United Nations in Serbia Celebrates UN Day with Unveiling of Biodiversity Mural in Serbia

Belgrade, 24 October 2023 - On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the United Nations, the United Nations in Serbia hosted a special launch event at the UN House in Belgrade, where a giant mural depicting Serbian biodiversity and ecosystems was unveiled.

Created by artists Marija and Stefan Šoln, the mural portrays a breathtaking array of Serbian wildlife, including balkan lynx, brown bear, apollo butterfly, eastern imperial eagle and many more. The mural also incorporates numerous plant species, further highlighting the diversity of Serbia's ecosystems.

Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator Francoise Jacob emphasized the importance of biodiversity and its relation to Serbia's green agenda and the need for transformative action. She stated, "Biodiversity is crucial for sustaining life on earth and protecting Serbian ecosystems is a shared responsibility. By showcasing the beauty and uniqueness of Serbian biodiversity through this mural, we hope to raise awareness and inspire action from all the society, and promote nature-based solutions."

Mari Yamashita, Representative of the Secretary-General and Director of the United Nations Office in Belgrade spoke about the significance of the mural and UN Day, she acknowledged that "Nature restoration and preservation is a critical ingredient for nurturing peaceful societies." She reiterated the United Nations' commitment to pushing for peace, saying, "this means focusing on prevention, dialogue, and mediation to heal divisions, defuse conflicts and ensure every community has a stake in a shared future. Cooperation and dialogue is the only path forward."

Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, stated that: “Priorities of my country in the UN are well known and consistent, above all those include protection of territorial integrity and sovereignty, promotion and preservation of peace and security at the international level, as well as contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. At the SDG Summit in New York, this September, we announced the priority areas of action in the upcoming period in different areas, from agriculture to education and science, fight against climate change. The protection of the environment and development of science are issues Republic of Serbia recognized as crucial for further development.”

He also added that: “The Republic of Serbia will continue to be reliable and predictable partner in achieving  joint goals defined by the United Nations Cooperation Framework. We firmly believe that this is the best path for building a better world for future generation.”

The United Nations Day observance in Serbia serves as a platform for discussions and collaborations on sustainability and environmental protection. Most importantly, it highlights the need for peace in today's turbulent global context. As the international community looks towards the upcoming Summit of the Future, there is a collective recognition of the urgent need to prioritize environmental conservation and foster peaceful coexistence. The unveiling of the biodiversity mural stands as a reminder of the shared responsibility to protect the planet and promote harmony.