An event, scheduled to take place in the National People’s Assembly in presence of members of the Government and UN officials, was cancelled at the last minute for reasons beyond the Mission’s control as well as that of the ANP President.

The last-minute change did not prevent the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals’ campaign, aiming at promoting awareness of the SDGs in Guinea-Bissau: outreach events on the subject were planned across the country and 27 ‘Toca Tocas’ (local shared buses) have been branded for the occasion and are now roaming both in the capital and in the regions.

The Day also saw the launch of the ‘MyWorld 2030 Guinea-Bissau’, a global citizen survey to bring people’s voices into official debates about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is also a tool to hold governments and institutions accountable and make sure every person has their say on SDG achievement. The target is to reach around 20,000 people in Guinea-Bissau, through data collection by local Volunteers’ organizations

Throughout the Day, people have been committing actions in favour of the SDGs by ‘flapping their wings’, part of the ‘Butterfly Effect’, a campaign encouraging a wave of global action where individuals can make specific commitments to accelerate the Goals, inspiring others and hence starting a global butterfly effect.

The afternoon saw the opening of a football tournament, where Government, UN and private sector teams will compete against each other over the next 6 months.

To conclude the day, an evening performance brought together famous artists who, though dance, theatre play, and songs delivered messages on social issues such as irregular migration, women’s rights and social inequalities, all the while enthralling a diverse audience.

UN Day, celebrated every year on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter.