UN GA President Joins Runners Around the World for our Virtual UN Day Celebration

Ambassadors, diplomats, and senior staff of the United Nations gathered in Central Park on Saturday for UNA-NYC’s second annual UN Day Run, joining fellow runners, bikers, and walkers who participated virtually over the previous two weeks.

We were particularly honored to be joined this year by the President of the UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives (pictured above), along with other diplomats from the UN running group the PRunners. Meanwhile, Maher Nasser — Commissioner-General of the UN at Expo 2020 and a participant in our inaugural run last year — ran with fellow UN staff in Dubai, UAE, where the Expo began earlier this month.

“Joined fellow #PRunners & colleagues to participate in the @UN Day Run. Thought a 5K would be difficult! But the difference was running in the company of friends. Together we are always stronger!” the UN GA President (picture left) tweeted after completing his run.

Numerous celebrations of the anniversary have been held around the world over the past week, including a concert at United Nations headquarters on Thursday and an hour-long ceremony on Sunday at Expo 2020 in Dubai. Later today, UNA-USA will host US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield as part of its own virtual UN Day program.

Also at Expo 2020, the UN unveiled an exhibit featuring the winning photos from its #TheWorldWeWant contest. The 75 images were selected from over 50,000 photos submitted in 130 countries as part of the global contest launched on the UN’s 75th anniversary last year. While the physical exhibit is in Dubai, the photos can also be viewed online here.

“The values that have powered the UN Charter for the last 76 years — peace, development, human rights, and opportunity for all — have no expiry date,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres remarked at Thursday’s concert. “As we mark UN Day, let’s unite behind these ideals, and live up to the full promise, potential and hope of the United Nations.”