Implementation

My delegation appreciates the monumental work done by United Nations entities, in consultation with Member States and civil societies, in building the set of indicators annexed to the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/498). We share the view that the indicators can provide a helpful tool kit for the United Nations system and those countries that wish to use them on a voluntary basis.

We congratulate Ms. Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as Executive Director of the newly established United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and we welcome her participation in today's meeting of the Council. We assure her of our full cooperation in the execution of her important mandate.

Following the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we have noted with appreciation the Security Council's increased commitment to women's role in peace and security, which has been illustrated not only in its active participation, but also in its role as key promoter in the United Nations system in advancing the women and peace and security agenda.

Women, being not merely victims, but rather agents of change, should be able to involve themselves more in peace talks to better reflect their priorities in the text of peace agreements.

We particularly commend the adoption early this year of the three-year Joint Strategy on Gender and Mediation initiated by the Department of Political Affairs and UNIFEM, and the proposed seven-point action plan, which contains actions needed to enhance women's participation in peacebuilding — a fundamental factor to prevent war and empower women.

Most visible at the international level is the better coordinated work within the United Nations system — particularly among the Special Adviser on GenderIssues, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the United Nations Development Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affa

Against such a backdrop, it is worrisome to learn from the Secretary-General's report that “10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), significant achievements are difficult to identify or quantify. The conditions and opportunities that women and girls face in situations of armed conflict continue to be abhorrent and effective methods for monitoring impact are lacking.” (S/2010/498, para. 3)

Uruguay believes that the women and peace and security agenda is a fundamental part of a larger agenda that inextricably links the situation of children in armed conflict and, of course, the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

The intrinsic complementarity that exists between participation and protection is probably the main concept at the heart of resolution 1325 (2000), on which so much has been built and developed. It is therefore crucial to continue to promote greater participation by women in the various forums and areas linked to peace processes. In that regard, I should like to conclude by making special mention of the appointment of Ms.

Measures that could overcome many of those limitations include clear and predictable strategies tailored to each mission; better coordination with the various actors on the ground, especially with host countries, which have the primary responsibility for protection; and greater material resources, which are absolutely essential.