[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Mr. Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n
I am delighted to welcome you all to the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.<\/p>\n
Let me begin by expressing my deepest concerns over the alarming reports of violence against civilians, and in particular women and girls, in Ukraine. This while families continue to seek refuge and security in new locations. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine on this day.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Since the establishment of this international day, more than half a century ago, the elimination of racial discrimination has continued to elude us.<\/p>\n
Around the world, we continue to see an increase in hate speech, intolerance, and racism, especially against minorities. This despite the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination reaching near universal ratification.<\/p>\n
As a global community, our moral failure to eliminate racial discrimination is a failure against everything we stand for in the Hall of this Assembly.<\/p>\n
It is a failure to register the mandates of the Charter as \u2018we the people\u2019.<\/p>\n
And it is a failure to uphold the very principles, the very foundation, upon which this institution was built.<\/p>\n
My friends, this must be changed.<\/p>\n
This year, as we commemorate this important day, we are reminded of the extensive consequences of racial discrimination and its intersectionality.<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated underlying conditions and laid bare the underlying, deep, and long-standing inequalities that disproportionately affect our societies. This includes those facing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.<\/p>\n
We have seen the marginalized and the most vulnerable lose the precious gains achieved in these past decades, especially in their social, economic, civil, and political lives.<\/p>\n
Let me be clear: racial discrimination is an overt stereotyping and prejudice that arises from hate speech and hate propaganda.<\/p>\n
Have we learned nothing from the needless suffering and loss of so many? The suffering of children as parents died at the expense of hate and violence, or the pain and injustice of losing loved ones because society only recognized them for their color.<\/p>\n
We can and we must do better. We have a moral obligation to tackle racism in all its forms. Racism does not acknowledge the beauty of diversity. It gives birth to violence and strengthens inequalities.<\/p>\n
Our commitment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, as included in the Political Declaration adopted at the beginning of this session, is a key steps forward on the elimination of racial discrimination.<\/p>\n
The Declaration is a clear guide to addressing discrimination against various groups of people \u2013 such as Africans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent, indigenous peoples, minorities, youth, women, and children.<\/p>\n
The recent election by the General Assembly of members of the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent, signifies yet another positive step to contribute to the \u2018full political, economic and social inclusion of that population as equal citizens without discrimination of any kind.\u2019<\/p>\n
Going forward, I encourage national governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector to work together to fight racisms and promote the implementation of the Durban Declaration.<\/p>\n
Let us continue to work together to eliminate racial discrimination.<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
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Annual commemorative meeting of the General Assembly of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination<\/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":[866,550,556,863,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-261605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-discrimination","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-racism","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n