Today, the United Nations in Eswatini joins government, partners and the people of Eswatini in commemorating United Nations Day usually observed globally on October 24.
As we remember the day in 1945 when the United Nations Charter entered into force, it is a good time to recall the memorable opening line of the UN Charter: “We the Peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war….”
The founders of the UN were compelled both by experience and a vision: the experience of the devastation of the Second World War when dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences failed with catastrophic consequences; and a vision of global cooperation that could avert a repeat by continuously strengthening the foundations of peace. This year’s commemoration also marks the 80th anniversary and provides a good moment to reflect on the journey travelled and the one ahead.
For the past 80 years, the United Nations has stood as a beacon of peace, solidarity and collective progress, embracing its mandate of maintaining international peace and security, preventing conflict and fostering dialogue among nations, while building the foundations of peace through sustainable development, human rights, and global cooperation.
Today, it is hard to imagine our world without the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, perhaps often described as the most consequential document of our times. Since 1948, the UDHR has laid the moral foundation for human dignity and freedom, shaping the global peace and security agenda, inspiring world-wide decolonisation and independence, giving form to constitutions and bills of rights around the world.
Through the years, our UN has been at the centre of some of humanity’s greatest triumphs – the eradication of smallpox and the restoration of the ozone layer, demonstrating what global cooperation can achieve.
For 80 years, the UN’s work has helped build better societies: 1.5 billion people have escaped extreme poverty since 1990, and millions of lives have improved through gains in health, education, energy, and digital connectivity since the adoption of the Millenium Development Goals in 2000 and the more ambitious Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.
For 80 years, the UN, via our various agencies, has delivered life-saving aid to the most vulnerable people around the world – reaching tens of millions every year: The UN World Food Programme (WFP), feeds 160 million across 120 countries and territories while the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) supports farmers and shapes food systems. The UN supplies vaccines to 45% of the world’s children. The UN Children’s fund (UNICEF) has saved more than 150 million lives with childhood vaccines while, alongside UNESCO, they have helped shape education for our children and young people.
UN health agencies, including the World Health Organization, UNAIDS and the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) save millions of lives, preventing the spread of deadly diseases such as HIV, Malaria, tuberculosis and ebola and educating our young people on safe living. Our UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Economic Commission for Africa have helped shape policy and development solutions, supporting environmental sustainability, economic expansion and job creation.
Our International Labour Organization, the Organization for International Migration, and the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, remind us of our obligations to ensure decent and safe work, dignified migration, and care for refugees, respectively, while eliminating of discrimination against women and ending violence again women and girls run across UN’s work.
More, Not Less Global Cooperation
As we mark the 80th anniversary of the UN, all is not well with global cooperation. While a war between great powers may have been avoided so far, the world is reeling from devastating and horrendous conflicts, from Sudan in Africa to Ukraine and Russia in Europe, to Israel and Palestine in the Middle East. There are multiple other ‘low intensity’ conflicts and violence around the world whose impacts on people are anything but low intensity.
The world also remains off track to achieve the SDGs by the 2030 deadline. Persistent inequalities, climate change impacts, poor choices and inadequate investments continue to slow progress. Achieving progress requires more, not less, commitment to multilateralism.
Rather to the contrary, the commitment to global multilateral cooperation is on the wane.
Over the last few years, UN agencies, along with many humanitarian and development NGOs, have been reeling from drastic funding cuts by Member states. As of the end of September, just 21% – or nearly US$9.6 billion – of the more than US$45.3 billion needed to support life-saving action around the world this year had been received, a staggering decrease of over 40% compared to the same time in 2024.
This reality is very acute as the organisation celebrates its 80th anniversary under the theme ‘Building our Future Together.’
Consequently, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has put forward proposals for reforms including initial restructuring activities and programme realignments, as well as efficiency proposals that improve delivery and cut costs, now under consideration by the General Assembly. However, the secretary general’s efforts require the strong recommitment to multilateralism.
Eswatini’s Proud Place in Calls for Global Reforms
Significantly, it was here in Eswatini that the Ezulwini Consensus, adopted in March 2005, first articulated the African Union’s unified position on the reform of global governance structures. The Consensus calls for a fairer and more inclusive global system that gives developing nations a stronger voice in institutions that shape financial flows and debt sustainability.
The envisaged reforms have become even more urgent, as the old model of external ‘development’ or ‘donor’ funding has given way to that of ‘development financing’ which places the onus on governments to source finance through various instruments like loans, grants, or private investments.
We applaud His Majesty King Mswati III’s effective use of international platforms to remind and urge for reform, of both the United Nations to ensure equitable representation, and of the international financing mechanisms to ensure fairness and access to affordable finance for developing countries. In his address to the UN General Assembly this year, he urged for a reinvigoration of the peace mandate of the organisation in the face of ongoing devastating conflicts.
The United Nations as a trusted partner for Eswatini’s development
Over the years, the United Nations family has stood alongside the Kingdom of Eswatini as a trusted partner in advancing sustainable development. Through close collaboration with the Government, civil society and development partners, the UN has supported national efforts to strengthen institutions, expand opportunities, and improve the well-being of all Emaswati. This partnership, rooted in shared values and mutual respect, reflects the very essence of ‘We the People of the United Nations – multilateral cooperation and global solidarity.
– UN George Wachira is United Nations resident coordinator and representative of the un secretary-general in the country. The author acknowledges the contribution of colleagues in the resident coordinators office.
