Photo: Copyright © United Nations

A symbol of hope for global unity

24 October marks United Nations Day, the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force. In the past 77 years, the UN has worked to maintain international peace and security, promote social progress, improve living standards and support human rights.

The blue, green and gold General Assembly Hall. Representatives of Member States sit behind tables facing a raised speaker’s rostrum and podium. The Assembly Hall accommodates 193 delegations. Each delegation has six seats – three at the tables for full delegates and three behind them for their alternates.
Photo: Copyright © United Nations

There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. No other global organization gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want. Today, the urgency for all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, has rarely been greater.

The history of the UN

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories. The name “United Nations” was coined by the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first used in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during Second World War.

In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that all countries that are a part of the UN should recognize the United Nations Day as a public holiday. However, it was not until Post Cold War, in 1991, that the Security Council resolutions more than doubled in number and the peacekeeping budget grew.

In the 1990s, the UN faced multiple crises with its new members, Somalia, Haiti, Mozambique, and Yugoslavia. A 2005 study by RAND Corporation found that the United Nations has been successful in two-thirds of their peacekeeping efforts around the globe. However, there are several challenges ahead.

Let’s celebrate UN Day ever day

UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify the Common Agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 77 years.

António Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, took office on 1st January 2017.
Photo: Copyright © United Nations

Secretary General’s message 2022

“The United Nations is the product of hope.
The hope — and resolve — following the Second World War to move beyond global conflict to global cooperation.
Today, our organization is being tested like never before.
But the United Nations was made for moments like this.
Now, more than ever, we need to bring to life the values and principles of the UN Charter in every corner of the world.
By giving peace a chance and ending conflicts that jeopardize lives, futures and global progress.
By working to end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities, and rescue the Sustainable Development Goals.
By safeguarding our planet, including by breaking our addiction to fossil fuels and kickstarting the renewable energy revolution.
And by finally balancing the scales of opportunity and freedom for women and girls and ensure human rights for all.
As we mark UN Day, let us renew our hope and conviction in what humanity can achieve when we work as one, in global solidarity.”

António Guterres

Source: United Nations