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15 July 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am honored to be with you today in commemoration of the gallantry and commitment of the people of Guatemala; to help recognize those who have dedicated their lives to peace and freedom.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Peacekeepers represent commitment to the United Nations\u2019 ideals of human rights, and of peace and prosperity. I commend all those who have given of themselves and express my deepest gratitude for their service.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Guatemala has served the international community since 1994, deploying almost five thousand peacekeepers and trained military personnel.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This country made the ultimate sacrifice when eight brave soldiers lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This memorial, reflecting ancestral Guatemalan culture, recognizes this loss; yet it is also a symbol of hope. It promises safety, security, and solidarity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am deeply moved by the solemn atmosphere in this place of commemoration, and I recognize with deepest respect the Guatemalan peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n UN Peacekeeping operations are one of the global community\u2019s most effective tools in the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These operations support political processes, protect civilians,\u00a0help curb violence, support peacebuilding, and protect human rights.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of peace and security, I express my most heartfelt gratitude.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n I commend peacekeeping missions and peacekeepers for their exemplary service and continued dedication, despite the difficulties and challenges they face.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n As a gender champion, I welcome the increased participation of women in peacekeeping. Greater participation of women has contributed to better implementation of the peacekeeping mandate.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is encouraging that 19 of the 150 members of the group here today are women. While far from parity, it is indeed above the average and demonstrates that Guatemala is moving in the right direction.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And as we move in that direction, we must continue to ensure the full, effective, safe and meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping. And we must learn from Guatemala\u2019s achievements in doing so.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n United Nations peacekeepers work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable populations in a world that is increasingly becoming more dangerous and challenging.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Nevertheless, they work diligently to adapt to these rapidly evolving situations to fulfill their missions.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is why we must uphold our commitment to support UN peacekeeping.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is our shared responsibility, for the benefit of all nations and peoples.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let me take this opportunity to recognize the leadership of the Regional Training Center for Peacekeeping Operations, which has trained those participating in peacekeeping operations \u2013 and which has demonstrated exemplary commitment in its collaboration with the United Nations.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And let me also take this opportunity to express to the Twenty-Second GUASFOR members that, as the bearers of peace in this Mission, you have every reason to take great pride in your work.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Your discipline, gallantry, and sacrifice will help the UN provide a safe and secure environment for those in need of the international community.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For this, and for everything you have done for humanity, I thank you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Guatemala City, Guatemala<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":362,"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-269553","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