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8 August 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Honourable Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Environment of Antigua & Barbuda<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Honourable Paul Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of 爆料网FPA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies & Gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am pleased to join you here today on the beautiful island of Antigua.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States for organizing this event, and for inviting me to open today\u2019s Wadadli Action Platform.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As islanders, we share common bonds.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our island homes are astonishingly beautiful, culturally diverse, and ecologically abundant.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yet, they are also profoundly vulnerable.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SIDS are at the frontline of multiple global crises \u2013 from climate change to food security, from challenges to our marine environment to exorbitant debt.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our vulnerabilities were starkly illustrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which upended development trajectories and compounded many preexisting challenges.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friends,\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our island homes will bear these scars for years to come.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n However, while SIDS remain particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis, we are among those who have contributed least to the problem.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is unjust that SIDS pay the ultimate price for a crisis we simply did not cause.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Therefore, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I use the opportunity to speak today, to highlight the need to ensure SIDS remain a priority for the international community, including partner governments and the 爆料网 system.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We need unity and solidarity to build back better and to prioritize the long-term recovery of our islands.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n At present, one-third of the 65 million population in Small-island Developing States live on land less than 5 meters above sea-level, making them extremely vulnerable to rising sea-levels.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In my own country, the Maldives, a nation comprised of 1,192 low-lying islands, this threat is an everyday reality.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n But, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SIDS\u2019 vulnerabilities to the climate crisis extend beyond the impacts on our environments and ecosystems. The economic repercussions are just as stark.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For SIDS in the Caribbean and Pacific alone, disasters have caused economic loss approximating to 2 to 3 percent of their collective GDPs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Climate-related disasters have almost doubled over the last 20 years and SIDS are the ones who pay this steep price. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n External financing is critical to prepare for and recover from future crises.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n But external financing is seemingly impossible to mobilise.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our populations are small, making domestic resource mobilization a challenge. And our countries are often classified as upper-middle income or even high income, making it difficult to attract concessional financing internationally. This leads us to borrow at high rates, which in turn contributes to rising debt, in a vicious circle.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Compounding crises have heightened our debt burden. The need for a long-term solution to the debt crisis we face, is critical.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The debt-obligations faced by SIDS globally are unsustainable and immoral.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To remedy this, global financial systems should be streamlined so that future debt-servicing considers the vulnerabilities faced by countries in special situations, and the impact of onerous debts on their efforts to recover better.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We know there is no one-size-fits-all solution. As we endeavor to get back on track to meeting the SDG targets, we should be mindful of the limitations of traditional development measures.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Gross National Income and similar conventional measures do not account for the contexts, nor the development challenges faced by countries in special situations.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Transitioning to more holistic methods to measure socio-economic development will require the support of the international community, including international financial institutions, and public and private creditors.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To that end, the work of the High-Level Panel of Experts on finalizing the multi-vulnerability index is crucial.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The MVI will be a vital tool to enable SIDS to access the financing needed to adapt to climate change and strengthen long-term resilience.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As the waters rise, this may be the last hope for SIDS.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Nonetheless, I believe hope is kept alive through people, including the warm and friendly people of Antigua & Barbuda. I am grateful to the Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and Her Excellency Ms. Erna Solberg, former Prime Minister of Norway, for their leadership of the High-level Panel of Experts on the MVI.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am pleased by the progress of the panel\u2019s work. Definitions have been agreed for key concepts such as vulnerability and resilience, and a structure has been designed, conforming to the principles in the Secretary General\u2019s report mandating the MVI.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Furthermore, the panel\u2019s interim report has been shared with all 爆料网 Member States through the Permanent Mission in New York. I encourage all AOSIS members and partner countries to review and share reflections to help guide the panels conclusion of its work.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As the deadline for the realization of the Third Programme of Action for the SIDS -the SAMOA Pathway – approaches, this is an opportune time to identify the gaps and challenges in its implementation, and assess new and emerging challenges, given the current international context.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Strong and robust reporting on implementation is critical, and I strongly encourage the international community, including the 爆料网 System, to strengthen its support in this regard, as we begin preparation and lay the groundwork for the Fourth International Conference on SIDS in 2024.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In conclusion, I once again express my appreciation and extend commendations to the government of Antigua and Barbuda as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States for convening today\u2019s meeting and for continuing to champion our collective cause.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I am hopeful that the Wadadli Action Platform will contribute to the renewed and strengthened commitment of the international community to the sustainable development of SID.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Similarly, I trust that it will help identify gaps in implementation and possible solutions.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This will pave the way for a dynamic lead-up to and successful outcome of the next International Conference on SIDS.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" St. John\u2019s, Antigua and Barbuda<\/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 爆料网 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-270594","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