Implementation

It is not possible to create a legitimate and durable post-conflict political system that does not include the full and equal participation of women in decision-making. The role of women in economic development must be recognized in order to grow a post-conflict economy. Women, after all, are most likely to be providing direct support to children and extended kinship networks.

In our own Asia-Pacific region we have seen great improvements in women's capacity to engage in peace processes that affect them. That is also a key focus of our own aid programme in the region. In Indonesia and Nepal, we have supported women mediators, negotiators and advisers to identify and implement strategies for improving women's participation in peace processes.

For example, FemLINKPacific leads a community and media policy network on women, peace and security in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. Through the production of a wide range of media initiatives, they are empowering women across the Pacific to engage with decision makers at all levels on issues that affect them.

We would also like to take this opportunity to express the importance of women's political participation in times of peace and conflict alike, and at all stages of peaceful settlements. We have experienced this first-hand in our region. Representatives of Armenian and Azerbaijani women's non-governmental organizations have discussed ways of finding peaceful solutions to the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

We also welcome the Secretary-General's report on women and peace and security (S/2011/598*), which includes guidance for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and for the use of the set of indicators for monitoring progress and implementing the framework, and we take note of the recommendations contained in the report.

Meaningful policy changes can also be achieved through such means as technical assistance, as well as support for civil society and the media in monitoring and evaluating national actions taken in these areas.

We also believe that the establishment of UN-Women was a key step in the consolidation of the women and peace and security agenda, embodied, inter alia, in technical assistance that the entity is providing to countries of all regions in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions.

Our plan is the result of a participatory and comprehensive exercise led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and involves other State and civil society agencies.

Our country welcomes the report of the Secretary- General (S/2011/598*), which comprehensively reflects the important role that women play in preventive diplomacy, peace negotiation processes, and post-conflict reconstruction. The merit of resolution 1325 (2000) is specifically that the Security Council recognizes therein the key role that women can play as protagonists in peace processes.

I cannot conclude without expressing my appreciation for the report's mention of Argentina's efforts to increase the number of Argentine women deployed in its armed and security forces, as well as to peacekeeping missions. The report also notes our initiatives to develop and improve training in the specific protection rights and needs of women and girls.