Fifth, we would like to see the entire mission leadership — special representatives of the Secretary- General and their deputies, force commanders, police commissioners and directors of mission support — taking action to ensure adherence to the zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. That includes swiftly investigating allegations of sexual exploitation or abuse and repatriating offending units.

Specific innovations are being made. Women protection advisers will increasingly play a critical role in preventing further horrific incidences of sexual violence, in protecting vulnerable populations, and in promoting the participation of women in peace settlements and political life.

This debate is being held at a time when the nature of United Nations peacekeeping is undergoing significant changes, with operations becoming more complex and multidimensional. The nature of peacekeeping mandates has also changed, as missions are increasingly deployed under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, are incorporating the protection of civilians and are requiring more robust and clearer rules of engagement.

Last but not least, let me also underline the importance of mainstreaming women's participation in all stages of the peace process. We welcome the increasing awareness within the United Nations system and among Member States of the importance of removing the constraints on such participation, and look forward to seeing further enhancement in the role of women in peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding endeavours.

To date, peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations are ever better at taking into account realities on the ground. In that regard, we would like to put emphasis on the importance of women's participation and of language skills, among other requirements, to ensure smooth interactions with populations at the grass roots.

Togo appreciate the efforts already made in terms of training and expertise before deployment on the ground, both for civilians and security forces. To assist those efforts and meet international standards in that area, a training centre for military and police was set up in Lomé in order to ensure their efficient deployment in peacekeeping operations.

My delegation also welcomes the reiteration in the resolution of the importance of the gender dimension in peacekeeping, in particular with regard to promoting the participation of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. We highly appreciate the Secretary-General's call for stronger action to meet the challenges to integrating women at all levels and within the United Nations structure itself.

For its part, in September 2012 Thailand established a subcommittee on women and the promotion of peace and security under the National Committee on the Policy and Strategy for the Advancement of Women. Thailand has always attached great importance to supporting the role and impact of women peacekeepers in the field.

In addition to police and military personnel, missions also require stronger civilian capabilities. We fully support the Secretary-General's initiative to respond to the increasing demands for civilian personnel. In this context, the creation of CAPMATCH was a very important step forward.

First, with regard to the protection of civilians, in the past year my country witnessed an unwarranted and unprovoked attack by the Government of the Republic of the Sudan, in particular aerial bombardment and other border incursions. Those aggressions led to many civilian casualties, especially among innocent women and children.