The tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) is a propitious occasion to take stock of progress and identify the shortcomings. This resolution laid out the normative framework that has guided United Nations work on gender-mainstreaming policies across a broad spectrum of functions and projects in which the United Nations is engaged.

The tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) is also an occasion to reinvigorate our efforts at the international and national levels. We share the view of the Secretary-General that our efforts need to be channelled through a single coherent and coordinated approach, guided by a clear framework with concrete and specific goals and targets.

The appointments of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Executive Director of the new gender entity, UN Women, to whom we reiterate our full support, are the most recent achievements in this regard.

My delegation is pleased to state in this regard that Tunisia is about to finalize and adopt its national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). This plan will, among other things, encourage women's training in peacekeeping and peacebuilding so as to provide qualified personnel who could be deployed in field-based United Nations operations.

My delegation is particularly pleased to participate in this debate on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), a landmark resolution of which Tunisia, as a non-permanent member in 2000, was among the initiators, along with Bangladesh, Namibia, Canada, Jamaica and Mali.

Moreover, women still have little access to decision-making positions. Their participation in peace and security processes remains far below desired levels, and the gender composition of peacekeeping missions is still unbalanced. In short, major gaps in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) remain to be addressed.

Member States can make a particularly important contribution to ensuring the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) through the development of national action plans. Capacity-building and adequate funding to implement these plans remain a challenge that need to be addressed.

It should be recognized, however, that national ownership of the resolution is the key approach to ensuring its effective implementation.

It should be recognized that today there is greater awareness of sexual violence in conflict, as well as an increased focus on addressing it.

In conclusion, the tenth anniversary, which coincides with the launching of the African Women's Decade, provides an opportunity to reaffirm the spirit and core message of resolution 1325 (2000) that sustainable peace is achievable only with the full and effective participation of women.