Implementation

Despite several positive developments in the Council, Croatia remains extremely concerned about the severity and prevalence of attacks on civilians, especially women and children.

In recent years, the United Nations has made significant progress in the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Council has adopted a number of important resolutions, including resolution 1325 (2000) on the protection of women in armed conflict, the significance of which marked a milestone in efforts to address that issue. My country has developed its own national plan in that regard.

It is also important that protection strategies be clear, concrete and measurable. That can be ensured by drawing on clear indicators and benchmarks, which can help demonstrate where progress is being made and where additional efforts are required.

The protection of civilians in armed conflict is one of the crucial challenges of our time. In the Security Council and other forums, Brazil has sought to contribute to the United Nations efforts in that area. Last February, during the Brazilian presidency of the Security Council, we organized a meeting aimed at considering all dimensions of the protection agenda (see S/PV.6479).

We also share the concern of the Secretary- General over the threat posed to civilians by explosive weapons, as outlined in his 2010 report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Deployed in populated areas, these weapons cause unacceptable suffering for women, children and men, even years after their initial use.

It is unfortunate that, despite the existence of international legal instruments and normative mechanisms, innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as international humanitarian personnel, continue to suffer in conflict situations. Undoubtedly, the prosecution of those responsible for crimes committed against peaceful populations continues to be an urgent matter.

We encourage the Council to seize the opportunity and make optimum use of the advisory role of the PBC in relation to socio-economic and other peacebuilding matters. We also encourage close coordination between all stakeholders, including the inclusion of women and civil society in peacebuilding and development issues.

The Security Council underlines that integrated action on the ground by security and development actors needs to be coordinated with the national authorities and can significantly contribute to stabilizing and improving the security situation and ensuring the protection of civilians. The Council also notes the importance of cooperation with civil society in this context.

The United Nations post-conflict presence must help to develop national strategies targeting such key priorities as the promotion of women's rights, youth employment, the protection of vulnerable social groups, the establishment of the rule of law and the strengthening of State institutions.

The adoption of any type of security approach to a conflict must be preceded by a thorough analysis of its root causes. In that way, efforts can be made in close coordination with all stakeholders, including women, to enable a country to emerge from crisis and foster its development. In that context, we must not fail to include the management of a country's natural resources or issues related to land rights.