[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
H.E. Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n
Thank you for joining this first Thematic Consultation on \u201cFollow-up to the report of the Secretary-General entitled Our Common Agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recommendations within the Secretary-General\u2019s report extend across the entirety of the United Nations, touching on every Member State, the entire Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ System, the work of civil society and private sector partners, and of course, the public at large. Open, inclusive, and transparent consultations are therefore imperative to ensure a thorough review and an outcome built on consensus and dialogue.<\/p>\n
Following the adoption of resolution 76\/6 with the support of the full membership, I have decided to convene a series of thematic consultations on implementation of \u2018Our Common Agenda\u2019.<\/p>\n
I thank the Secretary-General, Member States, and the United Nations System for the support provided to my Office in preparation for the consultations.<\/p>\n
I also express my appreciation to the Permanent Missions of Belgium, Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Slovenia, and Tanzania, for overseeing each of the thematic consultations in their capacity as Vice-Presidents.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Beginning with today\u2019s session, the five thematic consultations are intended to give all delegates and participants the opportunity to contribute to the discussion around recommendations included in the OCA report.<\/p>\n
In terms of format, I have put in place an inclusive process, wherein each round of consultations will include a plenary segment, with a briefing by the Secretary-General on the cluster of proposals and statements from Member States and observers, and two moderated panel discussions \u2013 one with senior officials from the United Nations system and one with relevant partners, including the private sector, youth, academia, and civil society representatives.<\/p>\n
As has been provided by resolution 76\/6, to ensure broad and inclusive consultations, relevant partners have been invited to intervene in the second panel discussion of the second day, with the invaluable support of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ DESA and the Department for Global Communications.<\/p>\n
At the closing segment of each thematic consultation USG for Policy, Volker Turk, will provide additional remarks on behalf of the Secretariat to the issues raised during the cluster.<\/p>\n
Following the completion of all five rounds, the Vice-Presidents will prepare a summary of the relevant thematic consultations, broadly capturing the comments and suggestions made by Member States on the various proposals. A consolidated summary of all five consultations will be circulated among Member States.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
I promised a Presidency of Hope focused on solutions and concrete action, one that looks to deliver for people, for planet, and for prosperity.<\/p>\n
While the United Nations has a robust, wide-ranging programme of work, my presidency has placed particular emphasis on priority themes or, as I call them, \u201crays of hope\u201d, including recovering from COVID-19, a sustainable recovery, respecting the rights of all, protecting the planet, and revitalizing the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.<\/p>\n
This consultative process towards implementation of \u2018Our Common Agenda\u2019 is key to delivering on each of those priorities as well.<\/p>\n
Excellencies, ours is a world in need of hope. Hope that can only be inspired by unity, solidarity, and collective action.<\/p>\n
Our 8 billion constituents demand to see the evidence that we hear their cries, that we understand their pain, that we share their grief, and that we are resolved to deliver.<\/p>\n
Put simply: the United Nations must step up; we must become more responsive and more effective for the people we serve.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Recall that the General Assembly, through its Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ75 Declaration adopted by the Heads of State and Government, called for a report with \u2018recommendations to advance our common agenda and to respond to current and future challenges\u2019.<\/p>\n
The Secretary-General\u2019s \u2018Our Common Agenda\u2019 report is a direct response to the request made by our Heads of State and Government on how to enable the United Nations to steer the international community through challenging waters.<\/p>\n
In this context, as an Islander, I would like to tell you that every day when the fisherfolk are out in the sea their goal is to catch fish and not to get their hooks entangled in the reef.<\/p>\n
Despite differing views and opinions on some proposals contained in the report, the adoption of the resolution on 15 November, by consensus, demonstrated a willingness on part of the membership to work together on Secretary-General\u2019s proposals.<\/p>\n
Our attempt through these consultations is to find a way forward on the various proposals in the Report. Even where we have our differences, our attempt should be do find the right mechanisms to ensure that we arrive at common understandings.<\/p>\n
End of the day, it is Our Common Agenda and we are but one family. We might have our differences, but let\u2019s not get entangled. Like the fisherfolk, let\u2019s fill our boats with fish, the other option is to cut the hook and return to the shore empty handed.<\/p>\n
Let us deliver on what our leaders have committed us to and enter these deliberations in good faith, with full transparency, mutual trust and respect, and with the common goal of enhancing our work and bettering the world around us.<\/p>\n
I thank you once again for joining today\u2019s initial consultation, which will focus on \u2018Accelerating and scaling up the Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no-one behind\u2019.<\/p>\n
I wish you all the best in the discussions and I look forward to hearing your proposals.<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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First Thematic Consultation on \u201cOur Common Agenda\u201d Report under the theme \u201cAccelerating and scaling up the Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no-one behind\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":353,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p>
I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p>
Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p>
A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,604,583,556,601,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-257605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-oca","tag-our-common-agenda","tag-pga","tag-sg","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n