Intervention by the Permanent Representative of the Argentine Republic, Amb. María del Carmen Squeff

12 January

 

Excellencies and colleagues,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and wish the best of luck to Ambassador Alie Kabba who will be in charge of the Presidency of the Bureau of the UN Women Executive Board during 2021. Also, let me congratulate Mr. Kimura Tetsuya and Mr. Günter Sautter for their appointments as Vice-Chairs and with whom I will share the Bureau during this year. I hope that all together we will be able to continue to strengthen the work and contributions of the Entity in order to advance towards the substantive gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversities.

I am happy to be part of this Bureau and I am very much looking forward to engage constructively in our coming activities. I do believe it is crucial for Latin America and the Caribbean to have an active role in the work of UN Women, even more so in the current context of the COVID-19 where the responses of the Entity to fight against the multidimensional consequences of the pandemic have to take into account the particular circumstances and challenges of our countries.  

These consequences and the pandemic´s impact should be understood as an opportunity to rethink what kind of relationship and ties are necessary to reinforce our commitment with the sustainable development as a whole and, in particular, to avoid setbacks on gender equality, the empowerment of women and the elimination of gender-based violence on the ground.

For that reason, we understand that a reprioritization exercise conducted by UN Women in light of the COVID-19 should be considered seriously at the moment to discuss the next strategic plan. Likewise, I avail this opportunity to reiterate the strong commitment of my country to guaranteeing equal access opportunities for women and girls in all their diversities, because we do believe that opportunities are not privileges for some people but rights for ALL. As evidence of this commitment, let me share with you that -for the very first time in history in Argentina-, the Ministry of Women, Genders and Diversity was created. We are also proud to actively participate in the Generation Equality initiative, in particular in the Action Coalition on Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Dear colleagues, as member of the Bureau I am determined to work together in a spirit of trust, open dialogue and cooperation.

Thank you.