Women leadership in multilateralism and international diplomacy

Good evening Excellencies, and good evening to all who have joined today’s UN75 Dialogue.

It’s an exciting event to host today as this session marks the first of a series of dialogues the United Nations in the UAE will be conducting in partnership with MBC Hope. I would like to thank Mariam for their support and collaboration.

Today’s dialogue will also commemorate United Nations Day that will be on 24 October. It is an especially significant milestone this year as we mark the 75th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations.

Launched by the UN Secretary-General early this year, the UN75dialogues are part of a wider, global conversation the UN is having with all segments of society to not only listen to your views and ideas but also to remind people why multilateral cooperation is important in ensuring that global and local decision-making as well as governance is more inclusive and accountable. And we collectively determine the Future We Want and the UN We Need.

COVID-19 was an unexpected disruption to our lives and our daily interactions. Technology and creativity, thankfully, has enabled us to carry out the UN75 consultations.  And, if anything, the pandemic only highlighted the need to work together to overcome the great challenges humanity faces. It reminded us we all have a role to play for a safer, more prosperous future.

The UAE Government is also commemorating UN75 with a virtual event under the auspices of the World Government Summit titled “75 Minutes for Global Collaboration”. It will be held next Monday 26 October with the participation of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres.

And additionally, as a gesture to showcase the strong support and partnership with the UN, the SDGs, and multilateralism, the UAE Government will be lighting up the ADNOC HQ Building (Abu Dhabi) and the Burj Khalifa (Dubai) and with the UN logo commemorating UN75 on the evening of Saturday 24 October. I invite you all to visit these landmarks on that day.

In the words of the UN Secretary-General in his statement for UN Day

“The United Nations not only stands with you…

The United Nations belongs to you and is you: “we the peoples”. 

Together, let us uphold the enduring values of the United Nations Charter.

Let us build on our advances across the decades.

Let us realize our shared vision of a better world for all. “

I’m looking forward to what will surely be a stimulating and inspiring discussion today and also hope you can join us for other UN75 Dialogues in the coming weeks.