[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
Mr. Secretary-General
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen<\/p>\n
On 15 November 2021, the Membership adopted by consensus resolution 76\/6, entitled, \u201cFollow-up to the report of the Secretary-General entitled Our Common Agenda\u201d.<\/p>\n
By doing so, they entrusted me, as President of the General Assembly, with the responsibility of initiating a follow up process, in which Member States, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system and all relevant partners could have the possibility to discuss and consider the various proposals included in the OCA report.<\/p>\n
We started this process in early February this year. Now we are at the finish line, after having concluded five intense rounds of thematic consultations that included more than 350 statements from Member States and observers during the plenary debates; and ten interactive panels with the participation of senior representatives from the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system and other relevant partners, including the private sector, academia, civil society, parliamentarians, and youth, among others.<\/p>\n
I am happy to note that a majority of the panelists – of whom there were over fifty – were women. All regions were represented, and we heard voices from different corners of the world, who engaged in substantive discussions with the membership during the consultations.<\/p>\n
I would like to express my appreciation to the five vice-presidents of the General Assembly that accepted my invitation to oversee the thematic discussions, namely the Permanent Representatives of Kuwait, Tanzania, Belgium, Dominican Republic, and Slovenia, and their teams, which I am happy to note, were gender-balanced.<\/p>\n
After having listened to the discussions that took place during these consultations, I remain hopeful about the follow-up process on the recommendations.<\/p>\n
In the upcoming days, together with the vice-presidents, we will produce and publish the summaries of the proceedings.<\/p>\n
These summaries will constitute the outcomes of the consultations, and will help identify our next steps in the consideration and implementation of Our Common Agenda.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
At the first thematic consultation you would recollect that I had mentioned that these informal consultations are akin to the work of fisherfolk whose aim is to catch fish and to avoid getting their hooks entangled in the reefs.<\/p>\n
As an Islander, I feel happy that all of you came out successfully from your fishing expedition. The consultations have served their purpose of giving Member States and all our relevant partners sufficient space to comprehensively consider all the proposals in the Our Common Agenda Report.<\/p>\n
I would encourage all Member States to continue working together, with a forward looking vision and in the spirit of resolution 76\/6. Our boats are filled with fish and our hooks are not entangled in the reef, but we are yet to return ashore safe.<\/p>\n
Our people, our world, our future deserves that we continue to work together to address all the challenges we face.<\/p>\n
As the Secretary-General mentioned yesterday at the plenary debate, the OCA is a \u201cbooster shot\u201d for the SDGs and can help us get them on track. We need to reinforce our commitment to the \u2018Decade of Action\u2019, to deliver ambitious goals for all humanity. We must continue to act in unity and solidarity, with vision and purpose.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
I express my wholehearted gratitude to all those who participated in these thematic consultations, be it as debate speakers, moderators, panelists, or in any other capacity.<\/p>\n
But I especially thank all the delegates and the various groupings that worked hard to constructively contribute to these consultations, building consensus among groups of Member States, bringing innovative ideas to the table \u2013 while also keeping track of the challenging time limits imposed on their interventions.<\/p>\n
I also thank the Secretary-General, his team, the Secretariat, and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system who have tirelessly supported my Office in organizing these five clusters of thematic discussions.<\/p>\n
And I express my gratitude to my team, for helping make this process a reality, and who continue to do an outstanding job in facilitating my work as President of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n
I thank you. <\/p>\n
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Closing Remarks at the Fifth Thematic Consultation on \u201cOur Common Agenda\u201d Report<\/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-260564","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