UN in Botswana celebrates UN80

The United Nations (UN) in Botswana commemorated the UN at 80 with a Walk/ Run to promote awareness and actions about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, held under the theme: “Building our future together.”

The event, marking a significant milestone in the international community’s history was graced by the Acting President of Botswana Ndaba Gaolathe, diplomatic community and the public.
The celebration was commemorated with a run/walk event, designed not only to honour the founding of this impactful organization but also to highlight and promote the ongoing commitment to the sustainable development goals.

Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator Ms Wenyan Yang said the Walk and Run for the SDGs was symbolic of the UN vision of a world united in peace, dignity and prosperity. Ms Yang said they were reminded that achieving the SDGs was not a sprint but a marathon of collective effort. She said each step represented their shared journey towards ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that no one was left behind. She also said the presence of the Acting President, Mr Gaolathe underscored the government’s commitment to partnership and multilateralism. 

In his remarks, the Acting President Mr Gaolathe said Botswana’s, sustainable development aligned directly with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ensuring that every national effort reflected the people’s aspirations for prosperity, equality and resilience. He said Botswana’s progress as a nation demonstrated what persistence could achieve. “The proportion of Batswana now living below the poverty line has dropped. Primary cchool enrolment remains above 95 per cent. Women now occupy nearly half of senior positions in the public service, showing that empowerment is a driver of better governance,” he added.
He said through the Botswana Economic Transformation Program (BETP) government was creating an economy that could generate jobs and add value to communities, guided by a vision to create the best governed country in the African continent. He said that UN and Botswana joint initiatives strengthened livelihoods with over P440 million, stating that through such initiatives access to education had been expanded and that empowerment of women and youth was also being realised.

The UN’s engagement in Botswana spans a wide range of sectors; from urban planning, environmental resilience and public health, to refugee support, child welfare, youth empowerment and governance. As the country marked the 80th anniversary of the UN, it is also looking ahead to the Summit of the Future in 2026 and to the Decade of Action that still lies before us. The road may be long, but with unity, purpose, and partnership — we can cross the finish line stronger than ever.