S P E E C H E S
In Praise of Solid Work HAKIMA EL HAITE president, liberal international
Closing remarks delivered via video at the CALD 30th Anniversary Public Conference held on 9 September in Taipei, Taiwan Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, dear friends, dear Kiko, allow me to start by extending my heartfelt congratulations on your 30th anniversary General Assembly. I would also like to commend Kiko, the outgoing CALD Chairman, for his exceptional leadership and achievement. We have had the opportunity to work together through virtual meetings and online platforms during the pandemic. And we performed together, so thank you, Kiko, for your valuable participation.
not only the region but also global energy, food security, while causing devastating effects on civilians. Additionally, we are witnessing military coups in Africa and a growing division in the world order that is undermining the multilateral system.
Asia is not immune to these perturbations and threats to democracy and individual freedoms, as well as to challenges to countries’ sovereignty that are becoming increasingly prominent. In such turbulent times, regional organizations like CALD are vital platforms for upholding the values of “Today we freedom, democracy, and find ourselves in peace.
I must also express my gratitude to Lito and the CALD Secretariat for their continuous hard work, and a time of severe also for organizing this pressure on the memorable meeting in Your work in empowering Taiwan. Although I regret women and youth, advocaliberal democratic not being able to join you in cy, as well as uniting Liberal world order.” person today, rest assured Democrats to safeguard that you are in good hands liberty and hold autocrats with our Vice President Henrik accountable, is commendable. I and Phil. Their vast knowledge and must share that one of the proudexperience will certainly contribute to est moment of my time with Liberal enrich your discussions and debates. International was standing together with Juli Minoves, our president of honor, and together Ladies and gentlemen, today we find ourselves in with you in the Philippines to support Senator a time of severe pressure on the liberal democratLeila de Lima, who has become an inspiring ic world order. Humanity has been grappling with symbol of resistance against repressive regimes one crisis after another, first with the pandemic for liberals worldwide. and its profound social, economical, and even psychological effect. Now the conflict in Ukraine With this message, dear friends, I raise a toast has added another layer of complexity affecting to all of you here to the next 30 years of global
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partnerships, working hand in hand to create a more liberal, democratic Asia. I send my best wishes for a successful assembly on behalf of the Bureau and the 122 members of your global liberal family. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge Mardi Seng, the incoming CALD Chairperson, and her sister Theary, who we remember fondly. The Liberal International Bureau takes pride in having nominated Theary for the Hans Van Baalen Medal of Liberalism at our Executive Committee in Ottawa. Mardi, I eagerly anticipate presenting you with the medal on behalf of Theary very soon. Until then, I wish you every success in your chairmanship. Rest assured that Liberal International is an active and dedicated partner in supporting our shared values across Asia and worldwide. Cheers to your achievements and brighter future for CALD.
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