[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
2 March 2023<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
Mr. President,<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies, <\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/p>\n Before anything else, let me thank President Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev for the kind invitation and Azerbaijan\u2019s generous hospitality to all of us.<\/span><\/p>\n It is my privilege to address today\u2019s Summit-level meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on post-COVID-19 recovery. <\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies, <\/span><\/p>\n We are in the era of the Anthropocene. <\/span><\/p>\n An era in which the impact of human activity on our globe is of an unprecedented scale.<\/span><\/p>\n An era when humanity steps ahead as the main shaper of what is happening on this planet, and to this planet.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Let us admit that the series of grave challenges triggered by COVID-19 has been the prototype of the Anthropocene era crises. <\/span><\/p>\n And the proliferation of these interlinked challenges around us gives today\u2019s meeting a particular actuality and emergency. <\/span><\/p>\n The ravage of COVID has been the greatest global health crisis in a century.<\/span><\/p>\n If the pandemic taught us one thing, it is that no one is safe until all we are safe. <\/span><\/p>\n Because closing our borders and taking individual measures were not enough. <\/span><\/p>\n It quickly transpired that the only way out of the pandemic was through solidarity, not only within our borders, but across them, too.<\/span><\/p>\n In a sense, COVID was a shrill trumpet call reminding us how important this norm is.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n The Bandung Principles that underline such solidary are as relevant today as they were when this group was founded in 1961. <\/span><\/p>\n And, thanks to the united global push launched by the Non-Aligned Movement, we saw how far joint efforts can bring us in catalysing the development and production of COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines all over the globe.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n It was a convincing display of NAM\u2019s influence.<\/p>\n The Human Rights Council\u2019s adoption, at the initiative of Azerbaijan, of the resolution on equitable, timely, and universal access to vaccines is testament to the power of mutual support.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n So, when the world needed it the most, NAM quickly galvanized efforts to address the crisis<\/span>, calling for increased global solidarity to overcome the pandemic and its impacts.<\/p>\n Calling for more international cooperation. For a revitalised multilateralism.<\/span><\/p>\n But COVID-19 was just a window, a short glimpse into our future, the first of many similar challenges to come.<\/p>\n While we are still reeling from the pandemic, scientists predict about a 25% chance of another disease that will be at least as deadly and widespread as COVID within 10 years.<\/p>\n Given these odds, we are now in a race against the clock to identify transformative solutions that will make our world safer, more equal, and more sustainable. <\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies, <\/span><\/p>\n As we emerge from the dark shadow of the pandemic, what if we embraced a \u201cnew normal\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n One rooted in science, innovation, technology, and digitalization. <\/span><\/p>\n This new, science-based \u201cnormal\u201d is a key to building more inclusive societies with more resilient economies.<\/span><\/p>\n The gradual taming of COVID has given us an opportunity to direct our pandemic recovery towards an environmentally sound and socially just transition. <\/span><\/p>\n It gives me a particular pleasure to witness transformation in Azerbaijan \u2013 a major producer and exporter of fossil fuels which has become a promoter of green energy and green growth.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies ,<\/span><\/p>\n As President of the General Assembly, I encourage Member States to employ science-based evidence to inform all their decisions \u2013 whether relating to water, climate, food, energy, or biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\n 2023 is be a pivotal year for technology, particularly for artificial intelligence. <\/span><\/p>\n But how can we ensure that the developmental benefits of technological advancements translate into improvements all over the world?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Without doubt, greater efforts are needed to speed up the processes through which these advancements can become global public goods. <\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/p>\n Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has never been so urgent. <\/span><\/p>\n In the run-up to the 2023 SDG Summit, the midpoint review of the implementation of the 17 Goals, my priority is to greatly scale up the momentum for the realisation of the SDGs.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n I invite you all to follow up on the lessons learned from your Voluntary National Reviews \u2013 to unlock new commitments, to spur the adoption of innovative polices. <\/span><\/p>\n We know that recovery policies require sizeable investments. <\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, they demand a society-wide shift in the way we think about growth, food, energy, and climate.<\/span><\/p>\n And, as COVID laid bare, recovery policies should have twin focuses:<\/span><\/p>\n Firstly, they should enhance individual well-being, and secondly, they have to be inclusive of all of us. <\/span><\/p>\n National policy responses must be supported by concerted international action. <\/span><\/p>\n The international systems of trade, finance and debt must work for and with developing countries, not against them. <\/span><\/p>\n IFIs, governments, and businesses have a responsibility to align recovery measures with long-term outcomes for sustainability and resilience.<\/span><\/p>\n And, speaking about long-term outcomes, mention must be made of water.<\/span><\/p>\n Why? Because we have started to experience the water crisis,\u00a0\u00a0 ` that will get only worse.<\/span><\/p>\n And nearly all climate change is felt through water: too much water, or not enough, or water that is too dirty to use, and unsafe to drink. <\/span><\/p>\n And we have breached the planetary boundaries for water for the first time in human history.<\/span><\/p>\n This means that one of the red lines to keeping humanity and our planet alive has been crossed.<\/span><\/p>\n To change this state of affairs, next month the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ will host the 2023 Water Conference, the first of its kind since 1977.<\/p>\n My message to all Governments is: \u201cCome to the Conference at the highest possible level and bring concrete proposals for action\u201d.<\/p>\n To make the necessary transformation from water crisis to a water-secure world. From reactive policies to proactive water action. From threatening uncertainties to evidence-based investments.<\/p>\n We know how to tackle this challenge. We have the science. We have the technology. We even have the finances.<\/p>\n What we need is political will. Your political will.<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n NAM is the largest coalition of Member States at the United Nations \u2013 making you the political group most representative of the GA\u2019s membership. <\/span><\/p>\n NAM has the most power to shift the balance from mistrust and confrontation to dialogue and collaboration.<\/p>\n Your perspectives on a post-Covid world are essential, for sustainable development and Covid recovery are two sides of the same coin.<\/span><\/p>\n You will have the opportunity to showcase them at the<\/span>SDG Summit in September and the Summit<\/span> of the Future in 2024.<\/p>\n In delivering on my mandate, I will continue to rely on and to count on the support of the NAM Member States.<\/span><\/p>\n I reiterate my deep appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan. <\/span><\/p>\n And I look forward to fruitful discussions with you all today.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n I thank you. <\/span>Thank you, Mr. President.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 2 March 2023 Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Before anything else, let me thank President Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev for the kind invitation and Azerbaijan\u2019s generous hospitality to all […]<\/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