Opening Statement by UNRC in the Kyrgyz Republic, Antje Grawe, UN Day 2025 – 80th Anniversary of the United Nations 24 October 2025, 6 PM, Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theatre

It is a great honor to welcome you on behalf of the entire United Nations family in the Kyrgyz Republic as we gather on UN Day to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations — a milestone that reminds us of the power of cooperation and the shared values that unite us.

Every year, 24 October is also celebrated in the Kyrgyz Republic as the Day of the Diplomatic Worker — a symbolic coincidence that speaks volumes about how deeply Kyrgyzstan values international engagement and the principles of the United Nations. I am delighted to greet His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeenbek Kulubayev, and the many Kyrgyz diplomats among us this evening, and warmly congratulate you all on your professional day. Your work — fostering dialogue, building bridges, and advancing understanding — embodies the very essence of international cooperation.

Just like the komuz orchestra with its 80 players, the United Nations brings together many distinct voices, each with its own tone and rhythm, yet capable of creating harmony when they play together toward a common purpose. That, at its heart, is what the United Nations — and what multilateralism — are about: unity in diversity and strength through cooperation.

Eighty years ago, the UN Charter gave the world a promise: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to build a future grounded in justice, equality, and human dignity. That promise remains our guiding light — yet today it is being tested. From Ukraine to Gaza and across many other regions around the globe, conflict and mistrust are spreading.

At such a moment, the United Nations is more necessary than ever — the one global meeting room where 193 nations come together as equals, to seek understanding and to work for peace even when agreement seems out of reach. It is also the only platform whose neutrality allows dialogue to continue even when divisions run deep — offering a space for compromise, confidence-building, and hope.

For thirty-three years, the Kyrgyz Republic has been an active and engaged member of this global family of nations. Through its constructive voice and leadership, Kyrgyzstan has helped shape international cooperation across all three pillars of the UN’s work. It has championed the Mountain Agenda, ensuring that the unique needs of mountain countries are heard at the global level. It initiated International Snow Leopard Day, celebrated worldwide just yesterday for the second time under a UN General Assembly resolution proposed by Kyrgyzstan — a symbol of the country’s commitment to protecting biodiversity and mountain ecosystems. And beginning this year, UN Day is also marked in schools across the country with a dedicated class on the United Nations, giving students the opportunity to learn about the UN, its values, and Kyrgyzstan’s role within it.

Kyrgyzstan also continues to serve as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, demonstrating its readiness to engage globally and nationally on equality, justice, and freedom. These are the values that define the multilateral spirit — values that Kyrgyzstan not only upholds but actively advances.

Together, peace, development and human rights form the three inseparable pillars on which the United Nations was built. Each depends on the other: there can be no lasting peace without development, and no sustainable development without respect for human rights.

This is the spirit that guides the UN’s partnership with Kyrgyzstan — from strengthening peace and social cohesion to advancing inclusive growth and climate action. Across the country, the UN works with national and local partners to expand education and healthcare, empower women, and build a green and resilient economy. Climate action has become the defining challenge of our time, and mountain nations like Kyrgyzstan are on its frontline. The country’s leadership — from the Five Years of Action for Mountains to its updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Climate Agreement — shows that ambition and action can go hand in hand. The UN is proud to stand beside Kyrgyzstan in this transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

As the Secretary-General’s UN80 Reform Initiative reminds us, the Organization itself is evolving — becoming more agile, effective, and accountable so that every decision and every dollar delivers greater impact for people and planet. But renewal requires trust — and sustained commitment from Member States and partners to the shared ideals that brought the UN to life.

Dear Colleagues and partners, 

I would not want to conclude without expressing the UN family‘s deep gratitude to the Government, Parliament, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the many international partners who walk this path with us. And to my UN colleagues in the country —  thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and service. You are the living spirit of this Organization. A special thanks goes to my Office for organizing today‘s event and to our two masters of ceremony from IOM and WHO who guide us through this evening. 

As we look ahead, may we draw inspiration from the aiyl — where families pitch their yurts side by side, creating a community bound by trust, responsibility, and care for one another. That same spirit of shared purpose is what the world needs now: nations standing together to uphold peace, advance sustainable development, and protect human rights for future generations.

Chon rakhmat – thank you.