As to the specific issue of sexual violence, my delegation welcomes the recent adoptions of resolutions 1882 (2009) and 1888 (2009), which provide for the strengthened implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008).

What can we do in one year? Probably a great deal more than we imagine. First, several essential measures can be taken easily, almost overnight, and at very little cost to the United Nations. Such measures might include, for example, increasing the number of women in United Nations mediation teams and in particular the appointment of a female chief negotiator.

Thirdly, we must support and encourage the growing presence of women among the Blue Helmets and police officers in peacekeeping operations. We can all strive in this regard to develop women's units and enhanced expertise on gender issues within our own armed forces and police forces.

The fight against sexual violence is one thing; the broader question of the role of women and their place in peace negotiations, peacebuilding and reconstruction processes is quite another. Resolution 1325 (2000) is and must remain, in our view, the key instrument guiding our actions in this area. However, as far as the implementation of this resolution goes — excuse me for speaking frankly, Mr.

Secondly, and in order to ensure that the specific needs of women are truly taken into account and earnestly responded to in peacebuilding and reconstruction processes, we must put our money where our mouth is when it comes to gender budgeting. We must allocate sufficient resources to women's programmes. This is an effort which it behoves each and every one of us to undertake with urgency, not only here but also at the national level.

Of course, some progress has been made. Fifteen years after the Beijing Conference, notably thanks to the industry of the Commission on the Status of Women, we can affirm that questions relating to gender have found their place in official United Nations discourse.

Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium fully aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Sweden on behalf of the European Union, and thanks the Secretary-General for his report (S/2009/465) on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

In conclusion, with regard to developing such national action plans, Belgium wonders whether the Peacebuilding Commission could play a more significant role in the countries in which it is active. In the Central African Republic, the Commission, chaired by Belgium, has already striven as far as possible to ensure the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008).

If we make the effort to look beyond our New York bubble and cast an eye towards the situation on the ground, we are forced to recognize that the situation of women living in countries in conflict or emerging from it has not really improved since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) nine years ago. For Belgium, this status quo is unacceptable.

Fourthly, Belgium cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance and usefulness of developing national action plans for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Belgium is proud to announce that it developed such a plan of action last year and is ready to share its experience with any Member State that may be interested.