, Conor Lennon invited some of his colleagues for a festive episode, to find out a bit more about them (discovering that one has even sung at Carnegie Hall), and how they wade through reports, studies and data, to tease out stories that demonstrate the real difference the UN makes to people’s lives every day.
United Nations Organization
"In 2023, we need peace, now more than ever. Peace with one another, through dialogue to end conflict. Peace with nature and our climate, to build a more sustainable world. Peace in the home, so women and girls can live in dignity and safety", says the Secretary-General of the United Nations, AntĂłnio Guterres, in his message to the world for 2023.
There are many ways to join us and to get involved. You can apply and become a staff member, a volunteer, or an intern. You can connect with us on social media and join the global conversation on the issues facing humanity. You can affiliate your NGO with the UN, or join the UN Global Compact, if you are in the private sector. You can conduct research on the UN, teach courses on the UN, or cover the UN as a journalist. Get Involved will show you how.
As the world’s only truly global organization, the United Nations has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country alone. To its initial goals of safeguarding peace, protecting human rights, establishing the framework for international justice and promoting economic and social progress, the UN continues to add on new challenges, such as AIDS, big data and climate change. United Nations Global Issues include many of the issues the Organization, along with its specialized agencies, tackles to improve people’s lives.
43 artists with developmental disabilities participated in an exhibition of over 100 paintings at the Seoul Arts Center in South Korea. Among them were artists Hansol Kim and Shinhey Park. Watch the video for a behind-the-scenes look at their daily lives. Overcoming the inequalities that they face will benefit all of society. Learn more about the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.
The 77th session of the UN General Assembly is now open. The General Debate this year is between the 20th and 26th of September. On the 22nd, world leaders will address the Security Council to discuss the situation in Ukraine, and the General assembly will convene a high-level meeting on the Sahel.
Many details are still to be confirmed, but here are between 12 and 27 September: 1) a Hungarian President takes the gavel; 2) the Transforming Education Summit begins on the 16th; 3) the SDG Moment is on the 19th; 4) the High-Level Meeting in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the is on the 21st; and 5) a programme of events for the begins on the 16th.
The UN has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. But one thing has stayed the same: it remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. From BTS performing at UN HQ to the United Nations General Debate - here are the videos that you watched the most in 2021. Thanks for watching - don’t forget to for more videos in 2022.
Despite the almost miraculous development of effective vaccines against COVID-19 in 2020, the virus continued to spread and mutate throughout the last year, with much of the blame placed on a lack of effective global collaboration as a key reason for the prolonged pandemic. highlights the , including the UN-backed programme to help developing countries protect their populations against the virus, and the steps taken to prepare for future global health crises.
Dr. Ralph Bunche, a strong ally of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was the first African-American to win the Nobel Peace Prize and Dr. King the second. Hear from Andrew Young, who was present then as a young activist and went on to become the first African-American Ambassador from the United States to the UN. See how racism in Washington DC prompted Dr. Bunche to turn down an offer from the US State Department and instead pursue a career at the UN. And learn how this pioneer peacemaker went from experiencing racism in his own life to blazing a trail of justice for others around the world.
The pandemic’s fallout had delegates spread out across conference rooms and online platforms, rather than reaching consensus through in-person negotiations. Further separated by masks and empty chairs, they nevertheless discussed the topics on their agenda. The delegates, who represent their countries, rose to the challenge, and adapted to new ways of working while building on a strong tradition of dialogue and collaboration. This International Delegate’s Day (25 April), we recognize the crucial role of delegates at a time when international cooperation has never been more important.
Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, hundreds of brave men and women have lost their lives in its service. Today, the growing number and scale of UN peacekeeping missions put many more at risk. The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members (25 March) has taken on even greater importance in recent years, as attacks against the United Nations intensify. This is a day to mobilize action, demand justice and strengthen our resolve to protect UN staff and peacekeepers, as well as our colleagues in the non-governmental community and the press.
Virtual tours of the , as well as virtual lecture programmes on topics ranging from nuclear safety to international organized crime, can now be . #UNVienna #VisitUN
From the Congo to the Middle East, UN icon Sir Brian Urquhart was at the “centre of formative global events”, Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement, to the legendary staff member who died at the age of 101. , who helped guide the UN from its inception through decades of dramatic challenges, was one of the Organization's first staff members. To celebrate his four decades of service, we feature his from , describing his interactions and impressions of world leaders and historical figures.
Watch United Nations tour guides Daria (Russia), Papa (Senegal) and Emily (China) take you on an exciting journey inside the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
#TheWorldWeWant is a special collection of 75 photos, curated from more than 50,000 images crowdsourced from over 100 countries to celebrate the United Nations 75th Anniversary.