The importance of women's participation in peacebuilding can hardly be overestimated. The issue is one of the priorities of Ukraine as a member of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and one of it current Vice-Chairs. We see a great deal of merit in strengthening collaboration between the PBC and UN-Women in this field.

The focus of today's debate on the participation and role of women in conflict prevention and mediation could not be more timely. Ukraine has always stressed the need for the widest possible use of the potential of women in the spheres of preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

My delegation prides itself on the long record of participation of Ukrainian women, as civilian police and military observers, in United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Currently, they are deployed in five United Nations peacekeeping operations — in Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, South Sudan and Timor-Leste.

In conclusion, Ukraine calls on Member States to renew their commitments under resolution 1325 (2000) and to launch new strategies to address gender equality issues in peace and security processes. Ukraine is resolved to do its share.

Despite all international efforts, women and girls continue to be the most vulnerable victims of armed conflicts, targeted with sexual violence, sexual exploitation and other forms of gender-based violence. Eliminating impunity is critical for preventing gender- based crimes. In 2010 Ukraine became a co-sponsor of Council resolution 1960 (2010), which concerned sexual violence in armed conflict.

We welcome the concept note on women's participation and role in conflict prevention and mediation (S/2011/654). Let me also state that we welcome with satisfaction the progress that UN-Women has achieved under Ms. Bachelet's visionary leadership.

We must expand the role of women everywhere. We need women to play a greater role in preventive diplomacy, mediation and peacekeeping. We need women to play a greater role in post-conflict reconstruction and institution-building, and we need a greater role for women in sustainable development and as agents for social transformation. The integral link between peace, security, gender equality and development is evident.

Since the adoption of landmark resolution 1325 (2000), progress has been achieved across a broad range of issues aimed at enhancing the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls in conflict- affected situations. A stronger gender perspective in post-conflict processes, as well as in United Nations programming and reporting, has been steadily built.

In this context, we are particularly pleased to note that the interconnection between security and development has been acknowledged by the international community in broader terms. Millennium Development Goal 3 — promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women — will no doubt help emphasize the effectiveness of the efforts in this area.