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15 November 2022<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n \n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n This world needs concrete examples of boosting transformation.<\/p>\n This Coalition is a powerful catalyst for action on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants.<\/p>\n Your partnership is aiming to reduce air pollution and, by that, global warming, too.<\/p>\n Indeed, slashing emissions of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants has proven to be the single fastest way to tackle climate change in the short term, as it has been explained by Special Envoy Kerry a few minutes ago.<\/p>\n During its current session, the General Assembly of the United Nations is guided by the motto \u201csolutions, through solidarity, sustainability and science\u201d.<\/p>\n The SDG Summit next September is aimed at boosting transformation and speeding up implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, laying the foundations for the Summit of the Future in 2024.<\/p>\n I invite you all to support these processes, which are part of the Our Common Agenda, the\u00a0Secretary-General\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0plan for a more inclusive, networked and effective and clean multilateralism.<\/p>\n Part of our shared vision is the need to revalue nature and account for environment in economic models.<\/p>\n I can tell you there is an agreement among General Assembly membership that we need transformative changes.<\/p>\n In July, the General Assembly affirmed that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment was a human right for all, not just for a privileged few.<\/p>\n It might be worthwhile to ask, what does it mean in concrete terms that we have this right?<\/p>\n The integrated benefits of reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants present an opportunity to prioritise climate action and financing.<\/p>\n You might want to consider four further concrete actions that can support transformation:<\/p>\n One, building a global greenhouse gas monitoring system. It can be used to steer climate action.<\/p>\n Two, ensuring that national adaptation plans and Nationally Determined Contributions are referenced to the SLCPs.<\/p>\n Three, developing contributions to the preparedness platform where SLCPs are majority health issues.<\/p>\n Fourth, supporting a proper science community to evaluate the impact of SLCPs reduction on key compartments of our environment and economies.<\/p>\n Dear Colleagues and Friends,<\/p>\n The wide range of us gathered here today shows the power of partnerships. From governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society, it is a joint strength we need to tackle these pressing issues.<\/p>\n I want to commend all of you for being a part of this Coalition, and for willing to take decisive steps that will benefit each and every of us.<\/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":" 15 November 2022 Ladies and Gentlemen, This world needs concrete examples of boosting transformation. This Coalition is a powerful catalyst for action on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants. Your partnership is aiming […]<\/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":" 10 November 2022<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\r\n Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\r\n Afghanistan is in crisis. It is in many crises.<\/p>\r\n It has been 15 months since the Taliban consolidated control over the country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Its economy is in ruins. The humanitarian situation is disastrous.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Two-thirds of the population is hungry.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Girls and women are banned from learning, having a job or getting proper medical care.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n The country is awash with heroin and opium.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Organized crime and terrorist organizations are thriving once again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Afghanistan is facing complex and interlinked challenges that the Taliban have shown they cannot \u2013 or would not \u2013 solve.<\/u><\/span><\/p>\r\n It is time to support the Afghan people with concrete solutions that place their needs front and center.<\/p>\r\n It is true that some problems will require some time to resolve.<\/p>\r\n But there are actions the Assembly can take to change the paradigm now.<\/p>\r\n I would like you to consider one solution through solidarity.<\/p>\r\n The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan \u2013 which requires $4.4 billion US dollars \u2013 is only half funded.<\/p>\r\n With winter weather just weeks away, I encourage Member States to provide urgent support to help reduce the $2.3 billion dollar shortfall.<\/p>\r\n Let\u2019s remind ourselves of the old saying from Afghanistan: \u201cA real friend is one who takes the hand of his friend in times of distress and helplessness.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Excellencies,<\/p>\r\n Afghanistan has a rich history of scientific achievement.<\/p>\r\n I encourage the country\u2019s reengagement with the international science community.<\/p>\r\n And\u00a0to allow women who used to be respected members of the country\u2019s science community to resume their research and their studies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Afghanistan is now the only state in the world that would deny girls their full right to education.<\/p>\r\n The prospect of girls\u2019 education has been left to uncertainty amid seemingly random edicts from the Taliban.<\/p>\r\n This time last year, Fawzia Koofi, the first woman Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, recalled her dream of one day addressing the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ as the President of Afghanistan.<\/p>\r\n She said:\u00a0\u201cWith me, millions of girls and women in Afghanistan had this dream that now they think will never come true.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Dreams of becoming President have been replaced by the reality of child marriage. Arrests if women and girls leave their home without a male chaperone.<\/p>\r\n I reiterate my call for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghans, especially women and girls.<\/p>\r\n Similarly, I urge the Taliban to ensure the safety of all Afghans, regardless of gender, ethnic background, religious belief or political affiliation.<\/p>\r\n To protect journalists and civil society members.<\/p>\r\n To allow unhindered humanitarian aid, and to cooperate with humanitarian workers.<\/p>\r\n We expect the Taliban to make good on the commitments they made to the international community.\u00a0To show honesty through\u00a0concrete action.<\/p>\r\n Excellencies,<\/p>\r\n The dramatic changes of 2021 have taken a massive toll on Afghanistan\u2019s economy and profoundly widened many security risks.<\/p>\r\n