In October 1945, at the end of World War II, the world planted a seed of hope by adopting the Charter that gave birth to the United Nations (UN).For 80 years, every year, General Assembly sessions have been held to address global issues. This year, world leaders are gathering for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, themed “Better Together: 80 Years and Beyond for Peace, Development, and Human Rights.”This international diplomatic meeting is taking place in a context that the Organization's Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, describes in terms that reflect the global reality. “We are gathering in turbulent—even uncharted—waters. Geopolitical divisions are deepening. Conflicts are raging. Impunity is intensifying. Our planet is warming. And international cooperation is being tested by pressures never before seen in our lifetime,” he said.Indeed, the questioning of multilateralism, the principle underlying the UN's multifaceted interventions, by certain member states is paving the way for an uncertain future in a world where problems are increasingly global rather than local challenges. Already, programs for populations around the world are being suspended.To ensure that the UN remains relevant in the 21st century, the Secretary-General launched the UN80 system-wide initiative to improve operational efficiency, review mandate delivery, and identify opportunities for structural reform.In the Republic of the Congo, critical sectors such as nutrition, health, protection, and emergencies are experiencing budget cuts, slowing down the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Major restructuring is affecting certain agencies, funds, and programs.In the face of all these headwinds, this 80th session of the General Assembly is an opportunity to demonstrate the role of the UN as a platform for dialogue. During the general debate from September 23 to 29, heads of state or their plenipotentiaries will be sure to recall the Pact for the Future, a major agreement emerging from the 2024 Future Summit aimed at revitalizing international cooperation, strengthening diplomacy and conflict prevention, reforming the global financial system, taking urgent action on climate change, and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs in favor of solutions for people and the planet.“Despite an extremely difficult period—and precisely because of it—we can and must continue to work for a better world that we know is within reach,” writes Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the UN's 2024 annual report, published on September 18.President Denis Sassou N'Guesso, who is participating in this 80th session, will reiterate the Republic of Congo's position on “the importance of an inclusive and responsive multilateral system capable of effectively responding to the challenges of our time.” The President of the Republic reminded us of this in his address to the nation on August 15: “No country today can be an island of growth or prosperity on its own and claim to pursue development in autarky and narrow sovereignties that enshrine sclerotic selfishness.”Present at every session since joining the UN in 1960, the Republic of Congo has always reaffirmed its faith in the 1945 United Nations Charter. The adoption by the UN General Assembly of the United Nations Decade on Forests and Reforestation (2027-2036) illustrates the country's commitment to contributing to the global climate agenda, especially since the initiative originated in Brazzaville during the International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation in 2024. in 2024. Congo will speak on behalf of indigenous peoples through the “Brazzaville Declaration,” which emerged from the first congress of indigenous peoples and local communities from the three tropical forest basins, co-organized in Brazzaville last May.The recent death of five peacekeepers from the Republic of Congo, serving in the police unit of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, once again demonstrates the country's commitment to multilateralism and its contribution to peace in the world. History will also remember that the Republic of Congo is listed among the states that contributed to the fight against apartheid in South Africa.The 80th session of the General Assembly should enable the UN to evolve so that it remains strong for the next 80 years. 

As the United Nations celebrates 80 years of action for peace and development, the United Nations System in Congo is launching a series of events to mark this historic milestone and strengthen its partnership with the country.The United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Congo, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, met with the Congolese press on Thursday, September 25, to discuss the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the celebrations marking the Organization's 80th anniversary.A renewed call for multilateralismThe Resident Coordinator expressed his satisfaction at seeing Congo represented at the highest level at the 80th session of the General Assembly in New York, praising President Denis Sassou-Nguesso's advocacy for multilateralism and his contribution to discussions on reforming the Organization.This presence was welcomed by the UN as a sign of Congo's ongoing commitment to multilateralism.“Congo has faith in and is an ally of the United Nations. We are happy and grateful to the Congolese government for its unconditional support. This requires us, in return, to rise to the occasion,” said Mr. Diallo.  Climate leadership and the Global Decade of AfforestationMr. Diallo also praised Congo's leadership in forest conservation and the fight against global warming, welcoming the adoption of the Global Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation (2027-2036) on the country's initiative. Congo thus confirms its position as a regional and international leader on environmental issues.UN80 reform and budgetary challenges
But behind the celebrations, challenges remain. The Resident Coordinator warned of the consequences of budget cuts decided by some Member States, affecting UN agencies, including UNHCR in Congo. In response to these constraints, the UN80 initiative aims to make the system more efficient, streamline mandates, and strengthen impact on the ground.
For him, the future lies in greater innovation and partnerships, including with the private sector, to maintain and expand the UN's work on behalf of the people.An inclusive and participatory program of activitiesBut it is not just a matter of observations: the UN is already preparing a participatory and inclusive anniversary. During the meeting, Mr. Diallo presented the program of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the UN in Congo, which will include:A job fair dedicated to young people and people with disabilities on October 22,A traveling photo exhibition showing the cooperation between Congo and the United Nations will be open all October.He asked journalists and civil society to get involved in these activities to share the progress of UN-Congo cooperation and the opportunities for young people with as many people as possible.A shared history looking toward the futureAs the UN prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary, the celebrations in Brazzaville remind us that beyond institutions, it is people—young people, women, people living with disabilities—who are at the heart of this cooperation.This 80-year milestone is not just a celebration: it is also an invitation to reinvent multilateralism and write the next pages of the shared history of the UN and Congo together.The history of the UN in Congo does not end at 80 years: it continues to be written, with and for the Congolese people.“We welcome Congo's continued support and remain determined to live up to that trust,” concluded the Resident Coordinator.

The Republic of Congo is mobilizing to make its voice heard at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), scheduled to take place in Doha from November 4 to 6, 2025. On September 18 and 19, a national workshop brought together in Brazzaville representatives from ministries, technical experts, and United Nations agencies present in the country. The goal: to build a clear and ambitious national position on major social development issues. Why this summit mattersThe World Summit for Social Development is one of the largest international events dedicated to the fight against poverty, exclusion, and unemployment. Thirty years after the founding summit in Copenhagen (1995), countries from around the world are coming together to adopt new commitments for the period 2025-2030, with a shared ambition: to guarantee decent work, universal social protection, and to make further progress in eradicating poverty as well as promoting social inclusion.In a global context where 3.8 billion people still have no social protection, these discussions are crucial. They will enable each country to present its priorities and solutions tailored to its national context.At this Summit, each country will have to make its voice heard and present its endogenous solutions that can be replicated by other countries.  A workshop to build a strong national positionThe preparatory national consultations brought together all national and international actors involved in social development.Over two consecutive days, participants worked in specialized working groups on four areas to structure the national recommendations that will be presented and defended by Congo at WSSD2: Productive employment and decent work, Social integration and inclusion, Poverty reduction, and Social protection.The recommendations resulting from this work will feed into Congo's national contribution, ensuring the country's active and consistent presence at the plenary sessions and round tables in Doha.“This consultation aims to prepare a strong national contribution for the Doha Summit by mobilizing all stakeholders around a clear vision and concrete commitments,” said Dr. Vincent Dossou, WHO Representative in Congo, who delivered the opening address on behalf of the United Nations System. Identifying challenges and concrete solutionsUN agencies (UNECA, WFP, ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF) outlined the main challenges and best practices in their respective fields—education, decent work, food security, and child protection.The Congolese government presented several key instruments.The Director of Studies and Planning at MASSAH discussed the National Social Action Policy (PNAS), which has a budget of over 181 billion CFA francs over four years. This policy aims to transform economic development into social dividends through three structural programs: targeted social action, concrete solidarity with the creation of the National Solidarity Fund, and operational humanitarian action.The Directorate General of Planning and Development detailed the National Development Plan (PND), which aims to build a stronger and more resilient economy, and the memorandum of understanding with the IMF, which requires rigorous monitoring of social spending in seven key areas (health, education, infrastructure, water/electricity, social protection, agriculture, and women's empowerment).Finally, the financing of social development was at the heart of the discussions: faced with high debt and an economy that is still heavily dependent on oil, Congo is exploring new avenues, such as social bonds, climate finance, and strengthening partnerships with the diaspora and local communities. A joint commitment by Congo and the United NationsThe Brazzaville workshop illustrates the joint commitment by Congo and the United Nations system to building sustainable and inclusive social development. The aim is to place people—and in particular the most vulnerable—at the heart of public policy.Dr. Dossou praised the spirit of unity and commitment shown by the participants: “This meeting must be a turning point in Congo's social development.”In November, Congo will bring a strong voice and concrete proposals to Doha, helping to shape new global commitments for social inclusion, decent work, and protection for all.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Abdourahamane Diallo, presented his letters of credence to the President of the Republic, Denis Sassou Nguesso. This occasion provided an opportunity for discussions on key topics, including the strengthening of cooperation between Congo and the United Nations, support for multilateralism, the African perspective on global development, and the upcoming COP30. The Resident Coordinator reaffirmed his personal commitment, as well as the United Nations system's commitment, to supporting the country in achieving its national priorities, in alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the African Union's Agenda 2063.