From humanitarian aid and education to development and sustainability, it features real-life stories of people and communities whose lives have been transformed by the United Nations mission.
Here are some of his personal reflections.
Mariam dreams of the return of UNRWA schools
Mariam, former student Occupied Palestinian Territory
Before the ongoing conflict, UNRWA, the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, ran schools throughout the Gaza Strip, providing education to around 300,000 children. One girl, Mariam, who studied at a UNRWA school before the war, said: “We miss the UN schools we used to go to. I want life to go back to the way it was before.”
Today, UNRWA, in cooperation with other United Nations agencies and partners, is providing vital aid amid the devastating humanitarian crisis.
Sudanese refugee Radwa turns humanitarian aid into a life project
Chad. Thousands of Sudanese refugees continue to flee across the border
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, nearly 12 million people have been forcibly displaced inside and outside the country, and 878,000 people have fled to neighboring Chad alone.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) provides them with shelter, food, medical care and education, as well as safe relocation from insecure border areas.
Among them is Radwa, who fled Sudan to Chad. Combining her business skills with cash assistance from UNHCR, she started a small home-based bakery business in the Farchana refugee camp.
“I like to help people because everyone needs support. That’s why I support my fellow refugees so that we can grow together and no one is left behind. It’s important to support our brothers and sisters, help them heal,” she said.
Yemeni girl escapes child marriage with UN support
At fifteen, Afaf was faced with an impossible choice to help her family: find a job or marry a 40-year-old man.
“At 15, they pressured me to get married, but the UN helped me get out of that,” she said.
In a “safe space” supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), he received advice and training. The marriage was eventually called off.
A Lebanese firefighter faces danger with UN equipment
As part of its emergency response programs, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) provided essential equipment to the Beirut Fire Brigade in Lebanon’s capital, making firefighters’ missions safer and more effective.
Layal, who is also a firefighter, said: “The new equipment provided by the UN greatly improves our security and preparedness.”
From drugs to cabbage fields
With the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Zahoor and thousands of other Afghan farmers have switched from opium to legal cultivation, turning the land into a source of hope and sustainable income. This is also helping to make the world safer from drugs.
With the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghan farmer Zahoor and thousands of others switched from opium cultivation to legal crops, turning their land into a source of hope and sustainable income, also contributing to a safer, drug-free world.
“With the support of the UN, I switched from opium cultivation to cabbage cultivation. I received training in modern agriculture and was provided with pesticides to protect my crops,” Zahoor said.
Eco-industrial parks, a UN alliance for sustainable production
Manager of the Liudmyla Ukraine Eco-industrial Park
Eco-industrial parks bring companies together to improve performance and sustainability. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Global Eco-Industrial Parks Program supports such parks throughout Ukraine with policy support, capacity development and technical assistance.
Liudmyla, director of an eco-industrial park in Ukraine, told the UN that “since 2020, we have been actively cooperating with the UN on energy-saving projects, which has helped us reduce our use of gas and electricity and move towards more energy-efficient production.”
Innovative water solutions in Malaysia
Rabiah works at the Johor Port Authority, which partnered with the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to design and implement a water-saving system. UNCTAD’s global network of certified port managers is promoting best practices, strengthening South-South cooperation and driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Rabiah works at the Johor Port Authority in Malaysia, which partnered with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to design and implement a water-saving system.
The UNCTAD Port Management Network promotes best practices, supports South-South cooperation and drives progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
“With the support of the UN, we implemented a solution that saves 10 million liters of fresh water every year,” Rabiah reported.
The exhibition will also be presented in various locations around the world and will be accessible online.