UN Resident Coordinator a.i's International Day of Peace Statement

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to join you today to speak on behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Sierra Leone. Each year the International Day of Peace is commemorated around the world to strengthen the ideals of peace – including through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

The International Day of Peace signifies a core value for the founding of the United Nations and reflects our shared aspirations for building peaceful and inclusive societies that are free of all forms of discrimination.

We know that achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms.  It requires building societies where all members feel safe and have the opportunity to thrive. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their gender, socioeconomic status, tribe, religion, or race.

We come together this morning at this historic Bintumani Conference Hall, where Sierra Leoneans gathered to generate a consensus on strategies and a roadmap for the establishment of a National Peace Infrastructure. In this regard, let me congratulate the Government of Sierra Leone for ratifying the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Act 2020. The establishment of the Commission is an important step in reaffirming commitments and further advancing a positive drive towards the actualization of a peaceful and united Sierra Leone.

The United Nations Country Team also recognizes the critical role that next year’s multi-tier elections can play in advancing peace and national cohesion in the country. That is why we welcome the establishment of the national Elections Steering Committee and the representation of the United Nations in the committee through the UN Resident Coordinator.

As UN Agencies, funds and programmes, we continue to commit our support to efforts to promote peace and inclusion, including through peaceful elections. UNDP and UNICEF have signed an MOU with the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs to promote the creation of an enabling environment for the conduct of peaceful elections and for strengthening social cohesion. UNDP has also supported the National Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone on their regional briefings for Ward Electoral Committee Members. UN Women has supported the review of the implementation of UN Resolution 13-25 on Women, Peace and Security and is assisting in the development of its third National Action Plan. There is also a further commitment on our part to continue to provide technical and other advisory support to this process.

We hope that through our collaboration, along with support from other development partners and stakeholders, we are able to help leverage the opportunity the elections present to build on the gains Sierra Leone has made towards peace and national cohesion.

While reiterating my congratulations on today’s observation, let me conclude by echoing the UN Secretary-General’s message on the International Day of Peace, “Peace is a noble and necessary pursuit and the only practical pathway to a better, fairer world for all people”. Let us continue to reaffirm the bonds of solidarity that we all share as human beings and build a better, more peaceful Sierra Leone.

I thank you.