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international

It has led efforts to eradicate smallpox and “once the headquarters of the League
supported vaccination campaigns reaching over
1 billion children, and continues to coordinate of nations, the Palais des nations has
half of all global childhood vaccinations - saving served as a neutral venue for some
millions of lives each year. It has helped lift over
one billion people out of extreme poverty and of the most complex negotiations in
spearheaded global environmental action, from modern history — carrying forward
protecting the ozone layer to advancing collective
efforts against climate change. These are not mere Geneva’s legacy as a global capital of
statistics — they represent lives transformed,
futures restored, and hope renewed. dialogue and peace.”

Perhaps the most fundamental contribution of
the UN lies in the prevention of another world
war. Through diplomacy, mediation, and over 70
peacekeeping missions, the UN has prevented
and mitigated conflicts across continents. It has Geneva plays a vital role in translating this
helped make the world safer through landmark global vision into local and regional action.
disarmament treaties — from the Treaty on the Building Bridges Week, for example, brings
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to the together leaders from the public and private
Arms Trade Treaty. sectors, investors, and changemakers to develop
concrete solutions for financing the transition to
Peacekeeping and peacebuilding remain a a more inclusive and resilient global economy.
cornerstone of the UN mandate. Here in It exemplifies how Geneva transforms global
Geneva, peace is not just an aspiration but a commitments into measurable impact—bridging
diplomatic practice shaped by nearly a century policy, capital, and innovation to accelerate
of multilateral tradition. Once the headquarters progress on the SDGs.
of the League of Nations, the Palais des Nations
has served as a neutral venue for some of the Within the UN Office at Geneva, the Beyond Lab
ms. Tatiana valovaya most complex negotiations in modern history contributes directly to long-term sustainability
and intergenerational engagement. Through
— carrying forward Geneva’s legacy as a global
United Nations Under-Secretary General capital of dialogue and peace. youth-led foresight labs, intergenerational
dialogues on global priorities, and collaborative
Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva This legacy continues through Geneva Peace projects exploring sustainable futures across
Week, the city’s flagship annual event on sectors — from energy and education to digital
governance — the Beyond Lab helps ensure that
eighty years young: A Future peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Bringing sustainability is not only a policy ambition—but
together diplomats, civil society, researchers, and
a shared, lived reality co-created with the next
grassroots actors from around the world, it fosters
Forged in multilateralism inclusive dialogue, shares field-based insights, generation.
and strengthens the global peacebuilding
ecosystem. Its reach extends far beyond the city— The UN can also take pride in its transformative
This year marks a historic milestone: the 80th bold reform agenda launched by the Secretary- shaping global agendas, amplifying local voices, impact on human rights. The establishment of
anniversary of the United Nations. As Secretary- General in March 2025 to make the UN more and turning multistakeholder peacebuilding the Office of the High Commissioner for Human
General António Guterres has repeatedly agile, inclusive, and fit for purpose in a rapidly into practice. Rights in 1993 provided a strong, independent
emphasized, this anniversary is not only a evolving global landscape. voice for victims of injustice worldwide. Geneva
moment of reflection — it is a call to action. The UN’s commitment to sustainable plays a central role in this effort as home to the
The UN turns 80 with renewed urgency and Before looking ahead, it is worth reflecting on development is another defining legacy. Human Rights Council — established in 2006
purpose. The world today faces increasingly what the United Nations has already achieved. From the adoption of the 2030 Agenda to the — which promotes and protects human rights
complex and interconnected challenges — from mobilization of cross-sector partnerships, globally. Through rigorous monitoring, strategic
climate change and technological disruption to From 51 founding members in 1945 to 193 the UN has helped shape a collective vision advocacy, and inclusive multistakeholder
widening inequality and protracted conflict. Yet Member States today, the UN has been a catalyst for for people, planet, and prosperity. Long- dialogue, the UN has helped enshrine
we have never had a greater opportunity to shape independence and self-determination — facilitating term sustainability now demands not fundamental freedoms — such as freedom of
a more just and sustainable future for all. This is the decolonization of more than 80 former colonies only innovation and inclusion but also expression, protection from torture, and access
the driving spirit behind the UN80 Initiative, a across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. intergenerational solidarity. to education — as universal norms.

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