General Women, Peace and Security

Women's security must be guaranteed. Abuses must be prosecuted. Blanket amnesties must be off the table. But the protection of women is just one pillar of resolution 1325 (2000). Women are agents of change and fundamental players for peace, stabilization, reconstruction and sustainable development. That was one of the key messages of resolution 1325 (2000).

Mr. Cornado (Italy): I would like, first of all, to commend you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Let me also thank Deputy Secretary- General Migiro, Assistant Secretary-General Mayanja, Executive Director Alberdi and Ms. Amin. Italy aligns itself with the position expressed by Sweden on behalf of the European Union.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the Secretary-General for providing us with a progress report (S/2009/465) on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and for the recommendations contained therein. Ahead of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) in October 2010, we have an opportunity today in this open debate to advance women's participation in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding.

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.

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.