Security Council Open Debate on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding, January 2011

Secondly, institution-building in a post-conflict situation can be greatly facilitated by a targeted focus on the development aspect of peacebuilding. Priority areas could include the employment of youth and women, engaging the private sector, building local entrepreneurship, revitalizing the economy and developing service-based infrastructure. Such an approach will, on the one hand, build national ownership and engage all stakeholders in peacebuilding endeavours and, on the other, will reinforce the notion of the people-centric approach, bringing the benefits of peacebuilding to the common man's doorstep.

In implementing the strategy, it is imperative to establish mechanisms for inclusion to ensure the maximum involvement of society and the public and private sectors. Such an approach will mend the social and political fabric as a framework for the rule of law and will lay the foundation for the country's reconstruction. In that regard, we should recall that the empowerment of women and the gender perspective are key factors in generating capacity and in the peacebuilding process, as underscored in the Secretary-General's report.

The importance of national ownership in post- conflict peacebuilding is well known to all of us. The partnership between the State and the international partners must be based on a shared strategic understanding of the objectives and the way forward, with clear common goals, permanent and effective dialogue and interaction with the people of the country — the authorities, opposition parties and civil society as a whole. It must include a smooth exit strategy for the international actors. Gender issues and the instrumental role that women play in economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy, expanding the scope of national capacities, are also of particular importance.

International support in such dynamic and evolving situations is to be based on broad political willingness and adequate and predictable resources. Efforts skewed towards unduly benefiting one group at the expense of others are likely to exacerbate a situation, igniting the causes of conflict. Active participation by members of civil society and by local and traditional authorities, including marginalized groups, may ease the situation and contribute significantly to ensuring national ownership for achieving peacebuilding goals through a common vision of national development. The full and effective participation of women can further strengthen the process.

Third, gender mainstreaming and the role of women in post-conflict peacebuilding cannot be overemphasized. The institution-building process and its outcome should ensure gender perspectives as appropriate. While crafting such norms and standards, sufficient attention must be given to ensuring that the concerns of women in the host country are adequately taken into account so as to empower them to effectively participate in the post-conflict country's economic, political, social and security-related activities.

Secondly, there is an important need to develop a common institutional understanding within conflict torn societies. Institution-building goes beyond establishing and nurturing organizational structures. From power-sharing and rotation, and the active participation of women in decision-making processes, to the fair distribution of wealth and economic opportunities, societies emerging from conflict struggle to rebuild themselves on the basis of new rules of the game.

Secondly, we need to understand the term “institution-building” in a very broad sense. This is the approach Germany adopts in its bilateral development assistance. Institution-building, or rather Statebuilding, is not only about constructing Government institutions and State capacity; it is about the whole social fabric of a society and how the State interacts with its society. Thus, guaranteeing active participation of women, supporting the establishment of vibrant social organizations and integrating former child soldiers, for example, into their local communities can all be part of institution-building.

India launched the largest-ever exercise in democratic decentralization about two decades ago. Administrative and legislative powers were transferred to village- and district-level bodies, and considerable thought and effort were devoted to making these institutions locally relevant. The key to the success of these institutions, we have found, lies in what we call inclusiveness. Our process of democratic decentralization has ensured the election of about 1 million women to representative offices at all levels. Empowering those who have traditionally been at the margins of society has strengthened and transformed both democracy and governance in our country.

Inclusiveness works in interesting ways. The decision of the Government of India to aggressively recruit women police personnel allowed us to field a female formed police unit — the first such formation composed entirely of women — in UNMIL. We understand that the presence of these Indian women police personnel has not only assisted in restoring faith in the local law enforcement system, but has served as an example to Liberian women.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement and the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor- Leste, His Excellency Mr. José Luis Guterres, for sharing his insights into Timor-Leste's experiences in institution-building. My thanks also go to Ambassador Wittig, outgoing Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), for his contribution to the Commission's role in promoting and supporting an integrated and coherent approach to peacebuilding, including women's participation.

Fourthly, sustained political dialogue within States — between the men and women who make up our communities and Government — is crucial to strengthening democracy and encouraging buy-in, thereby turning State-building into a nation-wide endeavour involving all peoples. In that regard, on behalf of the g7+, I would like to that advantage of the timely opportunity afforded by this debate to suggest the idea of a report of the Secretary-General devoted to the topic of institution-building in conflict-affected States.

Before concluding, let me also underline the importance of mainstreaming women's participation at all stages of the peacebuilding effort. Turkey welcomes the increasing awareness within the United Nations system and among Member States of the importance of removing constraints on women's full participation in the peacebuilding process. We look forward to the further empowerment of women's role in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and mediation endeavours.

Given the magnitude of destruction, stabilization efforts in Afghanistan have produced impressive results. Despite its uphill climb since the time of Taliban rule, Afghanistan has experienced political transformation and development over the past decade, achieved through the support of the international community. The political process for the continued growth of the country is in place. Nearly 7 million refugees have returned. Women's roles in politics have steadily increased. Civil society has emerged triumphant in a more unified and organized manner. There are many areas in the country where we are witnessing governance for the first time in decades. Progress in the area of infrastructure development, including building and paving roads and increased access to water, education and health care, has been among the most rapid of any post-conflict nation in decades. Women and girls now have equal access to education.

Assistance obviously should be extended beyond capitals to the subnational level, civil society and the private sector. We need to strengthen the fabric of stable and prosperous communities through political, security, service delivery and economic institutions.
We must recognize and promote the role of women, who must be empowered to contribute to decision-making and the implementation of institution-building.

First, stable institutions cannot be imposed; they must be trusted and accepted by citizens. They have to be built and sustained by the individuals concerned. International institution-building efforts have to involve national actors at the outset in order to better identify and employ available local capacity. In this respect, civil society is a core pillar of institution- building, and the participation of women is of particular importance.

The efforts of the international community should be focused not only on supporting institutions in the field of justice and security, as it is also important to enhance the capacity of the institutions in charge of economic revitalization, public administration and the provision of basic services. Those institutions are indispensable to promoting poverty reduction, which is a powerful tool for addressing some of the root causes of social strife and building long-lasting peace. Likewise, social policies have a positive impact on the political process, since they empower groups that were once excluded from making decisions to do so at both the local and the national levels. The contribution of women must be continuously emphasized, taking into account two dimensions: on the one hand, their presence in Government institutions and, on the other, the existence of institutions and governmental bodies capable of ensuring their fundamental rights and needs.

Croatia welcomes the Secretary-General's detailed overview of the progress achieved in implementing his agenda for action set out in his progress report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2010/386), which was recently presented to the Council (see S/PV.6396), and particularly the recommendations contained therein. We equally fully support the Secretary-General's report on women's participation in peace-building (S/2010/466) and his strategic seven-point action plan introducing necessary practical suggestions for more active engagement by women in peacebuilding processes. In that regard, we offer our support to the ongoing efforts aimed at mobilizing resources for initiatives that address women's peacebuilding needs, advance gender equality and empower women in peacebuilding contexts.

We also welcome the initiatives undertaken by the Peacebuilding Commission to strengthen relations between the United Nations and the World Bank, which have enabled the Bank to take better account of the priority needs of countries such as the Central African Republic during 2010. We encourage the Commission, in its coordinating role, to develop partnerships with all financial and donor institutions able to help the countries on its agenda. The Commission should also involve all actors, including women's organizations.

Thirdly, as the mechanism for partnership in peacebuilding is complex and involves various stakeholders, the Security Council must promote strong leadership on the ground to enable United Nations representatives and the Government concerned to work together towards solutions, taking into account the specificity of the situation. We also hope that the Secretary-General will appoint strong special representatives, giving particular consideration to women candidates. We hope that Member States will cooperate in submitting appropriate nominees.

The importance of national ownership in post- conflict peacebuilding is well known to all of us. The partnership between the State and the international partners must be based on a shared strategic understanding of the objectives and the way forward, with clear common goals, permanent and effective dialogue and interaction with the people of the country — the authorities, opposition parties and civil society as a whole. It must include a smooth exit strategy for the international actors. Gender issues and the instrumental role that women play in economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy, expanding the scope of national capacities, are also of particular importance.

Finally, we look forward to the imminent completion of the Senior Advisory Group's review of international civilian capacities and its recommendations for improving the international response by strengthening the availability and appropriateness of civilian capacities for post-conflict peacebuilding. Of particular interest will be proposals on how best to mobilize and organize specific civilian capacities from the global South and among women, and on how to ensure that their deployment enhances the building of national capacities. Uganda reiterates the importance of women's full participation in post-conflict peacebuilding and involvement in institution-building.

It is important for the PBC to ensure that international assistance is in keeping with national priorities and assists in building institutional capacities in crucial peacebuilding areas. Mexico reiterates the importance of establishing greater international civil capacities in a fast, effective, coherent and coordinated way in countries emerging from conflict. In particular, we should take advantage of the capacities of the southern hemisphere and the potential of women, taking account of their crucial role in peacebuilding processes. In that regard, we hope that the next report of the Secretary-General on post-conflict peacebuilding will include recommendations for strengthening the capacity of the international community and the United Nations to support national institutions.

Inclusiveness works in interesting ways. The decision of the Government of India to aggressively recruit women police personnel allowed us to field a female formed police unit — the first such formation composed entirely of women — in UNMIL. We understand that the presence of these Indian women police personnel has not only assisted in restoring faith in the local law enforcement system, but has served as an example to Liberian women.

The establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality should further contribute to the effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Last year, Slovenia adopted its national action plan for the implementation of both resolutions. One of the main objectives of the action plan is to increase the involvement of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping missions.

Before concluding, let me also underline the importance of mainstreaming women's participation at all stages of the peacebuilding effort. Turkey welcomes the increasing awareness within the United Nations system and among Member States of the importance of removing constraints on women's full participation in the peacebuilding process. We look forward to the further empowerment of women's role in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and mediation endeavours.

Third, gender mainstreaming and the role of women in post-conflict peacebuilding cannot be overemphasized. The institution-building process and its outcome should ensure gender perspectives as appropriate. While crafting such norms and standards, sufficient attention must be given to ensuring that the concerns of women in the host country are adequately taken into account so as to empower them to effectively participate in the post-conflict country's economic, political, social and security-related activities.

Unemployment has plummeted, with 96 per cent of men aged between 30 and 49 years currently employed and two in five women now working year round. In 2007, 85 per cent of all Timorese were employed in the agriculture sector; today, that figure stands at 67 per cent of men and 61 per cent of women. Much of this achievement has been underpinned by the strengthening of institutions.

Given the magnitude of destruction, stabilization efforts in Afghanistan have produced impressive results. Despite its uphill climb since the time of Taliban rule, Afghanistan has experienced political transformation and development over the past decade, achieved through the support of the international community. The political process for the continued growth of the country is in place. Nearly 7 million refugees have returned. Women's roles in politics have steadily increased. Civil society has emerged triumphant in a more unified and organized manner. There are many areas in the country where we are witnessing governance for the first time in decades. Progress in the area of infrastructure development, including building and paving roads and increased access to water, education and health care, has been among the most rapid of any post-conflict nation in decades. Women and girls now have equal access to education.

The efforts of the international community should be focused not only on supporting institutions in the field of justice and security, as it is also important to enhance the capacity of the institutions in charge of economic revitalization, public administration and the provision of basic services. Those institutions are indispensable to promoting poverty reduction, which is a powerful tool for addressing some of the root causes of social strife and building long-lasting peace. Likewise, social policies have a positive impact on the political process, since they empower groups that were once excluded from making decisions to do so at both the local and the national levels. The contribution of women must be continuously emphasized, taking into account two dimensions: on the one hand, their presence in Government institutions and, on the other, the existence of institutions and governmental bodies capable of ensuring their fundamental rights and needs.

In implementing the strategy, it is imperative to establish mechanisms for inclusion to ensure the maximum involvement of society and the public and private sectors. Such an approach will mend the social and political fabric as a framework for the rule of law and will lay the foundation for the country's reconstruction. In that regard, we should recall that the empowerment of women and the gender perspective are key factors in generating capacity and in the peacebuilding process, as underscored in the Secretary-General's report.

The efforts of the international community should be focused not only on supporting institutions in the field of justice and security, as it is also important to enhance the capacity of the institutions in charge of economic revitalization, public administration and the provision of basic services. Those institutions are indispensable to promoting poverty reduction, which is a powerful tool for addressing some of the root causes of social strife and building long-lasting peace. Likewise, social policies have a positive impact on the political process, since they empower groups that were once excluded from making decisions to do so at both the local and the national levels. The contribution of women must be continuously emphasized, taking into account two dimensions: on the one hand, their presence in Government institutions and, on the other, the existence of institutions and governmental bodies capable of ensuring their fundamental rights and needs.

International support in such dynamic and evolving situations is to be based on broad political willingness and adequate and predictable resources. Efforts skewed towards unduly benefiting one group at the expense of others are likely to exacerbate a situation, igniting the causes of conflict. Active participation by members of civil society and by local and traditional authorities, including marginalized groups, may ease the situation and contribute significantly to ensuring national ownership for achieving peacebuilding goals through a common vision of national development. The full and effective participation of women can further strengthen the process.

Third, gender mainstreaming and the role of women in post-conflict peacebuilding cannot be overemphasized. The institution-building process and its outcome should ensure gender perspectives as appropriate. While crafting such norms and standards, sufficient attention must be given to ensuring that the concerns of women in the host country are adequately taken into account so as to empower them to effectively participate in the post-conflict country's economic, political, social and security-related activities.

As a supporting partner, the international community must advance its capacities through institutional, technical, financial, human and other assistance in which it has the capacity to do so. The process must forge the effective participation of all stakeholders, including women, civil society and marginalized groups, so as to address the root causes of conflicts.

Secondly, there is an important need to develop a common institutional understanding within conflict torn societies. Institution-building goes beyond establishing and nurturing organizational structures. From power-sharing and rotation, and the active participation of women in decision-making processes, to the fair distribution of wealth and economic opportunities, societies emerging from conflict struggle to rebuild themselves on the basis of new rules of the game.

Secondly, we need to understand the term “institution-building” in a very broad sense. This is the approach Germany adopts in its bilateral development assistance. Institution-building, or rather Statebuilding, is not only about constructing Government institutions and State capacity; it is about the whole social fabric of a society and how the State interacts with its society. Thus, guaranteeing active participation of women, supporting the establishment of vibrant social organizations and integrating former child soldiers, for example, into their local communities can all be part of institution-building.

India launched the largest-ever exercise in democratic decentralization about two decades ago. Administrative and legislative powers were transferred to village- and district-level bodies, and considerable thought and effort were devoted to making these institutions locally relevant. The key to the success of these institutions, we have found, lies in what we call inclusiveness. Our process of democratic decentralization has ensured the election of about 1 million women to representative offices at all levels. Empowering those who have traditionally been at the margins of society has strengthened and transformed both democracy and governance in our country.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement and the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor- Leste, His Excellency Mr. José Luis Guterres, for sharing his insights into Timor-Leste's experiences in institution-building. My thanks also go to Ambassador Wittig, outgoing Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), for his contribution to the Commission's role in promoting and supporting an integrated and coherent approach to peacebuilding, including women's participation.

The establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality should further contribute to the effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Last year, Slovenia adopted its national action plan for the implementation of both resolutions. One of the main objectives of the action plan is to increase the involvement of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping missions.

Unemployment has plummeted, with 96 per cent of men aged between 30 and 49 years currently employed and two in five women now working year round. In 2007, 85 per cent of all Timorese were employed in the agriculture sector; today, that figure stands at 67 per cent of men and 61 per cent of women. Much of this achievement has been underpinned by the strengthening of institutions.

Fourthly, sustained political dialogue within States — between the men and women who make up our communities and Government — is crucial to strengthening democracy and encouraging buy-in, thereby turning State-building into a nation-wide endeavour involving all peoples. In that regard, on behalf of the g7+, I would like to that advantage of the timely opportunity afforded by this debate to suggest the idea of a report of the Secretary-General devoted to the topic of institution-building in conflict-affected States.

First, peacebuilding is primarily a national responsibility. Hence, as has been stressed by many delegations, national ownership is of critical importance. The effective and sustainable realization of peacebuilding goals requires the active engagement of all local stakeholders, including civil society, professional associations and women's organizations. Therefore, one priority of peacekeeping operations should be to win the hearts and minds of the local people and to work together with them. This will not only inoculate the operation against criticism that it has been imposed on the national Government and population, but will also increase its success. National ownership and capacity-building are also essential elements of a successful exit strategy.

Before concluding, let me also underline the importance of mainstreaming women's participation at all stages of the peacebuilding effort. Turkey welcomes the increasing awareness within the United Nations system and among Member States of the importance of removing constraints on women's full participation in the peacebuilding process. We look forward to the further empowerment of women's role in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and mediation endeavours.

Given the magnitude of destruction, stabilization efforts in Afghanistan have produced impressive results. Despite its uphill climb since the time of Taliban rule, Afghanistan has experienced political transformation and development over the past decade, achieved through the support of the international community. The political process for the continued growth of the country is in place. Nearly 7 million refugees have returned. Women's roles in politics have steadily increased. Civil society has emerged triumphant in a more unified and organized manner. There are many areas in the country where we are witnessing governance for the first time in decades. Progress in the area of infrastructure development, including building and paving roads and increased access to water, education and health care, has been among the most rapid of any post-conflict nation in decades. Women and girls now have equal access to education.

In that context, effective institution-building during the different phases of the process requires coordination among the Peacebuilding Commission and all relevant actors, including international financial institutions, United Nations entities, regional organizations and civil society, including women, local experts and other stakeholders.

First, stable institutions cannot be imposed; they must be trusted and accepted by citizens. They have to be built and sustained by the individuals concerned. International institution-building efforts have to involve national actors at the outset in order to better identify and employ available local capacity. In this respect, civil society is a core pillar of institution- building, and the participation of women is of particular importance.

The efforts of the international community should be focused not only on supporting institutions in the field of justice and security, as it is also important to enhance the capacity of the institutions in charge of economic revitalization, public administration and the provision of basic services. Those institutions are indispensable to promoting poverty reduction, which is a powerful tool for addressing some of the root causes of social strife and building long-lasting peace. Likewise, social policies have a positive impact on the political process, since they empower groups that were once excluded from making decisions to do so at both the local and the national levels. The contribution of women must be continuously emphasized, taking into account two dimensions: on the one hand, their presence in Government institutions and, on the other, the existence of institutions and governmental bodies capable of ensuring their fundamental rights and needs.

Croatia welcomes the Secretary-General's detailed overview of the progress achieved in implementing his agenda for action set out in his progress report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2010/386), which was recently presented to the Council (see S/PV.6396), and particularly the recommendations contained therein. We equally fully support the Secretary-General's report on women's participation in peace-building (S/2010/466) and his strategic seven-point action plan introducing necessary practical suggestions for more active engagement by women in peacebuilding processes. In that regard, we offer our support to the ongoing efforts aimed at mobilizing resources for initiatives that address women's peacebuilding needs, advance gender equality and empower women in peacebuilding contexts.

It is important for the PBC to ensure that international assistance is in keeping with national priorities and assists in building institutional capacities in crucial peacebuilding areas. Mexico reiterates the importance of establishing greater international civil capacities in a fast, effective, coherent and coordinated way in countries emerging from conflict. In particular, we should take advantage of the capacities of the southern hemisphere and the potential of women, taking account of their crucial role in peacebuilding processes. In that regard, we hope that the next report of the Secretary-General on post-conflict peacebuilding will include recommendations for strengthening the capacity of the international community and the United Nations to support national institutions.

Secondly, institution-building in a post-conflict situation can be greatly facilitated by a targeted focus on the development aspect of peacebuilding. Priority areas could include the employment of youth and women, engaging the private sector, building local entrepreneurship, revitalizing the economy and developing service-based infrastructure. Such an approach will, on the one hand, build national ownership and engage all stakeholders in peacebuilding endeavours and, on the other, will reinforce the notion of the people-centric approach, bringing the benefits of peacebuilding to the common man's doorstep.

In implementing the strategy, it is imperative to establish mechanisms for inclusion to ensure the maximum involvement of society and the public and private sectors. Such an approach will mend the social and political fabric as a framework for the rule of law and will lay the foundation for the country's reconstruction. In that regard, we should recall that the empowerment of women and the gender perspective are key factors in generating capacity and in the peacebuilding process, as underscored in the Secretary-General's report.

The importance of national ownership in post- conflict peacebuilding is well known to all of us. The partnership between the State and the international partners must be based on a shared strategic understanding of the objectives and the way forward, with clear common goals, permanent and effective dialogue and interaction with the people of the country — the authorities, opposition parties and civil society as a whole. It must include a smooth exit strategy for the international actors. Gender issues and the instrumental role that women play in economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy, expanding the scope of national capacities, are also of particular importance.

South Africa emphasizes the importance of building local capacities and the provision of training, especially targeting women, in order to enhance existing capacities at the national level, as they are usually willing to participate in the rebuilding of their homes, communities and countries. In this context, South Africa has played a significant part in postconflict capacity- and institution-building in Africa through multilateral, bilateral and trilateral mechanisms, in such countries as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone, among others. On behalf of the African Union (AU), South Africa continues to lead the committee on postconflict reconstruction and development in the Sudan, whose role is expected to become even more critical in the post-referendum phase, especially in Southern Sudan.

Finally, we look forward to the imminent completion of the Senior Advisory Group's review of international civilian capacities and its recommendations for improving the international response by strengthening the availability and appropriateness of civilian capacities for post-conflict peacebuilding. Of particular interest will be proposals on how best to mobilize and organize specific civilian capacities from the global South and among women, and on how to ensure that their deployment enhances the building of national capacities. Uganda reiterates the importance of women's full participation in post-conflict peacebuilding and involvement in institution-building.

Today's debate will be taken into account by my delegation in the context of Ukraine's current membership in the Peacebuilding Commission, the Economic and Social Council, UN-Women and other relevant organs. It will also serve as a valuable reference in the case of Ukraine's election to the Security Council for the term of 2016-2017.

International support in such dynamic and evolving situations is to be based on broad political willingness and adequate and predictable resources. Efforts skewed towards unduly benefiting one group at the expense of others are likely to exacerbate a situation, igniting the causes of conflict. Active participation by members of civil society and by local and traditional authorities, including marginalized groups, may ease the situation and contribute significantly to ensuring national ownership for achieving peacebuilding goals through a common vision of national development. The full and effective participation of women can further strengthen the process.

As a supporting partner, the international community must advance its capacities through institutional, technical, financial, human and other assistance in which it has the capacity to do so. The process must forge the effective participation of all stakeholders, including women, civil society and marginalized groups, so as to address the root causes of conflicts.

Secondly, we need to understand the term “institution-building” in a very broad sense. This is the approach Germany adopts in its bilateral development assistance. Institution-building, or rather Statebuilding, is not only about constructing Government institutions and State capacity; it is about the whole social fabric of a society and how the State interacts with its society. Thus, guaranteeing active participation of women, supporting the establishment of vibrant social organizations and integrating former child soldiers, for example, into their local communities can all be part of institution-building.

The establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality should further contribute to the effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Last year, Slovenia adopted its national action plan for the implementation of both resolutions. One of the main objectives of the action plan is to increase the involvement of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping missions.

Fourthly, sustained political dialogue within States — between the men and women who make up our communities and Government — is crucial to strengthening democracy and encouraging buy-in, thereby turning State-building into a nation-wide endeavour involving all peoples. In that regard, on behalf of the g7+, I would like to that advantage of the timely opportunity afforded by this debate to suggest the idea of a report of the Secretary-General devoted to the topic of institution-building in conflict-affected States.

First, peacebuilding is primarily a national responsibility. Hence, as has been stressed by many delegations, national ownership is of critical importance. The effective and sustainable realization of peacebuilding goals requires the active engagement of all local stakeholders, including civil society, professional associations and women's organizations. Therefore, one priority of peacekeeping operations should be to win the hearts and minds of the local people and to work together with them. This will not only inoculate the operation against criticism that it has been imposed on the national Government and population, but will also increase its success. National ownership and capacity-building are also essential elements of a successful exit strategy.

Before concluding, let me also underline the importance of mainstreaming women's participation at all stages of the peacebuilding effort. Turkey welcomes the increasing awareness within the United Nations system and among Member States of the importance of removing constraints on women's full participation in the peacebuilding process. We look forward to the further empowerment of women's role in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and mediation endeavours.

In that context, effective institution-building during the different phases of the process requires coordination among the Peacebuilding Commission and all relevant actors, including international financial institutions, United Nations entities, regional organizations and civil society, including women, local experts and other stakeholders.

Assistance obviously should be extended beyond capitals to the subnational level, civil society and the private sector. We need to strengthen the fabric of stable and prosperous communities through political, security, service delivery and economic institutions.
We must recognize and promote the role of women, who must be empowered to contribute to decision-making and the implementation of institution-building.

First, stable institutions cannot be imposed; they must be trusted and accepted by citizens. They have to be built and sustained by the individuals concerned. International institution-building efforts have to involve national actors at the outset in order to better identify and employ available local capacity. In this respect, civil society is a core pillar of institution- building, and the participation of women is of particular importance.

Croatia welcomes the Secretary-General's detailed overview of the progress achieved in implementing his agenda for action set out in his progress report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2010/386), which was recently presented to the Council (see S/PV.6396), and particularly the recommendations contained therein. We equally fully support the Secretary-General's report on women's participation in peace-building (S/2010/466) and his strategic seven-point action plan introducing necessary practical suggestions for more active engagement by women in peacebuilding processes. In that regard, we offer our support to the ongoing efforts aimed at mobilizing resources for initiatives that address women's peacebuilding needs, advance gender equality and empower women in peacebuilding contexts.

We also welcome the initiatives undertaken by the Peacebuilding Commission to strengthen relations between the United Nations and the World Bank, which have enabled the Bank to take better account of the priority needs of countries such as the Central African Republic during 2010. We encourage the Commission, in its coordinating role, to develop partnerships with all financial and donor institutions able to help the countries on its agenda. The Commission should also involve all actors, including women's organizations.

Thirdly, as the mechanism for partnership in peacebuilding is complex and involves various stakeholders, the Security Council must promote strong leadership on the ground to enable United Nations representatives and the Government concerned to work together towards solutions, taking into account the specificity of the situation. We also hope that the Secretary-General will appoint strong special representatives, giving particular consideration to women candidates. We hope that Member States will cooperate in submitting appropriate nominees.

It is important for the PBC to ensure that international assistance is in keeping with national priorities and assists in building institutional capacities in crucial peacebuilding areas. Mexico reiterates the importance of establishing greater international civil capacities in a fast, effective, coherent and coordinated way in countries emerging from conflict. In particular, we should take advantage of the capacities of the southern hemisphere and the potential of women, taking account of their crucial role in peacebuilding processes. In that regard, we hope that the next report of the Secretary-General on post-conflict peacebuilding will include recommendations for strengthening the capacity of the international community and the United Nations to support national institutions.

The importance of national ownership in post- conflict peacebuilding is well known to all of us. The partnership between the State and the international partners must be based on a shared strategic understanding of the objectives and the way forward, with clear common goals, permanent and effective dialogue and interaction with the people of the country — the authorities, opposition parties and civil society as a whole. It must include a smooth exit strategy for the international actors. Gender issues and the instrumental role that women play in economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy, expanding the scope of national capacities, are also of particular importance.

Today's debate will be taken into account by my delegation in the context of Ukraine's current membership in the Peacebuilding Commission, the Economic and Social Council, UN-Women and other relevant organs. It will also serve as a valuable reference in the case of Ukraine's election to the Security Council for the term of 2016-2017.