I am pleased to inform that our all men troop contingent are fully briefed on the gender issue. We hope sufficient further training will be arranged for them for reinforcing their understanding.

From our national perspective, I deem it a privilege to make a few remarks about gender mainstreaming in Bangladesh. Women occupy the top political leadership in our country. The Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees equality of men and women within the broad framework of non-discrimination on grounds of religion, race or gender. The Government has adopted National Policy for Women's Advancement and National Plan of Action.

We welcome the fact that since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the Security Council has given this issue increased attention. But we urge members of the Council and all other countries to back these declarations and directives with appropriate resources: police, troops, funds, equipment and training.

The Secretary-General's assertion that “securing lasting peace and security requires commitment and ownership of decisions by Member States as well as all parties to armed conflict” (S/2010/498, para. 81) should serve as an axiom undergirding all our efforts in this regard. It is an axiom that cuts across gender lines, cultures and levels of development, and it demands the support of us all.

Finally, we are greatly encouraged by the appointments of Margot Wallström as the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Michelle Bachelet as the Executive Director of UN Women.

We welcome the fact that since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the Security Council has given this issue increased attention. But we urge members of the Council and all other countries to back these declarations and directives with appropriate resources: police, troops, funds, equipment and training.

This meeting marks an important milestone — the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). My delegation praises the valiant efforts of the countless people who have worked tirelessly to put women at the centre of global efforts for peace, not only in responding to their needs as victims, but — equally importantly — in drawing on women's talents as peacemakers.

This meeting is an opportunity for us all to declare our commitment to achieving this goal. But it should be more. It should spark concrete action, through a more coherent and coordinated approach geared towards helping women, not next year or next month, but right now, today.

My fellow countrywomen and countrymen in the Bahamas count ourselves most fortunate, for we have no first-hand knowledge of the horrors and ravages of war and civil strife. Nonetheless, we feel the pain and suffering of our fellow human beings caught up in conflict and war in other parts of the world, particularly the women and children who are disproportionately affected by such negative circumstances.

In recognition of the meaningful participation of women at all stages of the peace process, including disarmament, and in the integration of a gender perspective, we note the recent introduction of a draft resolution in the First Committee (A/C.1/65/L.39), spearheaded by our sister Caribbean Community country of Trinidad and Tobago, on women, disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation, and we welcome this as another important step in the