We co-sponsored resolution 1888 (2009), which was adopted last week under the presidency of the United States. We were also happy to co-sponsor resolution 1889 (2009), which was adopted today. Nevertheless, let me underscore that the issue of women and peace and security has implications that are cross-cutting, as well as multi-dimensional.

The promotion and protection of the human rights of women and girls in armed conflict continues to pose a pressing challenge. There should be no tolerance for gender-based violence. All cases of gender-based violence in an armed conflict must be investigated, and the perpetrators prosecuted.

Precisely for those reasons, India has contributed a female peacekeeping unit of 100 personnel, which is at present deployed in Liberia. That mission in Liberia stands out as the only one of its kind among the ongoing United Nations peacekeeping operations. We commend the work of the Secretary-General in mainstreaming the gender perspective in the United Nations recruitment process.

It is a matter of deep regret that the international community has to repeatedly debate the issue of sexual and other forms of violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict. That abhorrent behaviour has to be unequivocally, unambiguously and resolutely condemned, whether it is perpetrated by parties to armed conflicts, peacekeeping personnel, including its civilian component, or humanitarian actors.

India has consistently held that greater participation by women in areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction is the sine qua non condition for lasting peace and security. As far as the United Nations is concerned, its achievements have been at best modest, in particular in terms of the deployment of women in peacekeeping forces.

Thirdly, there was a strong call to the United Nations system and Member States to use the tenth anniversary as an impetus to get serious about implementation. The Secretary-General should insist on accountability for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) by the United Nations system.

Secondly, there is need for increased high-level commitment to the resolution, both within the United Nations system and by the Member States.

One of the workshops at the conference in Reykjavik approved recommendations on how to mark the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) next year. Time does not allow me to mention them here. The nine recommendations will be circulated with the printed version of my text.

On the membership's side, the lead must be taken in implementing the resolution, prioritizing the adoption and implementation of national action plans. Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the conference identified a clear need for accountability and reporting mechanisms to ensure successful implementation.

Mr. Jónasson (Iceland): Let me at the outset thank you, Sir, for convening this open debate on women and peace and security to discuss the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).