The United Nations in Eswatini Celebrates its 75th Anniversary

The United Nations Development System in Eswatini celebrated the organization’s 75th anniversary in a wonderful occasion, hosted in the UN House’s car park, Mbabane.

The half-day celebrations were attended by the Right Honorable Prime Minister, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Thulie Dladla, the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, Heads of UN agencies and partners.

UN staff and invited guests commenced the exciting celebrations with an SDG Awareness Walk around Mbabane, on a warm morning, followed by addresses from Guests of Honour. So too did the young winners of the UN75 essay competition make powerful remarks.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Heads and Representatives of UN agencies, used the celebration to share tokens of appreciation with critical partners, who have been crucial in the implementation of Agenda 2030 n Eswatini. Partners included: the Right Honourable Prime Minister, H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E Minister of Economic Planning and Development, CEO of the National Disaster Management Agency, Mr Russell Dlamini, CEO of CANGO, CEO of Nercha, Mr Khanya Mabuza, and CEO of Businesswomen Eswatini, Ms Tokky Hou.

The addresses were followed by a tour of stalls; those which demonstrate the work of the United Nations and partners in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The eight agencies showcasing their important work were: UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNAIDS, IOM, WFP, FAO and WHO, as well as the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO).

The fantastic day of celebrations were concluded with a UN75 cake-cutting  ceremony by the Right Honourable Prime Minister.

The occasion marked 75 years since the implementation of the UN Charter, signifying the UN’s commitment to ensuring the prosperity of the people and the planet.

“This year’s UN Day celebrations come at an unprecedented time in which COVID-19 has laid bare the severe and systemic inequalities within society,” stated the United Nations Resident Coordinator.

“To mark the UN’s 75th anniversary, the UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, launched the biggest global conversation on how we can build a better future for all. The UN in Eswatini hosted 16 dialogues with vulnerable populations, who demonstrated the resilience and strength of Emaswati. This feedback was then shared during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2020, at which the Kingdom of Eswatini served in the prestigious position of Vice President,”

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank His Majesty King Mswati III, for partnering with United Nations in Eswatini for over 50 years. We look forward to a wonderful day of celebration today and many more to come,” continued Ms Ndongo-Seh.

The event was broadcast live on Channel Yemaswati and livestreamed on UN Eswatini’s YouTube page, between 7:30am and 12pm.

The UN Day celebration follows the signing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025 on Thursday, 22nd October, by the Government of Eswatini and the United Nations Development System. The UNSDCF is a strategic instrument that acts as a partnership and accountability framework between the United Nations and Government of Eswatini.