United Nations in Kyrgyzstan celebrated the 79th anniversary of the entering into force of the UN Charter

On 26 October 2024, the UN system celebrated UN Day at the National Historical Museum in Bishkek, marking the 79th anniversary of the UN Charter. The event, which featured a fair where the UN showcased the organization’s values and priorities and an official programme with artistic performances, served as a vibrant platform to reaffirm the shared commitment of the UN and Kyrgyzstan to the values ​​of peace, equality and sustainable development.

The official part of the UN Day celebrations was opened by the UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, Antje Grawe, and the First Deputy Foreign Minister, H.E. Aseyin Isaev. The Minister of Culture, H.E. Altynbek Maksutov also spoke on the occasion. The event was attended by the UN system’s national and international partners, including representatives of the Presidential Administration and the Government, the Jogorku Kenesh, civil society, business community, volunteers, academia and media, as well as Embassies, development partners, UN staff and the wider public.

In her welcoming remarks, Antje Grawe recalled the UN Charter’s vision of promoting peace, dignity and equality for all and underscored that the UN was created as a “place for countries and people to come together to find global solutions to global problems”. “The UN was designed to be everybody and therefore matters to everyone”, she said.

The UN Fair, open to the general public, featured eight thematic zones reflecting UN core values and priority areas: Leave No One Behind and youth engagement, climate action and environmental protection, health and food security, gender equality and human rights, as well as peacebuilding. Interactive games and master classes for children were held in each zone, and visitors could donate blood and take tests for HIV and tuberculosis.

The Government’s guest of honor, first Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Aseyin Isaev, highlighted that UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to Kyrgyzstan in July 2024, highly appreciated the pace and depth of development of the country and confirmed the UN’s continued support in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy echoed the UN’s role, since its creation, as “an important platform for solving pressing global problems”.

The celebration of UN Day was accompanied by colorful musical and singing performances including by artists performing in sign language, and the traditional competition of akyns - aitysh. A discussion with Kyrgyz Olympic champions Aisuluu Tynybekova and Erlan Sherov inspired young Kyrgyzstanis to lead healthy and disciplined lifestyle and actively participate in public life. All performances were accompanied by sign language interpretation.

The celebration lasted from 11:00 to 17:00 and brought together more than 600 people, confirming the high interest of the Kyrgyz people in issues of international cooperation and sustainable development.

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. Kyrgyzstan joined the United Nations 32 years ago, and since then, its collaboration with the UN has been a cornerstone of its international policy.

United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify the members’ common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. 

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For additional information, please contact:

Zhibek Abylbekova, Communications Officer, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic: zhibek.abylbekova@un.org, +996770979703