General Women, Peace and Security

In conclusion, Croatia will continue to give its full support to all aspects of the women, peace and security agenda.

My delegation recognizes the important results that the Security Council has achieved in the field. It is necessary, however, to make a distinction between the Council's treatment of States that are making efforts to comply with their international obligations in the area but are not on the Council's agenda and its treatment of those States that are on its agenda.

Canada looks forward to working with others to strengthen our collective efforts to empower women and girls as active decision-makers. We look forward to the Security Council high-level review in 2015 to assess what progress we are making in enhancing the role of women in international peace and security.

Let me also highlight that greater coordination and collaboration with other relevant stakeholders and the provision of assistance to States in conflict and post- conflict situations are vital to improving global efforts to address women, peace and security challenges.

In conclusion, I wish to underscore that we support the Council's adoption today of resolution 2122 (2013), which we were pleased to sponsor.

Our shared responsibility, affirmed as a moral imperative of policy, is to steadfastly abide by partnerships based on respect, even if that goes against our short-term interests and plans. Only that approach can guarantee a genuine implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security, resolution 2106 (2013), and resolution 2122 (2013), adopted today.

In concluding, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, all for your efforts in advancing the women and peace and security agenda and express the hope that we will see significant progress in that area in the lead-up to the 2015 review.

In that connection, I should like to recall what Patrick Cammaert, former Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said in 2008: it is more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in a modern conflict.

I want to thank the Secretary- General and everyone who, based on their experience and commitment, has contributed to the need to make progress in realizing the full equality for women.

The urgency and timeliness of the resolution adopted today (resolution 2117 (2013)) is reflected in the recent terrorist attack in Kenya, ongoing violence in the Central African Republic, the devastation caused by recent fighting Mali and the daily toll of suffering caused by armed criminals, illegal militias, drug cartels, pirates and others with illegitimate access to such weapons.