Sinkor, Monrovia – The United Nations has identified Liberia as the clearest illustration of a country moving from assistance for peacekeeping operations to one where the UN is a development partner.
Since the civil war ended in 2003, Liberia has made great progress towards restoring political stability, according to the UN Resident Coordinator, Madam Christine Umutoni, who delivered a special message during the official celebration of the 78th UN Day held in the UN House in Sinkor, Monrovia.
October 24, 1945, marked the founding of the United Nations. It celebrated its 78th anniversary on October 24 but postponed the official celebration until Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Several high-ranking officials from the Liberian government, including President George Manneh Weah, as well as diplomats and foreign partners from the 21 UN agencies, were in attendance.
The 2023 UN Day celebration is held under the theme “Rebuilding Trust and Solidarity: To Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Promote Peace and Prosperity for all in Liberia.”
Madam Umutoni added that the UN shares the joy of sustained peace in a country that has experienced peaceful transitions of power through democratic elections four times already.
According to her, this demonstrates commitment to a stable political environment, noting that the global body also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Liberia has made major commitments that are appreciated.
“We celebrate both large and little victories because it is what propels people and nations forward. Thanks to mines and a comparatively strong agricultural harvest, this nation saw relative economic growth of 4.8% in 2022. We also know that between 1999 and 2019, the Human Development Index (HDI) grew by 20.3%. Even though we now know because of COVID that global conflicts, high rates of inflation worldwide, and the cost of gasoline may have impeded future advancement,.”
Meanwhile, Madam Christine Umutoni stated that Liberia’s commemoration of UN Day in 2023 is especially noteworthy since it falls around the successful conclusion of the country’s first round of general elections IN 2023. She wholeheartedly lauded the country for a largely peaceful and credible first round of the 2023 presidential and legislative elections, according to local and international observers.
She applauded the government for fully supporting the country’s elections and peacefully. ”A hearty round of applause to Liberia. I want to remind everyone here in the UN compound that Liberia is the main sponsor and owner of these elections, the October 10, 2023 elections.”
Noting that Liberia organized and funded its own security operations for elections, Madam Umutoni underlined that there is no UN peacekeeping force participating in the country’s 2023 elections.
Reported by: Naneka Hoffman
Contact: +231770375981/+231881674338
Email: Nanekahoffman@gmail.com
