[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/05\/15\/seventh-blog-gerard-anapu\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_blurb title=”Ninth blog: If others can do it, why can\u2019t we?” url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/06\/08\/ninth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” image=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-07-at-17.29.03.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”WhatsApp Image 2023-06-07 at 17.29.03″]<\/p>\n
Established practices, the normal processes and the usual its how we have always done things and the fear for change. One can imagine that in the year 2023, after all the progress that we make, humanity would be more receptive and open to change. At least we think we are, but the realities of our existence are not so much reflective of our aspirations.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/06\/08\/ninth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Second blog: Anthropogenic Climate Change” url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/03\/09\/second-blog-gerard-anapu\/” image=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/03\/Climate-Change-scaled.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
As UN staffers would say, \u201cit\u2019s not the UN without the abbreviations and the fancy words\u201d. True to its reputation, UN abbreviations, acronyms and fancy language warrant a google search from time to time given there can be so many and similar, and I find it bizarre.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/03\/09\/second-blog-gerard-anapu\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_blurb title=”Fifth blog: The will of women: an Islander\u2019s perspective ” url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/03\/17\/fourth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” image=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/05\/ae83b3ec-54e2-4363-94f7-e1dc5501735b.jpg” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In my homeland we have a saying that goes, \u201ce au le inailau a I tama\u2019ita\u2019i\u201d, which translates to \u201cwomen can achieve anything and gets things done\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/05\/15\/fifth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_blurb title=”Youth Impact: Building Connections to Elevate Action ” url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/05\/15\/youth-impact-building-connections-to-elevate-action\/” image=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/05\/180ec192-c0e8-42f8-aff5-38a4cc985fc9.jpg” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A parallel side event to the<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues & the 2023 ECOSOC Youth Forum<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/05\/15\/youth-impact-building-connections-to-elevate-action\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Third blog: True É«¿âTV” url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/03\/09\/third-blog-gerard-anapu\/” image=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/03\/True-É«¿âTV-scaled.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The resumption of the 11th Emergency Special Session in its 17th plenary on the Ukraine and Russia war begs a question on peace. Can we really achieve universal and true peace? In a world where there are unicorns and flying horses, definitely; in our lifetime and our world, I highly doubt it but let\u2019s believe in our concerns.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/03\/09\/third-blog-gerard-anapu\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_blurb title=”Sixth blog: My water needs may not be the same as yours. ” url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/03\/17\/fourth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” image=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/05\/513595ca-c166-4e62-872d-003f88661781.jpg” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cWe did everything we could but despite our best efforts your mother has died\u201d, said Dr. Grey to one of her patients in the famous Grey\u2019s Anatomy TV series.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/05\/15\/sixth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_blurb title=”Eighth blog: If only she knew” url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/06\/08\/eighth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” image=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/06\/If-only-she-knew-1.png” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”If only she knew”]<\/p>\n If only she knew<\/strong>\u00a0the true nature of humanity that we all know so well and are quite familiar with. Human nature that despite the beautiful things we are capable of, we are equally capable of the darkest, most terrible, ugliest behavior possible.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/2023\/06\/08\/eighth-blog-gerard-anapu\/” button_text=”Read more” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Such a simple word. A simple word that carries so much meaning in our lives. As human beings, water makes up about 60% of our bodies and makes up about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/77\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2023\/02\/6-242x300.jpg\")
<\/div>\r\nWater.\r\n\r\nSuch a simple word. A simple word that carries so much meaning in our lives. As human beings, water makes up about 60% of our bodies and makes up about 70% of the world we live in today and is the biggest producer of oxygen for us all. Simple yet powerful.\r\n\r\nThis week as we start our work officially with the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA), I attended a PGA initiative \u201cBriefing of the General Assembly on Science-based Evidence in support of Sustainable Solutions\u201d. The essence of the meeting was to hear from Scientists and experts on water-related issues and possible solutions using science-based evidence. So how come a simple word needs this much attention and at such a high level? I believe it is its value and what it means to us.\r\n\r\nIn the briefing I attended, the thematic areas discussed were the economics of water and conflicts over water. Is that money and war or war on water because of money? It can be confusing but that is the debate. Can we monetize water or put a financial value on it so that we can truly appreciate what it means for us? Can we securitize water or make it a security issue because it can be an existential threat to our beings when we run out? Honestly, I hope we can figure it out soon.\r\n\r\nThere are always 2 sides to a coin and 2 sides to a story. Unfortunately for us all, this story affects everyone, and we need universal solutions to a universal problem. But what is the problem? Demand and supply; due to historic human mismanagement, the demand for water is expected to exceed supply by 40 per cent at the end of this decade, cautioned Mr. Shanmugaratnam, Co-chair of Global Commission on the Economics of Water and Minister from Singapore.\r\n\r\nI think once we figure out the answer to the monetizing and securitizing of water then we will be able to truly appreciate the gravity of the problem which is the 40% excess on supply of water that we ourselves have created.\r\n\r\nAs a national of a small island state, I am ecstatic this issue is taking a step in the right direction to be addressed because we are facing serious problems. We are facing land salination due to sea-level rise causing food insecurity, super flooding from heavy rainfall causing contamination of clean water, extreme drought which dries up the water supplies in certain countries.\r\n\r\nIt is no longer a national issue, it is no longer a regional issue but rather an international issue that should be seriously addressed by all in an inclusive and informed manner.\r\n\r\nIn this decade of action, we all need to act, and we all need to play our part individually in addressing this issue. We start the game changing transformative solutions based on scientific evidence by being game changers ourselves starting by adapting a futuristic approach to life and what you can do for your children and their children. Simple, realize our problem, admit there is a problem, find solutions and act on it keeping in mind that \u201cWater is Life!\u201d.\r\n\r\n<\/div>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[550],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-250919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gerards-blog","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n