Delivered by: Ms. Myan Tantawy, Political Coordinator

Thank you, moderator.

I would also like thank the Permanent Mission of Argentina, as well as the offices of the SRSGs on Sexual violence in conflict and children in armed conflict for bringing us together for such an important discussion.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, it is not only a moment to reflect and commemorate the hard-won gains achieved over the last 15 years, but also to take stock of where we are and how we can work together to enhance the global systematic response.

The UAE remains unequivocal: We condemn in the strongest terms all forms of violence against women and children, including conflict related sexual violence. Impunity must not be the norm. Women and childrens’ bodies must not be exploited as a weapon of war.

In light of today’s welcome theme on breaking the cycles of violence, we heard many key recommendations to prevent and counter these heinous crimes. Allow me to focus on three:

First, we must invest in strengthening women and girls’ resilience through a survivor centred and trauma informed approach. Economic hardship, compounded by political instability and structural gender-based inequality, deepens the risk of sexual violence. Safeguarding women and girls’ rights, equal access to services and full equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of society develops their agency and makes them less vulnerable to these unbearable atrocities.

Second, we must enhance the global response to these crimes through robust tools that enhance accountability. The UAE continues to support including conflict-related sexual violence as a stand-alone designation criterion in relevant UN Security Council sanctions regimes. Perpetrators of these crimes must be sanctioned and held accountable – wherever they are and whoever they are.

Third, we must utilise technology and education to combat the shifting nature of these crimes. When the threats evolve, as they have done online, so too must our tools to protect against them. Even commonly used digital technologies, such as WhatsApp, can provide access to reporting mechanisms and protection networks.

Education must also be deployed to tackle the root causes of these crimes, such as gender discrimination, hate speech and incitement to violence. Education has the potential to promote gender equality and eliminate stigma.

To conclude, we stand in solidarity with all survivors and victims around the world who have faced this unimaginable suffering. It is critical that we utilise the well-established normative framework, and meetings like these, to coalesce the international community to finally end the heinous crimes of CRSV. The UAE remains a partner in this regard.

Thank you