[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=”4.19.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
20 February 2023<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,<\/p>\n
It is a pleasure to welcome Assistant Secretary-General Piper to this informal meeting of the General Assembly in his role as Special Adviser on Solutions for Internal Displacement.<\/p>\n
It is no secret that we are in a time of interlocked crises.<\/p>\n
From the uncertainties of climate change to the scourge of war, this is a watershed moment for humanity as a whole \u2013 and for the United Nations as an institution.<\/p>\n
Times like these are fertile ground for violence. And violence is the ideal breeding place for violations of human rights.<\/p>\n
We know it from our own experiences, from our own history and from what we see happening every day.<\/p>\n
Just recently we have witnessed a skyrocketing number of IDPs in T\u00fcrkiye and Syria in the earthquake there.<\/p>\n
We have the numbers: over 100 million people have been forcibly displaced around the globe \u2013 the vast majority being internally displaced.<\/p>\n
This is a humanitarian tragedy of immense proportions.<\/p>\n
It is a tragedy because migration, whether within or across borders, should be a choice, never a necessity.<\/p>\n
Making matters worse, forced displacement results in much of the weight being borne by those most vulnerable and marginalised groups.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
As climate change\u00a0continues<\/i>\u00a0to worsen, as war\u00a0continues\u00a0<\/i>to rage, as human rights\u00a0continue\u00a0<\/i>to be massively violated, the numbers of IDPs will\u00a0continue\u00a0<\/i>to swell.<\/p>\n
The World Bank estimates that 216 million people could be forced to move internally by 2050 due to climate inaction.<\/p>\n
Due only to climate inaction.<\/p>\n
The Secretary-General\u2019s High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement and the Action Agenda provide Member States with data and evidence that is key to sound public policy.<\/p>\n
But we have learnt enough lessons. Now we need action to help displaced people and decrease the number of IDPs worldwide.<\/p>\n
Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n
Today, I am pleased that we have a Special Advisor that focusses on solutions.<\/p>\n
Every part of those solutions is critical: providing resources, adequate policies and conditions, but, first and foremost, the genuine political will to effectively address the crisis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n
Forced displacement is one of the gravest humanitarian issues of our time and is one that is set to worsen in the upcoming years.<\/p>\n
Maintaining internal displacement on the agenda is necessary but not sufficient. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Strengthening the international mechanisms for the protection of and assistance to IDPs is necessary but not sufficient.<\/p>\n
The task in front of us is nothing short of transformation.<\/p>\n
We should urgently reach sustainable solutions in this field, too.<\/p>\n
I wish ASG Piper every success in his endeavor and encourage all Members to engage in the spirit of resolve so that we could tackle this great global challenge.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thank you much.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 20 February 2023 Excellencies, distinguished delegates, It is a pleasure to welcome Assistant Secretary-General Piper to this informal meeting of the General Assembly in his role as Special Adviser on […]<\/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