Darya
Student
Belarus
"I just ordered an app taxi. I had no idea the UN helps coordinate satellite navigation globally."
Ordering a ride, navigating a new city, or tracking fitness, are all possible thanks to satellite navigation. Through the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs ensures global compatibility across different systems like BeiDou (China), Galileo (EU), GLONASS (Russia), GPS (USA) and others — supporting everything from transportation to precision agriculture and disaster management. Photo: UNIC Minsk/Victor Radivinovski
Ayoush
Farmer
Syrian Arab Republic
“My only wish is for normalcy, so that my children can have regular jobs, a stable income, and a loving family — not the daily suffering I endured.”
Ayoush, a farmer and single mother, has survived two strokes, widowhood, and the 2023 earthquakes. The UN-led Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund allowed her and her four children – among thousands of vulnerable families – to receive seeds, fertilizer, and training to cultivate wheat.?Photo: UNOCHA/Ali Haj Suleiman
Sarvinoz
Civil Registration Worker
Tajikistan
“We can now make sure everyone has a civil registration, and the chance to enjoy their rights, be included in society, and access the services that can improve their lives.”
With United Nations support and Swiss funding, Tajikistan has increased the efficiency of public services, particularly civil registry services.?? Photo: UNDP/Nigorai Fazliddin
Paulina
Disability Rights Advocate
United Republic of Tanzania
“With UN support, we found our voice. Leadership begins with knowing your worth — and now we’re leading change for ourselves, our families, and communities.”
In Arusha, Tanzania, the United Nations supported Paulina and her peers to found the Igo Group of Women with Disabilities. Now 17 members strong, they design clothing and jewelry, run savings groups, expand businesses, and contest local leadership roles while mentoring other women with disabilities to pursue skills, livelihoods, and public life.?Photo: UN Women Tanzania
Kounbognouadi
Burkinabé Refugee and Farmer
Togo
"Our life has improved a lot with the help UNHCR has provided to us to start a small business."
Across Togo, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) supports the government in providing protection and assistance to refugees, including Kounbognouadi. Photo: HCR Togo
Sela
Teacher
Tonga
"With UN support, I am able to teach and promote Family Life Education to youth in Tonga."
In Tonga, the United Nations partners with government, educators and communities to integrate Family Life Education into schools and youth programmes. By training teachers and providing resources, the UN helps young people gain knowledge, build life skills, and make informed choices for healthier, more resilient futures. Photo: RCO/Avneel Chand
Laura
Farmer
Trinidad and Tobago
“With the AgriConnect platform, I don’t need to leave my farm. I save money and time, and customers can pay online instantly.”
Farmers in Trinidad and Tobago like Laura secure regular orders through the UN Capital Development Fund-developed AgriConnect e-commerce platform. By pooling produce, small-scale farmers reach new customers, cut out middlemen, and offer better prices—boosting competitiveness, reducing losses, and improving the affordability of fresh produce.? Photo: UNCDF Eastern Caribbean
Joud
University Student and Syrian Refugee
罢ü谤办颈测别
“Thanks to the UN, I’m studying to become a psychological counsellor and getting closer to my dream every day.”
In 2025, UNHCR 罢ü谤办颈测别 continues to support over 600 DAFI (Albert Einstein Academic Refugee Scholarship) holders, including Syrians and refugees of other nationalities. DAFI, UNHCR’s flagship higher education programme, helps refugee students access university, build self-reliance and pursue opportunities for long-term economic inclusion. Globally, only 7% of refugees access higher education, but in 罢ü谤办颈测别 around 12% of Syrian youth (ages 18–26) are enrolled, bringing the country closer to UNHCR’s commitment to ensure that 15% of refugees worldwide access higher education by 2030. Photo: UNHCR/Ana Brigida
Elchin
Blind Singer
Turkmenistan
"The annual Inclusive Festival is a wonderful celebration of inclusivity, equality, and dignity for all. It's incredibly engaging, and we have a fantastic time together."
Since 2022, the United Nations Turkmenistan Initiative annual Inclusive Festival has celebrated diversity and promoted equal opportunities.?Elchin is a dedicated participant every year. Photo: Sergey Mirzoyev
Maria Goretti
Health Surveillance Officer
Uganda
“With UN support, we can sensitize communities during public health emergences like COVID, Ebola and mpox. Every outbreak is an opportunity to empower, build resilience and save lives."
Through mentorship, trainings and guidance, the World Health Organization supports the Ugandan Government and many others to ensure preparedness and a solid response to outbreaks and epidemics. Photo: WHO
Olivier
Local Fisherman
Monaco
"Here in Monaco, the sea is our life. I’m grateful the UN sets international navigation rules and safety standards, making sure our seas are safe to move across, while also protecting marine life."
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets global navigation and safety standards that keep seas secure for all. Together with other United Nations agencies and Member States it is helping reduce pollution and protect marine life, ensuring safer, healthier oceans worldwide. Photo: Lucas Allner
Peter
Student
Slovakia
"I didn’t know that the UN helps make financial transactions safer."
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s goAML platform helps countries detect suspicious transactions, making international money transfers safer. By tracking illicit financial flows, it protects people, strengthens financial security, and helps keep the global financial system trustworthy and transparent. Photo: Filip Lepie?
Rose
色库TV and Security Trainee
United Arab Emirates
“This programme brought us together from different countries and cultures, giving us connection, friendship, and a shared purpose.”
The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, 色库TV and Security Training Programme, a joint initiative of the UAE Government, Ministry of Defense, General Women’s Union, and UN Women, has trained more than 600 women from 22 countries, strengthening leadership, peacekeeping participation, and women’s critical role in advancing global peace and security. Photo: UN Women
Charlotte
Market Vendor
C?te D'Ivoire
"I couldn't read or write, and my life was difficult. Now, thanks to digital literacy, I can help my children with their homework and run my small business. I finally feel free and useful."
Women and young traders in C?te d'Ivoire are benefitting from a UNESCO project improving literacy, digital skills and profitability. Since 2017, this programme has helped more than 1,500 women become literate, serving as a model for the government to democratize literacy and lifelong learning. Photo: UNESCO/Yoann Marc DAH
Aziz
Landmine Survivor
Western Sahara*
"Thanks to the UN, I now run an association that supports other landmine survivors."
The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has been deployed since 1991. Its mine action service has assisted landmine survivors, delivered awareness and risk education, destroyed 694 landmines and 22,183 explosive ordnance, and cleared more than 84 million square meters of hazardous areas. A survivor of an anti-tank landmine accident, with UN support Aziz went on to found and serves as a director of a landmine victims association. Photo: Gaici Nah
*Reference to Western Sahara is in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 690 (1991).
Joanna
Law Student
Bulgaria
“I like tracking my calories and protein. I didn’t know the nutrition labels on my food are based on global UN standards.”
The Codex Alimentarius, a mechanism jointly led by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, sets global food standards. From nutrition labels to safety limits, these guidelines ensure that food is safe, accurately labelled, and comparable across countries, protecting consumers worldwide. Photo: Personal archive
Nyasha
Cleaner
Zimbabwe
“I didn’t know the UN helps set global labour standards, shaping things like paid leave, safety and health?rules, and fair treatment at work.”
The International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN specialized agency, sets global labour standards, promoting decent work, fair treatment, workplace safety, and social protection for all, helping improve conditions for workers worldwide. Photo: Gift Maenda
Peresi
Vaccinator
South Sudan
"Nothing gives me greater pleasure than preventing the spread of deadly diseases. By vaccinating children, we are saving families and entire communities."
The UN supports the Ministry of Health in South Sudan to conduct vaccination campaigns. Peresi is a vaccinator at a UNICEF-supported immunization clinic at the Kimu Primary Healthcare Centre in the country’s capital Juba. Photo: UNICEF South Sudan
Bojana
Mother
Serbia
"We got the card from UNICEF to buy things. We bought clothes, winter boots, food for our children, the usual things they need".
UNICEF, the UN children’s fund, offered help to 142 families in Serbia that are at particular risk of poverty. The funds were provided through the UN Joint Programme 'Extending Social Protection in Serbia through Enhanced Shock-Responsive Policy', implemented by UNICEF and other UN entities in cooperation with government institutions and the Red Cross. Photo: UNICEF Serbia/Zivojinovic
Kyunghee
Mother
Republic of Korea
"I always use a car seat for my child. I didn't know that their safety standards are coordinated by the UN."
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the use of UN-certified child restraints can lead to a 71% reduction in traffic deaths among infants. The UN Regulation developed at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe defines the safety parameters that child restraint systems must comply with to protect children effectively in case of a crash.? Photo: Saae Kwon
Wendeline
Indigenous Village Leader
Suriname
“Thanks to the UN, we have access to new technology, helping increase?our pineapple harvest."
The Joint SDG Fund drives rural agricultural transformation. Implemented by several UN entities, it supports Indigenous and tribal pineapple farmers across Suriname to adopt climate-resilient practices with a gender-inclusive lens — transforming the country's pineapple sector into a driver of sustainable growth. Photo: Silvyo Sabajo
Aleksandar
Judge
North Macedonia
"The UN supported prosecutors and judges like me to better tackle low-scale corruption. With stronger skills and new mindsets, we’re taking action — showing people that corruption is being addressed."
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has supported North Macedonia’s Judicial Academy in creating a training programme that helps police, prosecutors and judges tackle low-scale corruption more effectively. It strengthened their skills and changed attitudes — empowering professionals to address small-scale corruption. This shift encourages public trust and motivates citizens to report corruption. Photo: UNODC
DPRK agriculture officials at a workshop, accompanied by FAO staff
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s efforts to strengthen food production and resilience. They support the Government with training, technology, and resources that help farmers improve yields, enhance nutrition, and build sustainable systems for the country’s future. Photo: FAO
This exhibit was launched in October 2025