Remarks at the Commemoration of the 79th Anniversary of the United Nations

Acknowledgements:

• The Right Honourable Prime Minister
• Honourable Ministers
• Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions,
• Development Partners 
• Members of the Civil Society
• Private Sector representatives
• Colleagues from the UN system
• Ladies and Gentlemen

It is an honour to stand in for the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo, to address you on this auspicious occasion of the 79th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. She is unable to join us physically but is with us in body and spirit.

Today, we reaffirm our commitment to a world of peace, prosperity, and shared progress. We take a moment to honor the spirit of collaboration and unity that drives our work and deepens our commitment to the people of Uganda. This day is a powerful reminder of the UN’s founding ideals of peace, dignity, and prosperity for all, ideals that we continue to pursue in partnership with the Government and People of Uganda.

The theme of this year’s UN Day, "Take Action for the SDGs," resonates deeply with our shared aspirations. It is not only a call to action that reminds us of the urgency with which we must address the interconnected challenges of rising crisis, poverty, inequality, climate change, migration and displacement, but also a reminder of our promise to humanity through the UN Charter and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Over the past twelve months, the United Nations system in Uganda, in partnership with the government and other stakeholders, have brought tangible progress that reflects our shared vision for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. I am pleased to share some of these achievements with you all.

Together we have made meaningful strides in promoting governance, economic opportunities for vulnerable populations, and environmental conservation, inter alia. Through innovative learning programmes and skills training, thousands of youths are now equipped with the tools to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. At least 650 youth-led small businesses have accessed finance over the last twelve months, unlocking opportunities to drive employment and economic growth. We have also supported national health drives that reached over one million vulnerable Ugandans with life-saving vaccinations and essential healthcare services. 

Environmental sustainability remained a key focus, with initiatives aimed at combating climate change, preserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable land management, that were vital in ensuring that Uganda’s development is environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate-related challenges. In partnership with Uganda, we initiated a comprehensive project aimed at restoring degraded wetlands and promoting sustainable agriculture. Over 55,000 hectares of natural resources were restored. Through sustainable agricultural practices involving about 12,000 farmers in the Karamoja region, over $2 million was generated in income from the sale of their produce.

The UN has supported the Government of Uganda in delivering protection and assistance to over 1.75 million refugees and asylum seekers through the implementation of multisectoral projects in health, education, water/sanitation, response to gender-based violence, child protection, skills training, reproductive health, environmental protection, food and nutrition, to name a few, benefiting both refugees and their host communities. The UN’s assistance programmes have also included emergency response to some 120,000 newly arriving refugees mainly from Sudan, South Sudan and the DRC, among others. 

These accomplishments are not mere statements; they are testimonies to the power of collective action and the UN’s steadfast commitment to inclusive governance, sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian assistance, and environmental resilience in Uganda. 

Yet, we are acutely aware that challenges persist. The conflicts in different parts of the world, and environmental crises continue to test our resolve. However, let us remember that in the face of adversity, we find our greatest strengths. Together, we can overcome these hurdles and forge a path towards a brighter tomorrow.

The UN Secretary-General’s message this year reminds us of the power of hope. But he also reminds us that hope alone is not enough. Hope requires action, commitment, and unity. It requires multilateral solutions to the global problems we face today—climate change, inequality, migration, displacements and digital disruption. It requires us to keep pushing forward, even when the path seems uncertain.

In September, the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations. These agreements are more than just words on paper—they are a promise. A promise that this organization will adapt, reform, and rejuvenate itself to meet the challenges ahead. And this is where I see our immense power. Together, we are shaping a UN that is fit for the future, a UN that continues to stand for peace, justice, and equality.

As I conclude, allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Uganda and all our esteemed partners who have joined us today in this celebration. It has been an honour working with you all.

Together, let us recognize that the achievement of the 2030 Agenda is not a distant dream, but a present reality that unfolds with every step we take. Together, we can build a future where no one is left behind, where prosperity knows no bounds, and where the promise of a better world is realized by all.

I thank you all.