Furthermore, Indonesia also takes note of the activities by the United Nations system to implement resolution 1325 (2000) through the System-wide Action Plan, which covers the five pillars of the resolution. Commendable efforts have been made through the Plan.

For the ten years following its adoption, the Security Council's attention towards women's participation in peace processes and the elimination of sexual violence in armed conflict has been unwavering. The adoption of resolution 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009), as well as the appointment of Margot Wallström as the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict testify to the Council's deep commitment.

When Resolution 1325 was adopted unanimously in 2000, it was a landmark resolution dealing with women's issues in the area of international peace and security. Recognizing this, the Secretary General made a very pertinent point by saying that although women suffered the impact of conflict disproportionately, they also held the key to the solutions ofthe conflict.

We unequivocally, unambiguously and resolutely condemn tbe abhorrent behaviour of sexual violence in armed conflict, regardless of who perpetrates it, be it parties to armed conflicts, peacekeeping personnel, including its civilian component, or humanitarian actors.

We have not yet attained a global culture of human rights, which can serve as a unifying force rather than a divisive force. As tbe world's largest democracy, we consider it an honour to uphold and cherish the concept of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

We can reach lasting peace and security in any country only when women are represented at the negotiating table or in talks on post-conflict reconstruction. In the same vein, let me add that the three pillars of lasting peace name,ly, economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy, cannot be achieved without active engagement engagement of women.

We believe that reaching agreement on the set of goals, targets and indicators to monitor the implementation of the Resolution 1325 should be the first step in reducing defragmentation of information and monitoring progress in tbis critical and important issue.

We are taking further steps towards increasing the participation of women to 50 % in these institutions, which will take the number of elected women to 1.6 to 1.8 million. Presently, a Bill for the same is under the consideration of the Parliament of India. There are, perhaps, more democratically elected women in India alone than in the rest of the world put together.

We are happy that the Member States were able to reach consensus earlier this year in establishing the UN WOMEN, which will be fully operational by January 2011. With consolidation of authority and responsibility within the UN System on women issues, I am positive that tbe UN system will also coherently coordinate and assist Member States, upon their request, in the implementation of the Resolution 1325.

Today's open debate in the Security Council marks the lOth anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on "women and peace and security". I am honoured to take part in this debate.