On the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the United Nations, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams, UN-ESCWA Executive Secretary Badr Omar AlDafa, and UN Resident Coordinator in Lebanon Marta Ruedas organized a reception at the "Pavillon Royal", BIEL in Beirut on Friday 24 October 2008.
A number of political, diplomatic, economic, cultural and media figures and personalities participated in the reception, in addition to a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector institutions.
This year’s celebration was characterized by the participation of 50 cooperatives concerned with agriculture, craft and women issues from the various Lebanese regions. The cooperatives showcased their products including traditional Lebanese cuisine and craftwork in cooperation with "Souk Al-Tayeb". The reception also witnessed the participation of a number of youth-related clubs spread throughout the Lebanese territory.
The participation of cooperatives and other NGOs aimed at demonstrating the magnitude of the existing cooperation between the world body and this segment of the Lebanese society.
This cooperation aims at supporting the ongoing efforts toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which the UN set in 2000 to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.
Lions Event
On the other hand, the Foreign Affairs Segment at the International Association of Lions Clubs-District 351 (Lebanon-Jordan-Iraq) held an official ceremony on Friday 24 October 2008 at the Regency Palace Hotel-Adma. State Minister Joe Ogassapian, MP Naamtallah Abi Nasr and Minister of the Displaced Raymond Audi will represent President Michel Suleiman, House Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora respectively.
The Lions event comprised statements by Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), UN-ESCWA Executive Secretary and UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon. The ceremony also featured an exhibition of UN print material for dissemination among the public. The audience listened to a recorded audiovisual message by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Other Activities
The message of the UN Secretary-General, in addition to the recorded audiovisual message was disseminated on Thursday 23 October to the various media outlets and television stations for broadcast. Also, the print and audiovisual media highlighted the top priorities on the UN agenda, as well as the UN activities in Lebanon. 
