In his speech, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr. José Viegas Filho emphasized the importance for the country to hold free, fair and credible elections this year.

Acknowledging that there were delays in the preparation of elections that are scheduled to take place on 18 November, SRSG Fihlo said that those delays are “technical issues”. The ongoing voter registration was delayed because the kits were not available on time and the operations finally began on 20 September, a month later. So far more than 250,000 people have been registered across the country, that is around 27% of the estimated voting population of 900,000.

Talking about the problems such as corruption, disinterest, political instability that plague the country, the head of the UN called on to Bissau-Guineans stressing “to dedicate collectively your concern, your efforts to your country’s development”. “Those who have to solve these problems are yourselves, in peace, with security and with devotion,” he stressed.

The Forum was closed on 24 October by the Deputy Special Representative of the UN SG, David David McLachlan-Karr who focused on UN reform in his address It brought together politicians, government officials, the private sector and civil society to reflect on the implementation of the 2030 agenda, its links with the national development plan and the UN-Government Partnership Framework, as well as its harmonization with the African Agenda 2063.

The event gathered about 150 people, with a majority of of youth. The discussions were held in five panels, with speakers from government, UN and civil society, organized around the 5 Ps: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships.

Participants were positive about the outcome of the forum, having highlighted that “events like this allow all partners and the people to know and understand what each one is doing to assist the country”.

The celebrations closed with a theatre play on sustainable development and human rights, by the national company “Netos do Bandim” and included also an information fair.

The Bafata regional office organized a regional conference on sustainable development for the youth.

In his 24 October message, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reminded that “Every day, the women and men of the United Nations work to give practical meaning to that Charter. Despite the odds and the obstacles, we never give up. “.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.

Guinea-Bissau joined the UN on 17 September 1974.