RC's UN@80 Flag Raising and Wreath Laying Ceremony Speech

His Excellency the President,  

Her Excellency the First Lady,  

The leaders of the Legislative and Judicial branches of Government and its members  

Ministers of Government  

Heads of Departments and Agencies  

Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps. 

The Heads of the Security Forces and all its Officers , men and women  

UN colleagues 

Our friends in the private sector- UBA, Africell, Rokel Commerical Bank, and the New Brookfields Hotel  
 

Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen,

Last Thursday at the Njala University Auditorium in the Southern Province, and the following day at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, two remarkable events unfolded during the preliminary rounds of the Inter-Secondary Schools Quiz and Inter-Varsity Debate competitions. When the results were announced, the energy was electric. Young people erupted in joy, shouting at the top of their lungs, some even breakdancing in celebration as they qualified for the semi-finals held yesterday in Freetown. Even those who didn’t qualify wiped away their tears and joined in celebrating with the winners. 

This was an organic celebration—pure, unfiltered, and deeply moving. These young people represent one-third of our nation’s population. They are eager, determined, and full of energy, ready to contribute transformative ideas that will help Sierra Leone become a middle-income country by 2035. 

Yet, while these future leaders celebrated in Bo and Freetown, Sierra Leone continues to grapple with the scourge of substance abuse, particularly the devastating impact of Kush. This crisis demands a united and concerted effort to nip it in the bud. We are committed to ensuring that these children grow into the leaders of today—not just tomorrow. 

I begin this address as we mark the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations and 64 years of partnership with Sierra Leone, to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Government and people of Sierra Leone in tackling this urgent issue. Mr. President, we are in this fight together. On this occasion, we call on everyone—communities, religious leaders, youth, the police, development partners—to stand firm and united in our resolve to address this scourge. 

Your Excellency, today we gather on these hallowed grounds to honor those who paid the ultimate price in service to humanity, both here in Sierra Leone and around the world. Since 1948, the UN has recorded 4,461 fatalities in its operations as of September 2025. Of these, 42 were Sierra Leonean nationals who served with UNAMSIL, UNAMID, UNIOSIL, and other missions. We recognize their sacrifice and pray that their deaths were not in vain. 

We also celebrate broader efforts to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including reforms within the UN system to make it more inclusive and effective. We commend Sierra Leone’s leadership, especially its current role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council—its second time since becoming the 100th UN member in 1961. The UN is focused on tackling climate change, global conflicts, gender equality, youth development, and the ethical governance of artificial intelligence. We are proud to work alongside our development partners and the Government of Sierra Leone, including our esteemed Chair of ECOWAS, who has elevated these issues to national, subregional, continental, and global platforms. 

Mr. President, as the UN embarks on the bold UN@80 reform initiative launched by Secretary-General António Guterres in March 2025, we also turn our attention to issues close to home, right here in Sierra Leone. 

A few weeks ago, I visited women farmers in Bayama, Pujehun District, as part of a UN Peacebuilding Fund project. What I witnessed was inspiring: women and youth leading the charge, transforming hard labor into opportunities to educate their children and support their families. Men are complementing these efforts, and they are proud of it. This is the true spirit of “Feed Salone”—a national initiative that the UN system, through its Rome-based agencies, is proud to support. Together, we are advancing SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and many other interconnected goals. 

The UN Country Team has always enjoyed the goodwill of the Government and people of Sierra Leone. Our Cooperation Framework is fully aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2025–2030), developed in consultation with local communities and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. 

Mr. President, as we celebrate UN@80, we also commend the efforts of your government, the opposition, and other stakeholders in implementing the National Agreement for Unity following the 2023 elections. We acknowledge the challenges, and we hope all partners remain committed to honoring the agreement in full. As the Ministry of Information and Civic Education reminds us: “Salone big pass we all.” 

Ladies and gentlemen, in a world of shrinking resources, we must find innovative ways to address the critical challenges of our time. The UN@80 celebrations in Sierra Leone are a testament to this spirit. We have had strong support from the private sector—Africell, UBA, ECOBANK, Rokel Commercial Bank, and the New Brookfields Hotel. These partners have not only joined us but have actively helped plan and organize every aspect of the celebrations. They are sponsoring prizes for the quiz and debate winners, supporting the trade fair where SMEs and UN agency partners showcase locally made products and the unique Sierra Leonean way of doing things. They have also supported the photo exhibition and the medical health check.  

I invite you all to the Miatta Civic Centre today for the finals of the Debate and Quiz competition, the Trade Fair, and the Medical Health Check. And don’t miss tomorrow afternoon’s festivities—music, comedy, and dancing! 

As I close, Mr. President, I want to reaffirm the UN’s readiness to be a strategic partner in addressing today’s challenges. But this requires bold decisions. For example, the UN Country Team believes that a Common Premises arrangement—housing all UN agencies under one roof—would free up funds currently spent on rent, allowing us to invest more directly in programs that benefit the people of Sierra Leone. Since my arrival, I have initiated discussions with the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and International Cooperation, and I look forward to a positive response. 

So, as we mark 64 years of partnership between Sierra Leone and the United Nations, let us reflect on what we have achieved together: 

•  Deployment of over 17,500 peacekeepers between 1999–2005 to end the civil war, disarm combatants, and support reconciliation. 

•  Disarmament and reintegration of over 75,000 ex-combatants, including child soldiers, by 2004. 

•  Establishment of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (2002–2013) to prosecute those most responsible for war crimes. 

•  Support for electoral processes, decentralization, and anti-corruption reforms. 

•  Spotlight Initiative targeting 9 chiefdoms in Moyamba, Kailahun, and Falaba to combat gender-based violence. 

•  Expansion of access to education, especially for girls, and improvement of rural school infrastructure. 

•  Health interventions that improved maternal health, reduced child mortality, and supported the COVID-19 response. 

•  Progress in inclusive economic growth through UN-backed agriculture and entrepreneurship programs. 

•  Promotion of reforestation, disaster preparedness, and clean energy in vulnerable communities. 

There is still much to be done—but we are proud of the progress. Let us continue this journey together. 

I thank you all.