Category: United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In the aftermath of World War II, the search for a permanent UN headquarters became one of the most high-profile decisions of the era – involving world leaders, city officials, and influential figures including US President Harry S. Truman, the Rockefeller family and New York City mayor William O’Dwyer.

Before the iconic Headquarters was built, the UN operated out of a series of temporary locations across New York – including Hunter College (now Lehman College), where the first Security Council meeting took place in March 1946, and Parkway Village in Queens, a pioneering residential community that housed many UN delegates and staff.

Through rare archival footage, historic photography, and expert interviews, this film traces the early years of the UN in New York (1945–1952) and explores the deep political, cultural, and economic ties between the Organization and its host city.

As the UN marks 80 years since its first meetings in New York, this story sheds light on a defining moment in both global diplomacy and the city’s history.

Featuring:
Chris McNickle, New York City historian
Rula Hinedi, Chief of the UN Guided Tours Section
Duane Tananbaum, Emeritus Professor, Lehman College
Archival materials:
The Todd Webb Archive
New York City Municipal Archives
NY State Archives
Indiana University Moving Image Archive
00:00:00 NYC After WWII
00:01:30 Why New York Won the UN Headquarters
00:02:43 The Rockefeller Deal
00:04:23 The UN’s Early Days in New York City
00:05:43 First Security Council Session in NYC
00:06:17 Housing Diplomats in a Segregated City
00:07:54 The UN’s Legacy & New York Today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhUdVUzLKY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In the aftermath of World War II, the search for a permanent UN headquarters became one of the most high-profile decisions of the era – involving world leaders, city officials, and influential figures including US President Harry S. Truman, the Rockefeller family and New York City mayor William O’Dwyer.

Before the iconic Headquarters was built, the UN operated out of a series of temporary locations across New York – including Hunter College (now Lehman College), where the first Security Council meeting took place in March 1946, and Parkway Village in Queens, a pioneering residential community that housed many UN delegates and staff.

Through rare archival footage, historic photography, and expert interviews, this film traces the early years of the UN in New York (1945–1952) and explores the deep political, cultural, and economic ties between the Organization and its host city.

As the UN marks 80 years since its first meetings in New York, this story sheds light on a defining moment in both global diplomacy and the city’s history.

Featuring:
Chris McNickle, New York City historian
Rula Hinedi, Chief of the UN Guided Tours Section
Duane Tananbaum, Emeritus Professor, Lehman College
Archival materials:
The Todd Webb Archive
New York City Municipal Archives
NY State Archives
Indiana University Moving Image Archive
00:00:00 NYC After WWII
00:01:30 Why New York Won the UN Headquarters
00:02:43 The Rockefeller Deal
00:04:23 The UN’s Early Days in New York City
00:05:43 First Security Council Session in NYC
00:06:17 Housing Diplomats in a Segregated City
00:07:54 The UN’s Legacy & New York Today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhUdVUzLKY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

In a world flooded with information, the stories that move people to care—and act—are the ones that cut through the noise.

Join us for a dynamic conversation exploring how storytelling can amplify social impact, build authentic connections, and turn complex issues into narratives that inspire change.

Moderator:
Annemarie Hou, Executive Director, UN Office for Partnerships

Speakers:
Tabitha Morton, Executive Director, UN Women UK
Bradley Archer Haynes, Global Marketing and Social Impact Chief, former Head of Brand and ED of Content for Change, Paramount Global

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz-kPO4TkDM

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Intergenerational Leadership for Climate Justice and a Sustainable Future.

The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time and without urgent action it will continue to accelerate. It is our collective responsibility to leave behind a world that is safe and livable for future generations. But there is still reason to have hope: climate solutions are now readily available and cost-effective to implement.

Meaningful youth engagement is a fundamental human right and a non-negotiable strategy to raise climate ambition. From grassroots campaigns to global advocacy, youth-led movements are sparking hope, driving recognition of urgent realities, and transforming calls for climate justice into action. This intergenerational conversation will explore why it is essential to elevate young and diverse voices in the fight for the future of people and the planet.

Speakers:

Charitie Ropati, UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, indigenous climate justice advocate, and water engineer

Mary Robinson, member of the Elders and former chair, first woman President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Russell Reed, Climate Activist, We Are Family Foundation Lead Delegate & Co-Architect of the NDC Youth Clause Campaign

Moderator:

Justin Worland, Senior Correspondent, TIME

SDG Media Zone website: https://www.un.org/en/sdgmediazone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz2QITMazQA

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 March 2026).

"Today we commemorate the victims of a staggering crime:

Millions of people stolen from their families and communities in Africa.

Trafficked across the Atlantic.

And — if they survived the journey — enslaved in the Americas.

Millions more were born into bondage, brutally exploited for their labour, and denied their basic humanity.

We honour their quiet resilience and courageous acts of open resistance.

This global order prevailed for over 400 years — and haunts our world even now.

In systems and institutions shaped and enriched by chattel slavery.

In social and economic inequalities rooted in past injustices.

And in biases that permeate our culture and impact us all.

On this International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, we are called to confront these legacies.

By rejecting the false narrative of racial difference and the ugly lie of white supremacy.

By dismantling racism — online, in the media, in schools, at work, in politics, and within ourselves.

And by working for truth, justice, and repair.

I welcome the initial steps by some governments to address the consequences of slavery.

But far bolder actions — by many more Member States — are needed.

Including commitments to respect African countries’ ownership of their own resources.

And steps to ensure their equal participation and influence in the global financial architecture and the UN Security Council.

Together, let us commit to a world where all people live and thrive in dignity".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2vdJ2A4bW0

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Officials, activists, artists and others concerned about women’s status in today’s world gathered at UN Headquarters for its annual two-week session on the issue. Although bringing different perspectives, they joined together with a resounding call for real change to improve the lives of women everywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8ExR5Pk0Ta4

Source: United Nations (video statements)

With just five years left to deliver the 2030 Agenda, the clock is ticking—and gender equality is slipping backward. The Gender Snapshot 2025, by UN Women and UN DESA, sounds the alarm: new tech once hailed as a game-changer is now weaponized against women, with generative AI threatening their jobs at nearly double the rate of men’s. Yet closing the gender digital divide could lift 30 million women out of poverty and add $1.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030.

Speakers:

Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)

Sarah Hendriks, Director of Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division (UN Women,

Anoushka Sinha, Founder & Director of Anupam Foundation, Human Rights Activist & Forbes 30 Under 30

Roya Mahboob, Founder of the Digital Citizen Fund

Moderator:

Elaine Reyes, News Anchor UN insider & Americas Now Show, CGTN America

SDG Media Zone website: https://www.un.org/en/sdgmediazone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKWCrSHHQ0k

Source: United Nations (video statements)

This session of the Goals Lounge will feature diverse perspectives from young leaders and influencers, highlighting their experiences, strategies and reflections on navigating leadership, digital spaces and gender-based challenges today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCfndL6cAek

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 19 March 2026.

Officials, activists, artists and others concerned about women’s status in today’s world gathered at UN Headquarters for its annual two-week session on the issue. Although bringing different perspectives, they joined together with a resounding call for real change to improve the lives of women everywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSQRR0VR0b4

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day of Nowruz 2026 (21 March).

"Dear friends,
For more than 300 million people around the world, Nowruz represents renewal.
A new year.
A new spring.
A new chance to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect among all cultures and peoples.
In these difficult and divided times, the message of Nowruz is vital.
Its timeless values of diversity, dialogue, understanding and reconciliation represent a powerful path to achieving the peace, human rights and dignity that the United Nations works for each and every day.
The challenges faced by the human family are immense.
But Nowruz can be our guide.
Across all nations and cultures, let’s walk together as we build a more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive world for all people.
May this Nowruz bring joy, health, prosperity and peace".

More info: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-nowruz-day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPLqjpadZ_Y