Implementation

For the past seven years, Solomon Islands has been assisted by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The Mission is made up of Pacific neighbours, led by Australia and strongly supported by New Zealand. RAMSI has provided us space and support to promote and implement resolution 1325 (2000) nationally and throughout the Government. In that respect, Solomon Islands has restructured its State security institution.

During our ethnic conflict, a group of women from multi-ethnic backgrounds gathered under their own initiative to approach and speak to militants on both sides. As mothers, they used their respective cultural norms to draw militants' attention to the social and human consequences of their actions. In so doing, they gained their trust and confidence in order to provide essential items across conflict lines.

On the issue of mainstreaming gender funding within the Government system, that is a work in progress. I am pleased to say that baseline data have been established, allowing small women's machinery in the country to develop strategies to enhance gender capacity within the national system. Having said that, the challenge ahead is huge.

Stronger steps should be taken to address accountability and to end impunity for perpetrators of violations. The Security Council should impose targeted and graduated measures against all parties to a conflict responsible for grave violations of women's rights, including sexual violence. Sexual violence should be a priority element in all Council resolutions mandating the sanctions committees.

In his report (S/2010/498), the Secretary-General takes up United Nations activities in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). The report shows that a vast range of activities has been carried out in the past 10 years. However, the fragmentation of those activities demonstrates the need to streamline and coordinate the action of all members of the international community.

We are of the opinion that the issue of women, peace and security needs to be addressed in a holistic and comprehensive manner. We welcome the Security Council's decision to take forward the set of indicators developed by the Secretary-General to track the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in situations of armed conflict as well as post-conflict and other situations. We hope that the indicators will now become operational.

We all have a responsibility to implement resolution 1325 (2000). The development of national action plans is a key means by which Member States commit themselves to fulfilling that responsibility. I would like to report that Slovenia is about to finalize and adopt such an action plan.

Slovenia also supports the recommendation to establish a dedicated working group to review progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and to make recommendations to the Security Council on how to address gaps and challenges to accelerate progress in the implementation of the resolution.

We all have a responsibility to implement resolution 1325 (2000). The development of national action plans is a key means by which Member States commit themselves to fulfilling that responsibility. I would like to report that Slovenia is about to finalize and adopt such an action plan.

Lastly, let me take this opportunity to encourage the Security Council to continue to address the issue of women, peace and security and to seek the most effective means to improve the situation of women in armed conflict. With a comprehensive United Nations approach and increased ownership by Member States over their activities, the plight of women in situations of armed conflict and its aftermath can be eliminated.