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25 July 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Members of the NAM Youth Network,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Thank you for inviting me to speak at this Non-Aligned Movement Youth Summit.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I commend the Government of Azerbaijan for organizing today\u2019s event, and for its steadfast leadership and focus on youth and youth issues.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today\u2019s event could not be more opportune.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Young people number nearly 2 billion around the world, making up the largest generation of young people in history.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Of this, almost 90% reside in developing countries, where the Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement constitute absolute majority.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And yet, young people, especially the vulnerable and marginalized, continue to be disproportionately impacted by global challenges, from COVID to climate.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Despite this, time and again it is the youth that have risen above these challenges – reminding us of their resilience; resilience which they carry forward to their countries and communities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We have seen this in how they have helped to rebuild their lives and those around them during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We see this now, as young people around the world push for social, environmental and economic change and transformation.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies, dear friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In a post-pandemic world, we must ensure the inclusion and participation of youth in building back better and stronger.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This starts with us.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Institutions like the United Nations and bodies like the Non-Aligned Movement represent the strength of multilateralism and international cooperation.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As challenges become more interlinked and borderless, it is during these times that inclusivity and diversity in our work becomes even more necessary.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On that note, I commend NAM for its Youth Network, which provides the necessary platform for youth development through model simulation exercises and intercultural exchange events.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am pleased that this is well enshrined in the United Nations as well.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Development frameworks, such as the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, recognize the essential role of youth participation. And the Secretary-General has strongly pointed to youth empowerment in his \u2018Our Common Agenda\u2019 report, which positions the UN for the future.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For my part, I am very proud to have launched and successfully implemented my HOPE Fellowship programme.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For the last 7 months, eight young diplomats from underrepresented countries have worked on rotational basis to become acquainted with the work of the UN.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is my hope that they leave the United Nations as champions and advocates for multilateralism.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To further advance the role of youth in multilateralism, I will be launching the \u201cVoices of Youth – Time Capsule\u201d, which seeks to provide an additional opportunity to bring youth voices into our work at the UN and showcase their hopes and aspirations for the future they want.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I invite you all to join me on this initiative.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As President of the UN General Assembly, I have had the opportunity to engage with young people on every topic that we have discussed at the multilateral level, both at the General Assembly and during my travels abroad.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n From COP26 in Glasgow to the Ocean Conference; from Kenya to Dominican Republic, I have met with and heard from youth on every topic of relevance in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I have learned a great deal, but my main takeaway is this: they want and need to be part of the process.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is of the utmost importance that young people are given ownership and belonging in decision-making processes.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let us continue to work together to strengthen platforms and provide measures that will ensure we provide them with that ownership and belonging; that we lay stronger groundwork for an inclusive, relevant, and sustainable future for all.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With those few words, I wish you a productive dialogue.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/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":" Virtual<\/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-270096","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