Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly
20 June 2022
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Excellencies, friends
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It is a great privilege to have presided and witnessed the adoption of the resolution on the ¡°International Day of Women in Diplomacy¡±, henceforth to be celebrated on 24 June every year.
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In February, during a Holhuashi dialogue that I held with women experts from all six committees, there was a call to recognize the indispensable role of women in diplomacy through the observance of such a day.
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I thank the Member States who have carried this conversation forward, and I am overjoyed that in just four months their vision has come to fruition.
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I thank all co-sponsors and member states that supported this initiative.
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My friends,
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Women working in diplomacy have made critical contributions to shaping the multilateral system we have inherited today.
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For example, women diplomats played an essential role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first treaty to articulate the fundamental human rights that should be universally protected.
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Yet, despite the evident contributions of women to diplomacy and multilateral decision-making, they continue to be underrepresented in senior diplomatic positions.
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And they still suffer the deep-rooted legacies of sexism, which hinder their professional advancement and obscure their contributions and achievements.
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These facts underscore the importance of this resolution being adopted. Now we have a day specifically devoted to celebrating women in diplomacy: who have blazed trails; negotiated peace; strengthened international relations; survived hardships and danger; and have facilitated intercultural linkages.
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With this resolution, we open the door to discuss the challenges women in diplomacy face. With this celebration of women in diplomacy, we inspire the next generation.
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Excellencies,
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All too often women and their stories are edited out of history.
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These ¡°Her Stories¡± must be told, to inform our broader efforts to advance gender equality.
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We cannot foster the level of diplomatic engagement and global solidarity needed to overcome today¡¯s challenges ¨C from climate change, to pandemics, to human rights violation, to economic uncertainty – unless we not only give women a seat at the table, but facilitate their ability to take on leadership roles, including in diplomacy.
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To reverse that injustice, we must empower women to pursue career in diplomacy, support and recognize women who are already involved in diplomacy, and shatter the glass-ceilings that hinder them from serving at the top levels of diplomacy.
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Adopting the resolution is just the first step. We must continue to think about what more we can do. What more we should do.
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Rest assured I will continue to do all that I can in my power to provide that necessary support.
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Thank you.