Today marks the 70th anniversary of Italy’s accession to the United Nations, which took place on 14 December 1955. This is a milestone of great significance, marking seventy years of Italy’s active participation in the multilateral system and in the work of the United Nations in support of peace, international security, human rights, and sustainable development.
Over these 70 years, Italy has played an important role in the life of the Organization, as demonstrated by its seven terms on the Security Council, its participation in peacekeeping operations, its activities in the protection of human rights, gender issues, humanitarian assistance projects, and its support for UN agencies and programmes. This sustained commitment continues today under the impetus of the Italian Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
To mark the seventieth anniversary, Italy’s Permanent Mission organized numerous high-profile initiatives, including the Republic Day celebration on 3 June at the UN Headquarters, attended by over 500 guests, among them more than 200 Italian officials working for the United Nations; and the exhibition “Shared Life, Shared Future,” inaugurated on 20 October by Secretary-General Guterres on the occasion of the concurrent celebrations of the UN’s 80th anniversary.
On 11 December, a high-level meeting on the future of multilateralism and the United Nations was held in the ECOSOC Chamber, organized by Italy together with the 16 countries that joined the Organization in 1955. On that occasion, the commemorative stamp marking the 70th anniversary, printed and distributed by the United Nations, was presented.
The anniversary celebrations continued with the presentation of a book and an exhibition on 13 November focusing on Italy’s participation in peacekeeping operations, organized by the Mission’s Military Office, as well as with an event on 8 December at the General Assembly Hall highlighting the Week of Italian Cuisine. This took place in view both of the successful nomination of Italian cuisine for inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list and of the discussions scheduled in the General Assembly on Monday, 15 December, regarding the establishment of an International Day of the Mediterranean Diet.
Thanks to the collaboration with ANSA, the Permanent Mission in New York also organized a digital exhibition of historical images from the agency’s archives, depicting some of the most significant moments of Italy’s seventy years at the United Nations.
The Permanent Mission of Italy thanks the sponsors of the calendar of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of Italy at the UN: Consorzio del Sannio, Enel, Eni, Intesa Sanpaolo, Ferrero, Generali, Italgas, Eataly, Etica SGR, Illy, La Milanese, Savini Tartufi, and Snam.
