[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 admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Duarte Pacheco, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,
Dear Speakers,<\/p>\n
Parliamentarians, Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n
Thank you for joining this annual Parliamentary Hearing under the theme: \u201cBuilding political support and inclusive responses to sustainable recovery\u201d.<\/p>\n
My sincere appreciation to President Pacheco for joining and co-hosting this hearing.<\/p>\n
My dear friends, I served in the People\u2019s Majlis \u2013 the Maldivian Parliament for 25 years. I served as the Speaker for 5 years. During my time at the Parliament, I also served in the regional parliamentary bodies and attended many of the IPU meetings. So, the Parliament is something very close to my heart. And I welcome every opportunity to discuss matters of parliament, and to interact with legislatures from around the world.<\/p>\n
The parliament is home, where my heart is.<\/p>\n
I was honored to address the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, in Vienna in September, and I was glad to send a pre-recorded message to the 143rd Assembly of the IPU, which was held in Madrid, Spain in November last year.<\/p>\n
I applaud the IPU\u2019s incredible work and fully commit to further strengthening the strategic partnership between the IPU and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.<\/p>\n
My dear friends, colleagues, through my experiences in the Maldives\u2019 Parliament and in the General Assembly, I have developed a strong appreciation of the synergies between the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and parliaments around the world.<\/p>\n
It is extremely important that parliamentary perspectives from across the world are reflected in Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ decisions and parliaments actively engage in meeting international commitments.<\/p>\n
Parliaments are the platform through which Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ resolutions can be turned into national legislation. And national parliaments can be the mechanism through which local concerns can be conveyed to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and deliberated by the international community.<\/p>\n
This synergy is always important, but especially so during a global crisis, such as where we are today: the COVID-19 pandemic, or as we face global challenges such as eradicating poverty or confronting climate change.<\/p>\n
At times like these, we need a steady flow of information across all levels, and all platforms. We need concerted and calibrated action across many countries and regions. This is where parliaments and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ must be in lockstep.<\/p>\n
As we look to the challenges we currently face: vaccine equity for COVID-19; a sustainable recovery that builds on the 2030 Agenda; climate change and environmental concerns; inequality in all its forms, we see a world in need of leadership and collaboration. Our dialogue today acknowledges those needs.<\/p>\n
Dear colleagues, you know that I have based my presidency on the message of hope. This is very much borne of my islander upbringing, which instilled in me the value of hope in enduring and overcoming adversity, in overcoming challenges.<\/p>\n
Throughout a long and diverse career, I have seen the wisdom of this simple lesson time and time again.<\/p>\n
During my travels and exchanges I have seen what human effort and ingenuity can achieve.<\/p>\n
From renewable energy to the development of vaccines, the results speak for themselves. There is no lack of solutions to the international community\u2019s challenges. What is sometimes in short supply is political will.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s hearing focuses on addressing that shortage. It is about building political support and inclusive responses to ensure a sustainable recovery.<\/p>\n
You will recall, dear colleagues, that when the pandemic was at its peak we spoke of a \u2018new normal\u2019 and the \u2018great reset\u2019. We saw a chance to change how we did things; how we lived and worked and existed on this planet.<\/p>\n
We now need our actions to match the ambition of our words. We need to implement polices backed with sufficient resources, to demonstrate our sincerity and meet our goals.<\/p>\n
In this, multilateralism and global cooperation are vital. Only together can we deliver for the people of the world. Only together can we overcome these challenges and realize the aspirations that we all speak of, and our hearts long for.<\/p>\n
Having entered this office at a time when the world is facing multiple global crises, and with the knowledge that the global citizenry is tired, frustrated, and anxious, my Presidency of Hope is about reminding people that we can persevere, that we will achieve greater things, together.<\/p>\n
I urge each and every one of you to provide the billions of people struggling all over the world the possibility of hope, and the assurance that a better future truly exists.<\/p>\n
My dear colleagues, I look forward to hearing from you on how we can take this forward.<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
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Parliamentary Hearing with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on “Towards Greater Gender Equality”<\/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":[550,665,662,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-258284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-ipu","tag-parliament","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n