The United Nations (UN) Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria has convened a partners’ briefing engagement in Abuja to advance partnership towards advocacy and sensitisation of policymakers and the public on the United Nations themes and mandates.
The engagement occurred online on 13 February 2025 and focused on UNIC’s 2025 priorities. The UNIC Director, Ronald Kayanja, presided over it, attended by 106 partner organisations from across the country, a statement issued by the centre on Thursday said.
The director informed the audience that 2025 is the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), COP 30, and the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Pact for the Future.
He said the Pact further committed Member States and the UN system to mobilise around actions for youth and future generations. Kayanja highlighted peace and security, human rights, and information integrity as critical focus areas for UNIC this year.
“We will work with partners to address challenges to the integrity of the information ecosystem, implementing the Global Principles for Information Integrity and relevant aspects of the Global Digital Compact. It is important to address the dangers caused by mis – and disinformation and hate speech to societies, especially in the wake of AI,” he explained.
The participants were also briefed on the UN International Days and the need for collaboration with other stakeholders and UNIC for their observance. Participants thanked the leadership of UNIC for bringing so many NGOs to discuss the UN priorities for the year.
The President of the Nigeria Environmental Society, Efe Okobia, requested that UNIC be more involved in the activities of CSOs across Nigeria.
The Executive Director of Mind The Gap Initiative, Tayo Olosunde, advocated for CSOs to use technology more extensively to ensure diverse people’s inclusive and active participation.
In their interventions, Foluke Ademokun of Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation and Doyin Ogunye of Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE) called for more collaborations and strategic alliances between and amongst NGOs with focus and values.
The statement added that similar engagement is planned with journalists in print and electronic media and those operating with online channels.
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