The Italian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York hosted today a live streaming of the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games at the UN Headquarters. Numerous delegates from the UN membership, UN officials, and journalists enjoyed the ceremony on live streaming on the screens arranged in the iconic Delegates Lounge, few steps from the General Assembly Hall where on November 19, 2025, the Resolution on the Olympic Truce facilitated by Italy was approved by consensus.
Speaking a few minutes before the start of the ceremony, Italy’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Gianluca Greco, emphasized the commitment of the Italian government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, upon Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s impulse, to facilitating the UN membership’s unanimous support (with 165 co-sponsorships) for the Olympic Truce Resolution. Ambassador Greco recalled the heartfelt appeal by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, to respect the truce, lay down arms, and promote the role and values of sport for peace and mutual understanding.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming also stressed how important the truce and the Games are for the UN, as she highlighted that both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock attended the Games’ opening ceremony held in Milan.
A video message from the President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, was also played during the event, where the Olympic and Paralympic torches offered by the Milano-Cortina Foundation were creating a special backdrop to the event.
