By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Francess Piagie Alghali, has outlined Sierra Leone’s activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN@80). She was speaking during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown on Tuesday, 21st October, 2025.
Madam Alghali noted that Sierra Leone has been a member of the United Nations for 65 years, during which it has actively participated in UN-led programs and partnerships with key agencies, including UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, and FAO, among others. She underlined that Sierra Leone’s long-standing collaboration with the UN has contributed significantly to national peace, development, and international cooperation.
“The success of the UN’s work in Sierra Leone is because the country has always been cooperative and fully engaged with the UN system,” she said.
Sierra Leone will actively join the UN@80 celebrations. The Minister announced that four major activities have been lined up.
According to Madam Alghali, the celebration will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at the Hockey Pitch in Freetown to honor UN peacekeepers who contributed to Sierra Leone’s recovery during the civil war. She further stated that an inter-secondary school quiz competition is currently ongoing as part of the celebration.
Additional events include a symposium and photo exhibition, which will showcase over six decades of Sierra Leone-UN relations, reflecting the country’s active role in peace-building, human development, and diplomacy.
The celebration will climax with a Peace Concert at Gigibonta Park, symbolizing unity and collaboration under the UN’s global peace mandate.
Deputy Minister Alghali stressed the need for reforms to take place within the United Nations, particularly at the Security Council level. She reiterated Africa’s call for reform of the UN system; an agenda strongly championed by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to address Africa’s historic underrepresentation and ensure equity in global governance.
She also disclosed that Sierra Leone will, for the second time, assume the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council in November 2025, reaffirming the country’s leadership role in international peace and diplomacy.
