Peacekeeping

Finally, with regard to allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeepers, we reiterate our strong condemnation of all such acts throughout the United Nations system and reaffirm our commitment to support the implementation of the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse. We welcome the Secretary-General’s commitment to preventing and combating such abuses. We support the measures he is undertaking, including through the appointment of the special coordinator and the establishment of a high-level task force to develop a strategy for improving the United Nations response.

The need to enhance the capacity of peacekeeping missions to prevent conflict-related sexual violence — particularly through increased participation by women in peacekeeping, the provision of gender-sensitive predeployment training on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, and the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy — has already been recognized, as has the need to involve women and other vulnerable groups in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.