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A forest protected against fire, a classroom rediscovering the joy of reading and a young refugee pursuing a career in medicine: these are among 30 stories at the heart of GLOCAL: Global Goals. Local Lives., a photography and multimedia exhibition opened today by the United Nations in Kazakhstan in partnership with the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Marking United Nations Day, the exhibition invites visitors to look beyond targets and indicators to the people making progress possible. Through 30 photographic portraits and video interviews, GLOCAL highlights the achievements of people whose lives and work demonstrate how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) translate into meaningful change. Speaking at the opening ceremony, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa said: “This is where global commitments become local action — and it is the message of the exhibition we open today. Sustainable development is not something we deliver to people. It is something we build with people. On this United Nations Day, let us celebrate not only the ideals that unite us, but the people who bring those ideals to life.” In his welcoming remarks First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Ashikbayev noted: “Kazakhstan has embedded the Sustainable Development Goals in its national development agenda, incorporating SDG targets into national planning, including the National Development Plan of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2029. The theme of today’s exhibition underscores the importance of connecting this global agenda with national priorities and action in our regions, cities and rural communities”. Bringing together people from across Kazakhstan — Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and Kyzylorda to communities in the Karaganda, Akmola, Turkestan and Mangystau regions — the exhibition celebrates innovation, resilience and determination. The youngest participants are just 17 years old. Their stories include a young inventor developing technology to turn airborne pollution into pigments for printer cartridges; an entrepreneur using solar energy to extract drinking water from the air; and a village teacher whose initiative increased students’ engagement with reading from 15 to 35 per cent. Another young environmental activist collected more than 15,000 plastic bottle caps to help fund medical treatment for two children. Equally compelling are stories of a healthcare professional who helped train more than 5,000 medical workers on HPV vaccination; an Afghan refugee who rebuilt her tailoring business and participated in Eurasian Fashion Week; a woman from Mangystau who trained 145 rural women and persons with disabilities in traditional crafts; and a Kazakhstani military doctor who served with the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, demonstrating the country's contribution to international peace and security. Together, these achievements illustrate how individual initiative, supported by knowledge, opportunity and partnerships, can transform lives and communities. Organized around five interconnected dimensions of the 2030 Agenda — Planet, Prosperity, People, Peace and Partnership — GLOCAL connects environmental protection and innovation with health, education, equal opportunities, human rights and cooperation. The exhibition is part of the United Nations’ global “Five Years For…” campaign, which calls for accelerated action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The exhibition also reflects the broader partnership between the United Nations and Kazakhstan under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030. The Framework sets out four strategic priorities — Empowered People and Strong Institutions, Resilient and Inclusive Economy, Sustainable Environment, and Strengthened Social Cohesion — guiding joint efforts to advance sustainable development across the country. Beyond the photographs and personal testimonies, GLOCAL invites visitors to discover the people behind the SDGs and the changes they are making in their communities. Their stories offer a powerful reminder that progress is not measured by commitments alone, but by the difference they make in people’s lives. The exhibition will be open to the public at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana from 21 October to 4 November 2026.About GLOCALGLOCAL combines the words “global” and “local”, reflecting the exhibition’s central message: global goals come to life through local action. Featuring 30 portraits and personal stories, the exhibition showcases individuals and communities contributing to sustainable development across Kazakhstan. The project is presented as part of the United Nations’ global “Five Years For…” campaign, highlighting the importance of accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.