In conclusion, let me reiterate that the international community has made progress in including women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, tackling the scourge of sexual violence in conflict and making national commitments to act. But much more needs to be done so that the world fully sees women as actors, not victims, and as leaders, not followers.

As we mark the twelfth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), we can point to real progress. United Nations mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding increasingly tap the expertise and address the concerns of women. Peace processes include greater outreach to women. More countries are developing their own national action plans on women, peace and security, yet our work is very far from complete.

Women often bear a disproportionate burden in all stages of conflict. We know that they play a critical part in helping a country to draw back from recent conflict, ensure sustainable peace, and heal wounds in societies torn apart by war. In that role, they surely hold up more than half the sky. We must ensure that together we support the rights, protection and empowerment of women.

Women have a unique and powerful role to play in peacebuilding. But the lack of security for women and girls continues to be a major factor inhibiting their participation in decision-making in conflict and post conflict settings. Women must participate as voters and candidates in post-conflict elections; they deserve to have the security to do so safely.

We must do more to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and tackle more aggressively its perpetrators. This remains an urgent priority for the United Kingdom. Despite our best collective efforts, the culture of impunity that has grown up around this horrific crime is tough to crack. It is shocking how few of those responsible are put on trial for the crimes they commit. Governments must do more, and do so urgently.

Today we recognise in particular the invaluable contribution civil society organisations make to this agenda. Their contribution is vital. In Liberia, organisations like the Women's Situation Room help promote women's participation in political life and prevent electoral violence.

The United Kingdom itself benefits substantially from early, regular and close consultation with women's civil society organisations. The United Kingdom civil society umbrella group Gender Action for Peace and Security played an integral part in our own recent National Action Plan review process.

The Chinese have a powerful proverb that ‘women hold up half the sky'. Twelve years after this Council first made landmark commitments in Resolution 1325, we must all stand united behind efforts to confront those who seek to exclude, harm or marginalise half their populations.

Nationally we have recruited a specialist team of experts available to work in support of the United Nations and civil society to investigate allegations of sexual violence, gather evidence and help countries build their own capacity to do so. The United Kingdom has also contributed $1.5 million to the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to support her team's work.

Thirdly, there is the interface between security and development and the role women can play in that respect. As we embark upon a process to develop a set of sustainable development goals for post-2015, we believe that gender equality and the empowerment of women should be at the centre of all our solutions and commitments. That would also help further the agenda on women and peace and security.