Commemorating 80 years of UN Existence and 61 years of Partnership with Zambia

As we mark the calendar year 2025, we find ourselves at a dual landmark of profound global and national significance. This year, the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary—eight decades since the world, battered by war, dared to dream of collective security and shared prosperity. In parallel, Zambia and the UN reflect on 61 years of unwavering partnership, a journey that began almost immediately after the hoisting of the Zambian flag on that momentous day in 1964.

​These milestones are not just occasions for historical reflection. They are a necessary moment for renewal and recommitment to the fundamental pact between humanity and its institutions. For both the UN and Zambia, the theme of ‘Building Our Future Together’ must serve as our guiding star, ensuring that the legacy of partnership meets the complexity of the modern world.

​Eighty years ago, the UN Charter was signed, a document born not of utopian idealism, but of pragmatic necessity. It recognized that no nation could solve the world’s most pressing problems—from war and poverty to pandemics and climate collapse—in isolation. The UN has since become the vital scaffolding of our shared world, mobilizing humanitarian relief for millions, eradicating diseases, upholding human rights, and facilitating the peaceful transition of power in countless territories. Yet, the path has been arduous. From the shadows of the Cold War to the current threats of deepening geopolitical fragmentation and the erosion of multilateralism, the institution has continually been tested. The enduring lesson of the past eight decades is clear: as the needed UN reform continues, the organization remains the irreplaceable platform for global dialogue and action. It is our collective conscience and our essential safety net.

​In Zambia, the story of the partnership is etched into the very fabric of the nation’s development. For 61 years, the UN has been a steadfast ally to the people in Zambia, supporting the independence movement, advocating for frontline states during regional conflicts, and, critically, investing in human capital. We have partnered on everything from drafting the first national development plans to supporting constitutional reforms.

​The impact is tangible: decades of collaboration have contributed significantly to reducing child mortality, increasing primary school enrolment, and strengthening the democratic institutions that underpin Zambia’s well-deserved reputation as a beacon of peace in a sometimes-turbulent region. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, transforming crises into a national success story by providing vaccines, helping with awareness raising, training, providing various resources and pioneering community-based health interventions. More recently, our collaboration focused on bolstering national resilience against the recent unprecedented drought, ensuring food security, and supporting the country’s ambitious economic reform agenda.

​However, celebration must transition swiftly into focused action. The next decade demands a bolder, more integrated approach. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—our global blueprint for 2030—are under threat, requiring a "rescue plan" led by partnerships like ours.

​Zambia’s challenges, like those globally, are interconnected. Climate change exacerbates poverty and threatens the very foundation of its hydroelectric power. Inequality persists, hindering the promise of inclusive growth. The digital divide threatens to leave segments of the population behind. Building Our Future Together means moving beyond traditional development assistance and forging innovative alliances between the Government, the private sector, civil society, persons with disabilities and the youth.

​This means leveraging technology to leapfrog traditional barriers to education and health access. It means de-risking investments in the green economy and renewable energy solutions. It means placing the dignity and rights of every person in Zambia, especially women and girls, at the centre of all policy and planning.

​The 80th anniversary of the UN and the 61st year of partnership with Zambia serve as a powerful reminder: progress is not inevitable; it is a choice powered by collaboration. The founders of the UN and the architects of Zambia’s independence showed us the possibility of constructing something greater than ourselves. Today, we inherit their mandate. Let us recommit to working together, turning global visions into grassroots realities, and ensuring that the future we build is one of peace, prosperity, and justice for all.