[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=”4.19.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
8 February 2023<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n
It is an honour to speak with you all today.<\/p>\n
Bridging the gap between science and decision-making has been a cornerstone of my Presidency since day one.<\/p>\n
And I believe that only by doing so it would be possible to change the way we operate and to efficiently tackle the manifold challenges at hand.<\/p>\n
There are currently thirteen negotiation processes related to transformation underway. <\/span><\/p>\n Thirteen pathways for us to reach <\/span>the ambitions of the SDGs.<\/p>\n And every single process would benefit from science-based evidence to support Member States\u2019 decision-making. <\/span><\/p>\n Just yesterday, we held briefings for them by representatives of the scientific community on how science-based evidence can be the key to identifying and implementing sustainable solutions.<\/p>\n The briefings were divided into three panels: the New Economics of Water; Climate, Conflict and Cooperation; and Early Warnings for Pandemic Preparedness.<\/span><\/p>\n All of them with the promise of making breakthroughs and identifying gamechangers for us.<\/span><\/p>\n The briefings also included an update on the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023 which can provide a solid basis for a strong political declaration at the SDG Summit later in September.<\/span><\/p>\n We must adopt to the changing nature of the world around us as well as the changing nature of crises we face. <\/span><\/p>\n I am deeply committed to breaking down the fences that divide the work of disparate fields.<\/p>\n Better inclusion in science is paramount, and it is part of a broader discussion.<\/p>\n Data shows that the best and most accurate research accounts for a range of human experiences.<\/p>\n Yet, we live in societies that have grown divided along arbitrary lines such as gender, class, caste, religion or ethnicity.<\/p>\n And, sadly, this unequal and unfair inheritance also seeped into academia and science.<\/p>\n Groups that have been historically marginalised are all too often still de facto<\/em> excluded from research.<\/p>\n But we are in trouble now.<\/p>\n And we cannot afford any longer to go without anyone who can bring value to science.<\/p>\n In fact, we must mobilise everyone, all our energies to deal with the challenges.<\/p>\n Fostering a culture of open research and access is critical for the democratisation of knowledge.<\/p>\n As things currently stand, grossly inaccurate misinformation, disinformation and malinformation are freely available online.<\/p>\n But credible, authoritative and peer-reviewed scientific advances are guarded by paywalls.<\/p>\n From racist conspiracy theories to lies about vaccines \u2013 I need not remind this room of the dire consequences that spreading false information can have.<\/p>\n The pandemic cast a stark light on the importance of having accurate, science-driven information easily and freely accessible, particularly online.<\/p>\n And it put us before the urgency of strengthening the science-policy-society interface.<\/p>\n The good news I brought to you this morning is this interface is being further developed as we speak.<\/p>\n We all know how far off-track we are on the achievement of the SDGs.<\/p>\n So, what are we going to do?<\/p>\n What should we change to do right?<\/p>\n There is no other way for us to reach the SDGs than to transform how we relate to each other and how we deliver global public goods.<\/p>\n Because the crises we face are interconnected, so too must be our solutions.<\/p>\n The science of complexities is the science of the SDGs.<\/p>\n Sharing our knowledge on open access online platforms will only be detrimental to those who do not want a just and fair world.<\/p>\n But something else is missing. We are still lacking the science-based, simple, flexible, adaptable to various conditions of countries methodology of measuring sustainability transformation.<\/p>\n How could we expect breakthroughs in the implementation of the real transformation to a sustainable world while we are not prepared to measure it.\u2019<\/p>\n That is my strong request and appeal to you.<\/p>\n Please help us develop this strong tool we call \u201cGoing Beyond GDP\u201d.<\/p>\n The adage goes that science does not bring about answers, only more questions. That\u2019s fine.<\/p>\n Let us strive to always listen to these questions, and to always listen to those asking them. <\/span><\/p>\n Let us improve how we work, and how we work together. <\/span><\/p>\n Never <\/span>forgetting<\/span> the words of the <\/span>French physiologist <\/span>Claude Bernard: \u201cArt is I; science is we\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 8 February 2023 Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honour to speak with you all today. Bridging the gap between science and decision-making has been a […]<\/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