Let me conclude by reaffirming Italy's firm commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and to promoting women's participation and empowerment. We have made this a priority both in our political action and in our development cooperation.

Italy has committed itself to make this issue one the top priorities of its international action. In the framework of the Italian presidency of the Group of Eight (G-8), on 9 and 10 September my Government convened an international conference in Rome on the issue of violence against women. In the presidency's conclusions of that meeting, we clearly stated that violence against women and girls is a war crime and a crime against humanity.

As we have said time and time again, this is not just a question of how many women are included in the political and decision-making process; it is about enabling them to champion issues that are vital to their empowerment. This is possible only through the full engagement of civil society and women's organizations, which is why resource, training and capacity-building needs must always be given full consideration.

As stated in the conclusions of the presidency at the G-8 meeting in Rome, to which I have referred, global peace and security also depend on women's actions and on their participation under conditions of equality in social development and governance mechanisms at local, national and world levels.

That issue of roles and responsibilities remains central to our consideration today. It is imperative that the duality of women's situation — as both victims and actors — be fully recognized. Men have always inhabited those two spaces simultaneously — as victims and victors, waging the wars and authoring the peace.

Overall, the Secretary-General's report (S/2009/465) makes for sober reading. There are some bright spots, in particular on the training front, and all successes deserve recognition and commendation. But the statistics — to take just one example, only 2.4 per cent of signatories to peace agreements since 1992 have been women — tell their own story.

None of us here is in any doubt about the scale of the challenge and the urgency of action. Next year's tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) is an opportunity to be seized — not for another talkfest but to assess, strategize and commit. In the collective effort to prepare for and mark that anniversary, we look to the Security Council to continue to show leadership and determination.

In searching for practical ways forward, the Secretary-General's report rightly emphasizes the importance of national plans. Ireland is currently developing its own national action plan. As part of that process, we have embarked on a cross-learning initiative guided by the experiences of women and men in countries emerging from conflict.

I might begin with a personal recollection. Almost 17 years ago, in December 1992, I went to the former Yugoslavia as a member of the EU mission to investigate the rape of women during the Balkan conflict. The experience left a deep imprint on all who participated. It was the end of any illusion that barbarity is confined to faraway places.

A further effort to stimulate cross-regional discussion on implementing resolution 1325 (2000) was the hosting in Dublin earlier this year of the ministerial meeting of the Human Security Network. The Permanent Representative of Costa Rica described that initiative in his statement this morning, and I will not repeat what he has said.