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Statement read on behalf of H.E. Abdullah Shahid, President of the General Assembly of the United Nations,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n by H.E. Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain, Special Envoy to the PGA and Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Maldives to the United Nations\u00a0<\/span><\/b>during the closing meeting of the Pacific Regional Seminar<\/b><\/p>\n Saint Lucia, 11-13 May 2022<\/b><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n As this seminar concludes, I would like to express my appreciation to the “C-24” – the Special Committee on Decolonization \u2013 for organizing this seminar, as well as thank the Government and people of Saint Lucia for hosting it.<\/p>\n My special thanks to the Chair for her adept stewardship throughout this Seminar.<\/p>\n I would like to highlight the record turnout as cause for optimism, and point out the presence of all those who have attended this Seminar, despite the unprecedented times we are living in. It is a statement of your strong commitment to this agenda.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/p>\n Decolonization is a process that must be guided by international law, including the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since the establishment of the United Nations, 750 million people – almost a third of the world’s population at that time – lived in territories that were non-self-governing, dependent on colonial Powers.<\/p>\n During the last 76 years, we have witnessed several milestones in the decolonization<\/b> process. Under the leadership of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, more than 80 countries have become Members of the United Nations, standing shoulder to shoulder as sovereign and independent States.<\/p>\n Yet, our work remains unfinished.<\/p>\n 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, home to 2 million people, are yet to be decolonized.<\/p>\n The Special Committee has been given a clear mandate by the General Assembly \u201cto continue to examine the political, economic and social situation in the Non-Self-Governing Territories.\u201d<\/p>\n This seminar has consistently recognized the cross-cutting nature of the many challenges faced by Non-Self-Governing Territories. It has underlined those efforts that must be made, through the involvement of relevant stakeholders and on a case-by-case basis, for the continued strengthening of administrative capacity, good governance, and economic sustainability, while working towards the full eradication of colonialism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n I welcome this year\u2019s theme on the COVID-19 pandemic. As I have stressed many times before: we have all suffered through the pandemic, but we have not all endured it the same; for many Non-Self-Governing Territories, the pandemic has only exacerbated pre-existing challenges, including climate change and the devastating effects of natural disasters.<\/p>\n This gathering has allowed stakeholders, from all fields and at all levels, to share views and to identify concrete actions to advance the decolonization agenda, particularly during the recovery from the pandemic.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s avail ourselves of this opportunity to identify ways to support these Territories on their recovery efforts as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s make this the beginning of a productive period of actions and results in support of the decolonization process.<\/p>\n Let us ensure that this Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, as mandated by the General Assembly in 2020, finally honors the fact that all peoples have the right to self-determination in accordance with the General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV).<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Virtual<\/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-265524","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