Address to the Group of Friends on Gender Parity

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

New York,

October 20,  2021

Her Excellency, Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani,

Her Excellency, Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza,

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for accepting my invitation this afternoon.

I commend your ongoing and unwavering commitment to advancing progress on gender equality for women and girls everywhere.

Colleagues,

Over the last few months, I have had the benefit of engaging with women and girls at all levels.

I met with women Ambassadors prior to taking office – this was to ensure that gender equality feeds into all aspects of the 76^th Session.

The very first high-level event convened during the High-Level Week was the women head of states and government.

And during my travels I met with both women ministers, as well as with youth and civil society groups.

The common question I posed to each person and group of these last few months was this: how can this presidency effectively support equal opportunities for all?

While the answers was and have been varied, the core is this: we need more women and girls seated at the table… and gender equality, as a topic, must be front and centre in any and all discussions, however far removed from the gender issue it may seem to be on the surface.

I have heard these messages and have committed to ensuring gender equality is mainstreamed in all discussions, events and strategies. 

To make impactful changes, we need to draw on the lessons and experiences of those on the frontlines, the women, girls, youth and civil society groups who have been working on each and every issue that we discuss.

Excellencies, dear friends,

Our deliberation on the theme ‘How gender equality and equity contribute to addressing climate change?’ is therefore quite timely.

With COP26 quickly approaching – and with the General Assembly’s own climate event next week – there is a need to re-emphasize two truths: first, that women are disproportionately impacted by climate change and thus need support to adapt; and second, that women do in fact carry a smaller carbon footprint than their male counterparts and have arguably done a better job at reducing CO2 emissions or managing mitigation measures.

Clearly, women’s leadership and participation is required to achieve an effective and inclusive approach to climate action. Yet, they remain dramatically underrepresented in climate forums and in the discourse on climate and energy.

This must change.

I am pleased to note that next week’s High-Level Dialogue on Delivering Climate Action for People, Planet and Prosperity, on October 26, is an opportunity to hear from multi-stakeholders, including women and girls.

I am also pleased to inform this meeting that, under the Kenya Presidency this month, the Security Council will hold its annual open debate on women, peace and security, at the ministerial level on October 21st.

Dear colleagues,

It is my hope that we can start seeing solutions to our global issues, including climate change, through the lens of respecting the rights of all – including all women and girls.

Hope is framed on togetherness and together we can make a change for all women and girls.

With this in mind, I seek your frank and candid opinions and views – how can we deliver for gender equality? How can we ensure greater participation of women and girls in climate action, in biodiversity conservation, in economic growth, in peace and security… in all policy arenas?

Once again thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to your views and thoughts.

I thank you.