Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

Fourthly, sustained political dialogue within States — between the men and women who make up our communities and Government — is crucial to strengthening democracy and encouraging buy-in, thereby turning State-building into a nation-wide endeavour involving all peoples.

South Africa emphasizes the importance of building local capacities and the provision of training, especially targeting women, in order to enhance existing capacities at the national level, as they are usually willing to participate in the rebuilding of their homes, communities and countries.

The establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality should further contribute to the effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Last year, Slovenia adopted its national action plan for the implementation of both resolutions. One of the main objectives of the action plan is to increase the involvement of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping missions.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement and the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor- Leste, His Excellency Mr. José Luis Guterres, for sharing his insights into Timor-Leste's experiences in institution-building.

More nimble and agile systems are also required, including stronger partnerships that can provide the most appropriate civilian capacity, particularly from developing countries and among women. Access to reliable, early and flexible funding will also advance this goal.

Institutions are not just bricks and mortar. They are also about informal norms and values, trust and social cohesion. Public confidence in the police, for example, is required for reformed police forces to be effective and to regain authority. Shared norms are necessary to enable legal systems to apply the law equally to all, including different ethnic groups, minorities and women.

The importance of national ownership in post- conflict peacebuilding is well known to all of us. The partnership between the State and the international partners must be based on a shared strategic understanding of the objectives and the way forward, with clear common goals, permanent and effective dialogue and interaction with the people of the country — the authorities, opposition parties and civil society as a whole.

In implementing the strategy, it is imperative to establish mechanisms for inclusion to ensure the maximum involvement of society and the public and private sectors. Such an approach will mend the social and political fabric as a framework for the rule of law and will lay the foundation for the country's reconstruction.

Secondly, institution-building in a post-conflict situation can be greatly facilitated by a targeted focus on the development aspect of peacebuilding. Priority areas could include the employment of youth and women, engaging the private sector, building local entrepreneurship, revitalizing the economy and developing service-based infrastructure.

It is important for the PBC to ensure that international assistance is in keeping with national priorities and assists in building institutional capacities in crucial peacebuilding areas. Mexico reiterates the importance of establishing greater international civil capacities in a fast, effective, coherent and coordinated way in countries emerging from conflict.