On 3 December 2025, UNMAS will culminate the ongoing six-month Secretary-General campaign to uphold humanitarian disarmament norms through a special exhibition, “Forward NOT Fragmented,” in the Visitor’s Lobby of the General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, and through a digital exhibition.
This exhibition coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing the ongoing challenges posed by unresolved explosive threats. The exhibition brings together artwork, immersive technology, and voices of survivors and advocates to highlight the human impact of explosive ordnance and the urgent need for mine action.
As part of the exhibition, the UN, in collaboration with students from New York University, will provide a virtual reality (VR) experience designed to raise awareness of the urgency of landmine clearance. With VR goggles, visitors will have the opportunity to step into a landmine garden. They can experience what appears to be a simple yard, but hidden beneath are virtual landmines waiting to be discovered.
The exhibition also highlights the work of Giles Duley, the United Nations Global Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding Contexts. A triple-amputee survivor of an IED incident in Afghanistan, Duley brings a deeply personal perspective to the narrative of resilience and recovery. His photographs, displayed throughout the exhibition, capture the strength of survivors and communities affected by explosive ordnance, grounding the exhibition’s message in real human stories. Duley will join the opening event, providing a powerful reminder of the dignity and determination that lie at the heart of this cause.
Many others, including supporting Member States and partners, will also join the opening. The event will feature a performance by a band of persons with disabilities, highlighting resilience, talent and the hope that drives our collective commitment to a safer, more inclusive world.
Join our exhibition opening on Wednesday, 3 December from 6 to 8 p.m. in the General Assembly Lobby.
