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From protecting our planet, to providing the air we breathe, forests are a vital lifeline to everything we as a species rely upon. Yet, it is our very own actions that are destroying this lifeline.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s International Day of Forests, celebrated under the theme \u2018Forests and sustainable production and consumption\u2019, comes at a time of renewed sense of hope and commitment for forests.<\/p>\n
The adoption of the \u2018Glasgow Leaders\u2019 Declaration on Forests and Land Use\u2019 as an outcome of COP26, is a landmark step towards the preservation of over 90% of forests, and a major step forward in the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n
Yet, there is still a long way to go; deforestation and land degradation remain prevalent worldwide. Globally, deforestation continues at 10 million hectares per year due to agricultural expansion.<\/p>\n
On this day, we need to ramp up efforts in transforming our consumption and production patterns, and work to restore balance in our relationship with nature and to ensure the longevity of this vital lifeline.<\/p>\n
Scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report have issued a call for massive investment in ecosystem-based adaptation. Planting the right trees in the right places can help restore degraded ecosystems and boost rural prosperity.<\/p>\n
Restoring natural forests and improving sustainability of managed forests enhances the resilience of carbon stocks and sinks.<\/p>\n
Cooperation, and inclusive decision making, with local communities and indigenous Peoples, as well as recognition of inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples, is integral to successful forest adaptation.<\/p>\n
For a drastic change in global consumption practices, there is need for a radical shift in the way society places value on biodiversity, nature and the bounty that our lands produce to feed and provide for the planet.<\/p>\n
We cannot afford to barter away our future in the hands of those who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.<\/p>\n
On this International Day of Forests, I call upon each and every one of us to collectively work together to reduce deforestation and adopt sustainable production and consumption practices.<\/p>\n
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Special Meeting of the ECOSOC: Natural Resources, Peaceful Societies and Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Kimberley Process<\/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":[866,550,556,863,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-261755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-discrimination","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-racism","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n