So far around 20 countries have adopted a National Action Plan for 1325 and we were happy to note the intentions from many more countries to adopt and implement such plans. We heard inspiring examples of transnational cooperation to share experience and knowledge with those whose plans are still in progress. Many of us also emphasized the importance ofincluding civil society and women's groups in such processes and other work.

Four years ago, Sweden presented its first National Action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325. Today, we are in the process of implementing our second National Action plan for the period 2009-2012. It permeates our security and development policies and makes 1325 a special focus in our crisis management, in our humanitarian assistance and in our development cooperation with countries in conflict- and post conflict.

Finally, I would also like to emphasize the work being done by SRSG Wallstrom and her office on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The SRSG's work is of outstanding importance and the results in the next few years will be an important indicator of the international community's ability to address the structural violence that is directed towards women.

During the "1325 Call to Action-meeting" a month ago, governments from all comers of the world demonstrated their support and their conviction that women have a central role to play in achieving a durable peace in conflict regions.

Civil society and participation of women's groups play an important role. Women's groups help empower women so that the voices ofwomen in conflict areas are heard and can influence the work to achieve peace. They conduct research on women's roles in conflict, they alarm us of tragedies and report to us on progress, and provide expertise.

A concrete example is the upcoming appointment of a special ambassador for the work of implementing UNSCR 1325. Other concrete examples from the field include Sudan, where Sweden is contributing some 45 million SEK, via UNIFEM, to a variety of organisations promoting women's role and participation. Sweden also contributes to UNIFEM in Afghanistan with some 62 million SEK, including for support to the Afghan National Action Plan for Women.

Many specialized centres have also been founded at the central and provincial levels in order to coordinate women's efforts in the fields of peace and development and to offer women-oriented guidance and consultations on bolstering the concept of gender equality and dealing with the status of women in areas afflicted by war, be it in the southern parts of the country or in Darfur.

When considering the status of women, we are able to say proudly that the Sudan has deep-rooted pioneering experience in this field, as Sudanese women have always been genuine partners in the political and decision-making structures of our country since their participation in the election of the first Sudanese parliament in 1954 on the eve of our declaration of independence.

We would also like to recall aspects relating to the status of women within the framework of attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

We also affirm the need for the Council to rely on the country reports submitted by Member States on their implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We urge the United Nations and its missions to organize workshops and consultative round tables with those involved in countries affected by conflict in order to exchange experiences regarding the overall situation of women in armed conflict.