Statement by President of the Government following participation in United Nations Security Council

New York

Good day and thank you very much for coming here today.

As you are all aware, we have just approved a resolution on Women, Peace and Security. This resolution has taken Resolution 1325 as its point of reference, and, to a certain degree, constitutes the agenda on the issue of Women, Peace and Security for the next 15 years.

This is important for us because of the significance of the issue. To talk about Women, Peace and Security, with what this means in the situation in which the world finds itself at this time, is something of great relevance. That is why, within the five priorities we have set in this presidency of the United Nations Security Council, this is number one. We will shortly talk about terrorism and about humanitarian aid in such harsh, tough and dramatic conflicts that are unfolding in certain countries such as Syria.

But, I insist, the most important issue of our Presidency of the United Nations Security Council was to approve a resolution on Women, Peace and Security.

I would like to thank all the members of the Spanish delegation, from the ambassador to representatives and members of the foreign affairs department, and senior public officials, who have worked hard and given their all over recent times.

I believe that this has been successful because the resolution has been unanimously approved by the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council. In just a short time, more than 70 countries have sponsored this resolution; a resolution that was practically concluded just last night. And I would like to also point out that the number of people who have asked to take part, according to the Secretary-General of the UN, has exceeded all previous records as far as he is aware. That means that more than 100 countries have expressed their interest, and I believe rightly so, on an issue of such importance and relevance.

There are two main objectives of the resolution we have approved: firstly, giving women greater protection in armed conflicts. This is the first major objective. We will spare no effort in fighting sexual violence, which is used as a weapon of war and terror in many of the theatres of war we are witnessing around the world. That is why I mentioned inside earlier, and I reiterate this outside now, that in some armed conflicts it is more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier.

Hence, this is the first major objective of this resolution which, I repeat, will mark the policy on this issue for the United Nations over the course of the next 15 years. And, secondly, it is also very important to fully and actively involve women in preventing conflicts and building peace. It is not thus a question of ensuring women are not victims, which must also be done, but rather of ensuring that they are active agents in preventing and, at the same time, consolidating peace processes.

I believe that the resolution we have approved here this morning in the Security Council beds down, to a certain extent, the progress made in recent years, since the approval of Resolution 1425; it offers a response to the failings that existed, and there were many, and renews the Agenda, as I said, for 15 years on Women, Peace and Security.

This has been the result of hard work by many people; without a doubt from Spanish public servants, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador, but also from the United Nations system and many representatives from civil society, some of whom, as I am sure you will have seen, have taken part here this morning. Hence, it is very important to thank them all for the work they have put in on this issue, which I repeat, is so vital.

Some of the countries that have taken part have also taken on certain commitments. Spain has committed to updating its National Action Plan and to approving periodic reports, which will be presented to Parliament. I believe that it is important, because this also obliges the government to not only explain its decisions but also, precisely for this reason, to be as active as it can.

We are also going to set up a national focal point and to foster the creation of an international network of focal points. It is very important to be aware of what is happening and that there are people who are solely and exclusively engaged in monitoring these issues.

We are also going to step up training for members of the Armed Forces and State Law Enforcement Agencies on the issue of gender, particularly those that take part in peacekeeping missions overseas. You are aware that Spain, with its allies, is currently collaborating in many countries around the world; in some African countries, such as the Central African Republic, Mali, Senegal and Djibouti; but also further afield, such as in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon. There are many women there defending the general interests of the people of Spain, their lives, their rights and liberties; there are many and we are going to continue guaranteeing this presence and ensure that they also take part - since this is very important - in mediation teams. I wish to say that in 2015 alone, some 600 military women have taken part in this type of mission.

We are going to renew our zero tolerance policy in relation to the accusations of sexual violence that affect Spanish personnel on missions overseas.

We are going make a contribution of one million euros next year to Financial Instruments for Women, Peace and Security. Next year, in 2016, we will also finance the gender unit of the UN Department of Political Affairs and we are going to increase the percentage of humanitarian aid allocated to Women, Peace and Security.

In short, I believe that what took place yesterday and today at the United Nations is very positive for guaranteeing gender equality and, above all, for taking steps in the direction towards a more civilised world, that is fairer, more reasonable and more respectful to the rights of all people, particularly women and girls, and that is what we have concerned ourselves with here this morning, in the Security Council.

Thank you all for attending and for your help in a cause such as this which is undoubtedly one of the noblest that anyone who takes on any type of political responsibility can be involved in.

Thank you very much.