UN Resident Coordinator Speech at the event to commemorate the UN Day 2023

Pastor Vui Sebastien Mariner,

Afioga. Prime Minister of the Government of Samoa – Fiame Naomi Mata’afa

Honourable Cabinet Ministers and Associate Ministers,

Representative of the Tokelau Government,

Members of the Diplomatic Corp,

Representatives of civil society organizations and NGOs,

Miss Samoa, Moemoana Schwenke,

Heads of UN Agencies and my dear colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Taeao Manuia. Afio mai ma tala mai aao. Talofa Talofa lava.

A warm welcome to you all to the One UN Fale. I want to convey my deepest gratitude and appreciation for your presence here today as we gather to commemorate the United Nations Day, celebrated annually on the 24th of October.

78 years ago on this day, the United Nations was established. This was in the aftermath of immense human suffering, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war; to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and the inherent dignity and worth of every human person, in equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small; and to establish conditions for justice; and to promote social progress and better standards of life.

Today, we live in a divided world and are witnessing unprecedented complex conflicts. We are under threat from multiple crises such as climate change which are disproportionately affecting Samoa and other Pacific Island countries and territories. This should not be a cause for despair but a reminder of why the United Nations was established. The UN charter remains our beacon of hope and is as relevant as it was 78 years ago.

Indeed, we should not lose sight of the progress that we have made globally since then. More than one billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty; more girls are attending schools than ever before; maternal and infant deaths have been reduced by more than half; and there is growing action and grassroots movement to tackle the climate crisis, especially among the youth.

Today, you will witness some of the progress that the UN is making in Samoa and the Pacific in partnership with you.

We are grateful that the UN enjoys a strong partnership with the government of Samoa. The hosting of the Samoa UN Multi-Country Office in Apia, covering Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, along with the hosting of regional offices of several UN entities, such as UNESCO and FAO, is a testament to that strong partnership and Samoa’s commitment to the United Nations. For this, we say Fa’afetai.

I would like to convey our deep appreciation to the Prime Minister for gracing us with her presence today. We are fully aware that her schedule is exceptionally hectic, especially with the ongoing parliament session today. Afioga Prime Minister, your presence here today is a testament to the importance you place on the United Nations and its mission.

I would like to thank the Government of Samoa for its strong national leadership in our partnership. The United Nations does not have its own interests as such. Our interests are to support the government’s interests in meeting its sustainable development aspirations and to support governments in meeting their commitments to international norms and standards.



I would also like to thank implementing partners that are involved in the delivery of UN’s support, and some have joined us in our celebrations today. These include government ministries, civil society organizations including women’s groups and youth. Working through local partners like these is vital in building national capacities and in promoting sustainability of various initiatives.

Last but not least, I would like to thank the development partners and donors whose generous financial support makes it possible for the UN to achieve the results that you will experience today.

Looking ahead, the sustainable development goals (SDGs) remain our guiding star, providing a global blueprint for addressing the many challenges we are still confronted with. The UN family, through its cooperation framework with the governments, remains committed to supporting the member states with a contextualized implementation of the SDGs and to ensuring strong alignment with national development priorities, and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific continent. In this regard, we are committed to supporting the governments of Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau, and Niue in addressing big issues such as climate change, non-communicable diseases, gender inequality and gender-based violence, and in ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth, among other priorities. We will do this under governments’ leadership and in partnership with development partners, CROP agencies, civil society, businesses, academia and other stakeholders.

If we can learn anything from past and current crises, it is that the risk of conflict and social tension increases where people are denied their fundamental human rights. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, let us all recommit to the principles of equality, freedom, and justice, which are essential ingredients for a thriving society where everyone has equal access to opportunities.



Let us not forget that the United Nations is not a distant entity; It’s about “we the peoples” as mentioned in the preamble of the UN charter. It’s about you and me. It is the collective strength and determination of individuals and nations coming together to overcome challenges that no single entity can address alone. It's about communities, governments, and organizations working hand in hand to make our world a better place. So, as we celebrate United Nations Day today, let us rekindle the understanding that we are the United Nations, and our collective actions are what will drive progress and change in Samoa, in the Pacific and in our world. The United Nations is not an abstract idea; it's a living, breathing embodiment of our shared values and aspirations.

So, I invite you all to join hands, to make a commitment today - to take action for peace, prosperity, equality, justice, and to leave no one behind. Our world is counting on us to be the change-makers.

Thank you for being here, and let our collective action be the legacy we leave for the generations to come.

Fa'afetai tele lava.

Soifua ma ia Manuia.