By Haruna Gimba
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said the 180 political, financial and institutional commitments made in the course of the high-level review of 1325 must not be simply plans on paper.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stated this when she present the Secretary-General’s report on Women, Peace and Security at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security.
She thanked the presidency of Russia for chairing the debate and for proposing to review implementation of the commitments made last year by Member States, regional organizations and the United Nations.
“Last year’s Open Debate had the highest number of participating speakers in the entire history of the Security Council. These commitments are important and they can make a difference. They must not be simply plans on paper, we must turn them into actions.
“Last year’s global study on women, peace and security was welcomed as a guide that can keep us moving forward with our work,” she said.
The UN Women executive director called on Member States, regional organizations, and the UN to do more to take forward the recommendations of the Study and to turn your own commitments into concrete action.
“This Council is well positioned to ensure greater accountability to each other, and the time is now, you can match words with action. UN Women is already responding to many of the findings and recommendations of the global study and the call of resolution 2242,” she added.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also welcome the release of 21 Chibok girls and added that UN Women still count the days since the Chibok girls, were abducted.
“We remain concerned about the many who have not been found in Nigeria and elsewhere. And we welcome the release of 21 Chibok girls and we will continue to count the days until all are released,” she said.
