[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
13 April 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your<\/span><\/span> E<\/span><\/span>xcellency<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> Surangel S. Whipps Jr.<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>President of Palau, <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your <\/span><\/span>Excellency, Mr.<\/span><\/span> John F. Kerry<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> U.S Special Presidential Envoy for Climate<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is an honor to join you today. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n My sincere congratulations to President Whipps and the people of Palau on co-hosting the Our Ocean Conference, together with the United States. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Small islanders are an interesting group<\/span><\/span>. W<\/span><\/span>e may be worlds apart \u2013 literally an entire ocean and thousands of kilometers may divide us \u2013 and yet we are kin. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n That is because we share so many experiences. Whether fighting for our recognition on the global stage, or <\/span><\/span>our reliance on<\/span><\/span>tourism and <\/span><\/span>exports<\/span><\/span>, or <\/span><\/span>our rallying call <\/span><\/span>for action on climate change, we share so much in common. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When one of us excels, we all excel, and today it feels like I am at home.<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n The issues to be addressed here are important to all countries. The Ocean connects <\/span><\/span>all of us; connects <\/span><\/span>humanity; connects our planet.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Whether it is the rich biodiversity \u2013 much of which remains to be found \u2013 or the processes that keep our world alive<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Whether its eradicating hunger, supporting livelihoods, providing conduits for movement of goods, people and supplies, the ocean is vital. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Which is why the 2030 Agenda recognizes in Goal 14, the need to conserve, and sustainably use the ocean and seas. Why the agenda recognizes the interlinkages between the ocean ecosystem, and the ocean economy, with other goals.<\/p>\n I am deeply appreciative, therefore, that the Our Ocean Conference continues to marshall global momentum in this regard. Together, over the past six conferences, we have made over 1,400 commitments at over $90 billion, protecting at least five million square kilometers of Ocean.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must be proud of these <\/span><\/span>accomplishments<\/span><\/span> and let them give us hope; and <\/span><\/span>at the same time, <\/span><\/span>we must<\/span><\/span> be ever mindful<\/span><\/span> that much more remains to be done.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must expand protected areas,<\/span><\/span>– <\/span><\/span>less than 8% of the <\/span><\/span>Ocean is<\/span><\/span>protected<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must invest <\/span><\/span>in solid, reliable<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> and accessible Ocean science data and information<\/span><\/span>. And use that to <\/span><\/span>inform policies and programmes<\/span><\/span>. Which is why the decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development is timely and important. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must recognize and address the threats facing our ocean. The latest IPCC report us a wake up call. <\/span><\/span>A warming planet means a warming ocean. More carbondioxide means greater ocean acidification<\/span><\/span>, greater loss of marine ecosystems, and greater loss of marine biodiversity<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We<\/span><\/span> must move ambitiously forward in tackling plastic pollution<\/span><\/span>. Just last week, researchers found, for the first time, microplastics in lungs of humans, highlighting the scale and severity of the problem. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We must act now, and we must act together!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies, <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This year, we will have several opportunities <\/span><\/span>to build momentum for ocean action. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This year<\/span><\/span> we<\/span><\/span> will <\/span><\/span>commemorate the 40<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span> anniversary since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea. This occasion gives us the <\/span><\/span>opportunity to review and renew our commitment to the ocean \u2013 its governance, its sustainable use and its conservation. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction continues, with the aim of concluding this year. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The ocean conference in Portugal will <\/span><\/span>be a key moment <\/span><\/span>to supercharge our efforts and to ensure that we are delivering on the commitments made.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n At the end of this month, we will also review progress on the New Urban Agenda. The linkages between sustainable urbanization and the sustainable management of resources such as the oceans is well-established. What happens on land affects the ocean. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n And with my high level event on sustainable tourism which will look at a blue\/green recovery from the pandemic, and my high level event entitled \u201cMoment for Nature\u201d which will take<\/span><\/span> stock of the many environmental summits taking place this year<\/span><\/span>, I intend to do my part. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Ocean provides direct employment to 200 million people\u2026 encompassing a market valued at three trillion per year, or 5% of global GDP. Three billion people depend on the Ocean for their livelihoods.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There is no way to protect the Ocean without wading together <\/span><\/span>with all relevant stakeholders<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n And to do so is to the benefit of all of us. <\/span><\/span>A<\/span><\/span> green-blue recovery can generate up to 100 million jobs by 2050.<\/span><\/span> This would increase global GDP by 2.4%<\/span><\/span>, or <\/span><\/span>$98 trillion by 2050.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Achieving this requires that we invest in zero emissions ocean transport and supply chains; that we better manage the process of harvesting seafood, ensuring a \u2018do no harm\u2019 approach to marine ecosystems; and that we scale up the use of renewable ocean energies, ocean mapping, and a complete ban on plastic pollution \u2013 and pollution broadly \u2013 in our ocean. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen, <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is heartening to be here, on a small island, surrounded by the vast Ocean, discussing its importance. It gives me hope that the world is finally beginning to recognize and act upon this wonderful, beautiful, and life sustaining resource. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As a policy maker who has helped shape Ocean policy, I am encouraged.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As a small islander whose home is very much threatened, I am grateful. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I thank you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The 7th Our Oceans Conference\/ The Republic of Palau<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":353,"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 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ 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-263464","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