United Nations celebrates 74th anniversary

Port Moresby – The 74th Anniversary of the UN has been commemorated throughout a month-long UN Day 2019 campaign in all regions of the country, advocating for the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN in Papua New Guinea deployed this nation-wide campaign in partnership with Government, civil society, communities and youth, reaching over a 100,000 people.

These Sustainable Development Goals are localised at the very heart of the Government’s Development Frameworks with a mission of “leave no one behind”.

“The UN Country Team in Papua New Guinea is thrilled to be celebrating UN Day this year, advocating about Sustainable Development Goals, with activities reaching the people we serve throughout all four regions of Papua New Guinea” said Mr. Gianluca Rampolla, the UN Resident Coordinator.

In line with our key initiatives:

• People – The Heroes of Polio Eradication as well as the future medical professionals at University of Papua New Guinea were celebrated and commended for their active participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In line with 2019 being the International Year of Indigenous Language, Papua New Guinea’s unique cultural and linguistic diversity was celebrated by reaching over 115,000 people through a photo competition on social media which has had well over 1,200 entries

• Prosperity – Over 2,000 children were engaged in activism throughout the four regions of the country through our Essential UN school programme in Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Tari and Buka, advocating for the Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging their active participation and activism in their futures

• Planet – The UN engaged over 600 youth and children on the importance of safeguarding our unique biodiversity. In addition, the UN Staff in Port Moresby gave back to its community through a Clean Up activity where tons of garbage was removed from a local village. In addition, a Public Lecture was hosted at UPNG with an interactive dialogue with youth activists, the government, and the UN on climate change, climate action and the sustainable development goals

• Peace – A peacebuilding summit united local level government, development partners and civil society in Tari and was followed by a weapons surrender ceremony. A commemorative gathering was held with local government in Bougainville, where an Art Competition was held with several schools to enhance “Peace” in Bougainville. The Human Rights Film Festival, which took place in Madang, Goroka, Lae and Port Moresby, and the debates on Radio talkback shows advocated for all of us to Stand Up for Rights in Papua New Guinea, reaching thousands of citizens and communities throughout the country

This year’s UN Day theme is “Greening the Blue” placed a spotlight on Climate Change, which is a global and defining issue of our time.  “Climate disruption is happening now and it is happening to all of us” … UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres urges us to “seize this opportunity to take bold climate action and ACT NOW”.