UN80 Celebration in Armenia: Honoring Shared Progress and a Sustainable Future

The UN80 celebration began early in the morning on Armenian Public TV’s “Aravot Luso” program. At noon, the celebration continued at the UN House in Yerevan with an official flag-raising ceremony, bringing together staff members from all UN agencies in Armenia to mark eight decades of global cooperation and solidarity.

In the evening, the guests joined the official celebration and explored the “Shared Lives, Shared Future” exhibition - a vivid journey through Armenia’s historical milestones and the United Nations’ long-standing partnership with the country. The exhibition highlighted shared efforts to enhance people’s quality of life, promote human rights, and advance sustainable development.

Running alongside was a Biodiversity Exhibition, dedicated to Armenia’s extraordinary natural heritage - one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots. This captivating display celebrated Armenia’s rare and endangered species, including those listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia, while underscoring the importance of continued conservation and environmental stewardship.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, invited guests to immerse themselves in both exhibitions, highlighting Armenia’s early and enduring commitment to environmental protection. “I love that Armenia’s first international commitment was to the environment,” she noted. “And next year, as host of COP17 for biodiversity, Armenia will once again raise the torch - leading efforts to preserve the integrity and beauty of our planet.”

Among the distinguished guests was Mr. Mher Grigoryan, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, who expressed deep appreciation for the strong partnership between the Government of Armenia and the United Nations. “We highly value our programmatic cooperation with the UN in Armenia,” he stated, “which has greatly contributed to the establishment of democratic institutions, the protection of human rights, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the protection of refugees and other vulnerable groups.”

The formal segment concluded with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony, followed by a warm reception where guests enjoyed UN80-branded photo opportunities and became part of the commemorative exhibition - taking home photo souvenirs to remember the occasion.

As the festivities drew to a close, the spirit of the day echoed a profound truth: the UN80 celebration in Armenia was not only a reflection on past achievements, but a renewed promise to work together for a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.