[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-76px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
5 December 2022<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Thank you very much, Olof. Many thanks to you and all the friends gathered here today. Olof said a lot already about Diwali. We are in the mood already.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Let me just reinforce that Diwali marks the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.<\/p>\n \n Much like we intend to achieve here at the United Nations.<\/p>\n \n The festival, which dates back five thousand years, carries innumerable lessons that hold true even today, and relevant for us all –\u00a0Justice, Truth, Integrity, Humility and Freedom.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These are values that are imbibed in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ ethos.<\/p>\n \n The essence of Diwali transcends cultures and inspires all of us to strive for a better world.<\/p>\n \n The desire that the good and enlightenment should prevail over the evil and destruction that has accompanied human beings in all countries for thousands of years, and I hope it will prevail for us all.<\/p>\n \n That is what today\u2019s awardees have helped to do \u2013 showing the way through diplomacy.<\/p>\n \n I add my voice to thank them for their dedication.<\/p>\n \n We are a world in crises, a world in need of transformation.<\/p>\n \n Through solutions based on science, sustainability and solidarity, we must \u2013 and I strongly believe we can \u2013 reinvigorate multilateralism and progress on our shared goals.<\/p>\n \n I am sure that we too possess the power to create the light and spread it across the world.<\/p>\n \n We have such a beautiful example in our midst: Ranju Batra, who has already been mentioned by my good friend Olof.<\/p>\n \n Her effort helped to create the Diwali stamp.<\/p>\n \n With the support of my friend, Ravi Batra, and the Indian\u2013American community, she gathered 400,000 signatures.<\/p>\n \n She also worked with the political and business community to bring Diwali to the federal level.<\/p>\n \n This is an inspiring proof of how people with true commitment can make all the difference.<\/p>\n \n To quote Mahatma Gandhi, whose bust is being installed in the United Nation\u2019s Garden this month: be the change that you wish to see in the world.<\/p>\n \n In recognition of her role, I would like to present Ranju with a small token \u2013 a signed and dedicated to her copy of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Charter.<\/p>\n \n Thank you to Ranju, and I wish everyone a great time.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 5 December 2022 \u00a0 Thank you very much, Olof. Many thanks to you and all the friends gathered here today. Olof said a lot already about Diwali. We are in […]<\/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