The UN Armenia Resident Coordinator Francoise Jacob’s Remarks at the UN80 Celebration

On behalf of the United Nations team in Armenia, I am happy to welcome you to the UN House - the one and only - and to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

A Vision for Peace and Human Dignity

Eighty years ago, in the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations was born from a collective promise. The UN Charter was not only a legal agreement or a moral compass - it was a bold commitment to Multilaterism and international cooperation, justice, and human dignity. As Secretary-General António Guterres recently said, “Peace is not naïve. It is the most courageous, the most practical, and the most necessary pursuit of all.”

Here in Armenia, this anniversary carries special meaning. The country has taken courageous steps towards a future of peace, stability, and prosperity in a region marked by complexity and change. Peace is more than a political agreement - it is the daily work of building trust, ensuring rights, empowering communities, and creating opportunities for every person: women and men, youth and elders, refugees and migrants, in villages and cities. The UN will continue to walk alongside Armenia on this journey.

Armenia and the UN: A Shared Story

Let me briefly remind us Armenia’s journey with the UN. Only a few months after gaining independence, Armenia became a member of the United Nations, on March 2nd 1992. Just three months later, Armenia participated in its first international gathering - the Earth Summit in Rio - where the three landmark conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification were born, along with the now-famous COPs.

I love that Armenia’s first international commitment was to the environment. 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.

Please take time to explore the two exhibits - inside and outside - highlighting the UN’s work in Armenia and the country’s first public exhibit on biodiversity. I want to thank Berta Martirosyan for her beautiful photos generously provided to us for the exhibition, and also the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets for sharing the photo of the famous Caucasian Leopard.

The UN at 80: A Legacy of Impact

For eight decades, the UN has stood the test of time, as a symbol of our shared humanity and collective responsibility. It has improved and will continue to improve the lives of billions - through safeguarding peace, security and humanitarian access in the most complex situations, through the development of comprehensive human rights and international laws mechanisms, and through shaping a global sustainability agenda: this is economic empowerment, global standards on health, food safety, aviation, fair trade, decent jobs, nuclear non-proliferation. It has advanced gender equality and elevated the role of women and girls worldwide. It is at the forefront of contemporary issues - from the governance of outer space to the ethical use of artificial intelligence. It coordinates global action on climate change and pollution. And each year, it helps save more than 350 million children from malnutrition. Of course, this is not a comprehensive list.

My colleagues and I are privileged to work for an institution that holds the largest body of knowledge about humanity and our planet - and that has shaped ambitious global goals, like Agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals, which put people at the center of all our actions.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

Today, the principles of the UN are under pressure. Conflicts rage, climate chaos intensifies, inequalities deepen. Our ideals have not always led to happy endings. Yet the UN retains unmatched convening power - bringing together nations large and small to solve problems no country can solve alone.

Last year, the Secretary-General, together with Member States, has laid out a vision for a common future through the Pact for the Future - built on the voices of communities, youth, civil society, and the private sector – and there are ongoing multiple efforts and negotiations to shape the UN of the Future.

Tonight, as we stand with you celebrating 80 years of the United Nations,  I have a plea: every Member State should play a role in shaping the UN of the future. Every private sector leader could embrace the principles of the Sustainable development goals. We need your help, your ideas, your aspirations. Everyone’s involvement matters. And we can also have these discussions here, in Armenia.

Closing: Armenia’s Leadership

To conclude, I turn once again to Armenia. I thank the government for its active engagement in shaping the UN of tomorrow - and for its leadership, contributions, and compliance with numerous UN treaties and mechanisms. This positions Armenia as a rising global player.

We are about to embark on our new cooperation framework for the next five years, focusing on human capital, demography, sustainable economic development, the green agenda, and peace and democracy. It is a tall order - but one that leads toward both sustainability and peace. I hope it inspires many of our guests here tonight towards greater partnership and building meaningful impact together for the people of Armenia. As I like to say, my crossroad vision is Armenia as a flower slowly opening, and about to blossom.

Finally, I want to thank my dear UN team - many of whom are here with us this evening. Your hard work is deeply appreciated, and there is more to come.

Thank you.