I would like to emphasize that special attention needs to be given to vulnerable groups in society, including children, women and elder persons; national, ethnic, religious and other minorities; and displaced populations, when defining and implementing the relevant activities in peacekeeping operations and when identifying security needs.

In contemporary armed conflicts, innocent civilians often constitute an overwhelming majority of victims and have at times been deliberately targeted. The most vulnerable populations at risk include women and children, who are often killed, raped and sexually abused or forced to become soldiers. Survivors are often displaced, taking refuge in camps where they are often defenceless against armed attacks and harassment.

Furthermore, the United Nations, its missions and its agencies could play a valuable coordinating role among the many actors involved, which could contribute towards realizing protection-of-civilians mandates. For United Nations missions and peacekeeping operations to achieve those goals, it is essential that they be provided with necessary support, equipment and resources.

Thirdly, intensive predeployment and periodic in-mission training, both on operational tasks and other protection-related elements, is vital. Those elements include, inter alia, international law, gender-based issues and cultural sensitivity.

For a number of years, we have discussed in this Chamber the subject of the protection of civilians in armed conflict. A number of Security Council resolutions and presidential statements on the issue have been adopted. Yet, regrettably, we still see today an alarming number of civilian casualties, including, unfortunately, women and children, in many areas plagued with armed conflict.

The Group of Friends welcomes the latest report of the Secretary-General under review today (S/2013/689). In the past couple of months, crises have emerged, re-emerged or have been amplified in many different places, and it is with great concern that we observe that the number of civilians affected by armed conflict has significantly increased over the period covered by the report in almost all of the countries reviewed.

The Nordic countries also strongly encourage the incorporation of a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations. As part of the Nordic Defence Cooperation we have established the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations in Stockholm, and note with satisfaction that the demand for its services is increasing.

Specialised capacity and focus are needed to prevent conflict-related sexual violence in UN operations. We welcome the deployment of Women's Protection Advisers in five on-going missions. We urge the Secretariat to undertake an early evaluation of their work to assess their contribution in the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence.

Lastly, I would like to recall that the adoption and full implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty will be an important instrument in preventing armed violence and reducing human suffering, including gender-based violence.

In order to combat sexual and gender-based violence, the perpetrators must be brought to justice. All parties to an armed conflict should take all steps necessary to ensure accountability, through national prosecutions or by referrals to the International Criminal Court. National capacity must be enhanced to investigate and prosecute these crimes.