[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=”4.19.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
12 January 2023<\/b><\/p>\n
Thank you very much Mr. Minister,<\/p>\n
Mr. Secretary-General,<\/p>\n
Mr. Executive Secretary,<\/p>\n
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Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Distinguished Delegates,<\/p>\n
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n
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2022 saw a scourge of war and its severe impacts on global food, energy, security unleashed upon many, many parts of the world.<\/p>\n
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We saw high inflation, as we heard already from the intervention of the Minister, and an unprecedented level of sovereign debts.<\/p>\n
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We were exposed to natural disasters, bearing heavy tolls on women, men and children, as our Pakistani friends sadly know all too well.<\/p>\n
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The unremitting COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to put pressure on our healthcare – and our systems of governance overall.<\/p>\n
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As we step into 2023, we can no longer ignore the pressing need for reforming our global financial institutions.<\/p>\n
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Under Pakistan\u2019s steadfast leadership, you have worked to hold those institutions to account.<\/p>\n
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You have expressed your desire for reform.<\/p>\n
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And I see, and fully understand the good reason for that reform.<\/p>\n
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And you have highlighted the urgent need to address these interlocking challenges we have just heard about.<\/p>\n
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While I have no doubt 2023 will bring its own challenges,\u00a0there is a reason<\/i>\u00a0for hope.<\/p>\n
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Many milestones are making our way forward this year.<\/p>\n
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First, and foremost, the SDG Summit in September will be the halfway point in the implementation of our 2030 Agenda.<\/p>\n
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It will be an event of pivotal\u00a0 importance this year.<\/p>\n
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I am sure that I can count on the G77 and China to galvanise momentum among Member States to get the world back on track to achieve our common goals.<\/p>\n
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Second, the United Nations Water Conference will be the first of its kind since 1977.<\/p>\n
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Members of the G77 are best placed to know the wealth of opportunities that water offers us \u2013 and the dangers that loom if we keep going down this same track.<\/p>\n
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I urge you to come together to create consensus on the gamechangers your countries need most.<\/p>\n
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When these are agreed upon, adopted and implemented, we will look back on the Water Conference as a singular, transformational moment in history.<\/p>\n
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That is in our hands now.<\/p>\n
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One with real impact for the people outside of this building.<\/p>\n
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The SDG Summit and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Water conference are only two examples.<\/p>\n
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But as the largest and most diverse group of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Member States,\u00a0your<\/u>\u00a0voice is critical to our institution\u2019s success and relevance.<\/p>\n
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From pandemic preparedness to the Global Digital Compact, I urge you to make your voice heard by engaging with all the processes mandated by the General Assembly, and by supporting the co-facilitators I appointed to steer these processes \u2013 many of whom are in the room now.<\/p>\n
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We face many challenges, and these challenges do not operate in silos, but are deeply intertwined and complex.<\/p>\n
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Yet, that does not make them insurmountable.<\/p>\n
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If we all work together and keep our eyes on the necessary, bold but pragmatic steps of crisis management and agreed goals of transformation, what results can be expected by September 2023?<\/p>\n
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I believe a clear vision and acknowledgement of political responsibilities of various dimensions of transformation can be achieved.<\/p>\n
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I think a new evaluation and validation methodology for the implementation of the sustainability transformation can be done.<\/p>\n
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I believe Game changers can be identified in strengthening water and climate action.<\/p>\n
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A renewed economic approach of using natural resources can be achieved.<\/p>\n
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A renewed financing logic, factoring in negative and positive externalities, based on all value approach,\u00a0 can be developed.<\/p>\n
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A reform of the international institutions of financing development, can be and should be launched.<\/p>\n
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I hope we shall be witnessing a re-commitment nuclear non-proliferation. And I hope we are going to gradually rebuild trust among Member States.<\/p>\n
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Last but not least, I am really hopeful to see strengthening of the role of multilateralism.<\/p>\n
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With solidarity and empathy at the core of what we do, with the promise of a sustainable future as our top priority, and with solutions rooted in science \u2013 we\u00a0can<\/i>\u00a0succeed. Join me.<\/p>\n
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Your group is a primary stakeholder in all the upcoming discussions this year.<\/p>\n
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I have full confidence that Cuba\u2019s Presidency will be, as was Pakistan\u2019s, a success.<\/p>\n
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I was very happy to listen to the Cuban presidency\u2019s priorities.<\/p>\n
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Very inspiring, a lot to think [about], and work together, and a very good promise for a productive year.<\/p>\n
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I look forward to working with you. And I count on your leadership, Mr. President.<\/p>\n
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Likewise, you can always count on my support and that of my office.<\/p>\n
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Thank you very much.<\/p>\n
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12 January 2023 Thank you very much Mr. Minister, Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. Executive Secretary, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, 2022 saw a scourge of war and its […]<\/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