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23 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Distinguished delegates,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am pleased to\u00a0deliver remarks at this Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The objective of today\u2019s meeting is very clear. The operations of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA and its budget are moving in opposite directions. Put simply, there is more to accomplish, even as financial resources continue to diminish.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Despite these hardships, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA continues to do indispensable, lifesaving work. It is not enough to merely recognize and celebrate that work; we must ensure that they have access to adequate, sustainable, and predictable funding.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n At present, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA has announced a budget gap of 1.6 US billion dollars for 2022.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Their current financial requests include additional emergency funding for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, to address the humanitarian needs arising from crises in Gaza; the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; Syria; and Lebanon.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Agency\u2019s chronic budget shortfall threatens the livelihoods and well-being of the Palestine refugees that rely upon the operations of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA. And it poses a serious threat to the Agency\u2019s ability to maintain critical services.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n It is incumbent upon the international Community and the United Nations General Assembly in particular to meet this funding gap. To provide millions of Palestine refugees with vital lifesaving services and programs, including education, health, and food assistance.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The issue of the Palestine refugees is one of the longest standing issues of the United Nations. Yet, it remains as urgent and as relevant today as it did in 1949.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For over seven decades, Palestine refugees have continued to suffer. They have lost their homes, lands, and means of livelihood.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As affirmed by countless General Assembly Resolutions, resolving the situation of Palestinian refugees is imperative for the achievement of justice and lasting peace in the region.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Global development challenges as we know, are increasing. This presents greater human development challenges upon the already vulnerable situation of Palestine refugees in the near East.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I commend Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA for ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian relief and education, while promoting important social causes, including gender equality, despite the difficult conditions they endure.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The burdens of fully resolving those conditions cannot fall on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵWRA alone. It is a collective responsibility of the international community to support Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict, on the basis of relevant Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ resolutions, international law, and long-standing international parameters for the Middle East Peace Process.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The international community must fulfil its legal and moral obligations to end the occupation and achieve the vision of a two-state solution, as outlined in Resolution 181. This remains the only premise for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to bring peace, security, mutual recognition and prosperity to all.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We must also recognize the teachers, doctors, nurses, sanitation workers and so many others for their noble services on the field.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These people continue to provide hope and access to the most basic of essentials for Palestinian refugees. And they do so under an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am equally grateful to all Member States that have supported and continue to support the operations of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It remains clear however, that we must do more.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies, distinguished delegates,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As you deliberate on future commitments and pledges, I implore that you look beyond the monetary value.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This here<\/em>, is about our commitments, principles and values to global peace and security, to peoples, prosperity, and the planet.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is about providing a sense of normality for the young people who in their own words, \u2018did not choose to live through war and blockade\u2019.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is about our commitment to truly \u2018leave no one behind\u2019.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let us live up to those commitments for the millions of lives and livelihoods that count on us.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/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":362,"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-268211","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