Implementation

My first words must be to commend you, Mr. President, for convening this auspicious debate to mark a decade since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). I must also thank the Secretary-General for his report in document S/2010/498 and indeed for his earlier report in document S/2010/466, on women's participation in peacebuilding.

In spite of the hard work and oft-expressed commitments of the international community to the principles of resolution 1325 (2000), serious challenges remain. The Secretary-General observes in his report that “10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), significant achievements are difficult to identify or quantify” (S/2010/498, para. 3).

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the presence of several ministers, Economic and Social Council President Hamidon Ali and others who have joined us to mark the anniversary. I congratulate and welcome in particular Ms. Michelle Bachelet in her new role as Executive Director of UN Women. Nigeria recognizes the value of pooling the efforts of the various United Nations actors in this area. We are certain that Ms.

At the global level, the Council has devoted more attention to the issue of on women and peace and security, leading to the adoption of resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009). The appointments of Ms. Wallström as Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and of Ms.

As a signatory the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Dakar Declaration of last month, Nigeria has committed to accelerate the national and regional implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). The Declaration calls for a regional action plan within ECOWAS to support national action plans. ECOWAS will coordinate and collaborate with the United Nations Office for West Africa and with UN Women in this process.

Let us look at the past 10 years as years of preparation, of building awareness of the breadth and depth of the problem, of putting in place the structures and the tools. But we must also note that these 10 years of preparation have been costly to women's health and well-being. Hence the urgency of action. This second decade must be the decade of action on resolution 1325 (2000). We cannot wait another 10 years for action.

We urge the Security Council to endorse the seven-point action plan included in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/466). There should be systematic procedures to ensure that mediators consult with women and that negotiators dialogue with women's groups. We look forward to seeing a greater number of women mediators.

We all have our roles to play in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Civil society has been at the forefront of these efforts, bringing to public awareness the scope and breadth of the problem. We have done much, but there is much to be done. Civil society will continue to work to empower women in war-affected regions, and to work on the ground with policymakers to bring about global peace and human security.

The Security Council now has at its disposal all the tools it needs to build a pragmatic programme of accelerated implementation of its landmark resolution 1325 (2000). We have no need now to wait another 10 years for action. Indicators are in place, as requested by the Council, and these will provide a system for organizing evidence and an impetus for cooperation within the United Nations and between the United Nations and Member States.

I would like to begin with one clear message from civil society: We can no longer afford to wait. It is time for action, not words. The experiences of women during war are horrendous and their exclusion from peace processes is frustrating. This exclusion is costly not only to women but to the sustainability of peace. Survivors of conflict and millions of women and men around the world are looking to the Security Council today to be bold.