Mr. Chairman,

The Delegation of Ukraine aligned itself with the statement of the European Union. In addition we would like to make some remarks in the national capacity.

We thank the OSCE Secretary General and the CiO Special Representative on Gender Issues for their reports and presentation of proposals and recommendations. They will be carefully reflected upon by the Ukrainian delegation.

Ukraine recognizes the importance of ensuring equal rights of women and men to foster peace, sustainable democracy and economic development. My country is fully committed to safeguard and promote gender equality in line with the OSCE commitments.

We view the OSCE 2004 Gender Action Plan as a comprehensive tool, which encompasses the Organization’s multi-dimensional approach as a major asset for addressing security challenges.

Ukraine pays due attention to the implementation of activities within the main areas of the OSCE Gender Action Plan: preventing violence against women;  ensuring equal opportunity for participation in political and public life; encouraging women’s participation in conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation; promoting equal economic opportunities; building national mechanisms for women’s advancement; ensuring non-discriminatory legal and policy frameworks. The Government of Ukraine is consistent in fulfilling the National Action Plan on implementation of UNSC 1325.

Ukraine has taken efforts to improve its policy framework aimed at advancing women’s rights, including the recent adoption by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of the concept paper of the State Social Program on Equal Rights of Women and Men for the period until 2021 and establishment on 7 June 2017 of the position of the Government Commissioner on Gender Policy.

Ambassador Verveer had an opportunity to observe Ukraine’s commitment and progress during her fruitful visits to Ukraine in June and just in the beginning of this week. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation.

We commend the efforts of CiO Special Representative on Gender Issues and the Gender Section of the OSCE Secretariat for maintaining the important topic of gender equality high on the OSCE agenda. We also acknowledge the SMM’s efforts to incorporate gender perspective in its activities. We believe that today’s discussion will contribute to further promoting gender equality in the OSCE and the OSCE participating States.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.