Experience to date has shown that having gender expertise, as well as having more female soldiers in theatre, improves our ability to conduct operations more effectively. For example, we have learned that female soldiers in Afghanistan are at times able to better connect with members of the population otherwise closed off from their male colleagues.

Civil society organizations have been instrumental in promoting women's rights and gender equality. To a large degree, it was thanks to civil society that resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security saw the light of day 12 years ago.

At the operational level, NATO and its operational partners in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Kosovo Force have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting the important role that women can play, and have engaged with women leaders and activists to understand their views and perspectives.

As Council members are aware, the mandate of the ISAF mission was recently renewed, and the plans to hand over full security responsibility from ISAF forces to their Afghan counterparts are on course, as reaffirmed at the Chicago Summit. Throughout the transition process and beyond, we will continue to focus on gender-related training and to support the recruitment and retention of women in the security forces.

With respect to the protection aspect, the Secretary-General's report emphasizes that women and girl refugees continue to fall victim to violations of international humantarian law and refugee rights, in particular with regard to access to humanitarian assistance.

The establishment of specific post-conflict strategies is imperative and must go hand in hand with the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). In that respect, particular attention must be focused on the participation of African women in peace negotiations, mediation efforts, electoral processes, constitutional commissions and truth and reconciliation entities.

The establishment of genuine peace requires sound and inclusive political, economic and social structures. Local women's organizations are engines for promoting women's independence and their effective participation in political, economic and social life.

The Council adopted resolution 1889 (2009) in the context of the initiative to strengthen the existing legal arsenal in promoting and protecting women's rights and participation in efforts to prevent and resolve conflict and in post-conflict reconstruction.

In conclusion, the success of the international community in implementing resolution 1325 (2000) will depend on the political will to translate its provisions into reality and to ensure their implementation. The noble cause of women's independence and effective involvement in establishing and building peace is a longterm task. It is a vital and salutary mission, particularly in countries in or emerging from conflict, especially in Africa.

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this open debate. You could not have chosen a better topic to close the successful presidency of your friendly country, India, of the Council this month. I would also like to thank Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Eliasson for his clear and concise presentation of the report of the Secretary- General (S/2012/732), as well as Ms.