General Women, Peace and Security

Spain has devoted significant efforts to the promotion of the role of women and the gender perspective in conflict situations. In that regard, I would like to recall that my country drafted an action plan on women, peace and security in 2007, which has been updated several times since; in fact, the third monitoring report was presented during the second half of 2012.

Since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), many variables have changed in our approach to peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. In that changing context, questions of gender have become an ever more important factor when it comes to the planning, training and evaluation of missions. However, the reasons that led to the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) still persist.

My country also wishes to acknowledge the work done in this area by UN-Women and its Executive Director, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, and to convey our appreciation and gratitude for the recent publication of the sourcebook on women, peace and security, which is a very practical contribution to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

Slovenia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union and welcomes the adoption of the presidential statement (S/PRST/2012/23) on 31 October. Slovenia views issues related to the promotion of the rights of women as one of the key priorities in the field of human rights.

Women particularly suffer during various crisis situations, not only during armed conflicts that are a threat to international peace and security. We welcome the use of background information provided by the Council on questions of violence against women by the General Assembly, the Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Council and the Commission on the Status of Women within their mandates.

Russia is convinced that there exists a significant and positive potential for women to participate in various aspects of armed conflict settlement and postconflict recovery. The Council and relevant agencies and mechanisms of the United Nations system must pay more attention to ways to involve women in such processes, as required under resolution 1325 (2000).

In conclusion, we would like to reiterate our belief that ensuring the rights of women and their protection in armed conflict will be possible only through the joint efforts of all interested parties, including civil society. The guideline for us all on this issue continues to be implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

Much has changed in the 12 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000).

We truly appreciate all the support shown for the Republic of Korea during our successful campaign for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for 2013- 2014. As a staunch supporter of the Council's activities on women, peace and security and as current President of the Executive Board of UN-Women, the Republic of Korea will do its utmost while serving on the Council to address the most pressing issues on women, peace and security.

We are satisfied that the presidential statement adopted last year (S/PRST/2011/20) gave renewed attention to the issue of the participation and role of women in conflict prevention and mediation.