UNESCO Pakistan Celebrates UN Day 2025

LAHORE, 27 October 2025 - UNESCO Pakistan marked United Nations Day 2025 with a vibrant and interactive presence at the national celebrations held at the Alhamra Arts Complex in Lahore on 25 October. The event, organized by the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in collaboration with UN agencies, brought together government officials, diplomats, academia, youth, and civil society to reaffirm a shared commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Under the theme of mobilizing youth for a sustainable future, UNESCO's stall served as a dynamic hub of engagement, translating the organization's global mandates into tangible local action.

"Our participation in UN Day is a powerful demonstration of the 'One UN' spirit in action," said Fuad Pashayev, UNESCO representative. "It was an invaluable opportunity to move beyond observation and actively engage the next generation of leaders, showing them that our work in education, sciences, culture, and information is deeply interconnected and crucial for Pakistan's development."

The UNESCO booth captivated visitors with a series of innovative activities designed to foster critical thinking and highlight the integrated nature of its work.

A central feature was an interactive AI and misinformation quiz, accessible via QR code. The quiz challenged participants on their digital literacy and critical thinking skills, directly linking to UNESCO's global leadership in Media and Information Literacy (MIL). The activity proved highly effective, creating a feedback loop that brought visitors back to the stall to discuss their results and learn more.

The booth also showcased a digital interactive map of Pakistan, dotted with QR codes that unlocked a rich tapestry of UNESCO's ongoing initiatives. Visitors could explore animated folk videos, listen to radio lessons, discover biodiversity documentaries, and learn about heritage preservation sites, providing a holistic snapshot of the organization's integrated approach across the country.

Further enhancing the engagement, a themed photobooth under the slogan "I think, therefore I am" allowed visitors to take memorable pictures with props representing culture, education, and science, increasing the event's shareability and fun factor.

The stall attracted considerable attention from students, young professionals, and media representatives. The enthusiastic participation in all activities underscored a public appetite for deeper understanding of UNESCO's role in Pakistan.

UNESCO's participation in UN Day 2025 successfully demonstrated how its core mandates are essential pillars for building peace and sustainable development. By framing the day as a call for "mobilisation, not observation," the organization effectively positioned itself and its partners at the forefront of empowering Pakistani youth to become active agents of change in their communities and for the global goals.

The event not only enhanced UNESCO's visibility but also strengthened inter-agency collaboration and set the stage for future partnerships with academic institutions and government bodies, ensuring the spirit of UN Day continues to inspire action throughout the year.