General Women, Peace and Security

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.

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).

Last summer, Iceland organized an international conference on resolution 1325 (2000), entitled “Women Negotiating Peace”, which highlighted how best to ensure that women are included in formal and informal peace processes. Allow me to contribute to this discussion by recapitulating some of the main issues addressed at the Reykjavik conference. Four themes were predominant.

Iceland maintains a strong commitment to resolution 1325 (2000), being one of the few countries that have adopted a national action plan pursuant to the resolution. The Icelandic Government has decided to focus its work related to resolution 1325 (2000) on post-conflict reconstruction and women's access to peace negotiations, being convinced that the inclusion of women in peace processes is a security issue essential to sustainable peace.

First, the conference emphasized the importance of raising awareness of resolution 1325 (2000) and recognized the importance of using the forthcoming tenth anniversary of the adoption of the resolution for that purpose. Awareness should be promoted in the international community, within the United Nations system, as well as within Member States and societies in or emerging from conflicts.

Next year is the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). Let us try to reach these targets by that date so we will be able to proclaim some progress that will benefit and guide all people in the world that need our help and look to us for support.

Mr. Matussek (Germany): Germany aligns herself with the statement made by Sweden on behalf of the European Union. As a member of the Group of Friends of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), we attach great importance to the issue of women and peace and security. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for holding this open debate. Women and children need to be protected from violence.

Nine years ago, the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (2000) for the protection of women, for their participation and for the promotion of their rights in conflict and post-conflict situations. Last year, the Council adopted resolution 1820 (2008), condemning sexual violence as a tactic of war, and last week it adopted resolution 1888 (2009) to further strengthen the United Nations response to sexual violence in conflict.

Next year will mark the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). There has been progress in its implementation, but a lot of work remains to be done before our commitments are fulfilled. The unanimous decision by the General Assembly, in its resolution 63/311, to create a new gender entity was long awaited worldwide. Now we must set up the ambitious goal of having the new entity up and running by mid-2010.

The Security Council's adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) marked a milestone in acknowledging the importance of mainstreaming the gender perspective at all stages of a peace process. That resolution also reflected the Council's interest in the situation of boys and girls in armed conflict, the protection of civilians and the prevention of conflict.