Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, October 2003

The third Open Debate on women, peace and security, held under the presidency of the United States in 2003, did not produce a Presidential Statement and, instead, resulted in a Press Release issued by the United States mission to the UN. The US Press Release highlighted the main points raised at the Open Debate by the participants, including those made by Amy Smythe, Senior Gender Advisor from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many speakers at this Open Debate called for better follow-up by the Security Council in implementing 1325 and recommended the possibility of naming a Security Council member to be responsible for tracking implementation ofthe resolution. The important role of gender advisors in the UN missions in the field, and the need for the appointment of more women to senior posts within the UN secretariat, were stressed by many Member States. Several speakers noted the importance of regional organizations and civil society groups in implementing 1325.

Source: NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security/ UNIFEM

Statements were given at the open debate by Angola, Bulgaria ,Cameroon, Chile, China, France, Germany, Guinea, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Spain, Syria, United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, European Union, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Norway, Pacific Islands Forum Group, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Tanzania, DPKO and the Senior Gender Advisor, MONUC, UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.