Recognizing that peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men, one of the most important issues to be addressed remains women's participation in conflict resolution, including the negotiation of peace agreements at the national and international levels.

Let me also highlight that greater coordination and collaboration with other relevant stakeholders and the provision of assistance to States in conflict and post- conflict situations are vital to improving global efforts to address women, peace and security challenges.

In that connection, impunity for sexual violence by armed groups is unacceptable and can never be tolerated. My delegation wishes to stress the responsibility of States to protect their own populations and the importance of demonstrating commitment and political will to prevent sexual violence.

However, we remain gravely concerned that, despite the existence of resolution 1325 (2000), which became a beacon of hope for millions of women and young girls, crimes of rape and sexual violence still persist. Women and girls continue to be targeted, while rape and sexual violence continue to be used as weapons of war.

Ending violations of women's human rights is a moral imperative and one to whose achievement we must collectively commit. In that regard, Botswana strongly supports all efforts aimed at preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and children. To that end, we wish to reiterate our support for the work of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

As the year 2013 marks the thirteenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, it is of the utmost importance that we strive to ensure gender equality, to address violence against women and to enhance women's participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts.

As the report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/525) indicates, we welcome the progress that has been made since 2012 in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and the operationalization of the accountability framework provided by the Council's resolutions on women and peace and security. In that regard, we take note of the efforts and measures undertaken by Member States, United Nations entities and regional organizations.

We join other delegations in congratulating your country, Mr. President, on its assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month, and we extend our gratitude to you, Sir, for convening this important debate. Today's deliberations reaffirms the great importance that we, individually and collectively, attach to the promotion and protection of the rights of women and their role in the prevention of conflict.

Bosnia and Herzegovina appreciates the convening of the Security Council's semi-annual debate on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Executive Director of UN Women for their comprehensive briefings. And we extend a warm welcome and our gratitude to the representatives of civil society for their presentations today.

With regard to the most recent report of the Secretary- General (S/2013/525), we note with satisfaction that the attention from the international community to the issue of sexual violence in conflict has increased. We therefore call upon all stakeholders to continue their efforts to reduce and eliminate the high incidence of threats faced by women and girls in contemporary armed conflicts.