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12 July 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Thank you for joining today\u2019s plenary.<\/p>\n I would like to express my deep appreciation to H.E. Ms.\u00a0Alya\u00a0Ahmed\u00a0Saif\u00a0Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, and H.E. Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Permanent Representative of Denmark for their efforts in facilitating the IGN process during the 76th session.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Their tireless work, leadership and innovative approach of \u201cun-formal\u201d engagement with the Member States has resulted in further expanding the areas of convergence and narrowing down the areas of divergence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/p>\n The success of this Intergovernmental Negotiations is entirely contingent upon the active and ambitious involvement of Member States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I commend each of you for your active involvement, and your deep and detailed discussions, throughout the 76th<\/sup><\/span> session.<\/p>\n While we all agree that we have diverse views on each of the five clusters, we also agree that the reform of the Security Council is warranted and much delayed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Its been fifty-seven years since the last increase in the membership of the Security Council. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ membership was then at 113.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ has 193 Member States, but the Security Council membership is frozen at fifteen, with no permanent representation for the entire African continent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As for the IGN process, we are in the fourteenth year since it began.\u00a0 <\/span>We thus have a collective responsibility to demonstrate that the IGN is working and not let the process turn into a Sisyphean exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is precisely for this reason that the 75th<\/sup><\/span> Anniversary Declaration adopted by our leaders calls for instilling new life in the discussions on the reform of the Security Council.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this context, I would again like to recognize the work of the Co-Chairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We all understand that the IGN process is complex and is political.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite this, the Co-Chairs persisted with their new approach and I am glad that albeit some initial skepticism and hesitation, Member States have embraced the new approach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Apart from the unformal conversations and substantial increase in the areas of convergence, I would like to particularly mention the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n i. Use of oral reflections by the co-chairs following some of the more substantive discussions.<\/p>\n ii. Vigorous use of guiding questions for the interactive discussions.<\/p>\n iii. Discussions on the revised elements paper during the IGN process itself leading to the final version that was circulated to\u00a0 <\/span>Member States.<\/p>\n iv. Meetings were adjourned only when the speakers\u2019 lists were exhausted; and\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n v. Further elaboration and a more comprehensive reference to the Common African Position.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Global developments have made it imperative that we deliver a United Nations, including a Security Council, that is fit for purpose, is representative and is able to deliver for those we serve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The challenges that we face in securing and sustaining peace have underscored the need to reform the Security Council.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Around the world, our leaders and constituents are, once again, rightly asking themselves and each other: why can the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ not do more?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They expect change.<\/p>\n And we have a choice to make.<\/p>\n We can dither and delay any dialogue because of our differences, or we can seize the moment in time, bridge our differences, and reach towards a common goal that is long, long overdue.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n We have made progress this year. This is clear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But not all delegations will agree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is understandable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the pace is slow, our goal remains the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And we need to fully utilize the IGN process or be left without one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The choice is in the hands of Member States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Going forward, I would encourage all delegations to work tirelessly to further narrow down the divergences and gradually move the process towards text based negotiations, using the Co-Chairs Elements Paper, along with the Framework Document.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n I hope that the constructive spirit demonstrated during this year\u2019s negotiations will guide your decision on the draft oral decision on Security Council Reform.<\/p>\n While it is not perfect, the draft decision if adopted by consensus, would demonstrate commitment and solidarity, and provide a robust basis for further progress in the upcoming session.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My friends,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In an uncertain world, a stronger, more reliable, and more dependable United Nations is necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Efforts to make the Security Council efficient, effective, representative and accountable is not only welcome but desperately needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Only then can we deliver peace and security, stability, and pathways to prosperity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, let us take those steps forward. Let us demonstrate that we are listening and acting as required.<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, 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-269225","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