12 June 2026 marks the 97th anniversary of the birth of Anne Frank. Through her words, generations of readers have come to a closer understanding of the devastating impact of antisemitic hatred and persecution, and of the Holocaust.

To mark the anniversary, the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme held a special gathering in the garden of United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday, 12 June, bringing together representatives of Permanent Missions and United Nations personnel. Beneath the Anne Frank tree — a descendant of the horse chestnut tree that offered Anne a glimpse of the outside world during her years in hiding — participants reaffirmed their commitment to Holocaust remembrance and education, to combating antisemitism and all forms of hatred, and to upholding human dignity for all.

"Today, let us reflect and renew our commitment to work together towards a world in which all people live in peace and with dignity. Let us do so in remembrance of the young person Anne Frank was - curious, spirited, full of hope - and in memory of every child claimed by the Holocaust."

- Robert Skinner, Officer-in-Charge, United Nations Department of Global Communications

 


Mr. Robert Skinner, Officer-in-Charge, United Nations Department of Global Communications, delivers remarks at the foot of the Anne Frank tree in the United Nations garden, at the special remembrance event marking the 97th anniversary of the birth of Anne Frank. Credit: Lilia Vargas Costello/Department of Global Communications


Copies of "The Diary of a Young Girl" donated by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations. Credit: Lilia Vargas Costello/Department of Global Communications