UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
On the United Nations Day - 24 October 2017 becomes a working holiday in Liberia
24 October 2017, Monrovia - The 72nd anniversary of the United Nations Day in Liberia was marked with a street parade by 625 students drawn from twenty five high schools in Monrovia and an official indoor ceremony at the Centennial Pavilion, Monrovia.
The students were addressed at the Centennial Pavilion by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Farid Zarif, the Deputy SRSG for Peace Consolidation and UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Yacoub El Hillo, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Marjon Kaara, the Secretary General of the Liberia United Nations Association, Mr. Melvin Dowrison and the guest speaker the Former Liberian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador, Conmany Wesseh.
Chief of Protocol of Executive Mansion, Eleanor Cooper in his statement at the ceremony announced the news that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, by proclamation has declared Tuesday, October 24, 2017, as “United Nations Day”, and was to be observed throughout the country as a Working Holiday.
This was a tribute to the United Nations Organization and its Member States for their roles played and critical role they continue to play in the rebuilding of Liberia following its civil crisis for which the country remains most grateful.
Amongst the dignitaries at the ceremony were also the Deputy SRSG for Political and Rule of Law, Waldemar Vrey, the U.S. Ambassador Christine Elder, high ranking Government Officials, Heads of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, members of the diplomatic corps and educators.
The event was spearheaded by Liberia United Nations Association and the Ministry of Education with a strong partnership and support from UNMIL.
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.
24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday.
