We are also pleased to note the Secretary-General's observation in his report on women and peace and security (S/2010/498) that the development of national action plans to guide the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) represents a particularly important contribution by Member States and that a total of 19 such plans, some in post-conflict nations, have already been adopted.
The Philippines attaches great importance to the integration of gender equality perspectives in peace and security issues. This is demonstrated by the fact that five years before the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the Philippines had already established the Philippine Plan for Gender Responsive Development, 1995-2025, a 30-year plan that gives due recognition to the important role of women in peacebuilding efforts and initiatives.
The National Action Plan now serves as a reference point in assessing the Philippine Government's commitment to the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1898 (2009) and other resolutions on women and peace and security.
Significant steps have been taken by my country to enhance the participation of women in peacekeeping operations, and we are determined to pursue policies and programmes that would help ensure full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the international arena.
Implementation of national action plans is a key strategy for the achievement of commitments in the area of women, peace and security, and we hope to see the adoption of more national plans by other Member States to ensure the systematic monitoring and evaluation of activities with respect to policy goals.
I would like to start to by expressing my heartfelt congratulations to Madam Michelle Bachelet for her appointment as Under-Secretary-General and Director of UN Women. We are confident that, under her leadership, the newly established UN Women will be able to perform its mandate expeditiously and effectively.
I am pleased to say that this year, on 25 March 2010, the Philippines became the first Asian country to adopt a national action plan on women and peace and security, implementing Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Our plan envisions enhancing and strengthening women's role in peacebuilding processes.
As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), it is incumbent upon us to take stock of the progress made since its adoption a decade ago and identify concrete actions to reinforce the integration of gender equality perspectives in the framework of peace and security.
With regard to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) throughout the United Nations system, the Secretary-General, in a spirit of great transparency, has recognized that the 2008-2009 Action Plan illuminated the fragmentation in implementation initiatives, which requires a comprehensive strategy to ensure that efforts do not go to waste.
