An open debate on the Vietnam-initiated theme of women and peace and security took place. The discussion focused on women’s needs in post-conflict periods and how to promote their rights and participation during peace processes in order to ensure sustainable agreements and security.

The session chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, was expected to ratify a decision on the issue.

Le Luong Minh, head of the Vietnamese delegation to the UN and Chief Representative of Vietnam to the UNSC, said that the United Nations has already adopted 3 resolutions concerning violent behaviour toward women.

The new draft for discussion this time is more far reaching, as it focuses on the urgent need to ensure women’s rights and their role in promoting peace and security. The new draft shows the world community that the UN is making a bigger effort to deal with this issue.

Mr. Minh said the UNSC will hold an open debate on the Middle East on October 28. Vietnam supports initiatives to organise open debates which will encourage the participation of other members of the United Nations apart from members of the UNSC.

The UNSC will hold seminars and carry out negotiations on issues relating to regional conflicts in Somalia, Sudan and Congo in Africa, Iraq and Lebanon in the Middle East, Afghanistan and East Timor in Asia, Kosovo in Europe and Haiti in the Caribbean.