Created 75 years ago in the ashes of World War II, the United Nations today remains true to its founding mission: to bring nations and peoples together to preserve peace and security, and improve lives everywhere.
Equality and the dignity of all people remain its guiding principles, enshrined in the UN Charter, signed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945.
On this historic anniversary, let’s reflect on all that humanity has achieved together, and all that is still left to do. And let’s recommit to the vision of the UN Charter – it’s more relevant today than ever before.
The UN Charter recognizes the equal rights of men and women. Yet there is no place or part of life where girls and women are equal to boys and men. Seventy-five years since the founding of the UN, as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, decades of slow, hard-won progress could be rolled back. The fight continues with the UN at the helm.
The term “human rights” is mentioned seven times in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines these rights and more. Since its founding 75 years ago, the UN has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities, creating a huge wave of change.
In 1948, the UN established the World Health Organization with the mission to help deliver on the promise of health for all. COVID-19 isn’t the first disease the WHO has tackled head on. It’s helped defeat smallpox, nearly eliminated polio, and saved children all over the world with vaccines.
The United Nations came into being with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. Since then, it has played an essential role in preventing conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish.
In a virtual event, UN leadership and world leaders came to together celebrate the milestone and generate renewed support for multilateralism.
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Listen to the acclaimed UN Dispatch podcast with Mark Goldberg, for a special series on the UN’s 75th Anniversary. Plus get expert perspectives on issues like climate change and equality.
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The President of the UN General Assembly hosted a virtual event on Charter Day, June 26, featuring a commemoration ceremony and a series of interactive dialogues.
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