UN80

Ibrahima
Newborn
Guinea

"I am relieved to know that Ibrahima is better protected. This simple capsule will prevent serious illnesses, such as blindness."^*

Every child deserves protection. The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, with UNICEF’s support, reaches Guinea’s most isolated areas. On Kassa Island, Ibrahima received vaccines, vitamin A, and birth registration, lifechanging steps that protect children’s health and rights. Thanks to UNICEF’s support, penta3 vaccination coverage rose by 34% between 2015 and 2024. Photo: UNICEF Guinea/R.Losseni

^*Quote by mother

Dawid
Student
Poland

"This package is for my aunt in Canada. I didn’t know that the international postal system is made possible by the UN."

The international postal system is coordinated by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a UN specialized agency that sets global standards and facilitates agreements between countries, enabling the global exchange of more than 3.8 billion letters and packages every year. Photo: UN/Aleksandra Szorc

Baatyrbek
Ranger Team Leader
Kyrgyzstan

“We decided to become rangers, or we would lose everything. I don’t want to show my kids on a mobile phone that we used to have this nature, these animals. I want them to see it with their own eyes.”

The United Nations Environment Programme-led Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation project helps communities adapt to climate change while protecting wildlife, such as through the creation of a 200-kilometre-wide ecological corridor connecting several Kyrgyz nature reserves. Baatyrbek and other volunteer rangers help prevent poaching and overgrazing. This is crucial for migratory animals like the argali sheep and Asiatic ibex. Photo: UNEP/Alejandro Laguna

Weiwei
Gynaecologist
China

"Thanks to the UN, Traditional Chinese Medicine protocols for gynaecology are now recognized internationally. Our treatments are no longer seen as just ancient wisdom, but as evidence-based therapies with global standards for safety and efficacy."

Together, China and the World Health Organization (WHO) are supporting the safe and effective integration of traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare. By providing a scientific and regulatory backbone that complies with global standards, therapies are moving from the realm of cultural practice into evidence-based medicine. Photo: Hua Dong

Layal
Firefighter
Lebanon

"The new equipment provided by the UN greatly improves our safety and readiness."

As part of its emergency response programmes, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided essential gear to the Beirut Fire Brigade, helping make their missions safer and more effective. Photo: UNDP/Rana Sweidan

Ángel
Community Leader
Colombia

"The UN has brought us together. We look forward to welcoming all signatories of the Peace Agreement as brothers and sisters."

The UN Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), set up in 2016, helps local government officials like Ángel and residents work with peace signatories, formerly known as "rebels", to understand and support their reintegration into civilian life. Photo: UNVMC/Santiago Puentes Viana

Ayshe and Eleni
Friends
Cyprus

"Our island is still divided. But thanks to the UN we are at peace, can move easily, work together and make friends."

Cyprus gained independence in 1960. In 1964, amid tensions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the Security Council asked the Secretary-General to use his good offices by appointing a mediator to promote a settlement and established the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to prevent fighting and maintain law and order – efforts that continue today. Although the island remains divided, Ayshe and Eleni met through UNFICYP’s Young Leaders in Action programme and have been friends ever since. Photo: Antonia Maria Nicolaides

Trevor
Pilot
Australia

"Just flew back from Hawaii. International civil aviation standards are coordinated by the UN."

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards and recommended practices for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection. It develops a uniform set of rules, coordinates international cooperation, audits Member States, and ensures safe, reliable and sustainable air transport worldwide. Photo: Chandler Grant

Zahoor
Farmer
Afghanistan

"With UN support, I transitioned from opium to cabbage farming. I received training in modern agriculture and was provided with pesticides to protect my crops."

With support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Zahoor and thousands of other Afghan farmers have transitioned from opium to legal farming, turning land into a source of hope and sustainable income. This is also helping to make the world safer from drugs. Photo: UNODC/Abel Kavanagh

China
Construction Worker
Mozambique

"Now that I’m working here, I’m able to get money to take home. And I’m thinking about building my own house."

With financing from the World Bank, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) works with the Government of Mozambique to provide economic opportunities for internally displaced persons and host communities constructing climate-resilient infrastructure. Photo: UNOPS/Bruno Pedro

Alejandro
Aerospace Development Director
Paraguay

"Thanks to the UN, we are building bridges of cooperation that allow countries like Paraguay to harness space-based technologies for sustainable development and disaster resilience."

With its UN-SPIDER programme, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is training countries to use the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, granting them access to critical satellite data during emergencies. This not only strengthens disaster resilience, but also long-term planning. Photo: GEOLab - AEP/Thanya Idoyaga

Radwa
Sudanese Refugee
Chad

“I like helping people because everyone needs support. That is why I support fellow refugee women so that we can grow together, and no one is left behind. It is important to stand with our brothers and sisters, to help them heal."

Since April 2023, approximately 12 million people have been forcibly displaced inside Sudan and across borders, and 878,000 have fled to neighboring Chad alone, where the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is providing shelter, food, medical care, and education as well relocating them from unsafe border areas, among other forms of assistance. Radwa was also forced to flee the conflict in Sudan to Chad. She combined her entrepreneurial skills with cash assistance from UNHCR to start baking and selling bread from her home in Farchana refugee settlement. Photo: UNHCR/Ala Kheir

Blaz
Beekeper
Slovenia

"Beekeeping is more than honey. What truly matters is teaching future generations to protect the silent workers. By saving the bees, we safeguard our future, food, and life itself."

The United Nations promotes sustainable beekeeping by supporting regulatory frameworks, sharing best practices and raising awareness of bees’ role in food security and biodiversity. In Slovenia and worldwide, UN initiatives help strengthen policies and inspire future generations to protect these vital pollinators and their ecosystems. Photo: Jost Gantar

Justine
Financial Services Lawyer
New Zealand

"Our country code is 64. I didn't know these codes are coordinated by the UN, so each call knows where to go."

International telephone codes are coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency for digital technologies. From artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to satellites, submarine telecom cables and advanced broadband networks, ITU works to connect the world and beyond. Photo: UN-DGC

Yvonne
Cook and Entrepreneur
Indonesia

"Before, I was selling simple snacks on the beach. Now I cook full meals and deliver them to homestays."

Yvonne lives in Budo, one of four villages supported by an International Labour Organization (ILO) programme helping communities diversify into sustainable tourism and providing skills to local entrepreneurs, mostly women. The village has increased its income from tourism fivefold, and now appears on the tourist trail. Photo: UNIC Jakarta/Adwit Pramono

Mariam^*
Former Student
Occupied Palestinian Territory

"We miss the UN schools we used to go to. I want life to go back to how it was before."

Before the current conflict, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) ran schools in the Gaza Strip, educating 300,000 children like Mariam. Today, UNRWA, together with UN agencies and partners, are doing what they can to provide lifesaving assistance to people amid the devastating humanitarian crisis. Photo: UNFPA Palestine/Hosny Salah

^*Real name withheld

Milena
Human Rights Lawyer
Switzerland

"In my work representing children, the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides essential guarantees for the protection of children’s rights, holding States responsible for their implementation within their jurisdiction."

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) sets out the fundamental human rights of every child, including to survival, protection, education, and participation. UNICEF, as its lead UN agency, supports countries to turn these commitments into reality, helping millions of children worldwide. Photo: UNIS Geneva/Emmanuel Hungrecker

Liudmyla
Eco-Industrial Park Manager
Ukraine

"Since 2020, we have been actively cooperating with the UN on energy-saving projects, which has helped us cut our gas and electricity use, and move towards more energy-efficient production."

Eco-industrial parks bring businesses together to improve performance and sustainability. Funded by Switzerland, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)’s Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme helps eco-industrial parks across Ukraine with policy support, capacity building and technical assistance. Photo: UNIDO Ukraine

Volatiana
Mother
Madagascar

"Since joining this nutrition support programme, I have been using UN guidance on infant and young child feeding practices to keep my children healthy."

The World Food Programme (WFP) supports nutrition in Madagascar and globally by improving food security, dietary diversity, and healthy feeding practices. It works with vulnerable families to prevent malnutrition, enhance child health, and strengthen community resilience. Photo: WFP Madagascar

Afaf
Child Marriage Survivor
Yemen

"At age 15 I was pressured to marry, but the UN helped me get out of it."

At 15, Afaf faced an impossible choice to help her family: find work, or marry a 40-year old man. At a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-backed 'Safe Space', she received counselling and training. The marriage was finally cancelled. Photo: UNFPA/Abdulrahman Al‑Muallimi

Luca
Student
Italy

"Walking around Palermo, I’m always amazed by the beauty of our historic sites. It’s reassuring to know the UN supports governments to keep them safe and accessible for everyone."

UNESCO helps protect cultural and natural heritage by setting global standards, supporting conservation and encouraging international cooperation. Its recognition brings attention to the historical, outstanding value of these sites, including 61 in Italy, helping ensure they are preserved, respected and accessible. Photo: Andrea Frisina

Lisa
Senior Policewoman
Democratic Republic of the Congo

"Thanks to the UN, I have considerably strengthened my expertise in forensic science. I can better collect and analyze evidence at crime scenes, while training my colleagues."

The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo supports police with technical skills and advises on crime scene management, forensic photography, ballistics, fingerprinting and investigations. Photo: MONUSCO/Kevin Jordan

Galina and family
Roma Community Members
Moldova

"I want my children to study, not struggle like me. Our community mediator helped us with everything, enrolling our children at school, getting vaccines."

In Moldova, UN Human Rights (OHCHR) is helping vulnerable Roma families exercise their rights and integrate into society through trained community mediators. School attendance and vaccination rates have risen, more pregnant women are seeing physicians, and adults are attending training, opening doors to legal employment. Photo: OHCHR/Vincent Tremeau

Sonbul
Radio Journalist
Afghanistan

"With UN support, I led artificial intelligence training sessions, empowering and inspiring young women in tech — driving real change and championing female empowerment."

Elisabeta
Student
Albania

"The UN is helping us build a society where the new generation has security and trust in the institutions, organizations and community."

John
Automibile Mechanic
Kenya

"Thanks to the UN, we were able to learn practical recycling skills that can help build a more sustainable future for Kenya."

Katy
Water Conservationist
United Kingdom

"My underwater experiences become stories inspiring children to protect our water and our future."

Ma
Student
China

"Science used to feel distant. I had little exposure to high tech before. I joined the UN’s science camp last summer, which helped me to pursue my passion."

Between 2021 and 2025, a project by UNICEF and partners encouraged young people in rural parts of central and western China to pursue their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Photo: UNICEF/Jia Yanan

Fatima
Data Science Student
Pakistan

"As an ITU Gender Champion, I’m proud to be part of the UN’s global mission turning the dream of gender equality in tech into a lived reality, starting from Pakistan."

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) empowers women and girls with digital skills, leadership opportunities and access to innovations to create a more inclusive digital world. Initiatives such as ITU160 Gender Champions foster inclusion, drive policy change and support countries in bridging the digital gender gap. Photo: Abeer Nisar

Roly
Policeman
Peru

"What we’re learning in these workshops allows us to improve our day-to-day work. We can now effectively identify tree species used for wood, avoiding shortcomings in our investigations."

In the Peruvian Amazon, illegal logging and mining pose serious threats to biodiversity and communities. There, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is training law enforcement on forensic techniques to detect and investigate illegal exploitation. Photo: UNODC

Malivan
Health Worker
Thailand

"With WHO's support, we have access to antidotes and training, so we can save lives when people come to hospital with poisoning or snakebites."^*

Malivan rushes to get an antidote to a hospital. As part of Thailand’s national antidote programme, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ramathibodi Poison Center works with WHO to improve access to antidotes, train health workers, and track poisoning trends across the region. Photo: WHO/Amanda Mustard

^*Quote extracted from story

Pablo
Dairy Farmer
Uruguay

"I grew up not knowing much about biogas or the circular economy. Thanks to the UN, I achieved my dream and set an example for others."

In Uruguay, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Biovalor project helped Pablo install a biodigester to convert farm waste into renewable energy and fertilizer. This innovation made his farm more sustainable and efficient, setting a national example for climate-smart agriculture in the livestock sector. Photo: UNIDO

Natalia
Professor
Russian Federation

"With UN support and through the Sustainable Development Goals, I was able to create a methodology for training university staff in the field of sustainable development."

Moscow’s UN Information Centre conducts outreach and advocacy on sustainable development, allowing educators to transfer knowledge through their work. United Nations entities in Russia also develop partnerships with universities, focusing on different aspects of sustainable development. Photo: Andrey Cheshev

Hiếu
Greenhouse Vegetable Farmer
Viet Nam

"We want to create a sustainable and profitable agricultural sector. They taught us everything, from using safe pesticides to managing the greenhouse environment."

Smart farming integrates modern technology into agriculture to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. With the backing of South Korea, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is empowering farmers with smart farming techniques such as optimized greenhouses, improving yields and market access year-round. Photo: FAO/Quach Trung Dung

Jennifer
Peer Mentor
Mexico

"Thanks to a UN project, I’m now that annoying friend who hands out condoms at parties."

Obède
Student
Congo

"The teacher explained to me that a birth certificate allows me to go to school and be considered a citizen."

Like more than half of children in Congolese forest communities, Obède could not go to school because he lacked a birth certificate. Now, thanks to a project by the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and UNICEF in support of the government, he can. Photo: UNICEF

Ghil'ad
Professor of Linguistics
Israel

"The UN’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages played a huge role towards language reclamation, revitalization and reinvigoration."

Ghil’ad has dedicated his life to reclaiming dormant indigenous languages. The UN’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-32) supports efforts to revive and value indigenous languages as not only means of communication, but also vehicles for traditional knowledge, cultures, and ways of life. Photo: Personal archive

Clodagh
Student
Ireland

"Through the UN, I’ve learned that fashion can be a powerful force for good."

Thanks to UNICEF, students are becoming more conscious of their fashion choices: ethical production, child labour, and sustainability. Clodagh is involved in the Junk Kouture initiative, empowering young people to turn waste into wearable statements for climate and social justice. Photo: Brian McEvoy

Mekdes
Heavy Vehicle Driving Instructor
Ethiopia

"After the training, I managed to pursue the career I love, with a better salary and working conditions. The UN made my dream come true!"

The Misale Driver Training Academy trains young Ethiopians like Mekdes as commercial vehicle drivers, contributing to safer roads, industrial workforce development, and gender equality. It was established by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) together with the Ethiopian government, Sweden’s development agency, and Volvo. Photo: UNIDO

Yuriko
App Developer
Japan

"Thanks to this app, wheelchair users like me can share experiences to help others go around the city more smoothly. The UN helps address our rights as human rights, beyond welfare."

Yuriko, a wheelchair user in Tokyo, Japan, engaged with UN experts through the United Nations Information Centre. Inspired by the UN's rights-based approach to disability, she worked on 'WheeLog' a user-generated accessibility map application helping wheelchair users move around Tokyo and the region. Photo: Aoi Sugiyama

Samara
Student
Angola

"I’ve learned so much through this project — and I’m also earning money that helps me support myself."

As part of a youth-led project supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), Samara produces reusable menstrual kits — pads, underwear, and a bracelet representing the menstrual cycle — for women in need, building skills and confidence while earning enough to cover university tuition. Photo: UNFPA/Noriko Hayashi

Evaldo and Laurinha
Family
Brazil

"Here we were very welcomed by the UN."

Following historic floods in Brazil in 2024, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) partnered with the Rio Grande do Sul Government to assist displaced families with humanitarian aid and protection. Photo: IOM/Joana Berwanger

Abd Younis
Farmer
Iraq

"Thanks to the UN, I received support to improve my farming tools and market my crops, helping me continue providing for my family."

Abd Younis leads more than 40 farmers in Nimrud, Iraq. They benefit from a United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC) project funded by the European Union that is improving market access, and exploring solar energy solutions to address water scarcity and high fuel costs. Photo: ITC/Moyasser Nasseer

Awah
Water Committee Member
Cameroon

"The water management committee looks after our resources, checking that public and private taps are in good condition. I’m proud to do this work. I have drinking water in front of my home now."

Backed by the government of South Korea, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) supports Cameroon's government and local communities in bringing drinking water to more than 120 villages across three different regions of the country. Photo: UNOPS/Elise Laker

Signe
Data Protection Lawyer
Denmark

"The UN’s advocacy work showed me how many rights we have as individuals, but also how few truly enjoy those fundamental rights. We must continue to fight for our rights. It is empowering to be part of the pushback against those trying to diminish sexual and reproductive rights!"

UNFPA, the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency, promotes gender equality and empowers women, girls and youth globally to take control of their bodies and futures. Signe is one of countless young women motivated by advocacy to ensure rights and choices for all. Photo: UN City Copenhagen/Thomas Frode

Asna
Businesswoman
Comoros

"The UN listened to our business needs and coached us to improve our operations. Their support helped us achieve our goals and make our dreams a reality."

The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) supports women-led agribusinesses in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with production processes, business planning and market access. With help from UNIDO and partners in Comoros, Asna strengthened her enterprise, improved product quality, and created economic opportunities for her community. Photo: UNIDO

Khanyakwezwe
Civil Servant
Eswatini

"In HIV we need a player who is very neutral and seen to be neutral, and that is UNAIDS."

UNAIDS unites the efforts of the United Nations to fight HIV/AIDS. In January 2025, it lost half of its funding, forcing it to curtail activities globally and leading to great uncertainty in Eswatini and all countries seeking help to tackle the virus. Photo: UNAIDS

Derniella
Smallholder Farmer
Haiti

"To water our plots, we had to walk an hour to the river. With this new system, we can better manage market gardens and produce vegetables for sale and for our families."

Water management is a serious concern in Haiti. With less rain than in the past, farmers need other ways to irrigate. With backing from Québec, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is providing a simple and low-cost drip irrigation system using plastic barrels. Photo: FAO

Yves
Environment Lawyer
Switzerland

"Thanks to the UN, I can obtain the information I need to protect the environment and participate in decision-making processes."

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)'s Aarhus Convention links environmental rights and human rights and goes to the heart of the relationship between people and governments in environmental matters in democratic contexts. Photo: UNECE/Thomas Croll-Knight

Eloi
Rice Farmer
Benin

"With this software, we can open more doors. We see something consistent, real and tangible."

Developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the RuralInvest software is helping farmers and entrepreneurs in Benin transform agricultural yields and other data into structured business plans. The technology is boosting investments in agriculture, and helping farmers access finance from both banks and decentralized financial systems. Photo: FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Eleni
Mother and Grandmother
Greece

"When World War II ended, I remember UN staff distributing clothes in my village Koukouli. Even second-hand clothes were a big deal. Greece was war-torn, and the UN’s humanitarian aid was a lifeline in my childhood."

After World War II, the UN Relief and Rehabilitation Administration planned, coordinated, administered and delivered relief, including food, clothing, shelter and medication. In Greece alone, it distributed 1.7 million tons of food, 12,500 tons of clothing, and 1,250 tons of medical supplies. Photo: Thrasyvoulos Douvlis

Bakhtiyar
Beekeeper
Uzbekistan

"With just 10 beehives and support from the UN, I built a business and created a steady income for my family."

After losing his job at a honey factory, Bakhtiyar started out on his own. Now, with the support of the United Nations and Japan, he has 200 hives and a hive workshop, and trains more than 70 people, many of them women. Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan/Arslan Kannazarov

Víctor Hugo
Mechanical and Industrial Engineer
Guatemala

"With UN support, I co-led about 100 people to build Guatemala’s first satellite, QUETZAL-1. This introduced aerospace engineering to our country and became a symbol of hope, inspiring a new generation to reach for the stars."

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) works for all countries to benefit from space. Guatemala’s milestone QUETZAL-1 was part of an initiative by UNOOSA and Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency enabling developing countries to deploy CubeSats from the International Space Station’s Kibo module. Photo: Universidad del Valle de Guatemala/Sandy Hernández

Melinda
Healthcare Professional
United States of America

"In California, drought-driven wildfires devastate communities and choke our air with smoke. The global climate crisis requires the kind of international coordination only the UN provides."

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) tackles the climate crisis, turning science into action. From providing evidence that shapes stronger climate policies, to supporting low-carbon transitions, it helps nations address risks such as droughts and wildfires that threaten lives, air quality and communities worldwide. Photo: José Herrarte

Sorelly
Farmer
Colombia

"UN support is opening doors for us. With better financial stability, we can have better access to food for our families."

Backed by the government of South Korea, 'Peaceful Opportunities, Rural Women' is a World Food Programme project helping women in rural areas strengthen their livelihoods and improve their sources of nutrition, bettering food security for them and their communities in Colombia's Pacific region. Photo: WFP/Giulio D’Adamo

Hafsat
Entrepreneur
Nigeria

"The UN procurement training was an eye-opener. Before the training, I had never participated in a bid and had no knowledge of the process."

UN Women’s Procurement Training has reshaped Hafsat's journey as an entrepreneur, providing her with the confidence and skills to engage in procurement opportunities. Since completing the programme, she has participated in three bidding opportunities. Photo: UN Women Nigeria

Jerzy
Retiree
Poland

"My childhood was marred by World War II, but I thank the UN that I didn’t experience war again."

Founded in the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations is dedicated to international peace and security. Championing diplomacy, peace-building and humanitarian assistance, the UN stands for a world free from the horrors that marred Jerzy’s childhood – and those of millions of others. Photo: UN/Aleksandra Szorc

Susan
Returned Refugee
South Sudan

"When the killings started, my home was burned, and floods rendered the land uninhabitable. I fled to a UN protection camp, then to Sudan. Now I am back."

Susan was among millions displaced by recurring waves of conflict in South Sudan, when countless lives were saved thanks to the UN presence. Having fled to neighbouring Sudan, she was able to return thanks to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Photo: IOM/Muse Mohammed

Oscar
Student
Sweden

"Smoking isn’t seen as cool anymore. My generation grew up with graphic warnings on cigarette packs and smoke-free spaces."

The United Nations is supporting governments to reduce tobacco use and save lives. Signed by more than 180 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO)-negotiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control advocates for tobacco advertising bans, graphic warnings, higher taxes on tobacco and smoke-free public spaces. Photo: Nicklas Elmrin

Priyantha
Head Nurse
Sri Lanka

"We now provide pregnant women a safe and secure childbirth experience. Compared to our previous delivery room, more mothers are happy to deliver their babies here."

With backing from South Korea, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) helped remodel a building at the Korea-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital, improving its maternal and neonatal health services. Photo: UNOPS/Magnet Studio

Teslim
Community leader
Mauritania

"We started planting trees around the houses. Since the start of the programme, the dunes have been stabilized. Many trees have grown."

The Great Green Wall initiative, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with European Union funding, puts communities at the centre of restoration and reforestation, advising on selection, plantation and harvesting of tree and grass species to fight land degradation and desertification. Photo: FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Mohammed
Wastewater Plants Operator
Yemen

"Before using solar power, sewage used to flood our area whenever diesel ran out. Thanks to UN support, now operations are more efficient and fuel consumption has significantly decreased."

In Yemen, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) restored more than 23,000 meters of sanitation networks, solarized two wastewater plants, and provided critical equipment in a project that enhanced sanitation and reduced environmental health risks for more than 680,000 people. Photo: UNOPS/Akram Hassan

Agron
Multiethnic Village Resident
Kosovo^*

"The UN has brought the children together. The situation is far better since the playground was built."

Agron lives in Vidaje/Vidanje, a multiethnic village in Kosovo. Through a Community Trust Building small-scale project, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) supported the construction of a sports field in 2018 for children from the two communities to bond over sports. Photo: UNMIK/Amanda Fisher

^*Reference to Kosovo is in the context of UN SC Resolution 1244 (1999)

Alida
Artisan
Brazil

"The UN helped me strengthen my craft while keeping my Warao traditions alive."

Refugee and migrant women in Brazil's Roraima State, including in the Warao indigenous community, are gaining entrepreneurial training through the Luxembourg-funded 'Moverse' programme, a joint initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), UNHCR and UN Women, helping preserve their cultural heritage and generate income. Photo: UNFPA Brazil/Isabela Martel

Sreya
Customs and Excise Officer
Cambodia

"The UN Women Professional Development Programme has been a defining moment in my career, giving me the skills and confidence to excel as a female customs officer."

Sreya works in the Sihanoukville Control Unit, tackling illicit trade through Cambodia’s busiest seaport. The Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, implemented by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the World Customs Organization and INTERPOL, offers capacity-building to women working in customs and excise. Photo: UNODC

Mulki
Student
Kenya

"I want to be a data analyst. This training has given me so many new skills, and now I can work and make money comfortably from my home."

In Kenya, refugees and host communities benefit from digital training classes thanks to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), working in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council to implement digital literacy training. Photo: UNHCR/Charity Nzomo

Belbachir
Onion Farmer
Algeria

"I hope that obtaining certification for the Oulhaça onion will allow it to be sold at its fair value."

Together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Algeria's Catalogue of Terroir Products lists 190 emblematic specialties and supports their certification. Among them, the white onion of Oulhaça, prized for its sweetness, is readier than ever to shine in Algerian and international markets. Photo: FAO Algeria

Juana
Environmentalist and Guapinol Resident
Honduras

"The UN has always been close to the Guapinol case and supported us with advocacy, working with the institutions."

The Guapinol region in Honduras was polluted under previous legislation that favoured the rights of companies over human beings. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) supported environmental defenders as they took their case to parliament. In 2024, the area was protected as a national park. Photo: OHCHR/Vincent Tremeau

Sekanao
Wheat Farmer
Malawi

"Since starting solar-powered irrigation in 2021, we are harvesting more than enough. We even have surplus to sell and earn income. Food scarcity is now behind us."

Without irrigation, 90% of farmers in Malawi depend on rain to produce crops. Thanks to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Sekanao is among more than 1,800 farmers to have installed solar-powered irrigation systems, boosting resilience against historic droughts and climate change. Photo: WFP/Giulio d'Adamo

Pedro
Globetrotter
Portugal

"I’m on a trip across Asia. I was surprised to learn that I can access weather forecasts on my smartphone thanks to UN coordination."

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a United Nations specialized agency. It coordinates the work of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services. By facilitating the exchange of real-time data, forecasts and early warnings, WMO underpins services that protect lives and livelihoods worldwide — from local weather apps to global aviation and shipping. Photo: Personal archive

Ratna
Voter
Nepal

"I am a voter."^*

Ratna, 80, shows her registration card after voting in Nepal’s Constituent Assembly elections in 2008. The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) supported national authorities with preparing and conducting the elections, a critical milestone in the country’s peace process following a decade of armed conflict. Photo: UN Photo/Nayan Tara

^*Quote extracted from story

Najoua
Journalist
Tunisia

"Working with data is more than just analysis — it’s about telling real stories that uphold dignity and advance human rights. When used wisely, information has the power to change lives."

A data literacy programme by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank Group, and the Center of Arab Women for Training and Research offers training and mentorships in data journalism, promoting quality reliable and accurate journalism and supporting public access to information. Photo: UNFPA/Mariem Ouled Cheib

Chris
Intellectual Property Lawyer
United States of America

"I represent clients in the global marketplace. WIPO plays a key role ensuring that intellectual property laws around the world are consistent."

The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) harmonizes intellectual property laws and standards across countries. Through treaties, guidelines, and dispute resolution services, it helps businesses and creators protect their rights internationally, ensuring smoother trade, innovation and access to global markets under consistent frameworks. Photo: Leigh Genser

Nour
NGO Founder
Sudan

"They pointed a gun at me, but I was determined to move to Wad Medani with the women and orphans. I could not leave them behind, especially after witnesseing what happened to women and girls."

Nour founded the Shamaa Organization – Arabic for 'candle' – to support vulnerable people in conflict-ridden Sudan. Together with UN-Habitat, she has helped more than 8,000 single mothers and orphans with shelter and health care. When fighting erupted in 2023, she evacuated her charges to safety. Photo: UNOCHA/Matteo Minasi

Nowai
Farmer
Liberia

"Thanks to the UN, we have peace, I can grow my crops and take care of my family."

The United Nations is supporting post-conflict Liberia. For 15 years after a UN-brokered ceasefire, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) helped usher in a new era of peace. Now, UN agencies support Nowai and other farmers with growing crops. Photo: UN Liberia

Abdulrahman
Former Student
Occupied Palestinian Territory

"I lost my leg because of the war. Only the UN has been helping me. We are innocent children who need food, treatment, and support to continue our lives."

Abdulrahman, 10, a victim of the conflict in Gaza, found safety and support through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides shelter, food, medical care, and psychosocial support, offering a lifeline to thousands of children caught up in the violence. Photo: UNRWA Gaza

Adimas
Farmer and Entrepreneur
Indonesia

"Many young people associate farming with dirtiness and difficulty, but the greenhouse we've developed shows you can live close to nature and use cutting edge technology."

Adimas won a grant creating opportunities for young people in agriculture at a time when many are seeking jobs in urban areas. The UN Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Support Services Programme is co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Indonesia’s Agriculture Ministry. Photo: UNIC Jakarta/Hendra Nurdiansyah

Neli
Student
Armenia

"I dream of becoming a diplomat to help establish peace in the world. Thanks to UNFPA, I lead community projects empowering young girls. Our dreams are worth pursuing."

As a Girl Child Ambassador for a project supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Neli learned about leadership, advocacy, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Now she educates other Armenian girls — passing on skills and confidence to shape their own futures. Photo: UNFPA/Artyom Dalyan

Nadeen
Attempted FGM Survivor
Yemen

"My big sister would have died. I don’t understand female genital mutilation, but I’ve heard it’s terrible. I’m lucky to be spared."

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 'Safe Spaces' have helped Nadeen’s and thousands of other families in Yemen take a stand against female genital mutilation (FGM). The programme empowers individuals to reject this harmful tradition, and provides legal and psychosocial support. Photo: UNFPA/Shamikh Ghanem

Frederik
Forestry Engineer
Belgium

"These ancient beech forests are vulnerable to climate change. By maintaining a forest microclimate and adaptive management, we can preserve them for future generations."

Belgium's Sonian Forest hosts one of Europe's old-growth beech forests — recognized as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Frederik stands at the start of Belgium's first 'UN Trail.' An online application tells visitors how preserving and restoring ecosystems can help tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Photo: Personal archive

Ismail
Palestinian Refugee
Jordan

"The UN has been our lifeline for over five decades. My children and grandchildren have received education and healthcare through UN services. Without the UN, we would be lost."

For more than 50 years, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has supported Ismail and his family in Jordan with primary healthcare, education, and monthly cash assistance. From healthcare to schooling, UNRWA has remained a vital source of support and stability for the families of Palestine Refugees across the region. Photo: UNRWA Jordan/Yasser Abdulfattah

Jun
Banker
China

"Thanks to the UN, banks will soon be able to accept negotiable cargo documents from clients as collateral across all modes of transport, helping mitigate trade finance risks and support global trade growth."

International trade is facilitated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). A new convention it developed fixes a legal gap by establishing a legal framework for negotiable cargo documents regardless of the mode of transportation used for the cargo. Photo: Yuning Chen

Hinda and Mohamed
Local Residents
Somalia

"Before we enrolled, we survived with what God provided for us. But once we started receiving assistance, life has become a lot better."

In Somalia, Hinda and Mohamed are among 1.2 million supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) every month with food generously donated by more than ten governments. Yet funding limitations mean even this figure accounts for just 20% of Somalians experiencing critical levels of hunger. Photo: WFP/Arete/Utaama Mahamud

Olena
Boiler Plant Dispatcher
Ukraine

"The support we received from the UN powers not only our boiler plant, but also our hearts. For Ukrainians, it means everything to know we are not alone."

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is helping Ukraine restore access to heating, water and electricity in the face of damage to critical infrastructure, by diversifying and strengthening the country’s energy system. In Odesa, UNDP has provided essential equipment to help secure heat for 250,000 residents. Photo: UNDP Ukraine/Amid Askerov

Roberta
Advocate Against Sexual Violence
Nigeria

"The UN gave us a platform and equipped us with the tools to engage stakeholders and push for change."

Through the Spotlight Initiative, UN Women has empowered survivors of gender-based violence, especially women with disabilities, to reclaim their voices and lead change. Roberta, once silenced by abuse and self-doubt, is now a community advocate providing access to counseling, safe spaces, and rehabilitation services. Photo: UN Women Nigeria

Deanesh
Assistant Professor
Trinidad and Tobago

"Thanks to the UN, we’re using space technology to help Tobago prepare for hurricanes and floods — protecting our homes, our livelihoods, our coastal resources and our future."

Through its UN-SPIDER programme, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and partners developed a 'digital twin', or virtual model, of the island of Tobago, using space-based technology to simulate hurricanes, floods and other hazards, improving disaster preparedness and life-saving early warning systems. Photo: Personal archive

Emna and Titouhi
Medical Technicians
Tunisia

"The UN helped us get an extracorporeal lithotriptor machine, along with being trained in Switzerland. Patients are more comfortable despite long sessions."

In Tunisia, as part of a Ministry of Health project funded by the World Bank, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) delivered more than 1,800 advanced medical devices to 75 hospitals together with specialized training – improving treatment for cancer, kidney and eye ailments. Photo: UNOPS/Livia Scalabrelli

Motaf
Deck Cadet
Bangladesh

"With UN support, we have the power to shape a more inclusive and gender-balanced maritime industry."

With the Women in Maritime programme, the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) helps women like Motaf into shore-based and sea-going roles. By encouraging equal training opportunities and providing fellowships in developing countries, the project seeks to address the gender imbalance in the maritime industry. Photo: IMO

Isgandar
Beekeeper
Azerbaijan

"Before this project, I could only produce one ton of honey each year. Now my production has doubled. Youth's excitement about beekeeping makes me really happy, and I want to help them love this work."

Isgandar's career flourished after he joined a course offered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Funded by the Azeri government, the 'Increasing Youth Employment in Agriculture ' project prepares young people in rural areas for agrifood-related careers, focusing on agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Photo: FAO/Javid Gurbanov

Verónica
Textile Businesswoman
Bolivia

"I am empowered in managing my resources, and have increased my sales, thanks to machinery and training provided by the UN. I now produce 50% more. I am expanding my business and building a better future for my family.”

At 20, Verónica's business is going from strength to strength - becoming more innovative and sustainable. UN Women, South Korea, and the Ministry of Productive Development and Plural Economy, are helping hundreds of women like her on their paths to greater economic autonomy. Photo: UNWOMEN Bolivia

Justin
NGO Worker
Democratic Republic of the Congo

"Thanks to the UN, my colleagues and I can reach children in the remotest areas, so they don’t have to keep working in mining sites."

In DRC alone, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) transports more than 214 humanitarian organisations, enabling the delivery of vital aid and protection to vulnerable people in remote areas. Justin works on a project to keep children away from dangerous mining work. Photo: WFP/Michael Castofas

Ghazala
Aspiring Artist
Jordan

"Painting at UNICEF’s Makani Centre makes me feel so good. When I see my finished painting, I feel like all my emotions are there."

Ghazala, 13, found her voice creating art at a Makani centre, meaning 'My Space' in Arabic. More than 2,500 vulnerable children from the Dom community are among those benefitting from education, psychosocial support and creative activities provided by UNICEF and partners, helping them dream big. Photo: UNICEF Jordan/AbdelMajid El-Noaimi

Alberto
Farmer
Italy

"Climate change is a challenge for farming. I hope the UN will succeed in stopping it and helping countries overcome its effects."

The UN leads global action to tackle and adapt to the existential threat of climate change through meetings called COPs. UN-led action has already bent the global warming curve downwards, to a trajectory of less than 3°C projected warming by the end of this century. Photo: Lorenza Dalla Pozza

Veronique
Market Seller
Central African Republic

"I don’t have a lot of money, and my house was flooded and collapsed. The UN provided cash for me to buy bricks and rebuild."

The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Bank are working with the government in Central African Republic (CAR) to address the basic needs of displaced communities. Beneficiaries receive cash transfers via mobile phones to reduce risks associated with physical currency. Photo: UNOPS/Tchaya Zigoto

Vekoruavi
Mother
Namibia

"The UN helped me understand how breastfeeding keeps my baby healthy."

Through nutrition sessions supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Namibia, the United Nations is empowering mothers with life-saving knowledge, promoting exclusive breastfeeding and improving maternal health in remote communities. Photo: WHO Namibia

Maria
Citizen
Timor-Leste

"Since 1999, the UN has played a key role in guiding Timor-Leste through the restoration of our independence, helping build the foundations of peace, democracy, and stability."

For more than 25 years, the United Nations has been supporting Timor-Leste transition from a conflict-ridden past to peace. Initially deploying a peace operation in support of the restoration of independence, the UN continues to play a vital role in supporting national development and stability. Photo: Sergio Alves da Costa