Ms. Rulumeni (South Africa): Allow me to express our sincere gratitude to you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate on such an important matter. South Africa welcomes the open debate and believes that it is also timely, leading the processes in preparation for the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security in 2010. South Africa aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the African Union (AU) later today.