Ambassador Lisa Carty
U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council
New York, NY
June 19, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Executive Director Bahous, for your opening remarks.
At the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda, we are at a pivotal moment for the UN development system. The United States is fully committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and our partnership with UN Women to advance the rights of women and girls in all their diversity.
The United States was proud to be UN Women’s second largest contributor in 2022. UN Women is our critical partner in championing women’s empowerment, is central to our efforts to advance and monitor progress on gender equity and equality and is critical to strengthening and implementing global norms and standards.
We especially thank UN Women for progress on data collection and look forward to more information on plans to better monitor gender progress across the SDGs where there is still a striking lack of gender disaggregated data.
Vice President Harris stated that the “real measure of the status of our wellbeing is . . . the status and wellbeing of women.” We know that progress on human rights, rule of law, and democracy will be determined by the situation of women and girls worldwide. The need to bring gender equity and equality to the center of our efforts has become even more urgent.
The United States remains committed to combatting the growing pushback against gender equality and to promoting the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in political, social, and economic life.
We are particularly concerned about the growing phenomena of gendered disinformation and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. We see them being used against women and girl leaders, human rights defenders, journalists and those facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. These repressive tools threaten global peace and security and contribute to democratic backsliding.
As we work to maximize the impact of all UN agencies, the United States is committed to centering our work around upholding the inherent dignity of every human being. To advance this goal, we commit to an honest dialogue to identify innovative solutions, balancing ambition with pragmatism, while strengthening transparency, accountability, program delivery and results.
Colleagues, we must turn words into concrete change. Every engagement of this Executive Board should have a clear objective and help to deliver results in the most effective, efficient, and high-impact way to our most vulnerable populations.
We do not have a moment to lose.
Thank you.
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