[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”6px|||||” 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=”4.17.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
4 May 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n His Excellency, Mr. Faisal Naseem, Vice President of the Republic of Maldives,<\/p>\n Her Excellency, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy-Secretary-General,<\/p>\n His Excellency, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization,<\/p>\n And all the dignitaries who have taken the effort to travel to New York to attend today\u2019s event.<\/p>\n I am delighted to welcome you to today\u2019s High-level Debate of the General Assembly on \u201cPutting sustainable and resilient tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery\u201d. This event is an outcome of the discussions that I had with a few member states at the #Holhuashi morning dialogue on the theme, \u201cSustainable recovery through tourism\u201d, that I had convened last December.<\/p>\n As we begin the long journey of recovery from COVID-19, we face a critical opportunity to not only reboot tourism \u2013 on which so many are dependent upon for jobs and livelihoods \u2013 but to transform it, to build a global tourism sector that is more sustainable, more resilient, and more responsible.<\/p>\n The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism and tourism dependent economies was unparalleled. With mobility abruptly shut down during historic, global lockdowns, the entire tourism sector ground to a halt.<\/p>\n Given the sector\u2019s contribution to growth and sustainable development, this was a devastating blow to the global economy. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, tourism contributed $3.5 trillion to global GDP.<\/p>\n The precipitous drop during the pandemic is estimated to have cost up to 120 million jobs.<\/p>\n While it is easy to sum up such devastation in numbers, it is not as easy to capture the overall toll on people and communities, on the services lost as government revenues dried up. This was particularly the case for many Small Island States and Least Developed Countries who are and remain heavily reliant on tourism for government revenue.<\/p>\n My friends, economics aside, if we look beyond the numbers, we recognize the deeply communal, human role that tourism plays. Travel and tourism connect and unite us; it builds bridges and facilitates inter-cultural exchanges; it fosters peace and solidarity across continents and borders.<\/p>\n It was in recognition of the human, cultural and economic importance of this sector, that even during the darkest days of the pandemic, we devised creative methods of sustaining tourism.<\/p>\n Whether through the creation of \u201ctravel bubbles\u201d, \u201cdigital tours\u201d, \u201cvaccine passports\u201d or \u201cresilient corridors\u201d, we found a way. And in turn these efforts helped us weather the storm of the pandemic over the past two years.<\/p>\n I find it heartening that as the pandemic wanes, the tourism sector is rebounding. It speaks to the human need to connect, to explore, to experience.<\/p>\n However, as it rebounds, it is important that we reflect on its future direction.<\/p>\n While we can acknowledge and celebrate the economic importance of tourism across the globe, we must also contend with the challenges and harm that is inflicted on the planet as a result.<\/p>\n We know that our otherwise pristine oceans are brimming with plastics.<\/p>\n We know that travel and other tourism-related activities contribute to carbon emissions.<\/p>\n We know that many of the communities and historic sites around the world that are beloved by tourists are climate and disaster prone and need support to build resilience.<\/p>\n And we know that the ecosystems and wildlife that we immerse ourselves within are at risk-, or lost entirely, due to human activity.<\/p>\n According to the UN Environment\u2019s Green Economy Report, in a \u2018business-as-usual\u2019 scenario, by 2050, tourism is expected to generate an increase of 154% in energy consumption, 131% in greenhouse gas emissions, 152% in water consumption, and 251% in solid waste disposal.<\/p>\n We cannot allow this to continue. We must not reboot global tourism in a business-as-usual manner, we must be more ambitious than that, more responsible than that.<\/p>\n The current rebound of this sector that we are witnessing across the globe presents an opportunity to transform the sector, and to maximize its contribution to the realization of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on climate change, the global biodiversity framework, and other internationally agreed frameworks and agreements.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Today we have an opportunity to share the best practices and lessons learned, whether in policies or practices, and ensure that our enjoyment, our celebration, and our exploration, does no harm\u2026 and always seeks to protect what we cherish.<\/p>\n This means addressing commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement in our efforts; it means enhancing the inclusion and empowerment of local and indigenous communities, micro-businesses, and local creative industries, particularly those that are led by women and that empower youth.<\/p>\n Today, I call on all stakeholders to seize every opportunity to transform the tourism sector, and to target a more sustainable, inclusive and responsible approach.<\/p>\n Now is the time for bold action and all ideas are welcome.<\/p>\n It is my hope that through our discussions today, new, practical measures can be identified, and new partnerships can emerge to strengthen our efforts at transformation, especially for tourism-dependent countries across Africa, and in Small Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries, as well as many middle-income countries.<\/p>\n Let us build on our momentum in reigniting the tourism sector to renew the commitment of governments, private sector partners, the international community, and all relevant stakeholders towards building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global tourism sector.<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n Whether we are yearning for a spring of renewal, or a summer of celebration and festivities; whether we are embarking on a new adventure, or re-discovering and re-connecting with friends, family and acquaintances, let us ensure that we are doing it responsibly, for ourselves, for each other and for our planet.<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" UN General Assembly, New York<\/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":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-265138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n