Statement of the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, at the 76th UN Day Celebrations in 2021

Members of the UNCT,

UN Colleagues,

Families and loved ones of the UN Family,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Boys and Girls,

A very good morning to you all and a happy (belated) UN Day! It is an honour to gather with you and your loved ones today, to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the organisation that we are privileged to serve; the United Nations.

The presence of our loved ones today signifies not only who we are; One UN Family, and whom we value as an organisation, but indeed, the spirit and foundation on which we stand. None of us would be here today without the love, care, guidance and support provided by our families and loved ones. Might we take a moment to truly appreciate and extend our individual and unified gratitude to the special people with us today, and all those who cannot be present.

Our mission as the United Nations is one of service to the world’s most vulnerable people, in maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, supporting sustainable development and climate action, as well as upholding International Law.

In the great words of Kofi Annan, our former UN Secretary-General; “More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations.” As the world faces its common enemy of COVID-19, and indeed, threats to peace; the ambitious, timely response, resilience and expertise of the United Nations is needed more than ever before. This year’s theme, “Building Back Together for Peace and Prosperity,” highlights the need to stand in solidarity  with one another in our endeavours to provide hope and a future for all people, everywhere, including the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Dearest Colleagues,

At a time such as this, when the peace and future of our beautiful Kingdom of Eswatini are shaken beneath our own feet, we must lean on our individual and collective strength, the UN Charter and the reasons for which we serve. Flexibility, agility, courage, resilience, coordination, collaboration and solidarity are required to ensure that we leave nobody behind in our recovery from health pandemics, threats to peace and human rights, as well as natural disasters.

As we seek to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025, might we do so through delivery as One UN – One UN Family. Our comparative advantage, and indeed, the manner in which the Government and our invaluable development partners see us, is found in the wide range of agencies, funds and programmes that operate together to transform the lives of EmaSwati. Today, let us renew our commitment to this vision of the UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, and Secretary-Generals before him, by embracing and ambitiously implementing the UN Reform.

As we wrestle with the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and deep civil unrest within our magnificent nation, which is impacting every EmaSwati, this sense of unity and combined efforts, as One UN Family, are imperative to the recovery and restoration of peace in Eswatini.

However, despite the immense challenges that we have faced together, the UN Development System (UNDS) in Eswatini has achieved incredible feats. Guided by the vision of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the UNSDCF 2021-2025, signed nearly a year ago today by the Government, the late Hon. Prime Minister, Mr Ambrose Dlamini, and the entire UNCT; the UN Family has left remarkable footprints in the lives of the most vulnerable people of Eswatini. The restoration of the dignity of victims of gender-based violence, and other forms of violence, the empowerment of children, youth, women and persons with disabilities have been amongst some of the extraordinary accomplishments made by the UNDS this year and prior.

Significant progress has been made towards the SDGs, particularly SDG 3; ‘Good Health and Well-being’ as Eswatini was one of nine African countries to reach the World Health Organisation’s target of vaccinating ten percent of the population. I would like to extend a very warm congratulations to all colleagues, partners and the Government for reaching this formidable target.

We have also done exceptionally well in forging successful partnerships with the media, the private sector, women groups as well as people with disabilities. However, we need a stronger focus on our youth. In the words of the UN Secretary-General: “young people need more than support. They need a seat at the table.”

The United Nations Family remains a trusted partner of the people of Eswatini, and indeed, is humbled to have supported national efforts in the battle against the pandemic, through COVID-19 mitigation, response, and recovery, to a value of USD 13,394,810.71 (SZL 191,947,637.47).

In the great words of Pubilius Syrus; “Where there is unity, there is always victory.” Let us continue to stand in solidarity with one another and indeed, the people of Eswatini, until the battle is won.

As I close, I would like to extend my appreciation to each of you for joining today’s celebrations of the 76th anniversary of the United Nations: what a wonderful day it is! I look forward to the unravelling’s of today’s events, as we grasp a deeper understanding of who we are as the United Nations, whilst having a lot of fun! Please enjoy yourselves.

I thank you.