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13 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His Excellency Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Distinguished representatives,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you for inviting me to speak at the Inaugural Conference of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At a time of multiple global crises caused by shocks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the adverse effects of climate change the progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainble Development, is seriously at stake.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>An ambitious initiative like the Global Alliance is timely, and can indeed help\u00a0 mobilize support for and galvanize actions towards the Sustainable Development Goals.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>In bringing together the United Nations and Seven associations of Special Economic Zones to advance a new generation <\/span>of SEZs for sustainable development, this initiative promotes and embodies <\/span>the <\/span>spirit of SDG 17 <\/span>which is about <\/span>\u201cPartnership for the Goals\u201d.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The initiative <\/span>seeks to pool the resources, experience and commitment of the United Nations and global, regional and national organizations to support SEZs in contributing to resilient, inclusive development.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>There are around 7,000 special economic zones in 145 economies employing over 100 million people across all regions of the world<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>M<\/span>any<\/span> of the SEZs<\/span> have played an important role in driving economic transformation, promoting greater participation in global value chains and in catalysing industrial upgrad<\/span>ation<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Despite <\/span>several <\/span>successful cases, there remain far too many special economic zones across regions that underperform<\/span>. They fail to <\/span>either attract significant investment or to generate economic<\/span> or social<\/span> impact beyond their confines<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>SEZs<\/span> are now facing new challenges related to adapting to the new industrial revolution, the digital economy as well as the changing global policy environment with rising protectionism and shifting trade preferences.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The 2030 Agenda presents an excellent opportunity for <\/span>SEZs<\/span> to find new, innovative models to attract investment by putting the SDGs at the forefront of their value proposition.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>I wish this initiative much success in its objective and work.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Thank you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/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-267599","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