80th UN Day marked today
The world celebrates the 80th United Nations Day today (Oct. 24).
With the Agenda 2030, the Pact for the Future, and the UN80 initiative, the UN aims to renew the foundations of international cooperation and ensure its ability to deliver for people throughout the world.
24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter, following the end of World War II,. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
Starting with 50 member states, the UN has now grown to include 193 countries.
Over the past 08 decades, the organization has worked to uphold peace, human rights, and social progress worldwide through its 15 specialized agencies.
Sri Lanka joined the United Nations in 1955.
In a message marking the occasion, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “This is no time for timidity or retreat. Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can solve alone.”
The complete message of the UN Secretary-General is as follows :
“We the peoples of the United Nations…”
These are not just the opening words of the United Nations Charter – they define who we are.
The United Nations is more than an institution. It is a living promise – spanning borders, bridging continents, inspiring generations.
For eighty years, we have worked to forge peace, tackle poverty and hunger, advance human rights, and build a more sustainable world – together.As we look ahead, we confront challenges of staggering scale: escalating conflicts, climate chaos, runaway technologies, and threats to the very fabric of our institution.
This is no time for timidity or retreat.
Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can solve alone.
On this UN Day, let’s stand together and fulfil the extraordinary promise of your United Nations.Let’s show the world what is possible when “we the peoples” choose to act as one.
