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Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,<\/p>\n
We are all gravely concerned about the fast-deteriorating situation and ongoing military action in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
As I emphasized last week, the military offensive by the Russian Federation is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and is inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations.<\/p>\n
Today, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire; for all parties to exercise maximum restraint; and for a full return to diplomacy and dialogue.<\/p>\n
The convening of this 11th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly, rooted in the Charter and mandated in resolution 377 A (V) entitled \u201cUniting for peace\u201d, is a new opportunity to ensure that the leadership of the United Nations is up to the expectation of the people we serve on matters related to peace and security.<\/p>\n
It is imperative that we act on behalf of the women, children and men caught in the crossfire. It is imperative that we pursue all available channels to contain the situation, to de-escalate tensions, and to seek peaceful resolution, in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.<\/p>\n
I welcome the announcement by the Secretary-General, on Friday, that $20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund will be allocated to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
The humanitarian consequences on civilian populations, in particular women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups, will be devastating.<\/p>\n
The mass exodus of refugees including foreign nationals, numbering over half a million, from Ukraine to the eastern edge of the European Union has showed no signs of stopping.<\/p>\n
Checkpoints at the borders of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and non-EU member Moldova have turned into choke points.<\/p>\n
I encourage Member States to support humanitarian initiatives as they become available.<\/p>\n
There are no winners in war, but countless lives are torn apart.<\/p>\n
To that effect, security and access for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
The United Nations Charter, drafted so soon after the Second World War, is based on the principle of sovereign equality. It outlines a world where Member States settle their international disputes by peaceful means, without the threat or use of force.<\/p>\n
The ongoing military offensive is inconsistent with this.<\/p>\n
It is an affront to the founders of this organization and everything it stands for.<\/p>\n
The violence must stop.<\/p>\n
Humanitarian law and international humanitarian law must be respected.<\/p>\n
And diplomacy and dialogue must prevail.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n
In April 1946, the League of Nations dissolved, ending 26 years of the existence of an organization which ultimately had proven incapable of preventing the outbreak of the most destructive war in human history.<\/p>\n
It was the League\u2019s failure to provide a mechanism for the enforcement of international collective security that exposed its most fatal flaws.<\/p>\n
The Right Honorable Viscount Robert Cecil, one of the original architects behind the League of Nations, in his final eulogy to the League said, \u201cThe League is dead. Long live the United Nations\u201d.<\/p>\n
We are now in the 76th year of the existence of the United Nations.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s remind ourselves that we founded the United Nations to maintain international peace and security.<\/p>\n
And to that end to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace.<\/p>\n
And to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, a rare window of opportunity opened up for dialogue. As we convene here in the General Assembly, negotiators from both sides are holding talks in Belarus. This offers a ray of hope. We pray that these talks will calm down tempers and pave way to peace.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n
The General Assembly with its 193 Member States represents the collective conscience of humanity.<\/p>\n
The strength of this Assembly is rooted in its moral authority.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s demonstrate that moral courage and use today\u2019s debate not to whip up war rhetoric, but to give peace a chance.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s ignite the fire of love, humanity and compassion.<\/p>\n
Guns are better off when knotted.<\/p>\n
Let peace prevail<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
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Eleventh Emergency Special Session (Ukraine) <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":353,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p>
I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p>
Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p>
A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the UN and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,677,553,680,674],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-258458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-russia","tag-shahid","tag-special-session","tag-ukraine","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n