Allow me at this juncture to recognize and acknowledge the United Nations for...

Allow me at this juncture to recognize and acknowledge the United Nations for taking bold steps towards the reforms that gave birth to the new entity, UN Women, inter alia, holistically providing for improved collaboration and greater efficiency in order to achieve a speedy and positive impact. In that regard, we join other Member States in congratulating and applauding the appointment of the dynamic lady sitting next to me right now as head of UN Women, Ms. Michelle Bachelet. We have no doubt that her level of experience and dynamism will help to usher in a new impetus, enhancing existing efforts of the United Nations to promote gender equality, increase opportunity for women and girls and tackle discrimination and gender-based violence around the world. Those efforts are being made in tandem with commitments that were made at the twentythird special session of the General Assembly, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century” (see A/S-23/10/Rev.1), in particular the commitments concerning women and armed conflict.