Resident Coordinator's speech: Sunway Model United Nations Conference 2022

Professor Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Sunway Education Group

Esteemed Directors of Sunway Education Programmes

Sunway Model UN 2022 Participants, present and online,

First of all, let me say what an honor it is to be here today at Sunway University. I have been to this wonderful institution a few times and consider myself very privileged to be your guest today.

I want to congratulate you, whatever stage you’re at in your academic journey, for your hard work and dedication to learning, especially during this time of unprecedented global challenges I am delighted to see that you are passionate about the United Nations and have no doubt that each one of you has the courage and potential not only to pursue your dreams but also contribute to changing the world.

I am currently heading up the United Nations in Malaysia, and also represent the UN Secretary-General, including in Singapore and Brunei.

This coming Sunday will mark one year since I landed in KL for the first time. It has been an incredibly enriching journey so far, one of learning and understanding this part of the world and the three fascinating countries where I have the privilege to coordinate the work of the UN agencies, funds and programmes.

Before coming to Malaysia, I was based in Beirut, Lebanon, where I worked for the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, covering about 20 Arab countries. There I led policy support to our member States in a number of areas, including the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.

I also managed portfolios such as international migration, youth empowerment, ageing and population dynamics and their impact on sustainable development.

Way back in the early 2000’s, I worked on governance and participation issues, parliamentary strengthening and democracy promotion across several Arab countries.

I am from Morocco, and consider myself fortunate to work for the United Nations. I am inspired by every paragraph our elders put down in the Charter, and feel part of worldwide efforts to make a difference in people’s lives and protect the future of our planet.

I believe in the UN’s ability to alleviate suffering, protect human rights, and achieve peace.

I believe in the UN’s power to remind us of our humanity.

The UN is where multilateralism functions at its best, where solutions are found through dialogue and consensus, where every country has a voice and the most marginalized groups get the world’s attention and protection.

The UN is where the monumental challenges facing all of us can be addressed in a collective manner.

Over the years, we have seen the United Nations in action, brokering political solutions, agreeing on extremely complex agendas, developing new global concepts and advocating for the transformations the world needs, in education, in healthcare, in agriculture, in what we produce and how we consume, in how we can protect forests and oceans and prevent climate catastrophes.

Today and tomorrow, you will have the unique opportunity to be a United Nations delegate and engage with other countries in constructive debates and exchange of ideas.

Your mission is to represent your national agendas and defend your countries’ interests, while demonstrating your ability to understand others’ positions.

You may, and will disagree, but you will try to be fair, and all throughout you will stand for the principles and values of the organization.

As you engage in this exciting experience, I would like to share with you a few facts and figures, because your decisions, whether in the General Assembly or any multilateral body you engage in, need to be supported by knowledge, evidence that informs your positions, statements and votes.

These are in no way comprehensive, just pieces of a largely disturbing global picture, which has become gloomier with the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine. So think of them as you reflect on how to stop death, destruction, displacement, and violations of human rights. 

• 75–95 million people are living in extreme poverty in 2022 in addition to pre-pandemic projections.
• According to the World Food Programme, a record 345 million people in 82 countries are now facing acute food insecurity, while up to 50 million people in 45 countries are on the edge of famine and their lives depend on humanitarian support.
• Having caused over 6 million deaths and half a billion infections, Covid-19 remains a global emergency and access to vaccine is lagging for millions of people. Immunization coverage for other diseases dropped for the first time in 10 years and deaths from tuberculosis and malaria increased.
• Before the pandemic, around 60 million children were out of school, 19 million in the Asia-Pacific region.  Education, training, and employment have suffered massive disruptions, with women facing the biggest challenges. Covid-19 is estimated to have disrupted education of over 600 million students, and around 25 million learners may never return to school.
• Discriminatory laws and legal gaps continue to prevent women and girls from enjoying their human rights, making them more vulnerable to school drop-out, unemployment, poverty, early marriage and violence.
• Access to clean water, energy, decent work, basic infrastructures and services, remains a challenge for billions of people worldwide.
• By the end of 2020, two billion people were living in conflict-affected countries. Despite all efforts, this number is on the rise.
• As of May, this year, the number of people forced to flee their homes because of conflict reached 100 million for the first time on record. An estimated 41% of people forcibly displaced worldwide are children.
• Rising sea levels, increased heatwaves, wildfires and floods are already affecting billions of people around the globe and causing potentially irreversible damage. At the current pace in climate action, 700 million people are estimated to be displaced because of drought alone by 2030.

These are a few among many interlinked global crises and challenges that only genuine commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation can help resolve.

When addressing specific issues, try to remain united and collaborative and aware of the bigger picture. Think within as well as beyond your national borders.

Before concluding, I want to thank you for choosing this day to start your deliberations. Today is World Humanitarian Day. In 2008, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to commemorate, every 19 August, the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and protect the safety and security of aid workers.

It’s also a day to remember those who have fallen while delivering humanitarian assistance and saving lives.

I conclude by wishing you a great two days, and by commending Sunway University for creating such opportunities for the generations of the future to understand and uphold the values and principles of the UN Charter.

Thank you.