United Nations, NY, July 22, 2025 – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 2025 Member of the United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize Selections Committee, H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams joined the international community in the halls of the United Nations General Assembly on July 18, 2025, for the awarding of the 2025 UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, and the special commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day, which was held under the theme, “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”
Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly, and Chairman of the 2025 UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize Committee, who began his address by saying that each one of us can make a difference. He described Mandela’s life as a call to action, saying, “As we mark the 80th anniversary of the UN lets draw strength from his courage. Let us realize the promise of the UN Charter. Let us reaffirm faith in human rights, in the dignity, and worth of the human person, in equality between men and women, and let us establish conditions that ensure justice and respect for the obligations arising from of the law our abiding aim to strengthen multilateralism, so that tomorrow’s leaders who will write its next chapters will pick up a mantle of courage, compassion and hope.”
PGA Yang also lauded the work of the 2025 UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize Committee. Commendation was given to the five Eminent Personalities, which included H.E. Dame Marcella Liburd, the Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis for serving, “in an advisory capacity offering wisdom, invaluable advice, and insights pivotal in identifying Nobel Laureates who embody Mandela’s spirit.”
A statement was read by H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, who described Mandela as having, “endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division – but of reconciliation, peace and unity.”
He continued, “Today, Madiba’s legacy is now our responsibility. We must carry forward his commitment to peace, justice and human dignity.”
H.E. Ms. Naledi Pandor, Chair of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa delivered the key note address. She encouraged the gathering to seek out and engage in “good trouble,” a nod to Mandela’s Xhosa name Rolihlahla.
To honour Mandela’s legacy, two individuals who reflect the late leader’s commitment to peace and collective action, and this year’s theme of combating poverty and inequity: Brenda Reynolds of Canada and Kennedy Odede of Kenya were awarded the UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.
Nelson Mandela International Day was officially recognized by the United Nations in November 2009. The day emphasizes Mandela’s commitment to human rights, equality, justice, reconciliation, and the fight against poverty and injustice. It is a call for individuals to become active citizens and agents of change in their communities.
Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity-as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.
