G7 Anniversaries Column: 79 Years Ago the UN Was Born, a Promise of Peace

On 24 October 1945, the United Nations Charter came into force.

NAPLES – On April 25, 1945, representatives of 50 states from around the world met in San Francisco to write the Statute of the United Nations. After the horrors and destruction caused by the Second World War, and the failure of the League of Nations, the governments’ intention was to create an international organization whose purpose, as written in Article 1 of the Charter, was to “maintain international peace and security.” The Statute – composed of a preamble and 111 articles containing provisions binding on member states – was approved on June 26 and entered into force on October 24, 1945, the date that marks the beginning of the UN’s activities. The document was ratified by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States).

SINCE 1947, MEMBER STATES HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Every year this day is dedicated throughout the world to celebrations for the anniversary of the birth of the United Nations, an organization of which almost all the States in the world are members (193). The holiday was established in 1947 following the approval of a resolution by the General Assembly, and since 1971 the holiday has been observed in all Member States, where, among other things, the principles set out in the preamble to the Statute are remembered. The Charter opens by highlighting that “the peoples of the United Nations” have decided to join forces “determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”, committing themselves to “practice tolerance and live in peace with one another”, ensuring that “armed force shall not be used except in the common interest”.

GUTERREZ: “TODAY WE NEED NOT HOPE BUT DETERMINED ACTION FOR PEACE”

In view of the anniversary, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres he addressed a message to the States, inviting them to “keep the beacon of the United Nations shining” “for the world and its ideals”. “The United Nations – Guterres recalled – was built by the world, for the world. Since 1945, the UN has been the space where countries have come together to find global solutions to global problems. Solutions that ease tensions, build bridges, forge peace. Solutions to eradicate poverty, stimulate sustainable development and defend the most vulnerable. Solutions that provide aid to people living in situations of conflict, violence, economic hardship and climate disasters. Solutions that level the scales of justice and equality for women and girls. Solutions that address issues that were unimaginable in 1945,” such as climate change, digital, artificial intelligence, space.

In September, as Guterres recalled, the General Assembly adopted the “Pact for the Future,” the “Global Digital Compact” and the “Declaration on Future Generations”. “Together,” he said, “these landmark agreements will help ensure that the United Nations system adapts, reforms and rejuvenates, so that it is flexible to the changes and challenges around us and provides solutions for all.” But the work of the UN “will always be rooted in the timeless values and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, as well as in the dignity and human rights of every person,” he added. “In today’s troubled world,” Guterres explained, “hope is not enough. Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity and a thriving planet. Hope requires all countries working as one. Hope requires the United Nations.”