New York, USA - On the 66th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need for unity as the world seeks solutions for the key challenges facing humanity. Read about UN Day observances organized by UPF-Georgia and UPF-Russia.
UN Day commemorates the date on which the U.N. charter went into force, October 24, 1945. After months of negotiations, the five permanent members of the Security Council and 46 other countries ratified the charter. Today, the organization counts 193 members, the most recent being South Sudan, which was admitted to the UN on July 14.
“Global problems demand global solutions,” the Secretary-General said. “They compel all nations to unite in action on an agenda for the world’s people. That is the very mission of the United Nations.”
He noted that this year has been particularly dramatic with people standing up to demand their rights, while fearing that governments and the global economy can no longer deliver for them.
“In these turbulent times, there is only one answer – unity of purpose,” said the Secretary-General, emphasizing that the UN was needed more than ever to build a better world, and to support poorest and most vulnerable to enhance global peace and social justice.
Ban Ki-moon was addressing students at the New Explorations into Science, Mathematics and Technology School in New York City. UN Day was marked with various activities in UN offices and missions around the world. Special tributes were paid to those serving in UN Peacekeeping missions and those who lost their lives in the service of the United Nations.
For more information about the UN's celebrations of this day, click here.