[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=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_orientation=”justified” sticky_enabled=”0″]Excellencies, colleagues, friends, <\/p>\n
Women and girls continue to face several socio-political barriers that hinder their access to services and resources, and their participation in decision-making processes. This puts them at a disadvantage on many fronts, including in terms of their capacity to cope with the consequences of climate change. <\/p>\n
I congratulate Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOPS, Bangladesh and Ghana for convening this discussion, and for helping to raise awareness on the relationship between gender and sustainable infrastructure. <\/p>\n
This discussion allows for an exchange of best practices and concrete examples, and underscores how sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure can reduce the vulnerabilities faced by women and girls confronting climate change. <\/p>\n
Excellencies, <\/p>\n
I hope that today\u2019s discussion will also feed into the High-Level Meeting on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, which I will convene on the 28th of April. <\/p>\n
This High-Level Meeting will emphasize the necessity of climate-resilient cities and infrastructure, and provide us a critical opportunity to elevate the New Urban Agenda as a road map for accelerating sustainable development, climate action, and social resilience. <\/p>\n
As mentioned in the 6th IPCC report, sustainable urbanization is necessary to keep the 1.5 degrees target alive. In view of this, I have established an Advisory Committee on Sustainable Urbanization, bringing together member states and key stakeholders to generate momentum, and to make this a priority issue on the global agenda, while emphasising its gender dimension. <\/p>\n
A key message we must press is that the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ must partner with, and help mobilize, sustainable and gender-sensitive urbanization professionals from across the world, including architects, surveyors, and urban planners. <\/p>\n
And just as important is the need to ensure that women architects, surveyors and urban planners are afforded their respective seats at the table. <\/p>\n
Whether implementing urban strategies that mitigates the threat of gender-based violence, or establishing gender-positive spaces, such as lactation rooms for new mothers \u2013 as I am doing here at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ \u2013 we need the voices, ideas, concepts, and skills of women professionals. Their inputs are critical not only to more climate resilient infrastructure, but also to urban planning and infrastructure that is gender sensitive and responsive. <\/p>\n
Friends, <\/p>\n
As we recover better from the pandemic and strive to build climate-resilient communities and infrastructure, we must empower all people, but particularly women and girls who are on the frontlines of combatting the climate crisis. Only by recognizing and empowering them as powerful agents of change, can we plan and build truly sustainable communities. <\/p>\n
I thank you. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOPS, Bangladesh and Ghana organized CSW Side-Event entitled \u201cSustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Gender Equality and Climate Action\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"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-261128","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