At the national level, the Report also looks at a number of practical programme tools that have been used to restore confidence and transform institutions.

We have heard today that combating both poverty and conflict requires us to prioritize core state capacities, especially the rule of law, justice, and security, and to create jobs and immediate economic opportunities. We have also heard the need to bring women into decision-making on key political, security, and economic issues.

We should also place special emphasis on the role of women in all phases of our efforts in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development. We should further try to ensure increased participation by women.

National ownership must also be a core element in all peacekeeping and peacebuilding mandates and missions. Peacekeepers come and go, but only national participation, involvement and ownership from all segments of society, particularly disadvantaged groups such as women and children, can create the sort of organic development that will sustain long-term peace.

The economic policies of the Government have borne fruit. Despite the fact that the 27 years of conflict cost the country $200 billion in lost opportunities, the per capita income doubled between 2005 and 2010 as Sri Lanka became a middle income country. Ninety-seven per cent of our children attend primary schools. Maternal mortality and child mortality have dropped to an all-time low level.

We encourage the Council to seize the opportunity and make optimum use of the advisory role of the PBC in relation to socio-economic and other peacebuilding matters. We also encourage close coordination between all stakeholders, including the inclusion of women and civil society in peacebuilding and development issues.

The linkage between development and security is best summed up by our 2005 Summit document (General Assembly resolution 60/1) and the report of the then Secretary-General, Kofi Annan (A/59/2005). The purpose of multilateralism is to provide our populations with freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom to live in dignity. These populations include our youth, women and children and our rural communities.

Therefore, the participation of civil society, including the most vulnerable groups, in the development and implementation of peacebuilding and post-conflict processes is of major importance.

Just as the lack of development can feed the flames of conflict, economic and social progress can help to prevent it and secure peace. Sustained, broadly based development can help to address the roots of conflict through such steps as ensuring the equitable sharing of wealth, providing better access to agricultural lands, strengthening governance and ensuring justice for all. Above all, development should be inclusive.

The Security Council underlines that integrated action on the ground by security and development actors needs to be coordinated with the national authorities and can significantly contribute to stabilizing and improving the security situation and ensuring the protection of civilians. The Council also notes the importance of cooperation with civil society in this context.