At the outset, let me thank the United States for leading the Council's work ...

At the outset, let me thank the United States for leading the Council's work in its efforts to address the scourge of sexual violence in conflict. Sexual violence is a grave violation of human rights and a threat to the health and lives of the victims and of their communities. And let me be clear: sexual violence is a serious impediment to peace, security and development. Resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) — the latter adopted today — complement in important and concrete ways the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security by recognizing sexual violence as a security issue and a possible war crime and in adding provisions on protection, monitoring and enforcement tools. The Nordic countries fully support the resolutions and the Council's work.