[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Kanem,<\/p>\n Excellency, Martin Kimani, Chair of UNDP\/UNFPA\/UNOPS Executive Board,<\/p>\n Excellency, Ambassador Carmelita Salas,<\/p>\n Special Advisor and Professor of Global Health, Dr. Piot,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n I stand before you, humbled and inspired by the words and deeds of a remarkable individual whose legacy continues to shape our world.<\/p>\n Today we gather in this eponymous hall, to pay tribute to former UNFPA Executive Director Mr. Rafael Salas, who once said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe question of population is not, and must not be, a matter of numbers only; it is a matter of human well-being\u201d.<\/p>\n Rafael Salas \u2013 as the Pioneering Leader of first to helm UNFPA \u2013 pursued what he knew to be right.<\/p>\n And \u2013 undeterred by the daunting task of changing mindsets \u2013 he transformed a modest 5-person team into the world’s leading provider of multilateral population assistance.<\/p>\n This is the UNFPA we know today and in it we are well pleased and enormously proud.<\/p>\n Since those early days, the world has witnessed significant change \u2013 global population surpassing the 8 billion mark.<\/p>\n UNFPA has carved out a niche for itself and in that regard, continues to play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality, promoting access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, ensuring safe childbirth, and safeguarding women and girls from violence and harmful practices.<\/p>\n That unwavering determination \u2013 that persistent drive against the currents \u2013 is the very spirit that ought to steer the United Nations’ efforts today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n In a global landscape fraught with complex, multifaceted challenges, and escalating, protracted divides \u2013 today\u2019s lecture is especially timely.<\/p>\n SDG 3 \u2013 on \u201censuring healthy lives and wellbeing\u201d \u2013 is umbilically linked to gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment.<\/p>\n They are two sides of the same coin \u2013 one unified cause.<\/p>\n Less than two months ago, Heads of State and Government gave their assert to three health related declarations that were subsequently adopted by the General Assembly \u2013 a remarkable precedent in Assembly\u2019s history.<\/p>\n These documents respectively strengthened the global commitment to accelerating efforts to ensure pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response; action to achieve universal health coverage; and prioritized to end tuberculosis.<\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic was an unforeseen, yet crucial wake-up call \u2013 for it revealed the woeful unpreparedness of the global community for a crisis of such magnitude.<\/p>\n The pandemic not only exposed in full public view, the shortcomings of global health systems. It also prompted a re-evaluation of our approach to health.<\/p>\n It did not merely test, but indeed it put on trial the humanity of the international community \u2013 thus sparking profound reflections on the very essence and meaning of international solidarity and cooperation.<\/p>\n And the inequity of the international and national responses eroded the fragile commodity of trust among and within nations.<\/p>\n Trust in science, trust in governments, trust in institutions, trust in each other\u2014all found themselves compromised, and therefore lacking.<\/p>\n It is absolutely imperative that we restore it, in the interest of not only public health but importantly, in the wider frame of societal stability.<\/p>\n Without genuine trust, the realization of safe and secure global health systems for all, underpinned by equitable and affordable access to health care and services, will forever remain elusive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n We consider ourselves both fortunate and privileged to have you here today, Dr. Piot, and eagerly anticipate your expert insights on the overall experience and work in response to the COVID pandemic.<\/p>\n What lessons have we gleaned \u2013 and where do you think we still fall short in our collective understanding?<\/p>\n From your perspective, what contours would define a new era in global health?<\/p>\n In Geneva, Member States are diligently working to better the global health architecture, racing against time.<\/p>\n Simultaneously in New York, Member States are gearing up for a series of meetings next year, including the High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance and the Summit of the Future.<\/p>\n Today’s discussions and the nature of UNFPA’s work necessitate holistic, intersectoral approaches that address human rights, social, and structural needs \u2013going beyond conventional health perspectives.<\/p>\n With this, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to UNFPA for extending the invitation today, and to our esteemed guest lecturer, Dr. Piot \u2013 I eagerly anticipate your perspective.<\/p>\n <\/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":" Remarks by H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, 19th Rafael M. Salas Memorial Lecture \u00a0 15 November 2023 \u00a0 UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Kanem, Excellency, Martin Kimani, […]<\/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":" Remarks by H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly,<\/span><\/b><\/b><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/b>at the First Meeting of the Advisory Board on Gender Equality<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p> [As Delivered]<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p> 13 November 2023<\/span><\/b><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p> Distinguished members of this Board,<\/span><\/i><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I am pleased to welcome you for our first meeting of the 78th<\/sup>\u00a0Session.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I will wish to thank and welcome the new members who are joining us today.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I am greatly appreciative of your commitment to the important work of the Advisory Board on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> We find ourselves at a crucial juncture in history \u2013 transit the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; 28 years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration; and 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I take a pause here to make one point: during this period, in the last month in particular, I have decided to banish the word \u201ccelebrate\u201d from any text that emerges from my office.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> There is nothing to celebrate. Except one thing, which we will celebrate, and that is the 75th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> That, we will celebrate. Apart from that, we will mark, we will commemorate, but we will not celebrate.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Despite these milestones, the world is still a far cry from achieving gender equality and the full empowerment of all women and girls.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Here at the\u00a0<\/span>UN,\u00a0<\/span>it is imperative that we not only talk the talk but that we walk it,\u00a0<\/b>by leading by example to ensure that women and girls meaningfully participate in all spheres of society.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> As the President of the General Assembly and as a Gender Champion, I am committed to rendering much needed leadership for the United Nations to play its rightful role on this important matter.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> To that end, I have appointed Ambassador Keisha McGuire \u2013 who sits to my right \u2013 as my Special Envoy and Special Adviser on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment \u2013 who will work closely with each of you to coordinate the work of this Board on my behalf.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Allow me to also take this opportunity to recognize the stellar work and contributions of Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain, as the coordinator of this Board during the 77th<\/sup>\u00a0session.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Friends, I have made dedicated effort to achieve gender equality within my office; of which I am proud to say that the majority of my team leaders \u2013 along with the 57% ratio compared to men \u2013 are women.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> In addition, I am dedicated to fulfilling the gender parity mandate given by the General Assembly in its revitalization resolution.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I am therefore pleased to say we have also successfully achieved gender parity among the co-chairs and co-facilitators of intergovernmental processes.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Furthermore, I will strive to ensure parity among all panellists and invited speakers for all General Assembly meetings and events throughout this Session.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> My office diligently monitors the gender balance of all GA meetings and will publish the results on our website for the first time in the history of the General Assembly\u2019s work.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> That is an innovative step that we are taking.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Distinguished members of this Board,<\/span><\/i><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> The 78th<\/sup>\u00a0Session presents numerous opportunities for gender mainstreaming.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> The negotiations on the Summit of the Future, the Declaration of Future Generations, the Global Digital Compact, and other mandated processes will be pivotal in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> These processes will yield far-reaching effects \u2013 and I eagerly await your insights on how we can seize these opportunities to embed gender considerations into all dimensions of our work.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> In addition, the 68th<\/sup>\u00a0Session of the Commission on the Status of Women will focus on addressing poverty, strengthening institutions, and gender-informed financing \u2013 issues that are central to removing the obstacles to gender equality.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I will also convene a\u00a0Gayap Dialogue<\/i>\u00a0that will focus exclusively on women\u2019s rights and empowerment \u2013 and my office will leverage international days and campaigns, such as the 16 Days of Activism\u00a0<\/b>against Gender-Based Violence, and the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, to inspire the next generation of women leaders.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Last session, I, along with the Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Women, participated in the inaugural commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy \u2013 an event that would not have seen the light without the invaluable contributions of the people around this table.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I look forward to the continuation\u2014and the further amplification of\u2014 these positive initiatives, for we all know: the journey towards gender equality is not without its challenges.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> It is notable that currently \u2013 out of the six Chairs of Main Committees \u2013 only one is a woman. It is also disappointing that the percentage of women serving as Permanent Representatives in New York seems to have stalled around 25% for years.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> In this regard, I welcome your insights on how we might encourage Member States to nominate more women diplomats for leadership positions in the General Assembly.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I also see important contributions by this Advisory Board in creating an inclusive work environment at the UN and beyond.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> In particular, the training campaign on gender equality and the prevention of sexual harassment in partnership with UN-Women, has yielded promising results.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> During the 77th<\/sup>\u00a0Session, 44 Permanent Missions joined this initiative \u2013 and we aim to build on these efforts to reach many more Missions in New York and potentially in Geneva and elsewhere.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> We do this because gender mainstreaming must \u2013 MUST \u2013 start with changing the mindsets in our own \u2018backyard\u2019 \u2013 here at the UN.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> The Board has also worked towards establishing an Emergency Day Care Centre at the United Nations Headquarters \u2013 to enable delegates and staff to strike a healthy and supportive work-life balance.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> In collaboration with the Secretariat, we eagerly anticipate that this session will see the realisation of this noble vision and critical initiative, as envisaged by my predecessor President Shahid of the 76th<\/sup>\u00a0session.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> Indeed, we cannot achieve true gender equality in the workplace without flexible childcare solutions.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I look forward to learning from your wisdom to guide the work of the General Assembly in mainstreaming gender throughout our deliberations and programmes.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I firmly believe that, together, we can make great strides towards a more inclusive and gender-equal world.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I now pass the floor to Special Adviser on Gender Equality and Women\u2019s Empowerment, Ambassador Keisha McGuire, who will moderate the ensuing interactive discussion.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span><\/p> I thank you.<\/span><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n