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18 August 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Mr. Resident Coordinator, Excellencies, Friends,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I express my sincere gratitude to you and to the Government of Sao Tome and Principe for warmly welcoming me into your beautiful country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It continues to be my delight to visit and explore Sao Tome and Principe. I am particularly appreciative of all the important work the country is doing in the service of global multilateralism and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, both nationally and globally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The country\u2019s seriousness of purpose in attaining the SDGs was amply demonstrated in July, when the government presented its voluntary national review, sharing their experiences, and efforts to overcome challenges. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a result of my meetings here, I have a deeper appreciation of the many initiatives that Sao Tome and Principe is undertaking to develop sustainably and tackle climate change. I commend the Government on its vigorous efforts in this regard. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That the country is scheduled to graduate from LDC status in 2024 is a testament to the success of its pro-reform initiatives and sustainable development efforts. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, I was recently privileged to have lunch at the Almada Negreiros House Museum, a marvelous place that illustrates the potential of sustainable tourism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I myself am from a small island country, the Maldives. I can relate to many of the challenges that this country is facing. I also know the critical role of the international community, and all relevant stakeholders, in supporting SIDS, and providing tailored assistance suited to their contexts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Just a few hours ago, I met with a wonderful group of local young people and women working towards the common good of the country. They not only conversed with me, but also very graciously introduced me to some of the country\u2019s rich traditions and culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I had the pleasure to discover poems from Alda Espirito Santo as well as to observe the practice of capoeira. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Their passion, knowledge and generosity reminded me of why it is so important to fight for their inclusivity, and to remove barriers that stand in the way of women\u2019s and youth\u2019s participation in the public sphere and in multilateralism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These sentiments have always informed my presidency of hope and will inform my worldview going forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I would like to end by expressing my appreciation to the government and the delegation of Sao Tome and Principe for the support they have provided me throughout my presidency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am confident that this country will continue to advocate on behalf of global causes and lead by example, on sustainability, on tackling climate, and on conservation, among other important areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I would also like to express a warm thank you to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Resident Coordinator of Sao Tome and Principe, Mr. Eric Jan Overvest, and his impressive team for organizing this gathering and for supporting my team in the organization of this working visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I look forward to a very pleasant and productive afternoon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sao Tome and Principe<\/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-270861","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