I thank you, Sir, for having convened this open debate on women and peace and...

I thank you, Sir, for having convened this open debate on women and peace and security, which enables the Security Council to focus on the paramount role of women and their civil society organizations in contributing to the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts, as well as to peacebuilding. Today's deliberations provide a valuable opportunity to assess the extent of the real, positive and lasting change that we can make in the lives of women affected by armed conflicts.