Mme President,

Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the EU and with the statement of the Group of Friends of WPS.

In the Pact for the Future we all agreed to accelerate the implementation of our commitments on Women, Peace and Security.
And we must do so quickly and effectively.
It is neither knowledge nor awareness that are missing – it is political will and implementation.

I would like to highlight the following five points:
Reliable, flexible and sufficient funding for local women-led organizations, women peacebuilders and human rights defenders is essential -- but often lacking.
We have to finally equip them with the resources they need for their valuable work.
Germany has been the largest donor to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund – a Fund which pursues precisely this: long-term, unbureaucratic core-funding to women-led organizations in conflict zones.
Germany will make up to an additional 6,5 million US Dollar available to the fund this year.

Without accountability there can be no sustainable peace. Every survivor of conflict-related sexual violence must be granted access to justice and to essential services.
This makes the mandate of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict and her Team of Experts more relevant than ever.

Germany is committed to continuing its funding of the Team of Experts. We call on all member states to support their work as well.
We will expand our work on accountability, including with regard to the principle of universal jurisdiction.
As laid out in UN Security Council resolution 2467 (2019), the full toolkit of this Council must be implemented, including targeted sanctions.

Resolution 2467 (2019) for the first time has addressed the situation of children born out of conflict-related rape.
Just like their respective mothers, these children often face stigmatisation and significant legal and administrative discrimination.
We must improve their lives and raise awareness for their specific situation and needs. This is a task for all of us.

Women are essential actors for peace.
Yet, they are too often sidelined, including in peacekeeping and in the leadership of international organisations. It is high time to change this.
The Elsie Initiative and the Network for Uniformed Women Peacekeepers are innovative ways to deliver results.

Finally, the climate crisis intensifies threats to peace and security around the world – and women, girls and marginalized groups are disproportionately affected.
Germany is partnering with the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund to drive the “Women and Climate Security Funding Initiative”, which is investing in combined peacebuilding and climate action.

Mme President,
For Germany, the Women, Peace and Security agenda is a key pillar of our Feminist Foreign and Development Policies.
Around the world, countless women work courageously and tirelessly for peace, justice, and human rights.
It is not enough to stand in awe of their work. We must all do more to support, protect and champion them.

Thank you.