In that regard, we support the Secretary-General's recommendation underscoring the need for better analysis of information and reporting of sexual violence committed during armed conflict, with a view to better coordination in the field. We should also improve our rapid-deployment capacity in affected regions, as recommended in paragraph 26 of resolution 1888 (2009).

However, the incidents of widespread systematic rape in the Walikale region in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo illustrate both the limits of our ability and the scope of the challenge to overcome. This is a huge and complicated undertaking that demands that we bolster our monitoring and communications capabilities in order to provide better information about reality on the ground.

However, our efforts will not produce the desired results without more sustained dialogue with all parties to a conflict. Among other things, such a dialogue come about by providing psychological support for victims and carrying out awareness-raising efforts among those involved. It is our belief that women themselves could play such roles.

The United Nations has a particular responsibility with regard to the phenomenon of sexual violence. Indeed, peacekeeping operations must establish strategies on sexual violence. Gender advisors, advisors on the protection of women, and human rights units have a vital role to play in this context. It is also essential to engage in dialogue with parties to armed conflict on the issue of sexual violence.

The resolution then provides a way to list parties who commit systematic sexual violence. That represents important progress in harmonizing human rights protection regimes established by the Council to the benefit of women and children. Implementing these measures will require strengthened cooperation between Ms. Coomaraswamy and Ms. Wallström.

The resolution finally strengthens the prospects of sanctions against the perpetrators and those responsible for sexual violence. It is vital that the Council systematically examine the possibility of including sexual violence as a criteria for sanctions during the establishment or review of the mandates of sanctions committees. The resolution requests the parties to make specific commitments and to implement them on the ground.

The Council has set political parametres: coherence and coordination on the ground, on the one hand, and respect for the integrity and specificity of the mechanism to protect children in armed conflict, on the other. In that context, the United Nations and all its entities must now work to establish the most effective system possible on the ground.

In conclusion, our commitment to combating sexual violence is inseparable from the framework of follow-up to resolution 1325 (2000) in strengthening the role of women in conflict prevention and settlement and in peacebuilding.

I welcome the initiative of the United States presidency of the Council to convene this open debate. In adopting resolution 1888 (2009) last year, the Security Council improved the regime for combating sexual violence in armed conflict. My delegation reiterates its support for the work of Ms. Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General.

Given the scope of the challenges to be addressed by the United Nations, France welcomes the Council's resolve in this area. The resolution we adopted todayhas three main areas of progress. First, it will allow the Council to receive reliable information in real time on which to base its actions. France therefore supports the establishment of procedures to monitor, analyse and communicate information on situations of concern.