One important issue highlighted throughout the cross-learning initiative was the urgent need to fight against the culture of impunity in relation to sexual violence. Impunity and justice are mutually exclusive; to let perpetrators of sexual violence roam free is to tell their victims that the world is not listening. But we must listen. And we must act.

Ireland has been very active on 1325 and has long been reflecting the spirit of the Resolution in its external actions. In order to formalise this commitment, my department is working closely with other government departments, as well as members of civil society and academia, towards the development of an effective National Action Plan which we hope to launch early next year. This is our principal pledge here today.

Ireland also welcomes the recent report of the Secretary-General on women, peace and security, noting in particular the comprehensive recommendations and the update on the set of indicators which will be used to track implementation of Resolution 1325 at the global level.

I would also like to take this opportunity to note Ireland's warm support of Michelle Bachelet and the recently established UN Women. I am confident that this organisation's core work will benefit the lives of women and girls who experience or have experienced the atrocities of conflict, in particular the atrocities that target them specifically. International support of this body will be integral to its success.

Another central idea arising from the cross-learning initiative was the need to engage with men. Women, peace and security is not just a "women's issue." In order to achieve true gender equality, men and women must work side by side. We had several male gender champions involved in the initiative and their contribution to the process was invaluable.

To conclude, let me reiterate that the responsibility to implement relevant Security Council resolutions with a view to enhancing women's participation in peace processes, including the protection of women, rests primarily with the respective Governments. Therefore, achieving sustainable progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) requires national ownership, along with adequate capacity and resources.

The Council's adoption of the presidential statement (S/PRST/2010/22) today marks an important step to enhance the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Looking forward, the Council has recognized the need to implement resolution 1325 (2000) more consistently. One of the areas underlined is the need for timely and systematic reporting on women and peace and security issues.

Noting that the resolution has galvanized important efforts at all levels on women, peace and security, it is important for the Council to continue making efforts to ensure its effective implementation. The international community has every interest in ensuring the full involvement of women in all stages of the peace process, peacekeeping and peacebuilding: women as peacemakers, women as peacekeepers and women as peacebuilders.

Let me begin by joining others in expressing our appreciation to you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate marking a decade of our efforts with regard to implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). I also thank the Secretary-General for providing us with his important report (S/2010/498).

In an era when opportunities and knowledge abound, we find that women's potential contributions to conflict resolution processes have not been adequately harnessed. That represents an enormous deficit in our common efforts. Excluding or omitting women's participation in conflict resolution processes weakens efforts to increase representation by major stakeholders to achieve sustainable peace based on inclusion of all perspectives.