High-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations (archive). The UN celebrates its 80th anniversary: stories of people whose lives the Organization changed UN
Millions of people around the world know that the work of the United Nations helps overcome challenges, find hope and change lives for the better. Some of the stories of such people became part of the international exhibition “Shared Life, Common Future”, which opened at the UN headquarters in New York and is also taking place in member countries of the Organization around the world.
The exhibition, dedicated to United Nations Day and the 80th anniversary of the UN, includes more than 200 stories from 193 countries and territories. Photographs and personal testimonies tell how the UN impacts people’s lives – through crisis relief, human rights, education, rural development and the fight for a sustainable future.
“This exhibition tells an amazing story – a story of ambition and determination, collaboration and results. A story that the women and men of the United Nations continue to write today in communities around the world,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the opening of the exhibit in New York.
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These photographs, he says, reflect three truths: that the UN helps the most vulnerable, that international norms concern the lives of each of us, and that multilateralism makes our world a better place.
“These people in the photographs are not just posing – they are asking the question: what more can be achieved if we put more effort into finding joint solutions?,” added the Secretary General.
From Moldova to Afghanistan, from Ukraine to Kyrgyzstan, the stories of the exhibition’s heroes show how the UN makes peace fairer and more humane.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan: the sweet taste of sustainable development
The hero of the exhibition, beekeeper from Azerbaijan Iskandar.
Beekeeper Iskandar from Azerbaijan says participation in FAO’s Youth Employment Program has changed his life. Previously, he produced only a ton of honey a year, but now he produces twice as much. FAO and the Government of Azerbaijan project to increase youth employment in agriculture allows young people to learn agribusiness and sustainable production.
And in Uzbekistan, beekeeper Bakhtiyar, having lost his job at a honey factory, was able to start his own business: “With only 10 hives and UN assistance, I built a business and provided a stable income for my family.” With the support of the UN and Japan, he expanded the apiary to 200 hives, opened a workshop and trained more than 70 people, many of whom were women. The project has opened up new opportunities for self-employment and economic growth.
Bakhtiyar, beekeeper from Uzbekistan.
Armenia: girls build the future
Participant of the exhibition, Neli from Armenia.
Neli, a student from Armenia and a youth ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) project, shared that she dreams of becoming a diplomat and helping achieve peace. Through UNFPA, she is leading projects to empower girls.
“Our dreams are worth pursuing,” she said. Today she teaches other girls, helping them gain confidence and build their own future.
Kyrgyzstan: Keepers of Mountains and Wildlife
Baatyrbek, the leader of a team of rangers, participates in a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) project aimed at protecting nature and adapting to climate change: “We decided to become rangers because everything we have is under threat today. I want my children to be able to see this nature with their own eyes.” The project created a 200-kilometer ecological corridor connecting nature reserves in Kyrgyzstan and protecting populations of mountain sheep and goats.
The hero of the exhibition is Baatyrbek Akmatov.
Moldova: a chance for Roma families
Galina and her family are part of the Roma community in Moldova, where trained community mediators work with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“I want my children to learn, not struggle like I did. Our mediator helped us with everything – with paperwork, children entering school, vaccinations,” she shared.
Galina and her family in Moldova.
Thanks to this program, education levels and vaccination coverage have increased, more women are receiving medical care during pregnancy, and adults are receiving training and finding legal work.
Russia: A Power of Hope for Children
Natalya, founder and president of the Children of Russia International Foundation.
In Moscow, the exhibition “Common life, common future” opened at the Bolshoi Theater. One of the heroines of the exhibition is Natalya, founder and president of the International Foundation “Children of Russia.” New York,” she says. The fund, under the auspices of UNESCO, helps children undergoing treatment for cancer, organizes camps, rehabilitation programs and training for doctors in palliative care.
The story of Ruslan, a schoolboy battling cancer, shows how UN ideas can serve as a source of inspiration. Thanks to the “TeachKnow” hospital schools project and participation in events dedicated to Nelson Mandela International Day, Ruslan learned about the outstanding human rights activist: “Mandela’s life inspires and gives me strength to fight the disease.”
Ukraine: the warmth that returns hope
Alena, a boiler room manager in Odessa, says: “UN support feeds not only our boiler room, but also our hearts. It is very important for Ukrainians to know that we are not alone.”
Alena, boiler room manager in Odessa.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is helping Ukraine restore heating, water and power grids damaged by the destruction of critical infrastructure, strengthening and diversifying the country’s energy system. In Odessa, UNDP provided the necessary equipment to provide heat to about 250 thousand residents.
Afghanistan: the voice of women on the air
Radio journalist from Afghanistan Sunbul.
Sonbul, a radio journalist from Afghanistan, says: “With the support of the UN, I led a class in artificial intelligence, inspiring and empowering young women.”
UN supports Afghan women journalists by promoting press freedom and equal opportunities.
How countries celebrate United Nations Day
In Uzbekistan, UN representatives launched an educational campaign about the activities of the Organization, and also conducted information sessions and interviews for students and schoolchildren.
A youth dialogue was held in Tajikistan dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the UN and the International Year of Peace and Trust. UN Resident Coordinator Parvati Ramaswamy emphasized: “Youth are at the center of our future. Their ideas and determination are key to building peace and sustainability.”
In Kazakhstan, the 80th anniversary was celebrated with a gala evening at the Kuanyshbaev Theater, with the participation of more than 600 guests. A concert by the Academic Symphony Orchestra was performed and the UN-80 anniversary stamp, created jointly with Kazpost, was presented.