UN-80: Unfiltered exhibition opens in Astana with 80 rare shots

Today “UN-80: Unfiltered” photo exhibition launched in Astana as a striking, archive-driven event that reveals new facets of the United Nations’ 80 years history — from everyday fieldwork to decisive turning points, from tension before critical decisions to the relief that follows success. The event was organized by the Presidential Center of the Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in partnership with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan.

Bringing together 80 photographs from the official UN archives — many rarely seen or previously unpublished — the exhibition offers an unvarnished, human portrait of the UN at work: faces and emotions, fatigue and resolve, choices and consequences that power the machinery of multilateral cooperation and humanitarian action.

The opening gathered more than one hundred representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, civil society, academia, and the media — underscoring Kazakhstan’s role as a regional convener and the strong public interest in the UN’s “behind-the-scenes” story.

Opening the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa noted: “UN-80: Unfiltered is more than an exhibition — it is an invitation to see the United Nations as it truly is, through moments of service, duty, and hope. These images remind us that the UN is not a building in New York or Geneva, but a living network of people — from peacekeepers and doctors to volunteers and students — whose quiet actions bring global goals closer to home. Like photography, diplomacy is an art of attention: it asks us to frame the essential, to find light amid complexity, and to recognize the human story in every challenge.”

Curated to move beyond formal protocol shots, “UN-80: Unfiltered” highlights unexpected angles and intimate moments that transform routine meetings and missions into compelling visual narratives. The collection is a reminder that behind every global decision and humanitarian mission stand people — their work, responsibility, and compassion.

The exhibition runs for one month, until 12 December 2025. Entry is free to all visitors. The display is structured in chapters that trace the UN story by decades, spotlighting milestones and achievements across each period. A dedicated chapter highlights UN–Kazakhstan cooperation, while a special “UN & Me” section showcases the accomplishments of the UN Country Team in Kazakhstan and how its work has changed the lives of ordinary people.

Venue: Presidential Center, Bokeikhan St. 1A, Astana