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29 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n Excellencies, friends,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am deeply honoured to be here, to mark the launching of the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report for 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank the Director General of FAO, Mr. QU Dongyu, for graciously inviting me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The importance of the ocean to our lives and livelihoods is profound, and includes immense influence on our economies and nutritional intake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is especially true for Small Island Developing States, which are heavily reliant on the ocean for both their commerce and their dietary sustenance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At a time when food insecurity is a growing concern, ensuring the sustainable use of the oceans resources is vital.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yet, even as we speak, the consumption of fish is growing at twice the rate of global population growth, an alarming reality that is not adequately reflected in our policies and priorities on food and nutrition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One solution that we must seriously consider is transitioning to more sustainable and environmentally friendly policies and practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the right strategy and investment, we can grow aquaculture by 35 percent by 2030, drastically reducing our reliance on scarce, wild fish stocks, while further securing the livelihoods of those involved in fisheries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2022 is a pivotal year for the ocean. We are celebrating the 40th<\/sup><\/span> Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as recognizing the International Year for Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, which highlights the crucial role of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in poverty reduction, food security, and sustainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, this year also witnessed the successful adoption of the resolution to start work on an international agreement to combat plastic pollution, which is\u00a0 <\/span>devastating marine ecosystems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In that same spirit, I also welcome the recent adoption of the agreement by the World Trade Organization on curbing harmful fisheries subsidies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We need to build on the momentum of these landmarks to reverse the declining health of our ocean.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report plays a crucial role in our efforts to conserve our ocean and its criticial marine resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Its continued publication helps keep us apprised of where we are in terms of our successes and misteps in managing ocean resources.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Research, science and data must inform substantial policymaking, helping us to conserve maritime ecosystems, implement science-based management plans, and bring an end to destructive and expolitatative practices such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I congratulate the FAO and all relevant stakeholders who were involved in bringing out this important report, which should continue to guide our efforts, and I urge you to continue your work to protect and preserve the health of our oceans. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lisbon, Portugal<\/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-268525","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