Lesotho Celebrates United Nations Day 2025

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 Tsatsane
• Atlehang Maphiri Nutrition Club
• M-Mama Emergency Transportation Services
• Digitising Community Health Services to Strengthen Primary Health Care
• Plant One Tree Initiative
• Metsi-A-Lesotho Rural WASH School Activation
• Improving Quality of Maternal and Neonatal Health Services
• Herd Boys Programme

These 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.