Russia

Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): Mr. President, at the outset, allow me to welcome you as the President of the Security Council and to extend my gratitude to the delegation of Viet Nam for today's initiative of convening an open debate of the Council to discuss the status of implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We would like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General for her presentation of the thematic report on this topic (S/2009/465). Since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we have been able to accomplish a great deal to improve the situation of women in armed conflicts. We note with satisfaction that the range of issues discussed today enjoys the growing attention not only of the Security Council, but also of other competent United Nations entities, including the General Assembly, the Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council and its functional commissions, including the Commission on the Status of Women. That having been said, the successes achieved are insufficient to improve the struggle on the ground against violations of women's rights.

The basis for this approach is to ensure genuine gender equality. Women can stand to make a more substantial contribution to all aspects of preventing and settling conflict. Moreover, there is a need to devote greater attention to mainstreaming the gender component into the poverty reduction and equality work of the United Nations, poverty and inequality being the main sources of conflict. In particular, we can refer here to the expanded participation by women in decision-making on socio-economic issues and the elaboration of national frameworks to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.