Japan very much expects that the newly established United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) will play an important role through the implementation of both policies and programmes. The agenda regarding women and peace and security, including women's participation in peacebuilding, should be addressed by coordinating the relevant United Nations activities effectively and efficiently.

This plan provides Member States with a solid and credible foundation for meeting their commitments on implementing relevant Security Council resolutions. This is the right time and place to pay tribute to the role played by civil society organizations in making States more aware of the importance of involving women in peacebuilding activities.

The Council will agree that there can be no lasting peace in post-conflict countries unless women are effectively involved in the stabilization and development processes of these countries. This is addressed in resolution 1325 (2000), whose tenth anniversary we mark this month. To date, the success of this resolution is reflected in the increased participation of women in peace processes.

I cherish the hope that the setting up this year of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, better known as “UN Women”, headed by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, will, amongst its other missions, back this very important development. I wish to reaffirm Gabon's readiness to work side by side with UN Women in developing this approach.

To work towards peacebuilding as soon as an armed conflict has ended is to pay due attention to the contribution of women as a key aspect of peacebuilding. How could we imagine setting aside half of a society that is trying to rebuild itself? Leaving women out would undoubtedly pave the way for future disasters.

We congratulate the Secretary-General on committing the United Nations system to ensuring that at least 15 per cent of United Nations-managed funds in support of peacebuilding are dedicated to projects whose principal objective is to address women's specific needs, advance gender equality or empower women.

The Nordic countries believe that the following recommendations deserve particular attention: first, inclusive participation as a key to legitimate and sustainable peace; secondly, adequate and timely financing of the postconflict needs of men and women alike; and thirdly, improving the response of the system as a whole in the immediate aftermath of a conflict.

Special measures might also be needed to support women's representation in the governance institutions that emerge after a conflict. The United Nations often acts as the adviser in crucial decisions, such as the composition of constituent assemblies or the choice of electoral system, including possibilities for quotas or preferential treatment.

In his report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2010/386), the Secretary- General outlines ambitious but vital goals for the United Nations in becoming more effective in its support for postconflict countries. We welcome his progress report, and the steps taken so far in its implementation.

As the Secretary-General notes in his report, rebuilding after a conflict offers an opportunity to create a virtuous cycle, starting from more inclusive peace processes. The report also draws an important link between women's participation and the wider question of gender equality. Women need to be included in all phases of peace processes and in post- conflict governance institutions.