Participation

National ownership must also be a core element in all peacekeeping and peacebuilding mandates and missions. Peacekeepers come and go, but only national participation, involvement and ownership from all segments of society, particularly disadvantaged groups such as women and children, can create the sort of organic development that will sustain long-term peace.

Therefore, the participation of civil society, including the most vulnerable groups, in the development and implementation of peacebuilding and post-conflict processes is of major importance.

Just as the lack of development can feed the flames of conflict, economic and social progress can help to prevent it and secure peace. Sustained, broadly based development can help to address the roots of conflict through such steps as ensuring the equitable sharing of wealth, providing better access to agricultural lands, strengthening governance and ensuring justice for all. Above all, development should be inclusive.

That long-term perspective is crucial, as guarding against a relapse into conflict preserves the gains from development, which are frequently among the first casualties of war. Indeed, the complementarity between security and development can also lead to more efficient deployment of efforts and resources towards achieving development and security.

It is therefore obvious that the Council must pay attention to the resolutions of the General Assembly and its six Committees on relevant security issues.

The third area concerns women's empowerment. Women are the key to development and security. The international community has just commemorated the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) and established UN Women. The international community should make a concerted effort to maximize the current political momentum so as to bring more attention to the role of women.

India has taken significant steps designed to accelerate the range and depth of welfare and social justice programmes.

Almost 10 years ago, the United Nations Development Programme's first Arab Human Development Report identified three major obstacles to development in the Arab world: first, a lack of political participation, second, shortcomings in the education system, and third, disadvantages for women in society, the economy and politics. Those conclusions are still valid today.

Engaging women in all efforts is essential. Despite women's involvement in peace initiatives, they are too often excluded from peace negotiations. That undermines efforts to achieve long-term peace. The empowerment of women is a precondition for long-term development and peace.

There is no doubt that particular attention should be given to activities and programmes dealing with the reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, and security sector reform in order to create the conditions conducive to relaunching economic activity.