There are three main issues that I would like to address today: first, women's participation at all levels of decision-making in conflict and post-conflict settings; secondly, United Nations gender expertise; and, thirdly, coordination within the United Nations and outside on women and peace and security in order to minimize costs and to maximize the impact on the ground.

Latvia welcomes today's adoption of the resolution 2122 (2013) on this very important topic and looks forward to the high-level review in 2015 on progress and obstacles in implementing resolution 1325 (2000). We believe that a global study highlighting best practices, implementation gaps and challenges and priorities for further action on women and peace and security will greatly contribute to that end.

In conclusion, let me reiterate Latvia's commitment to the promotion and protection of women's rights at all levels and in all contexts, as well as our readiness to actively contribute to common efforts in the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

Finally, let me underline the importance of gender mainstreaming and coordination within the United Nations and between different international organizations active on the issue of on women and peace and security. Recent intergovernmental outcomes identified gender equality and women's empowerment both as a thematic priority and a cross-cutting issue in promoting development.

Increasing investment in the capacity and resources of women's civil society organizations that are active in conflict-affected countries should also be considered. In that regard, Japan was one of the initial supporters, and continues to be one of the main contributors, of the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women, which directly supports such civil society organizations.

In order to realize a more peaceful society, Japan intends to make its utmost effort to ensure women's participation and incorporate a women's perspective into each and every phase of conflict prevention, conflict settlement and peacebuilding, including election processes.

In order to protect women's rights and ensure women's participation in conflict-affected situations, security for those who serve to uphold the rule of law, such as police officers and judges, is a basic necessity. In that regard, gender-responsive transitional justice measures and justice system reforms need to be addressed.

In order for Member States and the United Nations system to be able to take effective actions, it is important that we highlight good practices and share lessons learned. Today's open debate is an excellent opportunity to that end.

In July, in collaboration with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, our Mission held a special event entitled “Resolution 1325 (2000) in action: lessons learned and reflections”. The summary of the discussion held at that event has been included in the Secretary-General's report. We hope that it will further serve as an input to the global review of resolution 1325 (2000) in November.

In conclusion, Japan will continue to make every possible efforts to contribute to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) as we approach the fifteenth anniversary of its adoption, and will actively participate in its high-level review in 2015.