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2 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Youth Leaders,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am delighted to join you today for the 2022 Young Southeast Asia Leaders Initiative Summit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I just came back from Southeast Asia, where I had engaging conversations with young people who are contributing to their local communities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They, like you, inspire me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Coming from one of the world\u2019s most vibrant regions, you \u2013 the youth leaders of ASEAN \u2013 are the drivers of positive, fundamental changes in our world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have said it before, and I will say it again:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Young people should have the space to constructively engage in breathing new life into our multilateral and regional systems.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I therefore commend the YSEALI for serving as an important platform to encourage dialogue and innovation on issues ranging from social entrepreneurship and the environment, to education and civic engagement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You are the leaders we need, and the actions you take will shape how the world’s future would be.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I commend you for your tireless efforts to protect the environment, whether in your own countries, communities, or circles of influence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And I encourage you to avail yourselves of the benefits of this Summit, which provides you the opportunity to meet with over 100 other Southeast Asian leaders and collaborate to create an even bigger impact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My friends, I have seen the background documents of today\u2019s participants and I am in awe of your ingenuity, initiative, and inspiration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Consider the powerful examples of the following \u201cMagic 5,\u201d visionary young leaders from Southeast Asia:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00b7 Erin from the Philippines, who is working on a circular economy solution for marine litter;<\/p>\n \u00b7 Nune from Thailand, who has been working on expanding a project to tackle marine litter, especially ghost gear;<\/p>\n \u00b7 Dr. Chuck from Malaysia, who is working on marine environmental chemistry;<\/p>\n \u00b7 Reny from Indonesia, who is working on mangrove conservation and marine clean up; and<\/p>\n \u00b7 Fir from Brunei, whose passion stretches from marine conservation to youth development.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These leaders \u2013 and each of you here today \u2013 can lay the groundwork for collaborative partnerships to tackle regional challenges, complementing each other\u2019s national and local experiences.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My dear Friends,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, coming from a Small Island Developing State, and guided by the theme of Hope, I, like you, have committed to tackling climate change, protecting the environment, and empowering young people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00b7 First, on climate and environmental action, we must continue to move forward on the action and agenda items that will combat climate change, safeguard our rich biodiversity, and protect ecosystems.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of this issue. From my own climate event in the General Assembly in October; to COP26 in Glasgow, to COP15 on land degradation and drought, to the Stockholm International Meeting, where I am now, and soon, at the Ocean Conference, I have requested world leaders to ramp up political will and make use of the incredible innovations we have at our disposal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I intend to continue to champion this cause, including at a High-Level thematic Debate dubbed, \u201cMoment for Nature\u201d in July.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00b7 Second, on empowering young people, I am proud to say that from my very first travel abroad, I have always emphasized the need to meet and hear from young people, particularly young women and girls, and marginalized groups.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n During my recent visit to Southeast Asia, I met a young woman who is helping women-led businesses, and was able support them in making and selling $10,000 worth of handmade goods. I also met a young man who helped mobilize thousands of young people to get food and supplies to people during COVID.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My message to them, and to all the young people I meet, has always been: I see you. I hear you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am also personally proud to have launched the Fellowship for Hope, a programme through which eight young diplomats from underrepresented countries have joined my<\/p>\n Office to gain real experience working in the United Nations, while also serving in their Missions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is my hope that these Fellows will take back the lessons and values gained from this unique experience to benefit their home countries and national institutions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My dear, dear Friends,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It has been an absolute joy to speak with you today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I look forward to hearing from you on your progress, as you continue to be the positive change and the bright spark needed, not only in Southeast Asia, but also across our entire world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As I have said to other youth, in other regions, in other forums: never stop asking questions; never stop raising your hand; never stop speaking up; never stop pushing for more action and more ambition.<\/p>\n <\/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-266831","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