[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
19 April 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/p>\n Let me be brief: the future of policymaking, of multilateralism, and of global cooperation, will be determined by what young people make of it. If we aim to maintain our multilateral system and strengthen and revitalize it, then we must aim to engage and empower those who will inherit it. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, I have one term to serve in Office. One calendar year. I am reminded each day of how quickly that year is passing.<\/p>\n Like most Presidents, I hope to leave a legacy, to leave a mark on the institution that I care so deeply for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I have learned quickly that it is the people you inspire and influence, who will carry that legacy forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am pleased that, during my Presidency, I have been able to launch the PGA Fellowship for HOPE. Through this programme, eight young diplomats are currently working and learning through the Office of the President. They are fully immersed in the workings of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and General Assembly. It is my hope that this Fellowship, which specifically targets young people from less represented countries, will continue in the years to come, that it will result in our recommitment to multilateralism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/p>\n Today we are confronted with multiple crises.<\/p>\n Climate change.<\/p>\n Biodiversity loss.<\/p>\n Inequality.<\/p>\n COVID-19.<\/p>\n Conflict.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If we are to meaningfully make progress on any of these issues \u2013 progress that is sustainable, that endures for decades to come \u2013 then youth must be part of that process. They must own it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Young people are our best hope for tackling the challenges facing the world and in pursuing success on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From the solutions they offered during the COVID19 pandemic, to the many on the frontlines of climate action, young people, are demonstrating that they have the solutions and the will to fight for the planet they inhabit, and the world they will inherit. I have been honoured to meet several of these young champions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I welcome the proposals in the Secretary-General\u2019s \u2018Our Common Agenda\u2019 report, which specifically aim to empower youth in a \u2018Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ 2.0\u2019. I was pleased to help facilitate Member State discussions. It is now on all of us, to take these forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Dear friends,<\/p>\n The ECOSOC Youth Forum is a unique opportunity to bring together youth representatives, governments, and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ System to benefit from the perspectives of young people in our collective pursuit of sustainable development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Such inter-generational conversations should be routine, not only here in the United Nations, but across the globe as a regular feature of consultations for policy making and decision-making at the global, regional, national, and local levels.<\/p>\n I commend you for joining today and thank you for the opportunity to contribute.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ECOSOC Youth Forum<\/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-263785","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