[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
8 December 2022<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,<\/p>\n \n The English science writer Arthur C. Clarke once said: \u201cHow inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n Yes, the oceans span more than 70% of our planet\u2019s surface. They provide incredible biodiversity, sustenance and resources to billions of people and organisms \u2013 and half of the world\u2019s oxygen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n Yet, despite the critical role the oceans play for our collective survival, they are increasingly under threat. And, unfortunately, the sands of time are running out. We must act collectively now, to find sustainable, science-based solutions to save our seas.<\/p>\n \n There is a wonderful Maori proverb that has been noted a number of times in these halls during many oceans related processes: \u201cHe waka eke noa\u201d \u2013 we are all in the same canoe.\u00a0 We all have a shared responsibility. And we all need to do more.<\/p>\n \n Dear delegates, we come together today to mark the 40th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the adoption of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Convention on the Law of the Sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n This remarkable document, referred to by many as \u2018the constitution of the oceans\u2019 has served as our road map for the past four decades, providing the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas, as enshrined in customary international law.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n It has given us a common language and guidance on how to define sovereign and navigational rights at sea; how to delineate maritime borders between neighbors; and how to regard and manage this vast common treasure and heritage of humankind.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n The fact that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCLOS is just as relevant as ever is a true Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ success story.\u00a0 This document can serve as an excellent example of what can be achieved when multilateralism is done right. What global governance can and should look like.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And in this field, the General Assembly has mandated Member States to do more. Resolution 72\/249 has called on them to elaborate the text of a legally binding instrument under Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCLOS for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n While we could see significant progress in this regard, extra effort must be made to conclude this High Seas Treaty.<\/p>\n \n Distinguished Delegates,<\/p>\n \n Countless species and immense biodiversity are on the brink of extinction as ocean temperatures continue to rise. And while the climate crisis threatens all humankind, in the context of the oceans, small islands are particularly vulnerable and face nothing short of an existential threat.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n I\u00a0commend Portugal and Kenya for co-hosting the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Conference on the\u00a0Ocean in Lisbon this past summer, which addressed the major threats to the health, ecology, economy, and governance of the ocean \u2013 acidification, marine litter and pollution, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the loss of habitats and biodiversity.<\/p>\n \n \u0648\u064a\u064e\u0633\u0651\u064f\u0631\u064f\u0646\u064a \u0641\u064a \u0647\u0630\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0635\u0651\u064e\u062f\u064e\u062f\u0652\u060c \u0623\u064e\u0646 \u0623\u064f\u0624\u064e\u0643\u0650\u062f \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u0623\u0646\u0651 \u0645\u064f\u0624\u0652\u062a\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0631 \u0644\u0634\u0628\u0648\u0646\u0629 \u0643\u0627\u0646\u064e \u0645\u0650\u062b\u0627\u0644\u0627\u064b \u0646\u0627\u062c\u0650\u062d\u0627\u064b \u0644\u0644\u0639\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0644 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u064f\u062a\u064e\u0639\u064e\u062f\u0651\u062f \u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0637\u0631\u0627\u0641 \u0627\u0644\u0625\u064a\u062c\u0627\u0628\u064a\u060c \u062d\u064a\u0652\u062b\u064f \u062a\u064e\u0636\u0627\u0641\u064e\u0631\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0645\u064f\u062c\u062a\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0639 \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0651\u064f\u0648\u0644\u064a \u0644\u0644\u0648\u064f\u0642\u0648\u0641 \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0645\u064e\u0633\u0627\u0626\u0650\u0644 \u0648\u0627\u0644\u0642\u064e\u0636\u0627\u064a\u0627 \u0630\u064e\u0627\u062a\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0647\u064e\u0645\u0651\u064a\u064e\u0629\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0642\u064b\u0635\u0648\u064e\u0649.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \n (Arabic translation: I am pleased to confirm that the Lisbon conference was yet another example of positive multilateralism \u2013 with the global community coming together to jointly address issues of immense importance.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \u042f \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0432\u0435\u0442\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0443\u044e \u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u044f \u043c\u043e\u0431\u0438\u043b\u0438\u0437\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0432\u0441\u0435 \u0441\u0438\u043b\u044b \u0434\u043b\u044f \u0442\u043e\u0433\u043e, \u0447\u0442\u043e\u0431\u044b \u0434\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0447\u044c \u0441\u0443\u0449\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0445 \u0438\u0437\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0439. \u041d\u0430\u043c \u043d\u0435\u043e\u0431\u0445\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u044b \u043d\u0430\u0443\u0447\u043d\u044b\u0435 \u0438 \u043d\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0445\u043e\u0434\u044b, \u043a\u043e\u0442\u043e\u0440\u044b\u0435 \u0432\u043a\u043b\u044e\u0447\u0430\u044e\u0442 \u0437\u0435\u043b\u0451\u043d\u044b\u0435 \u0442\u0435\u0445\u043d\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0433\u0438\u0438 \u0438 \u043d\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0439\u0448\u0438\u0435 \u0438\u0441\u043f\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0437\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f \u043c\u043e\u0440\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0445 \u0440\u0435\u0441\u0443\u0440\u0441\u043e\u0432.<\/span><\/p>\n \n (Russian translation: I commend these efforts to mobilize action and seek major transformations. We need science-based, innovative, and shared solutions, that involve green technology and inventive uses of marine resources.)<\/p>\n \n Dans ce contexte, je remercie les Gouvernements de France et du Costa Rica pour avoir g\u00e9n\u00e9reusement offert de tenir la prochaine Conf\u00e9rence sur l\u2019Oc\u00e9an en France en 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (French translation\u00a0:\u00a0In this context, I thank the Governments of France and Costa Rica for their kind offer to host the next Conference on the Ocean in France in 2025.)<\/p>\n \n \n Esteemed Delegates,<\/p>\n \n I call upon all of you to continue to work together to enhance cooperation in the realm of the oceans and to advance the implementation of SDG 14.<\/p>\n \n Meanwhile, w<\/span>e should recognize the value of having a legal document like Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCLOS, which serves as a solid basis for promoting peace and sustainable development across our oceans and seas, throughout the globe.<\/p>\n \n I look forward to your active engagement in today\u2019s important debate, and I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 8 December 2022 \u00a0 Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, The English science writer Arthur C. Clarke once said: \u201cHow inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean.\u201d\u00a0 Yes, the […]<\/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