I would first like to congratulate you, Mr. President, for your initiative in...

I would first like to congratulate you, Mr. President, for your initiative in organizing this important open debate on women and peace and security. I also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations for their excellent statements.

My delegation appreciates the opportunity to participate in this debate. We reiterate Tunisia's longstanding commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, especially in relation to conflict situations, as well as our determination to properly implement the goals of resolution 1325 (2000), of which my country was one of the authors. Tunisia continues to be profoundly convinced that peace, development and democracy will not be achieved without women's participation as powerful actors of change.