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17 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n I would like to start by conveying my sincere appreciation to the people and the government of the Dominican Republic for extending a warm welcome me and my delegation to this beautiful country.<\/p>\n Please allow me your Excellency, President Luis Abinader, to thank you for providing me the opportunity to speak here today.<\/p>\n Thank you to my colleagues, the previous panelists, for sharing their thoughts on this important topic, of the utmost relevance, especially as we recover from Covid-19.<\/p>\n As you are all aware, the pandemic has been indiscriminate in its impact on the global economy, and has been particularly disastrous for small island states like the Dominican Republic and the Maldives, both of which strongly rely on tourism as their most powerful lever to achieving the SDGs.<\/p>\n I am given to understand that while tourism represents 8.4% of Dominican Republic\u2019s economy, its true impact is closer to 30% when its direct and indirect contributions to other industries are considered. As such, the importance of the sector cannot be overstated, especially at this moment, as we strive to recover from the pandemic.<\/p>\n Although many countries continue to struggle to recover from the damage wrought on by the pandemic, the Dominican Republic has been an oasis of Hope.<\/p>\n The country has done exceedingly well, breaking its own tourism records \u2013 an achievement from which we can only draw inspiration.<\/p>\n However, this moment also presents us with an opportunity to reinvent the tourism sector. To orient it towards a more sustainable path, which will drive economic progress while preserving our natural blessings and accelerating our path to achieving the SDGs.<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n As nationals from top tourist destinations, we understand the long-term value and importance of environmental protection.<\/p>\n On the 4th of May, I held a High-Level Thematic Debate at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly to discuss \u201cputting sustainable tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery\u201d.<\/p>\n During our discussions, Mr. Rafael Blanco, President of the Dominican Republic National Association of Hotels and Restaurants, reminded us how important people are to this industry.<\/p>\n Strengthening community-based tourism, which involves everyone, including women and youth, is how we will ensure the resilience and sustainability of this important sector.<\/p>\n It is also how we will ensure that the sector is more inclusive, and that everyone can reap its benefits.<\/p>\n In many SIDS, women make up the majority of workers in accommodation and food services, which are the backbone of tourism-related activities.<\/p>\n While their inclusion and employment in the industry is indispensable, the current situation is unfortunately a double-edged sword: women are severely underrepresented in higher-skilled professions such as travel agencies, tour operations and reservation services, which leaves them with more vulnerable jobs.<\/p>\n These facts are also indicative of the challenges faced by women when it comes to achieve gender equality,<\/p>\n All of us, encompassing governments, the private sector, and civil society, have a responsibility to remedy this, as part of our efforts to shape economies that not only facilitate economic prosperity, but are also environmentally sustainable, gender-equal, and socially just.<\/p>\n In that vein, I recall the words of Mr. Rainieri of Grupo Puntacana, during our High-Level Debate, when he stressed the necessity to rethink social and environmental responsibility as an intrinsic component of economic growth.<\/p>\n Highlighting the important role of the private sector in helping the government cope with crises, Mr. Rainieri also emphasized the sector\u2019s capacity to set into motion the industry\u2019s transition towards sustainability.<\/p>\n I agree wholeheartedly with this assessment.<\/p>\n As Covid-19 restrictions ease, and borders reopen, the tourism industry\u2019s recovery prospects are very positive. This new chapter presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to mobilize and transform the sector into a more sustainable one, especially by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n Cutting the sector\u2019s carbon footprint will not only help combat climate change but will contribute to reducing economic and income inequalities, while supporting local communities.<\/p>\n I commend all of the Dominican Republic\u2019s many initiatives in this regard. These efforts demonstrate the country\u2019s commitment to sustainable tourism as a foundational pillar of its development.<\/p>\n Further, they emphasize the country\u2019s commitment to ushering in a brighter future for all its communities, while leaving no one behind, which I sincerely commend.<\/p>\n Mr. President I share the sentiments you shared, while delivering your statement at the Davos Economic Forum: that you are “positive and optimistic” about the future of the Dominican Republic’s tourism.<\/p>\n So am I.<\/p>\n I am open to learning more about the sustainable initiatives emerging here in the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n And I look forward to witnessing the country play a leading role in advocating for sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism activities globally.<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<\/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-267830","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