[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ 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=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
21 April 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n I thank Mr. David Marcotte, President of the Psychology Coalition of NGOs having consultative status with ECOSOC, for inviting me to speak.<\/p>\n I was told today\u2019s theme of \u201cPsychology Building Hope: Contributions to a Roadmap for Climate Action\u201d has been inspired by my Presidency of Hope \u2013 I am humbled and honored by this gesture.<\/p>\n I was once asked what success would mean for my Presidency of Hope \u2013 my response was this: if I could imbue hope anywhere, in any small way, that to me is success. I believe today\u2019s meeting has elevated this message of hope, and I am deeply appreciative.<\/p>\n You see, when I chose the theme of hope, I did so with an understanding that hope constitutes a common denominator for all of humanity.<\/p>\n Hope is a mediator. Hope is a solution. Hope is both aspiration and a tool to achieve aspirations. It is a psychological solution that is needed today more than ever.<\/p>\n Excellencies, dear friends,<\/p>\n The collective toll and physical scars of climate change extend far and deep.<\/p>\n The bushfires of North America and the Southern Hemisphere.<\/p>\n The persistent and frequent droughts of Africa and the Middle East.<\/p>\n The sea level rise threatening small island nations and coastal cities.<\/p>\n The floods and torrential rains of Asia Pacific.<\/p>\n The melting glaciers and sea ice of Antarctica.<\/p>\n None on this planet are unaffected.<\/p>\n Yet climate change is not felt equally by all; Least Developing Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States feel the impacts sooner and harsher. They have less capacity to prepare or to buffer against the impacts.<\/p>\n While climate change is rightly a concern for the tangible and immediate necessities of life, such as land, food, water, and shelter, there is also an intangible, psychological effect.<\/p>\n For small islands like my own the Maldives, the very threat of sea level rise affects people and communities on a deeply emotional and personal level, long before the water affects their lives.<\/p>\n For a young person living on low-lying islands, for communities building back homes wondering when the next storm will hit, for farmers looking out for rainier days \u2013 the fear and inquisition of tomorrow fuels anxiety and uncertainty for the future.<\/p>\n That is why today\u2019s meeting is so important.<\/p>\n Psychology as a roadmap to climate action considers the intangible, emotional and mental context of climate change.\u00a0 Human perceptions, behaviors and mental well-being are affected by climate change. And the alternative is also true, our feelings, perceptions and behaviors can help chart a way out of the climate crisis, or lead us to inaction if we deem to challenge too insurmountable.<\/p>\n Excellencies, dear friends,<\/p>\n Today\u2019s discussion is about these very linkages between psychology and climate action. It recognizes that a cynical, hopeless population will be disinterested and demotivated, unable to pursue the kind of transformational changes needed to address climate change.<\/p>\n The world needs fundamental changes at every level, and across all sectors and societies. And we have it within our reach to undertake these changes. All we need is the political will to make it happen.<\/p>\n We must be hopeful that it is possible. We must be optimistic for the future.<\/p>\n And in reaching for this possibility, we will build hope.<\/p>\n Excellencies, dear friends,<\/p>\n Recent developments have given me cause for hope.<\/p>\n Likewise, the outcomes of COP26, while far from ideal, also provided steps in the right direction. This includes the decision to \u2018phase down\u2019 fossil fuel and deforestation.<\/p>\n It is my intention to help build on this. In July, I will convene a \u2018Moment of Nature\u2019 event, which I hope will serve as yet another opportunity to inspire hope amongst our citizens. This event will allow for an opportunity for member states and stakeholders to share strategies and bridge gaps on nature and climate action.<\/p>\n I look forward to the Coalition\u2019s contribution at these upcoming events and again welcome your commitment to tackling the psychological impacts of climate change \u2013 and your message of hope.<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/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. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly 21 April 2022 Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, I thank Mr. David Marcotte, […]<\/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 UN 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-264181","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\n