On 24 October 2013 the African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) hosted an event in El Fasher, North Darfur, to celebrate UN Day with representatives of the Government of Sudan, the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), civil society leaders, members of the local community, UN agencies and other Mission partners.

The event, held at Al Zubeir Stadium in El Fasher, drew several hundred Darfuris from the community to participate in the UN Day festivities, including a music concert, poetry readings and a set of exhibitions designed to raise awareness of the UN’s work in the region.

UNAMID’s Deputy Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Balla Keita , represented the Mission at the event and delivered messages from the UN Secretary-General and the AU-UN Joint Special Representative for the occasion.

“The United Nations works every day, around the clock and across the world, to confront today’s emergencies while building foundations of peace for tomorrow,” said the Deputy Force Commander, quoting the Secretary-General. “We are feeding the hungry, fighting disease and pressing for a nuclear-weapon-free world. We are strengthening peacekeeping, peacebuilding and preventive diplomacy, and our tools for justice.”

The Deputy Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, Mr. Al-Fatih Abdulaziz, and the DRA representative, Mr. Othman Wash, spoke at the event and praised the pivotal role of the United Nations in sustaining peace and security around the world. They highlighted the determined efforts UNAMID continues to make for the sake of bringing about peace and stability in Darfur.

Similar celebrations were held in other parts of the region, including in El Geneina, West Darfur and in Nyala, South Darfur.