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31 May 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Distinguished CEOs,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n I am delighted to join you in launching the Africa Business Leaders Coalition<\/strong>, a watershed moment in recognizing one of the world\u2019s most dynamic regions.<\/p>\n Visionary CEOs from leading African companies are here with us today to highlight the \u201cimportance of driving impact through action and example\u201d.<\/p>\n The core message of this important event is therefore clear and unambiguous: Africa is on the move<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Africa is a resource rich, young, geographically vast, and diverse continent with expanding economies, robust private sectors and markets, growing wealth and capital, and improving governance institutions.<\/p>\n With 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.5 trillion dollars, Africa is the world\u2019s biggest growth market.<\/p>\n Its average annual GDP growth has consistently outpaced the global average. \u00a0Over 400 African companies now boast annual revenues of US$1.0 billion or more.<\/p>\n Indeed, African businesses are primed to play a pivotal role in the corporate sustainability movement.<\/p>\n African countries therefore have the unique obligation to strategically implement not only the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, but also the goals of Agenda 2063 of the African Union, dubbed \u201cThe Africa We Want.\u201d<\/p>\n Agenda 2063 is Africa\u2019s strategic framework aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable development.<\/p>\n It is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, and freedom.<\/p>\n It is a call for collective peace, progress and prosperity.<\/p>\n Dear colleagues,<\/p>\n The private sector is an important partner in accelerating sustainable recovery and growth in Africa.<\/p>\n Adopting sustainable and responsible business models in line with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact is key.<\/p>\n These principles not only drive competitive advantage, but also contribute to the creation of equitable societies, inclusive public goods, and climate resilient infrastructures.<\/p>\n The United Nations Global Compact is uniquely positioned to support companies on their journey to a sustainable future, post-COVID-19.<\/p>\n By participating in the UN Global Compact, leading corporations and micro-, small- and medium-sized companies are more likely to enhance internal innovation, de-risk their investments, gain a positive impact on performance, and become market and investor ready.<\/p>\n Partnership with the UN Global Compact, specifically in supporting the \u201cAfrica Strategy,\u201d has a clear value proposition in terms of a company\u2019s triple bottom line approach: financial viability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n Let this new Coalition be the signal of greater things to come for African businesses and the African continent, driven by this powerful mantra: Doing well while doing good.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Virtual<\/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-266369","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