[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” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Your Excellency, Dr. George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta,<\/p>\n
Mr. Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, President of the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation in Malta,<\/p>\n
Colleagues and friends,<\/p>\n
We started the new year confronting many challenges, old and new. Heightened international tensions, socio-economic and political instability, compromised global supply chains, climate change, refugee and humanitarian crises, and a continuing COVID-19 pandemic loomed over our existence.<\/p>\n
Together, these challenges threaten the multilateral order that has underpinned our world and preserved its stability since the second World War.\u00a0 They foster resentment and mistrust, threatening to undo the painstaking work we have done over the decades, to shape a global regime of cooperation and peace.<\/p>\n
Now, more than ever, we need to re-commit to a culture of peace, and strengthen the multilateral architecture necessary for that peace to thrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To succeed, we must be inclusive, and shape a multilateral system that benefits us all. A system that addresses the challenges faced by marginalized communities, is underpinned by strong institutions, and invests in the youth that will one day be its stewards.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
As the pandemic has demonstrated, it is often marginalized and overlooked communities that bear the brunt of the human costs of global crises. The pandemic has also compounded the many indignities they were already enduring – poverty, exclusion, discrimination, inequality, and human rights violations. These indignities fuel resentment and potential strife.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
That is why the United Nations must work alongside all stakeholders, including local actors and civil society, to identify and address the challenges faced by the global south, in particular LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.<\/p>\n
We must mobilize to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on time, and in an inclusive and holistic manner. That is how we will ensure that global recovery benefits everyone and alleviates the socio-economic conditions that gives rise to collective anxiety and conflict.<\/p>\n
Under no circumstance should the post-pandemic future see a portion of the world \u201cbetter off\u201d and another portion \u201cworse off\u201d than they were before all of this started. This will never lead to a positive outcome.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
To cultivate and maintain a\u00a0culture of peace\u00a0individuals, communities, and governments ought to proactively pursue it through a strategic process that builds the right circumstances for its thriving.<\/p>\n
The pursuit of building a culture of peace is an active process that involves bottom-up approaches aimed at preventing, reducing, transforming, and assisting people to recover from all forms of violence.<\/p>\n
At this critical point in history, it is vital that we strengthen conflict-prevention mechanisms. To that end, I fully concur with the Secretary General\u2019s calls for greater global investment in peacebuilding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The global community now recognizes the invaluable role of peacebuilding in helping countries to uphold peace of their own accord, through strengthening their institutions and governance.<\/p>\n
In line with the twin resolutions on the 2020 Peacebuilding Architecture, I look forward to convening a High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to advance, explore, and consider options for adequate, predictable, and sustained peacebuilding financing.<\/p>\n
I also concur with the Secretary General\u2019s view that we must facilitate greater youth engagement and invest in the young leaders who will one day take our place.<\/p>\n
Through supporting education that instills the values of international cooperation in our youth, and by providing them avenues to shape global affairs, we will secure the continued future of global multilateralism.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was in this spirit that I launched a Youth-Fellowship program for young diplomats from underrepresented countries. Through the Fellowship, these diplomats will work in my office and grain valuable insight into the functioning of the United Nations.<\/p>\n
They will take back the lessons they learn here and hopefully be better equipped to support their nations to engage with the multilateral system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alongside their peers, I hope that they will become important and influential advocates within that system; champions of multilateralism that will use their insight, experiences, and network to build partnerships and resolve common issues.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Throughout my tenure as President of the General Assembly and beyond, I will continue to be guided by the knowledge that global peace and multilateralism are deeply linked.\u00a0 I draw upon that conviction as I call on the international community to cherish cooperation and strengthen bonds of friendship.<\/p>\n
Together let us march forward, meet the challenges of our times, and secure a just and lasting peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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2nd Edition of the World Forum for Culture and Peace: \u201cLeadership for Peace”, Malta Meeting 2022<\/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":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-259640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n