UN Country Team Kicks Off 80th Anniversary Celebrations in Sierra Leone

UN Country Team Kicks Off 80th Anniversary Celebrations in Sierra Leone

Freetown witnessed the official launch of the United Nations' 80th-anniversary celebrations as the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) hosted a press conference at the New Brookfields Hotel. The event, which gathered media representatives and key private sector partners, served as a platform to brief the public on the UN's mandate, future direction, and continued support for Sierra Leone.

The UN@80 initiative, championed globally by Secretary-General António Guterres, is a bold effort to envision the future role and structure of the UN. In Sierra Leone, the launch emphasized ongoing UN reforms and the pursuit of greater efficiency and improvement across its numerous agencies and programs.

The press conference also highlighted a series of celebratory activities planned across the country. The commemorations began on October 16 with a national quiz competition in Bo town, where three qualifiers were selected to advance to the semi-finals in Freetown.

Upcoming events include a three-day photo exhibition, trade fair, and medical check-ups scheduled from October 23 to 25 at the Miatta Conference Center. A significant flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony, set for October 24, will take place at the Wilberforce Hockey Pitch, with the anticipated attendance of the President of Sierra Leone.

The celebrations will culminate on the afternoon of October 25 with a grand musical show featuring the nation’s top DJs, MCs, comedians, and musicians.

The UNCT stressed the critical importance of media engagement in amplifying the message of partnership, progress, and inclusion as the organization looks toward its next phase.