![Displaced children living in a camp in Djugu, which was visited by Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, during his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Displaced children living in a camp in Djugu, which was visited by Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, during his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/27-12-2022_UN7923821.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg)
In 2022, the UN and the world were partially recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic: the Security Council and General Assembly met in person, and senior officials travelled. The UN’s photographers were with them to capture the scene.
In February Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN Peace Operations, visited the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Roe, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Between 65,000 and 70,000 IDPs live here, under the protection of the UN Mission (MONUSCO).
![Secretary-General António Guterres (centre) visits residential neighborhoods of Irpin, in Ukraine's Kyiv Oblast. Secretary-General António Guterres (centre) visits residential neighborhoods of Irpin, in Ukraine's Kyiv Oblast.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/22-12-2022_UN7931269_SG-Ukraine.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg)
In April Secretary-General António Guterres travelled to Ukraine, to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited destroyed residential neighborhoods in Irpin, in Ukraine's Kyiv Oblast. “This horrific scenario demonstrates something that is unfortunately, always true: civilians always pay the highest price. Innocent civilians were living in these buildings,” said Mr. Guterres.
![Secretary-General António Guterres (not seen), along with Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, witnessed the impact of the floods in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. Secretary-General António Guterres (not seen), along with Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, witnessed the impact of the floods in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/27-12-2022_UN7949081.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg)
Floods hit Pakistan hard in the late Summer and the Secretary-General visited in early September to witness the impact in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. Over 1,300 lives were lost, and tens of millions of people lost their homes, while one-third of the country submerged.
![A view of Little Amal next to the Non-Violence or Knotted Gun sculpture by artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd on the UN Visitors Plaza. A view of Little Amal next to the Non-Violence or Knotted Gun sculpture by artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd on the UN Visitors Plaza.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/22-12-2022_UN7950052_Little-Amal.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg)
In September, the General Debate was held in person at the General Assembly building, at UN Headquarters in New York, Malala attended, Angelique Kidjo sang, journalists crowded the building, the Global Citizen Festival was held in Central Park, and Little Amal visited UN Headquarters.
![The UN Guided Tours unit celebrates its 70th anniversary with a fashion show of different uniforms worn over seven decades, as well as traditional outfits showcasing the diverse nationalities and backgrounds. The UN Guided Tours unit celebrates its 70th anniversary with a fashion show of different uniforms worn over seven decades, as well as traditional outfits showcasing the diverse nationalities and backgrounds.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/16-11-2022-UN-Photo-guided-tours-01.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg)
In November the UN celebrated 70 years of guided tours at our New York Headquarters, with a fashion show of the different uniforms and traditional outfits used during the seven decades. The Organization also received the 2022 Environmental Sustainability Award of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
![Secretary-General António Guterres (left) meets with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, at the Biosphere in Montreal, a museum dedicated to the environment. Secretary-General António Guterres (left) meets with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, at the Biosphere in Montreal, a museum dedicated to the environment.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Libraries/Production%20Library/27-12-2022_UN7965265.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg)
In December, delegates at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal agreed on a new Global Biodiversity Framework. Secretary-General António Guterres met with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, at the Biosphere in Montreal, marking the end of a year which demonstrated the necessity for international cooperation on the world’s most important, and intractable, issues.