The third point concerns a deficit in post-conflict funding for women's needs. As stated in the concept paper, UNIFEM's review of almost 17,000 projects in consolidated and flash appeals for 23 post-conflict countries over three years indicates that less than 3 per cent of projects submitted for funding explicitly target gender issues.

The second point concerns the persistent lack of participation by women throughout the peace process, which is a core element of resolution 1325 (2000). As the Secretary-General's report expresses, a persistent cause of concern is that women continue to be virtually absent from the peace table and to be severely underrepresented as third-party mediators in most conflict-affected countries.

The Republic of Korea urges Member States and the Untied Nations to take more vigorous initiatives to ensure that women are engaged in all levels of decision-making. In that regard, we commend Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's response to the call in resolution 1325 (2000) to increase the number of women in senior positions within the United Nations, especially in peacekeeping operations.

The first concerns sexual violence. We are all aware of how serious the situation is and how difficult it can be to reverse the extent and impact of sexual violence. In that regard, my delegation welcomes resolution 1888 (2009), adopted just five days ago, which identifies specific steps that the United Nations and Member States should take to prevent or respond to sexual violence.

One area in which United Nations entities can immediately do more is the utilization of quick-impact projects. These are intended to meet urgent community needs in post-conflict areas but are generally underimplemented in many mission stationing fields, not to mention the fact that the gender perspective is rarely integrated into those projects under implementation.

My delegation believes that the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) largely depends on the overall capacity of the United Nations system to pursue gender equality and women's empowerment. In that regard, strengthening the gender architecture is a key element.

Mr. Kim Bonghyun (Republic of Korea): Allow me to open my statement by thanking the Vietnamese presidency of the Security Council for the concept paper distributed for this open debate (S/2009/490). My appreciation goes also to the Secretary-General for his excellent report (S/2009/465), which provides a comprehensive outlook on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as well as sound suggestions for specific actions to take.

In conclusion, the Republic of Korea shares the expectations for the upcoming tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) in 2010. We anticipate that the anniversary will provide a new opportunity for all stakeholders to strengthen efforts to fully implement resolution 1325 (2000) to achieve real and lasting changes in the lives of women and girls.

As the Secretary-General's report states, there has been progress in some areas of the implementation of the resolution over the past year. For example, major strides have been made in developing national action plans.

The adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) represented a landmark in the promotion and protection of human rights. It not only brought to the attention of this organ the pressing issues of gender equality and the empowerment of women, but it also made clear that women have a role to play in conflict situations, besides that of victims, as peacemakers and peacekeepers.