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20 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies, friends<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is a great privilege to have presided and witnessed the adoption of the resolution on the \u201cInternational Day of Women in Diplomacy\u201d, henceforth to be celebrated on 24 June every year.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In February, during a Holhuashi dialogue that I held with women experts from all six committees, there was a call to recognize the indispensable role of women in diplomacy through the observance of such a day.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I thank the Member States who have carried this conversation forward, and I am overjoyed that in just four months their vision has come to fruition.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I thank all co-sponsors and member states that supported this initiative.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Women working in diplomacy have made critical contributions to shaping the multilateral system we have inherited today.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For example, women diplomats played an essential role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first treaty to articulate the fundamental human rights that should be universally protected.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yet, despite the evident contributions of women to diplomacy and multilateral decision-making, they continue to be underrepresented in senior diplomatic positions.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And they still suffer the deep-rooted legacies of sexism, which hinder their professional advancement and obscure their contributions and achievements.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These facts underscore the importance of this resolution being adopted. Now we have a day specifically devoted to celebrating women in diplomacy: who have blazed trails; negotiated peace; strengthened international relations; survived hardships and danger; and have facilitated intercultural linkages.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With this resolution, we open the door to discuss the challenges women in diplomacy face. With this celebration of women in diplomacy, we inspire the next generation.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n All too often women and their stories are edited out of history.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These \u201cHer Stories\u201d must be told, to inform our broader efforts to advance gender equality.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We cannot foster the level of diplomatic engagement and global solidarity needed to overcome today\u2019s challenges \u2013 from climate change, to pandemics, to human rights violation, to economic uncertainty – unless we not only give women a seat at the table, but facilitate their ability to take on leadership roles, including in diplomacy.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To reverse that injustice, we must empower women to pursue career in diplomacy, support and recognize women who are already involved in diplomacy, and shatter the glass-ceilings that hinder them from serving at the top levels of diplomacy.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Adopting the resolution is just the first step. We must continue to think about what more we can do. What more we should do.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rest assured I will continue to do all that I can in my power to provide that necessary support.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" United Nations General Assembly, New York<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"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-267944","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