[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-76px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
8 February 2023<\/b><\/p>\n
\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Madame President,<\/p>\n
Madame DSG,<\/p>\n
Madame USG,<\/p>\n
USG,<\/p>\n
Dear Friends,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As we meet today, the world is reeling under the cascading impacts of complex, interlocking challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Skyrocketing inflation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Increasingly fragmented global supply chains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The triple threat of the food, fuel, and finance crises.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Against this bleak backdrop, global economic growth is projected to slow down significantly this year.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This slowdown may grow long-drawn-out if we fail to address the issues embedded within it.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Structural limitations and constrained fiscal capabilities make Least Developed Countries the ones first and often most severely impacted by overlapping challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Their domino effect may set LDCs back by decades on their development gains.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But let me remind you, dear friends, that the Least Developed Countries that suffer the protracted effects of interconnected crises are often those least responsible for the global trends lashing out on them.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Think of climate change, for example.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The second part of the Fifth UN Conference on LDCs will take place, as mentioned a couple of minutes ago, in less than one month\u2019s time \u2013 this year\u2019s theme being \u2018from potential to prosperity\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is the occasion to give a second boost to implementing the Doha Programme of Action, which was adopted a year ago.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Programme of Action for 2022 \u2013 2031 provides a blueprint for LDCs to overcome the impacts of ongoing global crises.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To build sustainable and inclusive recovery from the pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And to build resilience against future shocks.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In other words, to help us all to get back on track with the 2030 Agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Doha Programme also contains important deliverables:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We must ensure that the Doha Programme of Action is implemented within the given timeframe.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n LDCs need to do their part to expand their social safety nets and improve the domestic environment through good governance and enhancing efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But development partners also need to deliver on their pledges.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is the time to show solidarity with the most vulnerable countries by fulfilling commitments instead of backtracking on them.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we work to address LDCs\u2019 systemic and structural vulnerabilities, it is critical to ensure that our policy responses are aligned with the individual countries\u2019 national development vision.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In other words, our steps should reflect the concerned Member States\u2019 needs and wants.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In our collective efforts to implement the Doha Programme of Action, building synergy across sectors and with other important processes will be critical.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I will ensure that LDCs are duly integrated into the development-related agenda of the Assembly, including the follow-up of the 2030 Agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The issues of the LDCs will remain a priority of the General Assembly, and I look forward to attending the 5th<\/sup>\u00a0Conference in Qatar in March.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I invite all countries to attend at the highest possible level.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n LDC5 will be a momentous occasion to renew the global commitment to supporting the poorest and most exposed members of our human family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Through science, technology, and innovation, we have the tools to build sustainable recoveries.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let us work together to ensure that the Doha Programme of Action is implemented on time.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For that will give us all the chance to catch up on reaching our 2030 goals.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank you.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 8 February 2023 Excellencies, Madame President, Madame DSG, Madame USG, USG, Dear Friends, As we meet today, the world is reeling under the cascading impacts of complex, interlocking challenges. […]<\/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":" 10 November 2022<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\r\n Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\r\n Afghanistan is in crisis. It is in many crises.<\/p>\r\n It has been 15 months since the Taliban consolidated control over the country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Its economy is in ruins. The humanitarian situation is disastrous.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Two-thirds of the population is hungry.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Girls and women are banned from learning, having a job or getting proper medical care.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n The country is awash with heroin and opium.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Organized crime and terrorist organizations are thriving once again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Afghanistan is facing complex and interlinked challenges that the Taliban have shown they cannot \u2013 or would not \u2013 solve.<\/u><\/span><\/p>\r\n It is time to support the Afghan people with concrete solutions that place their needs front and center.<\/p>\r\n It is true that some problems will require some time to resolve.<\/p>\r\n But there are actions the Assembly can take to change the paradigm now.<\/p>\r\n I would like you to consider one solution through solidarity.<\/p>\r\n The UN humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan \u2013 which requires $4.4 billion US dollars \u2013 is only half funded.<\/p>\r\n With winter weather just weeks away, I encourage Member States to provide urgent support to help reduce the $2.3 billion dollar shortfall.<\/p>\r\n Let\u2019s remind ourselves of the old saying from Afghanistan: \u201cA real friend is one who takes the hand of his friend in times of distress and helplessness.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Excellencies,<\/p>\r\n Afghanistan has a rich history of scientific achievement.<\/p>\r\n I encourage the country\u2019s reengagement with the international science community.<\/p>\r\n And\u00a0to allow women who used to be respected members of the country\u2019s science community to resume their research and their studies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/span>Afghanistan is now the only state in the world that would deny girls their full right to education.<\/p>\r\n The prospect of girls\u2019 education has been left to uncertainty amid seemingly random edicts from the Taliban.<\/p>\r\n This time last year, Fawzia Koofi, the first woman Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, recalled her dream of one day addressing the UN as the President of Afghanistan.<\/p>\r\n She said:\u00a0\u201cWith me, millions of girls and women in Afghanistan had this dream that now they think will never come true.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Dreams of becoming President have been replaced by the reality of child marriage. Arrests if women and girls leave their home without a male chaperone.<\/p>\r\n I reiterate my call for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghans, especially women and girls.<\/p>\r\n Similarly, I urge the Taliban to ensure the safety of all Afghans, regardless of gender, ethnic background, religious belief or political affiliation.<\/p>\r\n To protect journalists and civil society members.<\/p>\r\n To allow unhindered humanitarian aid, and to cooperate with humanitarian workers.<\/p>\r\n We expect the Taliban to make good on the commitments they made to the international community.\u00a0To show honesty through\u00a0concrete action.<\/p>\r\n Excellencies,<\/p>\r\n The dramatic changes of 2021 have taken a massive toll on Afghanistan\u2019s economy and profoundly widened many security risks.<\/p>\r\n\n