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6 June 2022<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Colleagues,<\/span><\/p>\n \n I am delighted to convene today the Fourth Meeting of the Board of Advisers on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). <\/span><\/p>\n \n Today\u2019s discussion falls under my 3<\/span>rd<\/span> Ray of Hope: <\/span>\u201cResponding to the Need of our Planet.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \n This discussion is quite timely. Our world continues to face the threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution \u2013 particularly in our ocean \u2013 and it is LLS countries which are bearing the brunt of impacts. <\/span><\/p>\n \n Excellencies,<\/span><\/p>\n \n I just came back from Stockholm+50, where we celebrated five decades of global environmental action. <\/span><\/p>\n \n Stockholm+50 offered opportunities to build lasting coalitions for the environment, and fostered stronger partnerships for, and with, future generations from all over the world. <\/span><\/p>\n \n To build the future we want, we need to listen to these voices.<\/span><\/p>\n \n This rings true in our efforts to protect our planet.<\/span><\/p>\n \n On climate change, we must faithfully implement the outcomes of COP26 and we must keep the 1.5 degree target alive.<\/span><\/p>\n \n In terms of life on land, the recent COP15 in Abidjan highlighted the continued threat of deforestion and land degradation, and proposed concrete solutions to protect the very land upon we live.<\/span><\/p>\n \n This would complement the proposed post-2020 Framework on Biodiversity, hopefully to be agreed during the continuation of COP15.<\/span><\/p>\n \n At the same time, the upcoming Ocean Conference in Lisbon is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to tackling the threat of plastic pollution and other threats, and to protect this vital resource.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Excellencies,<\/span><\/p>\n \n As can clearly be seen, both the drivers and impacts of environmental degradation are interlinked. <\/span><\/p>\n \n From climate change and the ocean, to deforestation and biodiversity, it is all interconnected.<\/span><\/p>\n \n This means that the successful achievement of global commitments in one area depends on the successful delivery of commitments in other parts.<\/span><\/p>\n \n For this reason, I will convene a \u2018Moment for Nature\u2019 High Level Thematic Debate on 19 July.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Now more than ever, we must pursue the level of cohesion needed among the global environmental work streams.<\/span><\/p>\n \n The Moment for Nature will be an opportunity to reflect on how to achieve greater synergies between the key environmental conferences during the 76th session, namely, the 3 COPs on Climate, Desertification and Biodiversity; and the \u00a0Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ conferences on the Ocean; Sustainable Transportation; Food Systems; Energy; \u00a0the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Environment Assembly and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵEP @ 50<\/span> as well as Stockholm +50<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \n This Debate will promote solutions to common bottlenecks and structural barriers affecting the entire environmental agenda, accelerating progress on the SDGs and enabling a resilient recovery from COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Excellencies,<\/span><\/p>\n \n Reflecting on the perspectives of LLS countries, and presenting innovative solutions and best practices tailored to their national experiences, will be our priorities for today\u2019s meeting. <\/span><\/p>\n \n I would therefore greatly welcome your inputs, on the messages I can bring to the Moment for Nature. <\/span><\/p>\n \n And as always, we are kindly reminded today of our collective responsibility to ensure that \u201cno one is left behind.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \n Thank you all for joining us for today\u2019s event.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Headquarters, New York<\/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-267149","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