[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” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
26 April 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Distinguished <\/span>o<\/span>fficials and guests,<\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/span><\/p>\n \n I am delighted to join<\/span> you<\/span> for<\/span> today\u2019s <\/span>discussion<\/span> on financing climate adaptation. <\/span><\/p>\n \n As Chief Executives and professionals representing vibrant <\/span>and growing <\/span>cities, y<\/span>our presence here today affirms your commitment to <\/span>tackling climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Home to<\/span> more than half of <\/span>the world\u2019s<\/span> population<\/span>, c<\/span>ities a<\/span>re <\/span>already <\/span>at the forefront of <\/span>the <\/span>climate crisis and its associated risks.<\/span><\/p>\n \n At the same time,<\/span> cities<\/span> serve as <\/span>key levers for sustainable development and environmental action<\/span>, not least of which in undertaking measures to address climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Yet,<\/span> not all environmental action is <\/span>treated equally;<\/span> c<\/span>limate mitigation measures vastly outweigh adaptation measures. <\/span><\/p>\n \n While there is no denying the urgent need to mitigat<\/span>e climate change and reduce <\/span>carbon dioxide emissions<\/span>, <\/span>the unfortunate <\/span>reality<\/span> is that prioritizing this over all else<\/span> leaves nearly half of humanity vulnerable to <\/span>the impacts <\/span>that are already taking place<\/span>.<\/span>We need to make long-term changes that allow us to develop more sustainably, while increasing resilience. <\/span><\/p>\n \n To be clear: i<\/span>nadequate <\/span>and incoherent <\/span>adaptation measures risk further exacerbating the vulnerabili<\/span>ties<\/span> of cities, where nearly 70% of humanity will l<\/span>ive<\/span> by 2050. <\/span><\/p>\n \n And the most vulnerable of all are <\/span>th<\/span>ose in cities in Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States. <\/span><\/p>\n \n Clearly, we must find a way to mitigate<\/span> and<\/span> adapt, concurrently and at the scale needed; n<\/span>ow, more than ever, w<\/span>e mus<\/span>t live up to our c<\/span>ollective<\/span> promise of \u201c<\/span>leaving no one behind.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n Whether it is boosting shore <\/span>protection;<\/span> investing in sustainable waste management and energy generation<\/span>;<\/span> looking at more energy efficient and greener building codes for infrastructure development<\/span>;<\/span> or <\/span>developing <\/span>more innovative and sustainable ways of storing, <\/span>preserving,<\/span> and utilizing water, these are adaptation solutions that cities can and should be investing in. <\/span><\/p>\n \n Dear <\/span>f<\/span>riends,<\/span><\/p>\n \n We need <\/span>to <\/span>work together to implement the<\/span> key actions of the New Urban Agenda<\/span>, <\/span>the universal framework for housing and sustainable urban development.<\/span><\/p>\n \n W<\/span>orking with communities, organized <\/span>grassroots<\/span> and women\u2019s groups<\/span>,<\/span> we can <\/span>establish vulnerability assessments and action plans <\/span>to <\/span>support risk-reduction<\/span> and <\/span>climate adaptation,<\/span>strengthen<\/span> communities\u2019 <\/span>preparedness<\/span>,<\/span> and promote social inclusion<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Unfortunately, t<\/span>he continuing <\/span>COVID<\/span>-19 pandemic<\/span> and <\/span>growing <\/span>conflicts are throttling the global economy, <\/span>undermining<\/span>progress for<\/span> rebound, pushing countries into deeper debt<\/span>, <\/span>and <\/span>deepening macroeconomic fragilities and social inequalities.<\/span><\/p>\n \n These developments <\/span>severely cut <\/span>the resources need<\/span>ed<\/span> for climate action<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \n The answer therefore is to enshrine climate action into all our efforts, even if not directly or evidently related to climate change. We have to \u2018green\u2019 all our <\/span>investments<\/span>, ensuring that economic <\/span>incentives align with the level of action needed to keep 1.5<\/span>\u00ba<\/span> alive<\/span>.<\/span> We need to ensure that climate financing is also aligned with financing towards SDGs, which includes sustainable urbanization as a goal. <\/span><\/p>\n \n The key is to aim for systemic resilience<\/span>, across the board, in every sector.<\/span><\/p>\n \n At the same time, d<\/span>eveloped countries <\/span>have to<\/span> deliver on their <\/span>climate finance <\/span>pledge <\/span>of<\/span> US<\/span>$100 billion through to 2025. And this funding must reach the city level, where the SDGs are localized and implemented on the ground. <\/span><\/p>\n \n Currently, o<\/span>nly 1.3 per cent of total bilateral development assistance is provided to cities and regions. <\/span><\/p>\n \n We must also work to strengthen <\/span>local governments\u2019 capabilities to augment their domestic resources<\/span>.<\/span> This can be achieved<\/span> by<\/span>securing<\/span> external finance<\/span> for sustainable urban transformations<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n \n Dear Colleagues,<\/span><\/p>\n \n We must accept the fact that<\/span> c<\/span>ities are both \u201c<\/span>a cause of and solution to\u201d<\/span> climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Let us empower cities to contribute even more and help take the lead in tackling climate action.<\/span><\/p>\n \n I have every confidence in your capacity and commitment to<\/span>strive towards the goal of SDG11: to<\/span> \u201cmake cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \n I thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Luncheon on Financing Climate Adaptation<\/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-264577","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