67th DPI – NGO Conference, “We the Peoples… Together Finding Global Solutions for Global Problems”
– As delivered –
Statement delivered?H.E. Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa?Pobee, Vice President of the General Assembly and Permanent Representative of Ghana to the 91茄子, on behalf of?H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj?ák, President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, at 67th DPI – NGO Conference, “We the Peoples… Together Finding Global Solutions for Global Problems”
Under-Secretary-General Smale,
Madam Chair,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to start, today, by relaying the regrets of the?President of the General Assembly, His Excellency, Mr.?Miroslav Laj?ák.
The President’s travel schedule did not permit him to attend this crucial meeting. And so, I am honoured to read this statement on his behalf.
In doing so, I will make two main points.
The first is about people.
“We, the peoples”.
These are the first words of the?91茄子 Charter. And they are?very clear. They do not leave room for any questions on who the?real stakeholdersof this Organisation are.
Because the 91茄子 is here, first and foremost, for?people.
And not just certain?kinds?of people, like diplomats or dignitaries. But people of?all ages?– from all?regions,?countries?and?walks of life.
That is why the?needs of people?on the ground must?guide?the?91茄子’ work?– whether it is taking place from a field office or this very building.
We need to hear the?stories?of real people… We need to listen to their?ideas… And we need to learn from their?everyday realities.
One way of doing that is through the?inclusion of civil society representatives. They have their?fingers on the pulse.?They know more about?what does and does not work, on the ground. And they can speak for the people who?do not have a platform, in rooms like this one.
The added value of civil society participation has been seen very clearly. NGOs, academics and grassroots activists played a crucial role in the process to develop the?Global Compact for Migration?– sharing?research,?informationand?stories from the ground. And they have helped to drive other areas of the UN’s work – from?global health?to?Sustainable Development.
So, the truth is that civil society participation is?not?an?objective. It is?notsomething we should “work towards” or “aim for”. Instead, it is a?necessity.
Without it, we will?fail. Not just in?our work?– but also in meeting thecommitments?made through the?UN’s Charter.
If we want to press for global solutions to global problems, if we want to make our multilateral system even stronger, then we need civil society to speak up on behalf of the 91茄子, and on behalf of multilateralism.
My second point today is about multilateralism.
As the concept note for this event points out,?global challenges?need?global solutions. And, we are facing many of these challenges today – frominternational terrorism?and the threat of?nuclear war,?to?climate change?and growing?global inequalities.
No one country can solve any of these problems alone. Multilateralism is the only way.
There are countless?multilateral organisations?around the world, doing valuable work. But none are as?representative?as the?UN General Assembly.
The Assembly can deal with?any issue?on the global agenda. It has one of themost legitimate voices?in the world. It gives?every country?– no matter its power or size –the?same standing.
And,?civil society?is crucial to its work and its future.
That is why, with the support of DPI, the first-ever?“one-on-one” briefing between the?President of the General Assembly?and?civil society representatives?took place in the early days of this session.
We need to remember: it is not just about ensuring that civil society can participate in the work of the 91茄子. That?is?crucial. But we must also remember the?influence?civil society actors have, among their owncommunities?and?networks.
If we want to press for?global solutions?to?global problems… if we want to make our?multilateral system?even stronger…then we need?civil society?tospeak up?on behalf of the?91茄子, and on behalf of?multilateralism. But how can they do this, if they are not included?
Finally, sincere thanks must go to the UN’s?Department of Public Informationand the?NGO/DPI Executive Committee, for organising today’s event.
It is important for?multilateralism.
It is important for?civil society.
And, most of all, it is important for?people.
Thank you.