Japan

Let me introduce one brief example of what Japan is doing on the ground based on this concept. In the Philippines, Japan is assisting, through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, community development programs and
regional infrastructure projects by providing 2.5 billion yen in loans (approximately $21 million). In these projects, community groups drawn from the local population take the lead in developing and implementing different aspects of the programs. What is unique about these projects is that widows who lost their husbands to conflict are given priority with regard to participation in these community groups. We believe that these projects will help women to gain confidence and be empowered to assume roles as major contributors to development and reconstruction, and thus ultimately, to lasting peace.

Liechtenstein

The [UN system-wide] action plan provides a wealth of information on activities being carried out for women in conflict and post-conflict situations. This information should facilitate the review of the impact of resolution 1325. In order to make this possible, it will be necessary to provide for interaction and consultation with civil society, in particular women's non-governmental organizations. At the national level, such interaction could form the basis of the establishment of action plans for the implementation of the resolution. It would help raise awareness of the need to promote the active participation of women in the decision-making regarding all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution as well as peace-building. Without such active involvement decision-making will continue to be ineffective.

Myanmar

It was only recently that we are able to achieve national reconciliation and 17 insurgents groups have come back to the legal fold. Their representatives have now joined other delegates in the National Convention that is laying down the principles of our new constitution - a constitution that would be acceptable to all nationalities of the Union. I am happy to say that women of Myanmar are taking active part in the National Convention. Resolution 1325 also contains the important component of ensuring the protection of and respect for the human rights of women and girls. In Myanmar the government was instrumental in the formation of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation and has been actively implementing policies to promote and protect the rights of women and girls.

Peru

Concerning my country, on June 2001, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established to lighten the responsibilities in the process of violence and terrorism occurred in Peru between the years 1980 and 2000, including gross violations of human rights. The Commission, after two years of investigation, presented on August 2003, its final report which contents an Integral Reparation Plan that the Peruvian Government has began to carry out. I bring this case here to recognize the work and leadership of the women organizations that with the support of the UNIFEM participated in the post conflict process and contributed to the recognition that persons who were sexually violated during the conflict and children born as a result of such violation should be entitled to compensation. With this recognition of their suffering and material support, they are better placed to resume their roles in our society.

Philippines

The Philippines' framework in dealing with the issue of women and conflict treads three areas: first, ensuring the protection of women's human rights-by addressing violence against women, providing health services, and promoting human rights education; second, economic empowerment by urgently addressing lack of access to water, electricity and other basic needs, as well as stimulating economic opportunities for women; and third, effective governance- by promoting awareness of gender and peace concerns among local government units and improving the participation of women in decision-making processes. In short, the fundamental strategy of the Philippines for pursuing resolution 1325 lies in enabling more women to systematically participate in conflict prevention, management, resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding, while at the same time, rehabilitating their communities and ensuring basic services and livelihood.

Romania

In Romania we have organized this October with the valuable help and support of the United Nations Population Fund an international conference on 'the implementation of the Security Council resolution 1325. The conference in Bucharest brought together participants from Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Zambia, Palestine, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Sudan, Kosovo. They discussed the value of the resolution and how to move forward, share experience and methodologies for its implementation and, most important, how to narrow the gap between the text provisions and reality on the ground.

South Africa

Member States can also enhance the UN system-wide action plan by continuing to implement resolution 1325, including through the development of national action plans or other national level strategies

Sri Lanka

The effect of armed conflict on the girl-child has been a grave concern in Sri Lanka for sometime. Recruitment of children including girls to the ranks of an armed group in the conflict in Sri Lanka is a continuing worry for our people. The armed group, LTTE, in gross violation of its commitments, continues such recruitment. This affects women, in general, who are the primary care givers in most families. Children, in particular, girls, being affected by armed conflict cannot and should not be allowed to continue by the civilised world and imposition of targeted actions against the perpetrators of such crimes is a paramount necessity.

In our view, for any national of international action plan to be more effective and result-oriented, it should be evolved through a process of consultation with the civil society and other relevant actors, and should contain time-bound set of targets with monitoring and reporting mechanisms. The Government of Sri Lanka supports such processes, world wide, and also as a part of its national approach towards peace and reconciliation.

Sweden

Mr. President, to shoulder our responsibilities at a national level, an interministerial working group is now finalizing a Swedish Action Plan to intensify our implementation of SCR 1325. Work is - and will be - carried out in co-operation with government agencies, as well as with civil society. We look forward to sharing good practices with states and organisations in the process of developing or implementing their plans, methods and tools. Only by co-operating will we be able to ensure that decisions and ambitions will improve the daily lives of women and men, girls and boys. And we cannot afford to settle for less.

United Kingdom (on behalf of EU)

Member States need to take responsibility for the success of SCR 1325 and ensure that it is integrated into their national policies and training programmes if there is to be real progress.

SCR 1325 urges Member States to produce their own national implementation strategies, ensuring the promotion of SCR1325 in domestic policies through, for example, mainstreaming gender across their government systems, and providing appropriate gender training, including to their military, police and civilian components. The implementation of SCR 1325 in domestic policies will complement action at the international level and will encourage others to develop their OFTO national action strategies.

A number of EU countries are now beginning to address the need to develop their own national action plans or national level strategies. These will encourage a system-wide approach that links development, humanitarian, and defense work. Such strategies will not only ensure Member States have a coherent cross-government approach to SCR 1325 but also provide a standard against which government policies can be measured. They also provide a useful means to identify and overcome ongoing barriers to the full implementation of SCR 1325 what we should all be aiming for.