On 23 October 2025, the Kingdom of Lesotho joined the world in commemorating United Nations Day, marking 80 years since the founding of the UN. The celebrations reflected the enduring partnership between the Government of Lesotho and the United Nations, and a shared determination to build a world where peace, dignity, and opportunity are within reach for all.As part of the day’s activities in Maseru, the UN organised a full day public exhibition, where agencies showcased their ongoing work and contributions to Lesotho’s national development agenda. The exhibition was officially attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Honourable Lejone Mpotjoana, alongside members of the UN Country Team and development partners.The exhibition provided members of the public an opportunity to engage directly with the UN and learn more about how agency development interventions are supporting national priorities in the delivery of healthcare, education for all, and building climate resilient systems and programme, strengthening governance, and promoting gender equality, demonstrating how global cooperation is translating into tangible progress in communities across Lesotho. The official commemoration ceremony was graced The Right Honourable Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Cabinet Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, and representatives of civil society and the UN Country Team.In his keynote address, The Right Honourable Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane reaffirmed Lesotho’s steadfast support for the ideals of the United Nations and for multilateralism as a pillar of global stability.He said that the UN is “a central pillar of the multilateral system,” describing it as the most effective mechanism through which small nations can make their voices heard and amplify their development potential.The Prime Minister also celebrated Lesotho’s election as Vice-President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, calling it a proud moment that underscores the nation’s commitment to inclusivity, good governance, and international cooperation.“Let us move forward together as government, leaders, communities, business, development partners, and the UN, hand in hand, heart to heart. From the challenges of today, a new era of hope and equality can be born,” he said. In her powerful address, UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi reminded the audience that, at its heart, the United Nations is about people, not institutions or resolutions.“Every year on United Nations Day, we pause to reflect, not only on what the UN has achieved, but on what it truly stands for. For many, the United Nations may seem distant, something they hear about in the news, through meetings and resolutions that feel far removed from daily life. But at its heart, the UN is about people.”Also reaffirming the UN’s nearly sixty-year partnership with Lesotho, she concluded:“Let us continue building a Lesotho where every person can live with dignity and hope. And let us show what is possible when we the peoples, from every mountain, every village, every corner of this earth, choose to act as one. Because when we do, we carry forward not just the work of the United Nations, we carry forward the promise of humanity itself.”A highlight of the programme was the high-level panel discussion titled “Multilateralism and Lesotho: A Pathway to Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.”Moderated by WHO Country Director, Dr Innocent Nuwagira, the panel brought together Hon. Dr Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, Mr Joshua Setipa, and Mr Kelebone Maope, who reflected on how multilateralism and strong partnerships remain central to Lesotho’s pursuit of peace, inclusive development, and economic transformation. This year’s UN Day was also used as a platform for recognising initiatives at community level that are supporting national efforts to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ten community-based initiatives across Lesotho’s districts, with projects in different sectors, were recognised and presented with recognition certificates by the Resident Coordinator, Ms Amanda Khozi Mukwashi and the RH the Prime Minister . The top 10 initiatives which were recognised:2Gether4HIM (Health and Interventions for Men)Protection and Sustainable Utilisation of Natural and Cultural Heritage Resources of TsatsaneAtlehang Maphiri Nutrition ClubM-Mama Emergency Transportation ServicesDigitising Community Health Services to Strengthen Primary Health CarePlant One Tree InitiativeMetsi-A-Lesotho Rural WASH School ActivationImproving Quality of Maternal and Neonatal Health ServicesHerd Boys ProgrammeThese initiatives demonstrate the creativity, resilience, and determination of Basotho communities the very qualities that drive the SGS at the grassroots level. During the same event, the “Lesotho 200 Years” Coffee Table Book a visually compelling publication that chronicles the United Nations’ partnership with the Government and people of Lesotho over the years was launched.The book captures powerful human-interest stories, photographs, and milestones from across UN agencies, illustrating how collaboration has shaped national progress. Featuring augmented reality (AR) technology, the publication allows readers to scan pages and view embedded videos that bring the stories to life.Ms. Mukwashi officially presented the first copy to the Prime Minister, symbolising the shared journey and deep cooperation between Lesotho and the United Nations.As Lesotho celebrates 200 years of nationhood and the UN marks 80 years of service to humanity, the partnership between the two stands as a testament to what true multilateralism can achieve.From crisis response and governance reforms to youth empowerment and climate resilience, the United Nations continues to work hand-in-hand with the Government and people of Lesotho to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The 2025 UN Day celebrations were not just a commemoration of history, they were a reaffirmation of hope, solidarity, and shared responsibility. Together, Lesotho and the United Nations are proving that lasting progress begins where global vision meets local action.

In October 2025, a group of young Basotho came together to take ownership of the country’s future. Convened and facilitated by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s office, the National Youth Dialogue on Advancing the SDGs brought together 24 youth representatives from different districts, professions, and advocacy spaces. Their aim was to reflect on Lesotho’s progress following its Third Voluntary National Review, and to contribute concrete recommendations that align with the global Pact for the Future, a commitment to leave no one behind and ensure a peaceful, just, and sustainable world for generations to come. During the dialogue, young people critically examined key national challenges, from mental health and gender inequality to unemployment, climate change, and governance. They raised urgent concerns about Lesotho’s high suicide rates, the exclusion of women from land ownership, the absence of financing for youth-led innovation, and the growing impact of environmental degradation. Yet their tone was not of despair, but of responsibility and determination. “We as young people have a role to play in the kind of Lesotho we one day would like to see. We cannot wait for change; we must create it, together,” said Mathe Masupha, one of the lead organizers of the dialogue. Her words reflected a shared message from all participants: youth are not asking for permission to lead, they are already leading.The dialogue truly echoed the spirit of the Pact for the Future, particularly its call to meaningfully involve young people in shaping national and global decisions. Participants proposed the institutionalisation of the National Youth Dialogue as a permanent structure to hold government and partners accountable for SDG progress. They also recommended the establishment of a Youth SDG Fund to finance innovation, entrepreneurship, and community projects driven by young people. These recommendations align with the Pact’s pillars on youth and future generations, sustainable development, and global partnerships.What emerged from the dialogue was not just a list of recommendations, but a vision for a future where young people are trusted as partners in governance, innovation, and nation-building. It showed that the future is not something distant, it is being negotiated now, and the voices of young people must be part of that agreement. With the momentum of this dialogue and the global framework of the Pact for the Future, Lesotho has an opportunity to build a more just, sustainable, and inclusive society, shaped by the very generation that will inherit it.

At the community playground in Ha-Tankele, under the Qhoasing Community Council, the air is filled with the sounds of celebration and quiet moments of life-changing impact. Families gather not just for an event, but to witness a shift in how essential services reach the most underserved communities.The visit marked a major milestone in the Equitable Lesotho – Ntlafatsa Bana project, a joint initiative of the Government of Lesotho, the European Union, and UNICEF, which brings together clean water, child nutrition, legal identity, energy access, and social protection, all designed to help children and families thrive.When Marelebohile Tikiso, 52, walked across the field with two young children in tow, she was carrying more than just a day’s anticipation. She carried hope and years of waiting.A mother of four and guardian to three children from her sister-in-law, Marelebohile stood quietly as Palesa and Lethabo, both aged four but not twins, finally received something she had tried to secure for years: birth certificates. “I applied four years ago,” she said, holding the freshly printed papers. “But the certificates never came. Today, they are finally here. The children now have names recognized by the state. Now I can apply for the child grant.”This milestone was made possible by the project’s digital birth registration system, which has replaced slow, manual processes with real-time tablet-based registration. Operated by trained Village Health Workers and Civil Registration Officers, the system is integrated with NISSA—Lesotho’s national social assistance database—helping families access healthcare, education, and social grants more efficiently.Just steps away, Mamello Moholoholo, a Village Health Worker, sat with other members of the Iphepeng Breastfeeding and Nutrition Club, behind a table lined with dried peaches, motoho, moroho, handmade brooms, beans, and beetroot. The group meets twice a month for shared cooking sessions, nutrition education, and growth monitoring of children under five. “Everyone brings what they can—sometimes cabbage, sometimes beans,” Mamello said. “Even if someone comes empty-handed, they leave with knowledge. That’s what matters.”Their club is one of 30 across Lesotho supported through the project, promoting home gardening and peer learning to tackle child malnutrition. A fruit dryer provided by the project will soon allow them to process and sell produce—once recent heavy rains pass.Meanwhile, the community has also benefited from a rehabilitated water system, including source protection, pipe replacements, and standpipes. A community-led maintenance plan ensures the improvements last well into the future. The visit to Ha-Tankele brought national attention, with ministers, diplomats, and UNICEF leadership engaging directly with the community—seeing for themselves the real-world impact of a project that is turning policy into progress.“Before this, they didn’t exist on paper,” Marelebohile said of the children. “But now, I can go to the Ministry and ask for help. I can finally say: these are my children—and they belong.”For Mamello, the change is just as real. “When children are well-fed, when mothers are supported, and when everyone has water and documents,” she said, “the whole village grows stronger.”In Ha-Tankele, the Ntlafatsa Bana project is not just a development programme—it’s a deeply human shift, helping families not only survive, but build futures filled with dignity, identity, and opportunity.

Lesotho is taking steps to improve maternal and newborn health with the acquisition and management of the m-mama platform, a mobile application for emergency referral to ensure timely pregnancy and childbirth care in communities.According to the latest WHO estimates, the maternal mortality rate in Lesotho has dropped by almost 10% between 2020 and 2023, from 529 to 478 per 100 000 live births, with an estimated 267 maternal deaths in 2023. While this progress is encouraging, it is still above the average maternal mortality rate for Sub-Saharan Africa of 454 per 100 000 live births. Much remains to be done to achieve the global target of less than 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030.The leading causes of maternal mortality in Lesotho are severe bleeding (postpartum haemorrhage), pregnancy-related hypertension and complications due to unsafe abortion, all of which being preventable if early care is available and accessible. However, the country does not have enough ambulances to respond to community-based emergencies in hard-to-reach areas, especially those that are maternal and neonatal related.In 2020, the Vodafone Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and communities, launched m-mama, an affordable emergency transport service that connects mothers and newborns to life-saving health care. In January 2025, the programme was acquired by the Government of Lesotho.In 2024, WHO supported Lesotho’s Ministry of Health develop a Digital Health strategy (2025‒2030). Part of WHO’s multipronged approach to support implementation of the strategy is to ensure that m-mama is fully integrated into national digital health frameworks and that governance and ownership of the initiative is strengthened.  A routine trip to purchase supplies for her small grocery store ended up in an unexpected turn of events for 46-year-old Mantoa Moleli from Phatsoe Ha Josefa village in Lesotho’s northern Leribe district. While enroute, she came across a gathering at a local clinic and heard about m-mama, an initiative that uses community-based transport for pregnant women and newborn babies during emergencies. This chance encounter convinced Moleli to become a volunteer driver for the initiative. “What motivated me to volunteer is my passion for childcare,” says Moleli. “I feel that the programme saves lives and raises a lot of awareness among pregnant women to attend antenatal care.” Alongside 19 other community drivers, Moleli received training in traffic rules and regulations, first aid, and infection prevention and control, to ensure that they can provide safe and effective emergency transport. Equipped with her car and the m-mama app on her mobile phone, Moleli is ready to respond, day or night. She joins 3800 volunteers nationwide, who either use their personal vehicles, their taxis, or when the terrain is more unforgiving, boats or horses, to provide fast and affordable transport to women all over the country. When a user places a free call to the 24-hour toll free number, a dispatcher evaluates their condition using the m-mama app, which is built to function both online and offline, making it suitable for rural settings.

If medical assistance is needed, the app locates the nearest community driver, who then receives a request to transport the patient to a health facility for stabilization or care.
The dispatcher contacts the facility in advance to confirm its readiness to provide treatment, and if unavailable, redirects the patient to an alternative facility. Upon the patient’s safe arrival at the destination, the driver is compensated for the trip via M-Pesa mobile money app or another approved payment method, at no cost to the user.

"Before m-mama, we faced critical transport shortages, causing severe maternal and neonatal complications and even deaths," says Puseletso Matšela, a nurse dispatcher from Leribe district. "We do not want a single life to be lost and m-mama is making this possible.” Mamasekoane Nkhasi, a mother of five children from the same village as Moleli, experienced first-hand the life-saving impact of m-mama. After a bad fall at home which caused complications, she alerted her sister who called m-mama.

"I was scared, but 'Mantoa arrived quickly and took me to the hospital,” she says. While hospital staff were only able to save her and one of the twins she delivered, they continued to provide essential care to her and her baby, Lineo, and they were discharged a month later. “If it wasn't for m-mama, I don't know what would have happened,” says Nkhasi. While every district hospital in Lesotho has an ambulance and regional hospitals have an average of two, they respond to all emergencies and are insufficient to address those that are maternal and newborn related.
According to the Vodafone Foundation, the US$ 130,000 annual cost of the programme is more affordable than the purchase and operational costs of one ambulance over the same period.M-mama is a model of sustainable public-private partnership. Implemented for four years by the foundation, the programme became fully funded and operated by the Government of Lesotho in 2024 and was officially handed over by the foundation to government in January 2025, at a colour function presided over by Her Majesty the Queen in the presence of the Hon Minister of Health and several other dignitaries.

“The success of m-mama stands as a shining example of what we can achieve through unity and shared purpose,” says Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso. “With our government's steadfast commitment and the proven effectiveness of the m-mama model, lives of countless mothers and babies in Lesotho are secured.”
"The m-mama programme has had a remarkable impact on maternal and newborn health in Lesotho,” says Lesotho’s Minister of Health Selibe Mochoboroane. “We have seen a good reduction in maternal mortality rates, which is in no small part attributable to this life-saving initiative.”Since its inception in 2020, m-mama has handled over 8800 maternal emergencies and almost 650 neonatal emergencies. Results from the pilot in selected districts have shown a 50% reduction in response time to these emergencies.

“WHO is proud to support the Ministry of Health in bolstering its health systems through viable digital health strategies that support innovations like m-mama,” says Dr Innocent Nuwagira, WHO Representative in Lesotho. “Together, we are building a future where access to emergency healthcare is not a privilege, but a right for all people in Lesotho."