Statement by Botswana

 Botswana supports the global efforts aimed at addressing challenges to the women and peace and security agenda, including increasing women’s representation, leadership and empowerment in all facets of peacebuilding, security and humanitarian action. We also recognize the critical importance of gender equality and mainstreaming in national development plans and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In conclusion, we applaud the efforts made by the Security Council since 2000 to regularly convene these open debates, which place women and peace and security matters at the top of the global agenda. We therefore call for the rigorous implementation and monitoring of the commitments made during the open debates.