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed for her courageous and sobering testimony. It is regrettable that we are meeting under such worsening circumstances, as Special Representative Patten vividly reminded us. In 2024, conflict-related sexual violence continued to be employed as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism and political repression. Alarmingly, more than 70 per cent of the parties listed in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2025/389) are persistent perpetrators. This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000)  — an opportune moment to reaffirm our collective commitment. Today’s debate on innovative strategies to support survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones comes at a critical juncture. As emphasized by today’s briefers, the need for quality multisectoral services has never been more urgent. Yet the more we seek innovative solutions, the more we must return to the core principles of the women and peace and security agenda. True innovation lies in a back-to-basics approach grounded in our shared commitments. Innovative strategies are not about novelty for its own sake but about applying fresh perspectives to our fundamental principles. With this in mind, I will highlight three key points. First, a comprehensive, survivor-centred approach must remain at the heart of our response. Conflict-related sexual violence causes lasting physical, psychological and social harm, with survivors often facing stigma and exclusion. In Afghanistan, Libya and the Syrian Arab Republic, women who had been in detention continued to face rejection from their families and communities. A holistic response must therefore include psychosocial support, reintegration and the meaningful participation of survivors in decision-making at all levels. In particular, as medical services and United Nations peace operations scale down in conflict zones, sustained support for local organizations is vital to protect survivors, restore their dignity and maintain a survivor-centred approach. Secondly, prevention must begin with accountability and an end to impunity. Conflict-related sexual violence must never be accepted as an inevitable consequence of war. Member States have a responsibility to demonstrate — through consistent and principled actions — that such crimes will not be tolerated. We have seen some progress in prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence in Iraq, the Central African Republic and Colombia. This is a standard that must be built upon, yet it is still too often neglected. Accountability starts with bringing these crimes to light. As the Secretary- General’s report notes, victims often refrain from lodging complaints due to fear of reprisals and stigma. Breaking the silence is the first step towards justice — creating an enabling environment where women in public life, including survivors, women human rights defenders and civil society actors, can participate meaningfully and safely. Their voices are essential to prevention and lasting change. Thirdly, the Security Council must respond with timely and consistent action. Sexual violence in conflict must be met with more than condemnation — it must be addressed through concrete measures, including sanctions and accountability mechanisms. As the Secretary-General underscored in his report, the Council can deter sexual violence by applying the sanctions criteria for such crimes clearly and consistently. This enables the timely listing of perpetrators and sends an unequivocal message that such acts will not go unpunished — reinforcing the Council’s credibility in its core mission of maintaining international peace and security. With the historical experience of women and girls victimized as comfort women, the women and peace and security agenda resonates deeply with us. We will continue to work to restore the honour and dignity of the comfort women and to help heal their psychological wounds. I conclude by underscoring that innovative strategies are about returning to our shared commitments with renewed determination and translating them into tangible action. If each Member State takes even small, concrete steps, we can achieve meaningful and lasting change. This, to us, is the essence of innovation. Korea reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the Council’s vital work in preventing conflict-related sexual violence and securing justice for all survivors.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Panama. It is an honour for the Republic of Panama to preside over this important open debate of the Security Council on sexual violence in conflict, an agenda that speaks to the depths of our collective commitments to peace, security and human dignity. We express our appreciation to Ms. Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her tireless work and leadership in addressing this important issue, and to her team, for coordinating this debate with us. I would also like to thank Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed, civil society representative, for her courageous and timely intervention, which nourishes us with the realities of life on the ground. Conflict-related sexual violence is not a new phenomenon. It is one of the cruellest, oldest and, unfortunately, most normalized forms of violence. Its persistence has been used for far too long to humiliate, displace, torture and silence. Exactly 25 years ago, the Council unanimously adopted the historic resolution 1325 (2000), and the international community recognized an irrefutable truth — that there can be no peace without women. Women’s participation, protection and human rights are essential pillars for the prevention and resolution of conflicts and peacebuilding. In recent decades, the Security Council has made significant progress in creating a robust normative framework. From resolution 1820 (2008) in 2008 to resolution 2467 (2019) in 2019, there has been gradual recognition that sexual violence is not the collateral damage of conflict, but a cruel and deliberate tactic, an instrument of war and repression, which constitutes a direct threat to international peace and security. Today we must acknowledge with shame that we are still far from fulfilling that promise. The recent report of the Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict (S/2025/389) is as devastating as it is revealing. It documents verified cases of rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, human trafficking, executions and attacks occurring in homes, refugee camps, detention centres and checkpoints. The reported victims range in age from one year to 75 years old. Impunity remains the norm, and the perpetrators, far from being punished, reoffend time and again with total impunity. Sexual violence is also an economic strategy. Armed groups and criminal networks use it to finance their operations, displace communities and control territories. It does not occur in isolation, but is intertwined with arms trafficking, political repression, institutional collapse and humanitarian crises. The Sudan is one of the most alarming examples of that crisis. Following the closure of peace operations, security vacuums have left women and girls particularly vulnerable to abuse, without protection or justice. We note with concern the many other places noted in the report of the Secretary- General where sexual violence is prevalent, including in Haiti. Sexual violence has increased while access to vital services has been destroyed or severely restricted. This situation requires an urgent, comprehensive and sustained response from the international community. The topic of this debate directly challenges us. How can we guarantee vital services for survivors of sexual violence in contexts where systems collapse and civilian infrastructure is under attack? The answer requires comprehensive and coordinated action. Unrestricted humanitarian access must be guaranteed, especially in contexts in which hospitals are bombed and medical personnel are prevented from operating. The protection of critical infrastructure must be a non-negotiable priority. It is essential to maintain and strengthen the presence of women protection advisers in all relevant missions. Those professionals are key to monitoring, preventing and responding to sexual crimes. Transitions or drawdowns of peace operations cannot leave gaps that expose women and girls to greater risks. Furthermore, as an international community, we must assume the political and moral duty to ensure sustained funding for women-led organizations on the ground, who are the first and often the only responders. Their work must be supported with resources, protection and recognition. Panama also supports the Secretary-General’s recommendation to include sexual violence as an independent criterion in the Security Council’s sanctions regimes. We must break the cycle of impunity that allows these crimes to continue to be repeated, by State or non-State actors. The figures, while alarming, do not reflect the true extent of the tragedy. Behind each number there is a life, an interrupted story, a wounded body, a child born out of horror and a survivor awaiting justice, as Pramila Patten just reminded us. Peace cannot be built on silence or on the rubble of impunity. Women are not passive victims of conflict. They are agents of change, community leaders and peacemakers. Listening to their voices, ensuring their rights and supporting their leadership are indispensable conditions. Today and always, we raise our voices not only to condemn these crimes, but also to act decisively, with humanity and with the deep conviction that without justice there is no peace, and without women there is no future. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I would like to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than three minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. Flashing lights on the collars of the microphones will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after three minutes. I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

I wish to begin by thanking the presidency of Panama for convening this timely open debate. My delegation also extends its gratitude to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Pramila Patten and the civil society briefer Ikhlass Ahmed for their insightful and sobering presentations. Kazakhstan is steadfast in its commitment to the women and peace and security agenda and the global effort to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls. We are appalled by the findings of the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2025/389). A significant increase in verified cases of sexual violence in conflict from the previous year represents an alarming trajectory. Behind these statistics are shattered lives, traumatized communities and the deep scars of conflicts that rage across the globe. This violence is a grave breach of international humanitarian law and an affront to our shared humanity. This is compounded by the systematic destruction of healthcare infrastructure, which creates a secondary, vicious assault, severing the lifeline for survivors seeking medical care, psychological support and safety. To counter this, Kazakhstan believes we need to concentrate on three core areas of action. First, as was already mentioned in this meeting, we must ensure a survivor- centred response. This must be our unwavering guide. We highlight the critical importance of guaranteeing comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights to all survivors. The most impactful support comes from the ground up, so Secondly, we must strengthen proactive prevention. To protect women and girls, we must address the enablers of violence before it occurs. Kazakhstan urges all Member States to ensure responsible policies of arms transfers, implementing robust risk assessments to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of those who would use them to commit or facilitate gender-based violence. Prevention also means, as we all know, tackling the root causes of violence. Thirdly, we must streamline the women and peace and security agenda across the United Nations system. As the United Nations adapts to new fiscal realities, gender expertise cannot be seen as optional. Women’s protection advisers and gender experts are essential to the success of peace operations, mission transitions and the work of all subsidiary bodies. Their work should be conducted in close cooperation with the respective Governments of Member States and is vital to translating the Council’s resolutions from paper into tangible protection for those at risk. The women and girls in conflict zones are looking to us for decisive action. Let us honour the survivors with an unwavering commitment to prevention and support, building a future in which sexual violence is no longer a weapon of war.

I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

I thank Panama for convening this important debate, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the civil society briefer for their valuable insights. Sexual violence in conflict situations remains a grave challenge to international peace and security. From the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Sudan, from Myanmar to Gaza, the pattern is alarming. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/389) confirms its growing prevalence, with 4,600 survivors documented in 2024, a 25 per cent increase from the previous year. Over the past decade, the United Nations has verified more than 51,000 cases. To confront this, we must focus on three key actions. First, we must strengthen protection and support for victims. This is a fundamental element that requires a comprehensive United Nations strategy, including within peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping missions must be fully supported to fully deliver on their mandates to address conflict-related sexual violence, including by enhancing the capacity of women peacekeepers. This is in line with Indonesia’s advocacy, through resolution 2538 (2020), during our tenure in 2020. Today, amid the ongoing drawdown and transition of United Nations peacekeeping operations, the Council must ensure that protection for victims is never compromised. Secondly, we must ensure comprehensive reintegration of the victims and accountability for the crimes. We must break the cycle of violence and the culture of impunity. To do this, we must ensure effective nationally led and nationally owned justice and accountability systems. A victim-centred approach is also crucial. We must break all stigma to ensure victims’ access to healthcare, legal assistance and economic empowerment in order to enable their full reintegration into society. Equally important, we must urge all parties to conflict to adopt concrete measures to prevent sexual violence. Thirdly, we must strengthen synergy at all levels to sustain prevention and protection. This requires strong participation and coordination among national authorities, local communities, civil society and the United Nations. Regional and In line with the theme of this meeting, every decision and action by the Council must remain firmly focused on a victim-centred approach and ensure full compliance with the commitments we have made. Survivors must remain not only at the heart of our work, but at the very core of the Council’s actions to uphold peace, justice and humanity.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines.

The Philippines thanks the Permanent Mission of Panama for convening this event. We would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, and the civil society organization representative for their insightful briefings. The Philippines stands in solidarity with the survivors of sexual violence in conflict. We condemn such acts as grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. They are not only crimes against individuals but attacks on peace, security and the rule of law. Our resolve is anchored in the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028; the Magna Carta of Women; and the 2023–2033 National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, our fourth-generation plan that operationalizes our obligations under resolution 1325 (2000) and the Beijing Platform for Action. This Action Plan is not just a framework. It is a decisive, whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategy to ensure survivors, especially women and girls in conflict and crisis situations, have unimpeded access to healthcare, psychological support, legal assistance and safe shelters. We address the evolving realities of conflict, from digital exploitation to health emergencies and climate-driven displacement. Our built-in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning system ensures rapid, evidence-based responses. The Philippines recognizes that sustainable protection must be survivor-centred. We are strengthening referral pathways from the community level, integrating women and peace and security measures into all gender and development budgets and ensuring that civil society and women leaders are at the centre of prevention, protection and recovery efforts. Importantly, this Action Plan leaves no one behind. It explicitly addresses the needs of Indigenous women, women with disabilities and persons of diverse sexual orientation, identity and expression. For us, innovation also means bridging the protection gap in hard-to-reach areas. We are expanding mobile health and legal assistance teams, technology- enabled reporting and case management, and gender advisers embedded in peace and security operations. The Philippines is steadfast in its belief that peace cannot be achieved without justice for survivors and accountability for perpetrators. Our actions at home are part of our broader responsibility to uphold international peace and security. The Philippines will continue to work in solidarity with the international community to ensure that survivors of sexual violence in conflict find not only protection, but also pathways to healing, empowerment and lasting peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay. Our delegation aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security  — the Friends of 1325  — and expresses the following considerations in a national capacity. Twenty-five years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on the women and peace and security agenda, impunity for perpetrators of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence persists as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism and political repression. According to the report of the Secretary-General, in 2024, sexual violence in situations of conflict saw a 25 per cent increase over the previous year. Ninety- one per cent of these victims were women and girls, but there were also cases among men and boys, especially in detention centres. These figures, we know, represent underreporting and should be heeded as an urgent call to action. Uruguay strongly condemns sexual and gender-based violence in the context of armed conflict and the impunity with which its perpetrators act, both in the case of State and non-State actors, calling for their investigation and accountability. We also express deep concern at the persistent reports of sexual violence against girls in armed conflict which perpetuate cycles of inequality, while regretting the 125 per cent increase in cases of sexual violence against boys, as reported by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. Uruguay is working towards the renewal of that mandate, in the framework of the resolution on the rights of the child in the upcoming session of the Third Committee. We are deeply concerned about the increase in conflicts; humanitarian, political and security crises; and the weakening of respect for international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, which disproportionately affects women and girls, in particular displaced women and girls, refugees and migrants. It is necessary to redouble efforts to prevent these crises and conflicts, but also to respond to them, guaranteeing victims and survivors access to justice and reparations. In that regard, we positively highlight the new policy on gender crimes of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, revised in December 2023. With this revision, the Court committed to integrate a gender and intersectionality perspective at all stages, from investigation to prosecution, in order to ensure that these crimes are prosecuted in a comprehensive manner, with a focus on survivors and trauma mitigation. In this way, we seek to combat impunity and contribute to the development of a stronger and more equitable international jurisprudence. In addition, the root causes of sexual violence, including gender inequality, must be addressed by promoting women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation and leadership in peace, mediation and transition processes at all levels. Furthermore, the availability and proliferation of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition are linked to increased violence, particularly gender-based and sexual violence. In the same vein, we urge the Council to make use of all available instruments to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including in contexts where peace operations are in transition or winding down. Uruguay understands that the mandates of United Nations peace missions should incorporate measures to prevent shortcomings in the protection of civilians by being more proactive. As a troop-contributing country over several decades, our Blue The verified cases of sexual violence in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Libya, Myanmar, the Sudan, Yemen and Gaza demonstrate the urgency with which the Council and the United Nations system must act. In that regard, Uruguay calls for respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law and for guaranteed access to humanitarian assistance. We must also ensure access to vital multisectoral services. Medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance and economic reintegration should be available to all survivors, regardless of their location and status. Victims of sexual violence must be able to access critical basic health services, especially within 72 hours of the attack. We must also protect critical civilian infrastructure. Health centres and shelters must be protected from attack in accordance with international humanitarian law. In the context of drawdown or transition from peace operations, the Council must ensure that protection mandates are not lost. That includes having personnel trained to handle situations of sexual and gender-based violence. We call for enhanced accountability, starting at the national level and relying on the tools of the Council’s sanctions committees for such atrocities, reprehensible under all circumstances and by all actors. We advocate a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of violence in order to build a lasting and just peace for all.

Before continuing, I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than three minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. I now give the floor to the representative of Croatia.

I thank Panama for organizing this meeting and the briefers for their valuable insights. Croatia aligns itself with the statements to be delivered, respectively, by the representative of the European Union and by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. I would like to add some remarks in my national capacity. The latest Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/389) documents persistent cases of sexual violence, further aggravated by armed conflicts and record levels of displacement. We are particularly concerned about insufficient support for survivors due to growing safety concerns, limited delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as financial and protection capacity challenges, especially during the drawdowns and transitions of United Nations peace operations. Recalling our commitment under the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1) to take concrete steps for the elimination and prevention of human rights violations, including those experienced by women and girls in armed conflict, we emphasize the importance of addressing these issues in a comprehensive manner. We strongly support the call of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General to end conflict-related sexual violence, and we encourage all States to align their laws with international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as to monitor their compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. In fragile, conflict and post-conflict settings, it is crucial to ensure the protection of civilians and enable safe access to medical care and psychological support for all survivors. Taking into account that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not a homogeneous group, we commend the innovative approaches presented in the report that seek to address specific contexts and individual needs. This must be complemented by robust accountability measures, comprehensive reparations and sustainable reintegration programmes. Furthermore, we need to keep up our efforts in providing financial and operational support to all situations of concern. In that regard, I would like to underscore the important role that the Peacebuilding Commission can have in supporting fragile States as they transition towards peace, including through support for civil society and women’s organizations at a local level. In conclusion, let me reiterate that prevention of conflict-related sexual violence starts in times of peace. Tackling structural gender inequalities, harmful social norms and other root causes of sexual violence minimizes its effects in conflict situations. Lastly, all of these prevention efforts can have a lasting impact only if reinforced by the full and meaningful participation of women survivors in political, peacemaking, peacebuilding and humanitarian-response processes.

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

I thank Panama for convening this important open debate. I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Patten and Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed for their sobering briefings. Sexual violence in conflict is a serious crime that violates human dignity and has far-reaching consequences. Japan is deeply concerned about the findings in the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2025/389), marking a staggering 25 per cent increase from the previous year. Regrettably, this crime continues to be widespread and largely met with impunity, disproportionately affecting women and girls. As the Secretary-General’s report points out, survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not a homogeneous group. A survivor-centred approach requires the provision of tailored and multisectoral services. In order to provide timely and comprehensive assistance to survivors, as well as to hold perpetrators accountable, Japan has supported the United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict since 2014 and United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict since 2017. Japan calls on Member States to support and make use of the Team of Experts as a mandated Security Council mechanism and invites them to engage with the United Nations Action network, chaired by Special Representative Patten. In the Sudan, Japan supported a United Nations Action project on mitigating risks and enhancing the response to gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual vio­ lence. The project utilized a multisectoral approach encompassing emergency response, facility restoration, capacity-building and the economic empowerment of survivors. This year, Japan is supporting a Team of Experts project in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo aimed at strengthening access to justice for victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. The project will enhance survivor-centred investigations and prosecutions in order to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. Furthermore, Japan has integrated the women and peace and security agenda as one of the main pillars of its foreign policy and is currently serving as co-chair — with Norway — of the Women and Peace and Security Focal Points Network in order to further promote the agenda, including resolution 1888 (2009).

I now give the floor to the representative of Chile.

Chile thanks Panama for convening this open debate and for its leadership in presiding over the Security Council. We also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, and Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed for their valuable participation. We align ourselves with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, and in our national capacity, we would like to share the following thoughts. Conflict-related sexual violence constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and human rights, as well as a direct threat to international peace and security. The recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/389) records more than 4,600 verified cases in 2024, a 25 per cent increase over the previous year, with 92 per cent of victims being women and girls. These figures, which represent only a fraction of the reality, show a persistent and systematic pattern that we cannot tolerate. Despite normative progress, including the adoption of five resolutions, the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) remains delayed and faces worrisome setbacks. Sexual violence as a tactic of war continues to destroy lives, exacerbating food insecurity and preventing the recovery of survivors in post-conflict situations. Chile has addressed this challenge in a concrete manner. We were the first country in the region to adopt a national action plan on women and peace and security, the third version of which was launched this year with the participation of five ministries. The plan incorporates a gender and human rights and an intersectional approach, recognizing the multiple realities faced by women in contexts of conflict, violence, climate change and organized crime. Ensuring a survivor-centred approach is, for Chile, a legal obligation and an ethical imperative. This requires ensuring comprehensive and accessible services, including sexual and reproductive health, psychosocial support, legal assistance and economic opportunities, as well as emphasizing the importance of protecting the facilities and personnel that provide them. Survivors not only require our solidarity, but they also demand truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. In order to translate those commitments into real results, disaggregated data, robust measurement mechanisms and sustainable and predictable financing are needed. It is equally essential to promote the leadership of women and survivors in peace processes, support community organizations and address the structural causes that perpetuate this violence, gender inequality, discrimination against minorities and the proliferation of weapons. In this context, we must strengthen the investigation and punishment of these crimes by ending impunity, including through targeted sanctions against perpetrators. We are deeply concerned that in various contexts, the work of civil society and women human rights defenders is being restricted, which weakens the capacity to prevent and respond to these crimes. The lack of adequate resources in peace operations exacerbates this situation, especially in contexts such as Palestine, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sudan and Ukraine.

I now give the floor to the representative of Liechtenstein.

We thank Panama for organizing this timely debate. The convergence of protracted conflicts and mass displacement has led to an exponential increase of conflict-related sexual violence in the past decade. In the majority of conflicts, impunity for these crimes remains the norm, and access to psychosocial and health services is obstructed or otherwise unavailable. Even worse, critical health infrastructure is often destroyed, at times as a result of deliberate targeting by parties to conflict. This further intensifies the hardship endured by survivors. It is simply unacceptable that more than 70 per cent of the parties listed in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/389) are persistent perpetrators who have not put in place any preventive measures over the past five years. We therefore echo the call by the Secretary-General to the Security Council to use all tools available, including targeted sanctions, to break these cycles of impunity. International criminal justice mechanisms, and notably the International Criminal Court (ICC), are critical to further advance our fight against impunity. In fact, the Rome Statute is the first international criminal law instrument that explicitly recognizes forms of sexual violence as distinct war crimes and crimes against humanity. Over the past decade, the ICC’s victim-centred approach and dedicated gender expertise helped to set vital precedents in landmark cases, ensuring that sexual and gender-based crimes are thoroughly prosecuted, regardless of the victim’s gender. We are alarmed by the documented conflict-related sexual violence in the Sudan. The widespread use of rape, gang rape, abduction, sexual slavery and trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation is particularly disturbing. These crimes remain a critical component of the strategy of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militia to consolidate dominance in Darfur, where women and girls are targeted based on their ethnic identity. Even young children are not spared from the escalation of violence — more than 16 per cent of the survivors of rape are under five years of age. The devastating impact extends beyond the immediate harm: all survivors often face long-term psychological trauma, social stigmatization and the disruption of family and community structures. It is therefore more important than ever to enable rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. While the vast majority of cases of conflict-related sexual violence affect women and girls, men and boys are also affected by these crimes, particularly in detention settings. In Ukraine, almost 75 per cent of verified cases of these crimes perpetrated by the Russian armed forces have affected men and boys. In this regard, we commend the pioneering work of the Liechtenstein-based All Survivors Project Foundation. The All Survivors Project has helped partner organizations across Ukraine to ensure that survivors can access the necessary support services, including health providers and the justice system. Such initiatives constitute important steps to recognize the full spectrum of survivors. Only through sustained international cooperation, improved protection measures and the empowerment of survivors can the cycle of impunity be broken and justice served.

We thank the Republic of Panama for convening this important debate on an always timely theme. The theme of the protection of survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones is of importance to all of us. We also thank the briefers for their reports and presentations. The theme today is highly relevant, as evolving threats to international peace security continue to exacerbate conflict-related sexual violence. It remains one of the most silenced war crimes. True to its commitment to peace, human dignity and the protection of the most vulnerable, the Kingdom of Morocco recognizes sexual violence in conflict as both a grave human rights violation and a barrier to peacebuilding and reconciliation. Violence is always condemnable. However, sexual violence in times of armed conflict and global crises is even more reprehensible. In previous open debates, the world was brought to tears as everyone listened, here in this Chamber, to the appalling and poignant testimonies of victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts, reporting their tragic ordeals. Unfortunately, history repeats itself, with shocking cases of other victims of rape, torture and unimaginable savagery and brutality, depicting a chronicle of a disturbing trend of using sexual violence as a weapon of war. The Kingdom of Morocco stresses the urgent need to innovate in addressing sexual violence, given its systematic and premeditated nature. A comprehensive and inclusive approach is required, one that tackles the root causes, restores victims’ dignity, combats stigma — particularly for children born of this violence — and enforces accountability for perpetrators, in line with international law. Such an approach must also focus on prevention, through gender equality, women’s empowerment and ensuring access to legal, medical and psychosocial support services. It should further strengthen protection for victims and witnesses, while establishing complementary mechanisms for men and boys. Allow me to stress the following key points. First, more research is needed to understand the full scope of this scourge, its victims and its perpetrators. While women and girls remain the majority of victims, men and boys are also gravely affected, though their suffering is often silenced by stigma, shame and lack of information. Overcoming these barriers and filling the knowledge gap are essential steps to design effective prevention and inclusive response strategies. Second, it is of extreme importance to raise awareness, establish the appropriate legal and normative frameworks, and take action, in all environments, including those that are not prone to conflict. Third, the underrepresentation of women in peacekeeping missions and peace and security processes further exacerbates sexual violence. Morocco has made gender protection a core component of its contributions to peacekeeping missions. As one of the top African troop-contributing countries, Morocco continues to prioritize the deployment of female peacekeepers and the training of personnel in accordance with resolution 1325 (2000). As such, military women of the Royal Armed Forces have been deployed in different operational contexts, enriching the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. Fourth, Morocco actively supports South-South and triangular cooperation to share best practices. Morocco hosts a number of working sessions for women in United Nations military peace operations, with the aim of contributing to the empowerment of military women and to prepare them to fully exercise their Fifth, we must ensure that, in conflict zones, survivors and victims of sexual violence receive the urgent life-saving healthcare services they need, including psychosocial support, and enhance efforts to provide adequate medical infrastructure, including field hospitals. Sixth, legal services for the victims must be guaranteed and perpetrators held accountable, so as to end impunity and ensure post-conflict recovery and address long- term social and psychological wounds that can persist across generations. Seventh, religious and community leaders have a decisive role to play, firmly rejecting the misuse of religion to justify sexual violence and identifying early warning signs. I would like to conclude by reaffirming the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to working with the United Nations and its partners to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not just heard, but also protected, supported and given the tools to reclaim their futures.

I now give the floor to the representative of India.

India thanks Panama, as the President of the Security Council, for holding today’s open debate. I also thank the briefers for their presentations. Perpetrators of heinous acts of conflict-related sexual violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and brought to justice. Sexual violence in conflict zones not only destroys individual lives but tears apart the very fabric of societies, leaving lasting scars on communities for generations. A multi-faceted approach is essential to address this crime and offer support to its survivors. This includes prosecuting and deterring such crimes in conflict situations, ensuring no impunity for perpetrators and adopting a survivor-centric approach in prevention and response mechanisms. Resolution 2467 (2019) has been instrumental in highlighting the need to provide victims with access to national relief and reparations programmes, healthcare, psychosocial care, safe shelter and legal aid and to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration efforts to bring a semblance of normalcy to their lives. The Secretary-General’s trust fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse is an important resource which should be further strengthened. India was among the first nations to contribute to this fund and remains committed to support such victims. Our dedication to the cause can be seen from the fact that in November 2017, a voluntary compact was reached between the Secretary-General and the Government of India on commitment to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping, humanitarian and development work. Underlining the seriousness attached to the issue by India, Prime Minister Modi joined the circle of leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations. In our experience, the female engagement teams that India has deployed in peacekeeping missions across conflict zones have been tremendously successful in connecting with local communities, addressing gender-sensitive issues, engaging with victims and enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. In 2007, we were the first country to deploy an all- women formed police unit to a United Nations mission, in Liberia. Today, we have successfully deployed female contingents in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, with the objective of addressing conflict-related sexual violence. India has implemented a comprehensive domestic strategy for women’s safety. It could offer insights for ensuring access to life-saving services and protection for survivors in conflict situations, such as the following. First, concerning dedicated resources, India established the Nirbhaya Fund, a non-lapsable fund with approximately $1.2 billion for women’s safety. It is dedicated towards ensuring safe environments for women, supporting effective implementation of legislation and creating comprehensive infrastructure for swift justice and crisis support. Member States could consider creating similar dedicated resources. Secondly, in regard to response mechanisms, India operates a pan-India emergency response support system, through the emergency number 112, for women’s safety issues. Sakhi one stop centres, established at each district headquarters, provide comprehensive services, including police assistance, medical care and legal aid, among others, and offer protection and rehabilitation with shelter and economic security. Member States could consider replicating this model. Lastly, in terms of justice delivery, comprehensive training programmes have been developed for investigation and prosecution, and for medical officers to ensure forensic evidence collection withstands judicial scrutiny. Fast-track special courts dedicated to women’s safety have revolutionized justice delivery through swift case disposal. Before I conclude, I would like to briefly address the baseless allegation raised by the representative of Pakistan. The utter impunity with which Pakistan’s army perpetrated heinous crimes of gross sexual violence against hundreds of thousands of women in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 is a matter of shameful record. This deplorable pattern continues unabated and with impunity to this day. Rampant abduction, trafficking, child early and forced marriages and domestic servitude, sexual violence and forced religious conversions of thousands of vulnerable women and girls as weapons of persecution towards religious and ethnic minority communities are reported and chronicled, including in the recent Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reports. These reports highlight that the vile acts committed by Pakistan are also validated by its judiciary. It is ironic that those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice. The duplicity and hypocrisy are self-evident. In conclusion, allow me to once again reaffirm India’s unwavering commitment to root out sexual violence in armed conflict and support and assist survivors of such heinous crimes.

I now give the floor to the representative of Malta.

Malta aligns itself with the statements to be delivered, respectively, on behalf of the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, and would like to add some reflections in its national capacity. We thank the Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations for convening this timely and vital debate and extend our appreciation to the briefers and civil society representatives for their valuable contributions. We reiterate our deep appreciation for the work of Special Representative Patten and her Office. As a proud member of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, we share the Secretary-General’s alarm at the widespread conflict-related sexual violence recorded last year, in the context of escalating and proliferating conflict and record levels of forced displacement, as outlined in the report (S/2025/389). This must end, and we condemn all forms of sexual violence — irrespective of where they occur or the country, group or individual responsible for them. We also reiterate the importance of accountability. Ending impunity for sexual violence is a legal and moral imperative for all States. Financial support for thorough investigations and prosecutions must be guaranteed, and they should be survivor centred. Our collective efforts must deliver concrete and timely support. In conflict and displacement situations, survivor-centred responses are critical, particularly for women and girls who are disproportionately affected. Access to urgent medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid and secure shelter must be guaranteed, especially during transitions in United Nations peace operations when protection gaps are most acute. Malta underscores the importance of strengthening multisectoral responses that are locally led, trauma-informed and gender-responsive. We must equip front-line actors, especially women’s organizations, with sustained resources and political backing. Innovative tools such as mobile outreach, digital safe spaces and early- warning systems can also expand access and protection in remote and high-risk areas. We recall that as Security Council President in April 2024, Malta placed a strong emphasis on the women and peace and security agenda and chaired the annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence (see S/PV.9614), which focused on how to prevent conflict-related sexual violence through demilitarization and gender- responsive arms control. We remain committed to advancing all aspects of the conflict-related sexual violence agenda, including survivor participation in all phases of prevention and response — from design to monitoring — while recognizing that justice and recovery cannot be fully realized without survivor leadership. Addressing conflict-related sexual violence requires more than speeches. We call on all parties assessed in the Secretary-General’s report to immediately cease acts of sexual violence and cooperate with relevant national and international investigative mechanisms. Let us place survivors at the heart of our response and ensure that our strategies are as enduring as the scars these crimes have, regrettably, left behind.

Before I suspend the meeting owing to time constraints, I give the floor to the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

I would like to thank Panama for organizing this important debate today. I thank, in particular, Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed, for her vital work under challenging circumstances. Let me also express our gratitude and support to Special Representative Patten and her Office’s mandate. The Kingdom of the Netherlands fully aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. While we commemorate the anniversaries of landmark resolution 1325 (2000) and the Beijing Platform for Action, conflicts are at a historic peak, and reported conflict-related sexual violence has surged. For an effective response, three elements On the first point, survivors’ individual needs should be central to holistic, comprehensive and rights-based support  — from evidence collection and access to justice, to sexual and reproductive health and rights and livelihoods. Access to mental health and psychosocial support is not a luxury but a life-saving necessity and a prerequisite to end the cycle of impunity. Safe, trauma-sensitive environments and recovery services enable survivors to rebuild their lives and participate fully, equally and meaningfully in peace and decision-making processes. On the second point, accountability is not only about justice after the fact — it is an essential tool for prevention. To that end, we support the Special Representative’s community of practice among prosecutors. In the Sudan, the report reveals harrowing patterns of conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, gang rape and sexual slavery. To ensure accountability, we continue to support the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, women-protection teams and aid organizations on the ground. On the third and final point, local women-led organizations are often at the forefront. Trusted by their communities, they are best positioned to provide protection and life-saving services. We will launch a new grant instrument to support them. We owe it to the survivors to act — with courage, urgency and accountability.

There are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting. I intend, with the concurrence of members of the Council, to suspend the meeting until 3 p.m.