From: "Babedi, T Ms :New York UN, 1st Sec Political ,DIRCO" <BabediT@dirco.gov.za>
Date: April 24, 2020 at 4:51:41 PM EDT
To: "Babedi, T Ms :New York UN, 1st Sec Political ,DIRCO" <BabediT@dirco.gov.za>
Cc: "Matjila, J Amb: New York UN, Ambassador, DIRCO" <matjilaj@dirco.gov.za>, "anna-karin.enestrom@gov.se" <anna-karin.enestrom@gov.se>, "karin.berlin@gov.se" <karin.berlin@gov.se>, "DLawson@nexus-secretariat.org" <DLawson@nexus-secretariat.org>
Subject: Joint statement on SRHR, gender-responsiveness in COVID-19 crisis

MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR ANNA-KARIN ENESTRÖM, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SWEDEN TO THE UN & AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UN

Excellency,

We have the honor to write to you on behalf of our ministers, H.E. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, Minister for Social Development of South Africa, and H. E. Mr. Peter Eriksson, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden.

As you are aware, the Governments of Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guinea, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom are working closely together to be a positive force for women and girls at the UN, through the intergovernmental cross-regional Nexus Initiative. As part of this initiative, our Ministers would like to invite your government to join the enclosed statement.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact of on women and girls, our ministers believe it is important to unite all governments committed to promote gender-responsiveness and SRHR needs in the global and national emergency responses.

Previous similar cross-regional statements, including that delivered by the H.E. Sigrid Kaag, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands, on behalf of 58 countries, at the UHC High-level meeting of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, and by H.E. Mr. Jackson Mthembu, Minister in the Presidency of South Africa, on behalf of 55 countries, at the ICPD@25 Nairobi Summit, were successful in bringing public and media attention to these issues. We find it critical to sustain visibility, political support and momentum for women and girls in the context of the global response to COVID-19.

In addition to Minister Zulu and Minister Eriksson, the following Ministers (and others may join) are co-signing this statement, along with the other countries listed in the statement:
H.E. Ms. Marise Payne, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Minister of Women of Australia H.E. Mr. Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Development Cooperation of Belgium H.E. Ms. Karina Gould, Minister for International Development of Canada H.E Mr. Rasmus Prehn, Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark H.E. Mr. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation & Foreign Trade of Finland H.E. Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe & Foreign Affairs of France H.E. Ms. Diene Keita, Minister for International Cooperation & Regional Integration of Guinea H.E. Mr. Dag-Inge Ulstein, Minister of International Development of Norway H.E. Ms. Arancha González Laya Foreign Affairs, European Union & Cooperation of Spain H.E. Ms. Liz Sugg, Minister for International Development & the Foreign & Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom

We hope that your Government will be willing to support this joint statement. Our ministers would be delighted if a member of your Government was willing to co-sign it.

As most UN intergovernmental bodies cannot meet in person amid the current crisis, in order to maximize its outreach around the world, this joint statement is expected to be released in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, through the media and social media worldwide simultaneously from all signatory countries through their national and international media/social media channels in-country early May, at a date to be confirmed.

We would be most grateful if you could kindly indicate, before Thursday, April 30th, 2020, by 5:00pm (EST), in an email to Mr. David Lawson (dlawson@nexus-secretariat.org>), who is assisting our Missions with this effort, whether your Government will support this joint statement (in which case, your country name will be added to the cosponsors), and if so, whether a minister wishes to join our ministers and others in co-signing it (in which case, her/his name and title will be added to the statement).

We thank you for your consideration and support.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.


Ambassador Anna-Karin Eneström           Ambassador Jerry Matjila


























































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