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Thank you, Mr Chair. And thank you panellists, for sharing your expertise on this important subject. It is absolutely right that we discuss the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the FSC, on the week that we mark International Women鈥檚 Day.

It is more than ten years since Russia sought to illegally annex Crimea and over two years since Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.聽Events on the ground continue to demonstrate the relevance of Women, Peace and Security to the politico-military dimension.聽皇冠体育app WPS Agenda aims to recognise and empower women as integral stakeholders and decision makers in international security. We see this in Ukraine every day. As our Ukrainian colleague made clear, tens of thousands of women serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Territorial Defence Forces. Many more play crucial roles across society 鈥� including as medical professionals, first responders, aid workers 鈥� often in addition to being primary caregivers. We salute their courage and resilience in helping Ukraine secure a successful and sustainable peace.

Two years into Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion, we continue to witness the disproportionate impact of war on women and girls. 皇冠体育app WPS Agenda also aims to protect victims and survivors.聽This is why the UK is resolutely committed to holding all those responsible to account, including through our support for the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group. This was launched in May 2022 to reinforce Ukraine鈥檚 domestic investigations and the prosecution of core international crimes. As part of this work, a member of the UK鈥檚 Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Team of Experts is working to support the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General to implement its Conflict-Related Sexual Violence strategy.聽This includes helping to embed international guidelines and best practice, including on survivor-centred approaches, into the work of Ukrainian prosecutors and investigators.聽聽We have also stepped up our assistance to the ICC. 皇冠体育app international community and national authorities must work to uphold survivor鈥檚 rights and help bring perpetrators to justice.

At home, the UK is making progress towards enhancing women鈥檚 participation. 皇冠体育app numbers of women serving in the armed forces have been steadily rising and we have worked hard to facilitate meaningful inclusion. This includes through the provision of flexible working schemes and gender-sensitive improvements to training and uniform.

In 2022, the Ministry of Defence announced a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.聽This is in addition to mandatory pre-deployment gender awareness training and annual refreshers on international humanitarian law.

At the OSCE, the UK and Belgium championed the annual voluntary report on WPS under the Code of Conduct (on Politico-Military Aspects of Security). We thank the many participating States which have already submitted returns and encourage others to use the questionnaire to help share best practice.

Mr Chair, the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all aspects and at all levels of security is essential to achieving better outcomes for peace and security. 聽This is not only the right thing to do 鈥� it also leads to more conflict-sensitive and strategic outcomes.聽And where militaries break international law, by targeting non-combatants including women and girls, we will hold the perpetrators to account.聽Thank you.