United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a presentation ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 28, 2021. Afghanistan on Monday presented a painting, entitled "The Unseen Afghanistan," to the UN. Afghanistan's UN Ambassador Adela Raz said at the presentation ceremony that the artwork is the first gift presented by Afghanistan to the UN since 1963. (Manuel Elías/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
Afghanistan's United Nations (UN) Ambassador Adela Raz (R), and Omaid Sharifi, co-founder and president of ArtLords, pose for photos with the painting "the Unseen Afghanistan" at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 28, 2021. (Manuel Elías/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
Afghanistan on Monday presented a painting, entitled "The Unseen Afghanistan," to the United Nations (UN).
Afghanistan's UN Ambassador Adela Raz said at the presentation ceremony that the artwork is the first gift presented by Afghanistan to the UN since 1963.
The Afghan Government chose to ask ArtLords to create the artwork "because these young men and women represent the country's new spirit," the ambassador said.
"It depicts the New Afghanistan and the shared journey taken by the people and Government of Afghanistan with our international partners, particularly the United Nations," she said.
The painting celebrates Afghanistan's recent gains and presents a positive side of the unseen Afghanistan, often hidden from public view, the ambassador said.
One of the main themes of the artwork is the value of and right to education for all, and the importance of partnerships and peace is another major theme, she said.
Established in 2015 and based in Kabul, ArtLords are a group of Afghan artists and activists using street art to promote messages of hope and peace.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the beauty of the painting and its reflection of the courage, the diversity and the commitment of the people of Afghanistan.
"This painting, of course, is very important for the UN. It represents a partnership of 75 years. A very solid partnership," Guterres said.
The UN chief pledged a strong commitment to support Afghanistan and its people and ensure "a new era, peace, prosperity and human rights" for the Afghan people.
Afghanistan's UN Ambassador Adela Raz said at the presentation ceremony that the artwork is the first gift presented by Afghanistan to the UN since 1963.
The Afghan Government chose to ask ArtLords to create the artwork "because these young men and women represent the country's new spirit," the ambassador said.
"It depicts the New Afghanistan and the shared journey taken by the people and Government of Afghanistan with our international partners, particularly the United Nations," she said.
The painting celebrates Afghanistan's recent gains and presents a positive side of the unseen Afghanistan, often hidden from public view, the ambassador said.
One of the main themes of the artwork is the value of and right to education for all, and the importance of partnerships and peace is another major theme, she said.
Established in 2015 and based in Kabul, ArtLords are a group of Afghan artists and activists using street art to promote messages of hope and peace.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the beauty of the painting and its reflection of the courage, the diversity and the commitment of the people of Afghanistan.
"This painting, of course, is very important for the UN. It represents a partnership of 75 years. A very solid partnership," Guterres said.
The UN chief pledged a strong commitment to support Afghanistan and its people and ensure "a new era, peace, prosperity and human rights" for the Afghan people.
