Implementation

We are happy that the Member States were able to reach consensus earlier this year in establishing the UN WOMEN, which will be fully operational by January 2011. With consolidation of authority and responsibility within the UN System on women issues, I am positive that tbe UN system will also coherently coordinate and assist Member States, upon their request, in the implementation of the Resolution 1325.

There is a need for more stringent regulations in combating and eliminating this menace. We would also request the Secretary General further strengthen his efforts to ensure zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The United Nations system, Member States and civil society have made steady and noticeable efforts in implementing Resolution 1325.

The UN system has also come up with a useful set of indicators as global markers of progress in the implementation of Resolution 1325. India has taken note of the twenty six global set of indicators in the four key areas.

Let me also add my voice to other speakers who had called for greater deployment of female military and police personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and to provide all military and police personnel with adequate training to carry out their responsibilities. In this regard, we encourage, especiallly those who champion the importance of participation of women peacekeepers and also have the inclination and capacity, to do so.

India will be happy to contribute positively to this process. As one of the largest troop contributing countries to the United Nations, India has been conscious of its responsibility as well as training of its troops on this important issue.

India has contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers to virtually every peacekeeping operation in the past six decades. We have necessary disciplinary provisions in place to ensure that reports of incidents of violence against women or children or civilians are dealt with firmly, swiftly and resolutely within our existing legal provisions.

India even has the distinction of being the first country to deploy a full female peacekeeping unit of 100 personnel in Liberia in 2007. This oft cited Indian example, unfortunately still remains a rarity.

I would like to reiterate India's frrm commitment to its international obligations flowing out of the Resolution 1325 and its successor resolutions and look forward to engaging constructively and proactively with other delegations in the Security Council from the beginning of next year, when we assume our responsibility as a member ofthe Security Council.

Discussions on the establishment of a Security Council Working Group dedicated to reviewing the progress in implementing this Resolution are both relevant and has our support. We are confident that such an effort will go a long way in transforming words into concrete action.