Women should not be on the receiving end of the pains of conflict, with all the psycho-social trauma and stigmatization that entails. They are peacemakers and they are the very foundation of social cohesion and the long-term sustainability of peace. They are an inherent part of the reconstruction and rebuilding of any country.

The report of the Secretary-General rightly identified women's role as partners in shoring up the three pillars of lasting peace: economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy. We support a greater role for women in peacebuilding, including the promotion of gender equality within the work of the United Nations.

In addition, peacebuilding will be effective only if women are actively and effectively involved in their societies. In this regard, we support the seven commitments of the action plan proposed in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/466). We believe, furthermore, that greater involvement by women in political life, the mediation process and the planning of sensitive activities would promote lasting peace.

With regard to the report on the participation of women in peacebuilding (S/2010/466), we welcome the plan of action aimed at implementing resolution 1325 (2000) through concrete peacebuilding measures. Over the past 10 years, the Security Council has made progress and has put in place a solid framework for its gender agenda.

We support the plan of action for the participation of women and its seven commitments. We are aware that it is an ambitious plan, but it can be achieved by joining the efforts of all of us who make up the United Nations.

We reiterate the importance of deploying an increased international civilian capacity in a prompt and coordinated manner in countries emerging from conflict, in particular taking advantage of the capacities of the southern hemisphere and of women, taking into account their important contribution in generating national capacity, in particular in spheres such as the strengthening of the rule of law, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration,

My delegation acknowledges the value of the reports we have before us (S/2010/386 and S/2010/466) and shares the view that we must place peacebuilding at the very centre of the work of the United Nations in various areas, including the participation of women and the strengthening of the Organization's peacebuilding capacity.

In discussing positive actions that should be undertaken by States at this stage of the peace process, countries have an unparalleled opportunity to ensure respect for the human rights of women and to contribute to their involvement in the civilian, political, social, cultural and economic spheres.

Sixthly, women and children are the main victims of conflict. In the post-conflict period, women should be given the opportunity to participate in reconstruction and peacebuilding, as well as in peace negotiations. Those factors serve to promote the agreements that the parties are working to reach. Furthermore, including women in positions of power reduces the likelihood of a resumption of conflict.

Japan welcomes the Secretary-General's report on women's participation in peacebuilding (S/2010/466). We expect that the Secretary-General will steadfastly implement the action plan for gender- responsive peacebuilding to which he committed in the report, as part of his comprehensive agenda to improve United Nations peacebuilding efforts.