The annual open debate in the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security held by South Africa focused on the successful implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the related Resolution 1325 (2000). Last week, on 29 October 2019, a new Resolution 2492 (2019) was adopted, urging Member States to recommit themselves to the implementation of the agenda. This week the debate continued under the UK Presidency of the Security Council.

In her speech, Ambassador Chatardová stressed the need for practical implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and, as an example, she stated that in 2018 37% of Czech military personnel in UN peacekeeping missions were women. She also stressed the crucial importance of ensuring the physical safety of women politicians, civic leaders and human rights defenders. She identified the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls as the core of the protection dimension of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Finally, she called on member states to implement the agenda saying: "The time to act is now!".