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20 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n Namaste!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today, <\/span>I am <\/span>delighted<\/span> to <\/span>celebrat<\/span>e<\/span> the <\/span>International <\/span>Day of Yoga<\/span> with you all<\/span> under <\/span>the theme, <\/span>\u201cYoga for Humanity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n T<\/span>hank <\/span>you, India,<\/span> for hosting this special event.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today<\/span> could not have come at a more<\/span> opportune<\/span> time<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As the COVID-19 <\/span>pandemic <\/span>has upended lives <\/span>and livelihoods<\/span>,<\/span>trigger<\/span>ing<\/span> a deluge of<\/span> anxiety and depression, <\/span>the practice of <\/span>Yoga<\/span> serves as a<\/span> holistic<\/span> approach to the physical, <\/span>mental<\/span> and spiritual health and well-being<\/span> of humanity.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It simply works.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Both a<\/span>n ancient practice<\/span> and philosophy<\/span> that dates back <\/span>over <\/span>5,000 years ago<\/span>,<\/span> Yoga<\/span> continues to grow in popularity<\/span> all over the world.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It <\/span>plays a major role in bringing people together with compassion, <\/span>kindness<\/span> and humility.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It <\/span>build<\/span>s<\/span> resilience among people<\/span>,<\/span> foster<\/span>ing<\/span> a sense of unity<\/span> and purpose<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dear Friends,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yoga <\/span>is the ultimate \u201cenergizer\u201d as it <\/span>can be practiced anywhere, at any time, and requires no financial investment.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It <\/span>is a powerful way for people of all ages and <\/span>status<\/span>, <\/span>regardless of <\/span>color, <\/span>ethnicity<\/span> or<\/span> gender,<\/span> to improve<\/span> overall physical<\/span> and mental health<\/span> and healing<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Indeed, improving global health is <\/span>our<\/span> long-term objective. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n T<\/span>oday<\/span>\u2019s celebration therefore <\/span>is also an opportunity <\/span>to<\/span> promote<\/span>more sustainable lifestyles and <\/span>a <\/span>health<\/span>ier<\/span> outlook on life<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Practicing <\/span>Y<\/span>oga <\/span>also <\/span>helps us achieve the S<\/span>DGs<\/span>, particularly Goal 3<\/span>, <\/span>on \u201c<\/span>good health and well<\/span>–<\/span>being.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My dear, dear Friends,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yoga is all about<\/span> unity:<\/span> connecting the mind, <\/span>body<\/span> and spirit<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On this International Day of Yoga<\/span>,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let us continue to nurture our <\/span>\u201chappy minds<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n L<\/span>et us<\/span> commit to <\/span>more <\/span>physical act<\/span>ivities<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And yes, l<\/span>et us practice<\/span> Yoga to soothe our tired, weary spirits<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n T<\/span>he power of <\/span>Y<\/span>oga<\/span> is the power of unity<\/span> for a healthier<\/span>, <\/span>happier\u00a0<\/span>and prosperous<\/span> future for all.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is here to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Exc<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" North Lawns, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Headquarters<\/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-268034","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