June 3, 2025 | New York, NY — United Nations Headquarters
AAI’s Chairman June Huang, Associate Director Harry Yan, and Representative Alex Pan participated in today’s vibrant United Nations International Food and Culture Fair, an annual gathering where ambassadors, diplomats, and UN staff come together to share and celebrate national cuisines from around the world.
The event featured food stalls from dozens of countries, each offering traditional dishes and delicacies representative of their unique cultural heritage. Attendees were invited to sample savoury bites from nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, engaging directly with mission representatives who shared stories about their culinary traditions and cultural customs. The fair transformed the UN’s halls into a lively global marketplace, filled with rich aromas, colourful attire, and warm, cross-cultural dialogue.
The atmosphere was joyful and bustling—a true embodiment of international cooperation beyond formal negotiations. Conversations flowed as easily as the food, creating moments of connection between people from all corners of the globe. In this context, food became a powerful medium for diplomacy, soft power, and mutual understanding.
“Today reminded us that peace and partnership are not just built in boardrooms—they’re built in everyday exchanges, in shared meals, and the stories behind them.” June emphasised the importance of such events in cultivating empathy and respect between cultures, especially critical in today’s climate of geopolitical tension and global environmental challenges.
AAI’s participation at the UN fair reinforces its mission of service, cultural exchange, and youth engagement, especially in spaces that shape international cooperation. In a world increasingly shaped by climate change, migration, and social inequality, events like this food fair reflect a cosmology of small objects—humble ingredients and simple dishes—that together tell the big stories of humanity.
