Fourthly, the international community should enhance its attention and support to the issue of women and development. Achieving women's development is the true foundation for achieving women's genuine empowerment. At present, international development support and technical assistance fall short of the needs of women worldwide. Achieving women's development therefore remains a daunting challenge in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Thirdly, it is important to value and enhance the status and role of women at the different stages of peace processes.

Secondly, the national Governments of Member States bear the primary responsibility for protecting women's rights in conflict and post-conflict situations. In our efforts to protect women's rights and strengthen their role in peace and security, we must respect the ownership of national Governments.

China supports the call for the Secretary-General to appoint more women to high-level positions such as Special Representative of the Secretary-General or Special Envoy entrusted with mediation good offices.

Fourthly, the international community should enhance its attention and support to the issue of women and development. Achieving women's development is the true foundation for achieving women's genuine empowerment. At present, international development support and technical assistance fall short of the needs of women worldwide. Achieving women's development therefore remains a daunting challenge in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Women are a great force in the creation of human civilization. The promotion of gender equality and the protection of women's rights have a direct bearing not only on women's vital concerns but also on world peace and development. Although women tend to be victims in conflict and post-conflict situations, they are also important partners in the prevention and mediation of conflicts and in post-conflict reconstruction.

In considering women and peace and security, it is important that the Council not only focus on the protection of women's security and safeguarding their rights in conflict and post-conflict situations, but also recognize the unique role played by women in peace processes and seek ways to bring them onboard in advancing global peace and security.

First, the Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council should focus on the prevention of conflicts, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction and on creating an enabling political, security and legal environment for the protection and promotion of women's rights.

Twelve years after the adoption of the historic resolution 1325 (2000), the Council has continued to make progress in providing guidance for the greater protection of women in armed conflict situations. Nevertheless, it can be seen that the situation of women in conflict and post-conflict situations has not improved.

The universal promotion of fundamental human rights is one of the basic principles of Chile's foreign policy. In that regard, we will continue to join ongoing efforts to ensure women's participation in and contribution to conflict prevention and mediation.