Implementation

Austria is planning to continue its financial contributions to UNIFEM for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We also plan to host an experts meeting in Vienna in the first half of 2010. We welcome the Secretary-General's positive reply to a letter sent in August 2008 by women leaders, including Austria's then-Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik.

We further request the Secretary-General to take concrete steps to enhance the efficiency of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in particular by creating the posts of full-time senior gender advisers in DPA and within DPA's Mediation Support Unit.

Austria will continue to advocate for an increase in the number of women appointed to senior United Nations positions both at Headquarters and, in particular, in field missions. We highly welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General in this regard. Having three female special representatives and six deputy special representatives serving in missions in various conflict areas is already a major step ahead.

We believe that the systematic incorporation of gender issues in post-conflict recovery projects cannot be undertaken at the technical level or through theoretical commitments, but that it depends to a large degree on political will and adequate financing. Thus, it is up to us to make that a reality.

The role of troop-contributing countries in that task is very important; in conjunction with the various United Nations programmes and agencies, those countries are in a position to advance joint initiatives to improve the lives of the women in missions in which they participate.

The participation of women in post-conflict peacebuilding processes can be analyzed from the standpoint both of the United Nations system and of the State. In the first case, it is essential to address the issue of gender from the planning stage of activities in the field and to sustain it in all phases of reconstruction and peacebuilding.

Mr. Argüello (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to begin by congratulating the Mission of Viet Nam on its assumption of the presidency and on organizing this open debate, which reflects the resolute commitment of the Security Council to the effective follow-up and implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) almost 10 years since its adoption. We thank the Secretary-General for submitting his report (S/2009/465).

In that regard, it is crucial to work within the State to put an end to gender violence. There is no potential for empowerment in a climate of violence. We therefore welcome the adoption of resolution 1888 (2009) with the broad support of United Nations Members, and believe that its implementation will be an effective step towards the eradication of impunity.

Argentina is among those countries that have made progress in developing an implementation plan for resolution 1325 (2000) in the defense sector. At the same time, it is drafting a national plan that addresses all the areas included in that instrument, and has incorporated specific policies for the implementation of resolution 1820 (2008) on sexual violence against women in situations of armed conflict.

Although we do not have a situation of armed conflict in Thailand, the Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security have been applied as domestic guidelines on how to best protect women in our country. A Subcommittee on Women and the Promotion of Peace and Security has been established by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.