UN Resident Coordinator - Statement at the UN Town Hall Online

Thank you for making time to join this morning’s call as we discuss the UN@80 initiative and our plans for the upcoming UN Day celebrations, which will span several days.

Before we dive into that, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of you for the incredible work you continue to do in support of Sierra Leone’s national development priorities. Through your respective Country Programmes, you are driving real change, and I deeply appreciate your contributions. I also want to invite everyone to stand and observe a one-minute silence to remember and honor UN staff members who gave their lives or lost their lives while saving others and serving our shared mission. Their courage, sacrifice and commitment embody the best of the United Nations — let us hold them and their families in our thoughts as we recommit to the principles and the work, they upheld while working for the UN Family.

Now, turning to the heart of today’s discussion- a twofold reflection; one reflection on why the UN was created and where we are now; and another reflection on the yearly celebrations of UN Day which coincides with the commemoration of UN@80.

Eighty (80) years ago, the United Nations was born with a simple, powerful promise: “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”.

These 80 years of UN existence are therefore a living legacy of peace, human rights, and multilateral cooperation — the strength of this legacy lies in people, not just institutions.  

With the UN turning 80, change is inevitable given the current global landscape. As you know, the UN is undergoing reforms under the umbrella of the UN@80 Initiatives, initiated by the UN Secretary General who set up a taskforce to propose recommendations aimed at informing the future of the UN. This is a discussion we started during our first Town Hall during the first quarter of the year. 

On a global scale, the UN@80 Initiative builds on previous reform efforts and is structured around three workstreams:  

• First stream is on Efficiencies and Improvements: which focuses on streamlining operations, reducing duplication, and simplifying procedures.
• The second stream is on Mandate Implementation Review for better coherence and delivery of mandates.  
• The third stream is on Structural Changes and Programmatic Realignment across peace and security, humanitarian, development, and human rights pillars.  

While these reforms are happening at the global level, in Sierra Leone, I am sure some of you have already started witnessing these reforms. Some agencies have already or are undergoing restructuring and these reforms are affecting us directly and indirectly.

We are all still learning how to navigate the UN@80 transformation. So, it is essential that all staff rely exclusively on official internal communication channels for updates and guidance. Social media platforms may circulate incomplete, outdated, or misleading information that does not reflect the organization’s position or plans. To ensure clarity, consistency, and trust, please refer to messages from the Resident Coordinator’s Office and your respective agency leadership. Your engagement and feedback on the changes within the system must be grounded in verified information shared through our internal systems.

With these changes, we encourage the staff to keep up the morale. We are still expected to deliver as the UN.  

It is within this context that we are commemorating the UN@80 in Sierra Leone and around the world, but more importantly, in Sierra Leone, we are commemorating 64 years of partnership between the country and the UN.  

As you may recall, previous celebrations have only been limited to us as a UN family alone save for the Receptions with the Development Partners where we invite them to come and celebrate with us.

Given the current global financial challenges, we have now reconsidered how we celebrate. Unfortunately, there will be no Dinner for staff. Instead, we have adapted our approach to be more inclusive, bringing in both the Government and, for the first time, the private sector. With UNCT’s approval, we have developed a program of events that has strong backing from both UNCT and the Government.  

The events that I will soon outline are inclusive enough to get the involvement of UN staff, but also the communities that we are here to serve. They will incorporate the youth, innovators and entrepreneurs that have been working with the respective agencies as implementing partners or otherwise, comedians, artists, among others.  

Here is a snapshot of the key events bringing together the UN, Government, and private sector:

• October 16 onward: we will have a National Quiz and Debate Competition focusing on UN@80, SDGs among others. Preliminary rounds will be held in Bo and Freetown, with finalists competing in Freetown on October 24 at the Miatta Conference Centre.
• October 23–25: we will have a Photo Exhibition, a Trade Fair, and a Medical Health Check at Miatta Conference Centre.  
• October 24: we will have a Flag Raising and Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Wilberforce Hockey Pitch. The Military has generously provided the venue free of charge, and we have invited the President to attend.
• October 25 (afternoon): we will have a Musical Jamboree featuring popular DJs, MCs, and comedians. This is an open event for all staff, families, and friends—come celebrate with us!

In recognition of the UN partnership with the private sector over the years, Africell and Rokel Commercial Bank have committed substantial financial and in-kind support towards the UN Day celebrations. Ecobank, The New Brookfields Hotel, and UBA are also actively engaged, and we look forward to their contributions. These partnerships are a powerful example of how the private sector can help us reach wider audiences and create lasting impact. This is what makes this year’s celebration special, the collaborative spirit, bringing together government, private sector, civil society, and the UN family to showcase shared progress and partnership in action. This is indeed already demonstrating uptake and taking action on some of the recommendations of UN@80, which calls for stronger and innovative partnerships.

Message to Staff

As I conclude, I would like to share a few take way points for all of us:

As we mark 80 years of the UN Charter, this is a moment to reaffirm who we are and why we serve.

Every staff member, in every role, contributes to this legacy of peace, partnership, and progress.

While reforms are underway, I want to emphasize that staff well-being, transparency, and fairness remain central. Your voices are vital in shaping how we move forward.

UN@80 reminds us that our values still hold true:

Integrity in how we serve.

Professionalism in how we deliver.

Respect for diversity in how we engage.

You are all warmly invited to take part in the week’s activities, to celebrate, to reflect, and to stand proud as part of a living legacy.

“UN@80 is a celebration of years of dedication - of the people behind the mission. 
Together with our partners, we continue to build a world anchored in peace, dignity, and shared humanity.  

Thank you for everything you do. I am proud to serve alongside you.  

Let us use this UN@80 and UN Day as a moment to recommit with energy, compassion and resolve.”

Happy UN Day and UN Week — and Happy 80th anniversary to the United Nations.

Thank you.