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Keynote Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/strong><\/p>\n Mr. Philemon Yang Monday, 21 October 2024, 11.00 am \u2013 12.00 pm, Conference Room 11, UNHQ<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Distinguished Ambassadors,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I extend my sincere thanks to the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends on Gender Parity and the Co-Chairs of the Circle of Women Ambassadors for inviting me here today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am heartened by the opportunity to address you, but I am also mostly interested in hearing from you and learning from you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We gather here today just a few weeks after the adoption of the Pact for the Future which has set a number of goals for all of us to aim for in the coming years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the Pact states at the very outset, none of those goals can be achieved without the full, safe, equal and meaningful participation and representation of all women in political and economic life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The situation is clear. With just six years left to meet the deadlines outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are falling short of our goals \u2014 including Goal 5 on achieving gender equality and empowering women.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Women still face higher risks of poverty, violence, discrimination, and unemployment than men.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Women and girls continue to be more exposed during crises such as conflicts, pandemics, and climate change.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gender backlash is a reality.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unless we take bold action to remove gender barriers, empower women, and ensure equal representation in all areas of life, these injustices will continue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Equally crucial is the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These responsibilities cannot rest on women\u2019s shoulders alone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Men must play an active and meaningful role in achieving these goals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I, for one, am decided to play that role.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From my position of President of the General Assembly, I intend to advocate to achieve gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment, accelerate commitments on women and peace and security, and ensure that science, technology and innovation improve gender equality and the lives of all women and girls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These are the stated goals of the Pact for the Future. So, this will be my guide.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our approach to gender equality must be strengthened at national, regional and global levels.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Moreover, it must be integrated into our broader efforts to achieve all of the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This must, for instance, include reducing poverty among women and girls, and investing in their education.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We must do our utmost to break down all barriers preventing women and girls from the opportunities to learn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The right of women and girls to an education must be protected, promoted and fulfilled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Moreover, we must close the gender gap in digital access, which is widening inequalities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ensuring equal access to digital technologies, while safeguarding against their misuse, will provide women with the tools to learn, work, and thrive in today\u2019s fast-changing world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In turn this will unlock opportunities for their full participation in all areas of life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The guiding theme of my presidency is “Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for everyone, everywhere.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By definition, this includes women and girls, who make up more than half of humanity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As I said, my actions will also align with the key commitments outlined in the Pact for the Future and its annexes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am happy to report that women slightly outnumber men in my office \u2013 I mean in my cabinet – with 21 out of 35 members of my staff being women. That is where we are now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I will work to integrate gender equality into the General Assembly’s work and flagship events.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I firmly believe that the success and fairness of many of our actions will be heavily dependent on the participation of everyone, including women, and I encourage your active participation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My office will be always open to you, to hear your views, to listen to your concerns, and to identify solutions with you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I plan to re-establish the Advisory Board on Gender Equality to offer advice and recommendations on advancing gender equality and integrating a gender perspective into the General Assembly’s work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This includes our new tasks arising from the adoption of the Pact for the Future and the implementation of its gender-related commitments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Moreover, on 25 November, I will convene a high-level meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This meeting will highlight progress and address ongoing challenges as we prepare for the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, a key global blueprint for advancing gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I hope to see you all there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I will also support the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, reinforcing the message that violence against women is unacceptable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I hope to have you join me in spreading the message.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With only 40 Permanent Representatives being women, it is clear that we still have a long way to go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Research consistently shows that when women are involved in negotiations, the outcomes are more beneficial for everyone and have a lasting impact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I urge you to use your positions at the negotiating table to help bridge the divides that we are witnessing at the United Nations on a range of critical issues.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Additionally, I encourage you to use your influence to advocate for greater female representation across the UN system.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Women’s inclusion in decision-making roles is essential to achieving gender equality and fully realizing human rights\u2014this includes ensuring women hold leadership roles in diplomacy, particularly at the highest levels.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we move forward, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality throughout my Presidency.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is still much to be done to advance this agenda, and I hope to be able to do it with you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You have my full support, and I look forward to hearing your invaluable insights as we engage in meaningful discussions on achieving lasting progress in gender equality and the empowerment of women.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n ****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Media Contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n Sharon Birch<\/strong>,\u00a0Spokesperson for\u00a0the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email:\u00a0birchs@un.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Dr. Mariam Shaikh,\u00a0<\/strong>Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990,\u00a0mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n More Information and Updates\u00a0:\u00a0Website<\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0YouTube:\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0X (Twitter):<\/a>\u00a0Instagram<\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0LinkedIn:\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0Photo Repository:\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Keynote Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Philemon YangDialogue with the Circle of Women Ambassadors and Group of Friends on Gender Parity Monday, 21 October 2024, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-281658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Dialogue with the Circle of Women Ambassadors and Group of Friends on Gender Parity<\/strong><\/p>\n
[As Delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n