At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this i...

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting during your presidency of the Security Council this month. I also welcome the report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, which informs our discussion today (S/2012/33), and the insightful briefing of Ms. Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The report and the meeting are timely and necessary. Central to today's debate is the relationship between conflict and sexual violence. In order to better understand that connection, I wish to address three main elements.