With respect to combating sexual violence, France supports the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and calls for accelerated appointment of women's protection advisers in peacekeeping missions. We look forward to specific proposals in the next report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 1820 (2008), which is due in December.

The fight against impunity is integral to our approach. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following the mass rapes that took place in Walikale last summer, we call upon the Council to remain vigilant in monitoring compliance with the recommendations set out its presidential statement of 17 September (S/PRST/2010/17) with a view to punishing the perpetrators and to preventing such horrors from happening again.

In that regard, let me once again draw attention to the situation in Guinea, where the announced postponement of the presidential election and the incidents of recent days are cause for concern, including as regards to women if we bear in mind what happened during the massacre of 28 September 2009 and the ensuing days.

In more general terms, France will continue its efforts to integrate into peacekeeping operations the approach recommended in resolution 1325 (2000) and to convince parties to conflict themselves to do the same in their peace processes.

In closing, I commend the establishment of UN Women and the appointment of Ms. Bachelet as its Executive Director. Beyond the contribution of the Security Council, the entire United Nations system needs to intensify its action to free women from the scourge of war.

Implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) remains imperfect. Sexual violence continues at an intolerable level, and only 7 per cent of peace negotiating teams are women. Hence, a great deal remains to be done. This tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) should mark the start of fresh efforts by the international community.

France was instrumental in recasting operational documents of the European Security and Defence Policy to include protection of women in conflict situations and promotion of their role with respect to emerging from crisis.

France is fully playing its role in these efforts, as reflected in its adoption of a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

Finally, with respect to the participation of women in conflict resolution, France welcomes the progress that has been made. This has been outlined by Ms. Bachelet and Mr. Le Roy, and I shall not return to it now.

National Action Plans on implementation of Resolution 1325 have proved to be the primary tool in strategic and systematic impiementation. Finland's National Action Plan was jointly drafted by five Ministries and civil society partners, who are also actively engaged in its implementation and follow-up.