Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane Delivers Bold National Statement at 80th UN General Assembly

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, delivered a powerful and forward-looking address at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. His statement highlighted Lesotho’s commitment to peace, reform, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation amid rising global challenges.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Lesotho’s unwavering support for the United Nations as the foundation of global peace and cooperation. He cautioned against unilateralism and selective adherence to the UN Charter, warning that such actions undermine the organization’s credibility. He also renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, aligning Lesotho with the African Union’s Ezulwini Consensus, which demands fair and equitable representation for Africa.

Domestically, he pointed to significant progress in Lesotho’s comprehensive national reforms that have been underway since 2014. He celebrated the adoption of the Tenth Constitutional Amendment as a milestone for peace and stability. He further welcomed the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) decision to remove Lesotho from its special observation agenda, calling it a clear vote of confidence in the country’s reform process.

Addressing the UNGA80 theme, “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,” the Prime Minister called for renewed global solidarity in closing financing gaps that hinder development in the Global South. He urged development partners to honor their Official Development Assistance commitments, emphasizing that declining aid threatens progress for Least Developed Countries.

He also unveiled Lesotho’s Just Energy Transition Initiative, championed by His Majesty King Letsie III. Leveraging Lesotho’s water, wind, and solar resources, the initiative seeks to secure energy independence, enhance climate adaptation, and position the nation as a renewable-powered hub for Africa’s digital economy through green data centres.

Recognizing that 70 percent of Africa’s population is under 30, the Prime Minister called for greater youth involvement in governance, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He highlighted Lesotho’s investments in digital infrastructure and literacy as critical tools for inclusive growth.

On agriculture, he noted the sector’s vulnerability to climate shocks and welcomed proposals for Regional Agriculture Research Hubs under the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries. He expressed Lesotho’s interest in hosting a hub to drive agricultural innovation across Africa.

Turning to international peace and security, he voiced deep concern about ongoing conflicts, with particular focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He called for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and renewed commitment to a two-state solution. He also urged the lifting of unilateral sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and Cuba, saying such measures hinder global cooperation.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Lesotho’s dedication to universal health coverage, prioritizing maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases. He emphasized that gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence are vital to sustainable development.

As the world marks 80 years of the United Nations, he concluded by reaffirming Lesotho’s dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed that the UN must be defined by inclusivity, bold action, and solidarity to ensure no one is left behind.