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13 July 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies & Gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion on Protecting and Promoting SDG14 to Address SIDS Unique Vulnerability and Resilience<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I commend Australia for organizing this event and for consistently championing the cause of small island states.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This year is an extremely crucial one for the Ocean, as we acknowledge the 40th<\/sup> anniversary of ±¬ÁÏÍøCLOS and the successful completion of the 2022 ±¬ÁÏÍø Oceans Conference in Lisbon.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As I emphasized in Lisbon, there is no scenario whereby we live on this planet without a healthy Ocean.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We depend on the Ocean for the air we breathe, for countless jobs and livelihoods, for economic growth, for travel, for trade, and for leisure.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is the largest ecosystem on our planet and is home to an incredible wealth of biodiversity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Truly, the Ocean is a resource that touches upon every facet of life on this planet. Protecting it and ensuring its perseverance should not even be a matter of debate.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yet, debate continues, and actions are delayed. We remain far behind on our targets and ambitions.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This has become all the more concerning in light of the drastic effects of climate change. This is a path that threatens a warmer, higher, and more acidic Ocean. An Ocean with dramatically reduced biodiversity, with severe impacts on coastal communities, and with a limited capacity to support environmental actions, such as carbon absorption.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To say that this is of particular concern for small islands would be an understatement.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SIDS are quite literally on the frontlines \u2013 on the shorelines \u2013 of the struggle to save our ocean.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n When the ocean is protected \u2013 its biodiversity, its ecosystems \u2013 we reap the harvest of sustainable fishing, of tourism, and of reliable jobs and livelihoods.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n When the ocean\u2019s health is in decline, we feel its environmental impacts first \u2013 the rising sea levels, the erosion of coastlines, the near endless cycle of storms and sea surges, the drop in fisheries and tourism, and related jobs and livelihoods.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Clearly more must be done to reverse the damage inflicted upon the ocean and to put in place measures to protect it. And small islands can and must lead from the front.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With control of almost 30 percent of all oceans and seas, and considering that 96.5% of SIDS is ocean, small islands can be at the forefront of action on SDG14.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This includes the development of partnerships with the international community and the private sector.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It includes the push for use of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index as a tool for more holistic approach to development, and a country\u2019s vulnerability, and its ability to address and overcome risk.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An MVI is a tool that can be used to help SIDS gain access to support needed to address these challenges. And it includes coordinated support to improve long-term national planning, service debts, and sign up to insurance and compensation schemes that can serve as a lifeline when needed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The high level panel that I had constituted to finalize the MVI is working at a brisk pace. They have been regularly briefing the Member States on the progress of their work. I am hopeful that they will be able to complete their work before the end of the 76th<\/sup> session.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There was a time when climate change was far from a priority on the global agenda.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SIDS helped make this a priority; we helped push this item further up the list.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We need that same moral leadership and foresight now; we need to be the leaders that our Ocean requires.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let us join together in this endeavor.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I wish you all a successful discussion and I thank you again.<\/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":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 ±¬ÁÏÍø 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-269469","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