Chapter I: International peace and security ner the reports of the Secretary-General on specific UN peacekeeping operations and to organize regular meetings with troop- and police-contributing countries prior to Security Council consultations. It requested that the Secretariat produce predeployment threat assessments and make them available to potential troop-contributing countries, and that the Secretariat call for a meeting of troop- and policecontributing countries in all cases of an emergency situation or in the event of a serious incident. The Special Committee urged the Secretariat to consult with the troop-contributing countries when planning any change in the tasks, mission-specific rules of engagement, operational concepts or command and control structure which would have an impact on the personnel, equipment, training and logistics requirements, so as to enable those countries to give their advice in the planning process and to ensure that their troops had the capacity to meet the new demands. The Secretariat was requested to establish a web-based access for troop- and police-contributing countries to relevant reports, documents, standard operating procedures, directives, guidelines, policies and briefing materials. Cooperation with regional organizations At its 2009 substantive session [A/63/19], the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations reaffirmed the important contribution that regional arrangements and agencies could make to peacekeeping, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. It welcomed positive developments in the field of cooperation with regional arrangements or agencies and encouraged the Secretariat to further strengthen those linkages, such as the one with the African Union (au). In that regard, it emphasized the importance of implementing the joint action plan for UN support to the au in peacekeeping in the short, medium and long terms, and the 10-year plan for capacity-building. Women in peacekeeping With respect to gender and peacekeeping, the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations [A/63/19] emphasized the importance of full and effective implementation of Security Council resolutions 1325(2000) [YUN 2000, p. 1113] and 1820(2008) [YUN 2008, p. 1265] on women and peace and security and of all General Assembly resolutions on the elimination of all forms of violence against women. It underlined the gravity of acts of sexual and genderbased violence, and looked forward to working with the Secretary-General in developing and implementing training programmes to help UN peacekeeping personnel to better prevent, recognize and respond
77 to sexual violence and other violence against women and girls. The Special Committee acknowledged the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, and stressed the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all peace and security efforts. It urged dpko to continue to develop a comprehensive strategy to increase the participation of women in all aspects and at all levels of UN peacekeeping operations, and to continue to support the implementation and promotion of gender perspectives in peacekeeping activities. It reiterated its concern at the low proportion of women among UN peacekeeping staff at Headquarters and in the field, and encouraged Member States to increase the participation of women among uniformed personnel at all levels. On 30 September, the Security Council, in resolution 1888(2009) (see p. 1137), on women and peace and security requested the Secretary-General to continue to implement the policy of zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse in UN peacekeeping operations, also urging troop- and police-contributing countries to provide awareness training and to ensure accountability in cases of such conduct by their personnel. On 5 October, the Council, in resolution 1889(2009) (see p. 1141), called for a wide range of measures to improve the participation of women at all stages of peace processes. Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations In July, the Chairman of the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations submitted to the Council its interim report [S/2009/398], covering its work since the beginning of the year. Since 2002 [YUN 2002, p. 61], the Working Group had been convening joint meetings with troop-contributing countries as a means of promoting closer dialogue among Council members, troop-contributing countries, the Secretariat and significant stakeholders on issues pertaining to peacekeeping operations. In meetings on 25 February, 29 April, 9 and 19 June, and 17 July, the Working Group discussed the formulation of mandates, including protection of civilians; prioritization and streamlining of mandates; resources, including capacity-building; inter-mission cooperation; gaps between mandates and their implementation; and mission planning throughout the whole cycle of the mission. On 17 December, the Working Group Chairman submitted to the Council a report of the Working Group [S/2009/659] on the enhancement of cooperation with troop-contributing countries, policecontributing countries and other stakeholders. The re-