October 24 is observed as United Nations Day since 1948. Since it was established in 1945, therefore, this year marks the 75th anniversary of UN Day. To commemorate this milestone, Member States held a special event on September 21st where they reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism.
This is the historic day when the United Nations officially came into being after the ratification of the Charter by the world’s biggest countries. The UN Charter is the founding document of this great non-partisan institution that has been working towards global peace and equality.
The United Nations was founded immediately after the end of World War II. It succeeded in the failed League of Nations with the aim of preventing further wars. It is an intergovernmental organisation whose primary role is to maintain world peace and security.
Founded from the destruction of World War II to prevent the scourge of war and violence, the United Nations has been celebrating its 75th anniversary through all of 2020.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to the world to preserve the longest period in modern history without a military confrontation between the world’s most powerful nations. In this year the UN navigated a polarized world facing a pandemic, regional conflicts, a shrinking economy, growing inequality and escalating U.S.-China tensions.
There have been major UN achievements over 75 years: decolonization, peace treaties and peacekeeping missions, setting standards for human rights, the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, the reduction of hunger and malnutrition, eradication of diseases, development of international laws and agreements to protect the environment.
Although the UN has been criticized for speaking many words and achieving scant results on its primary mission of ensuring global peace, it still remains the one place where its 193 Member Nations can meet to talk and find common ground and actions regarding every issue facing the world. There is strong support for the UN to bring not only nations but people of all ages, all walks of life, ethnicities and religions together to discuss critical issues.
October 24, 1945, is celebrated as the date when the UN officially came into existence with the ratification of the charter by a majority of all the original signatories. This past June, the UN adopted a declaration on the UN’s 75th anniversary, approved by diplomats from all UN member states. The declaration reviews the UN's successes and failures over 75 years and vows to build a post-pandemic world that is more equal, works together, and protects the planet.
Saturday was UN Day, when the Charter officially came into force, so we are taking this opportunity to look back at three-quarters of a century of hard and dedicated effort, to prevent conflict and war.
Conflict prevention in five steps
Step one, is to have a finger on the pulse wherever tensions are running high. This requires being on the ground to best understand what is really going on, and how to diffuse it.
The UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) has more than 35 special political missions around the world, to keep an eye out for developing situations.
Second, is to work the political track early, by maintaining connections with Government officials and other key players. For this reason, DPPA officers maintain close contact with key actors in all 193 UN Member States.
The third element is to include many voices, such as those of women and youth, to build consensus and momentum for peace.
Partnerships are the fourth component – including with regional organizations and international financial institutions – to link short-term political work with longer-term peace building and development efforts.
Finally, and most importantly, is to focus political will from all actors, to thwart conflicts.
With those five building blocks present, prevention works.
However, when they are not, the UN uses its good offices, derived from the UN Charter and developed through extensive practice, toward the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Mediation can be set in motion by the UN chief himself or in response to a request from the Security Council, the General Assembly or a party to a dispute.
As part of its good offices, UN envoys or special advisers are currently working to resolve conflicts in Myanmar, Yemen and Syria.
Among other things, DPPA manages Special Political Missions (SPMs) in the field to prevent conflict, mediate peace and help countries rebuild post-conflict, throughout the world.
Each mission provides country-specific diplomacy and other activities to avoid and mediate armed conflict. They also coordinate with national and other UN actors on the ground to support complex political transitions.
Recent successes in Colombia and the Southern Philippines, as well as the resolution of the name issue between Greece and North Macedonia, are evidence that the settlement of conflicts is possible “even in an increasingly complex world”, according to Teresa Whitfield, Director of DPPA’s Policy and Mediation Division.
The UN chief initially issued the appeal for combatants to lay down their arms shortly after the pandemic was declared in March.
“In our world today, we have one common enemy: COVID-19”, said Mr. Guterres in his message for UN Day on October 24.
“Now is the time for a stepped-up push for peace to achieve a global ceasefire. The clock is ticking.”
UN mission ‘more critical than ever’
UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter, the organisation’s founding document.
The treaty outlines the UN’s goals of promoting human dignity, protecting human rights and saving humanity from conflict.
That founding mission “is more critical than ever”, said the Secretary-General.
Also crucial is the need to “make peace with our planet”, he added, stating “We must mobilize the whole world to reach carbon neutrality - net zero emissions of greenhouse gasses by 2050.”
Despite the constraints imposed by the global pandemic, countries are celebrating the UN’s historic birthday.
More than 180 iconic buildings across Europe will be lit up in blue, the organisation’s official colour: from monuments to museums, to bridges and beyond.
The initiative is a symbolic attempt to unite people worldwide, and to promote peace, sustainable development and human rights.
As the Secretary-General stated, more must be done to end poverty, inequality, hunger and hatred, and to combat discrimination based on race, religion, gender or any other distinction.
He drew attention to the situation of women and girls, as the pandemic has led to “a horrific rise” in gender-based violence.
A blueprint for recovery
The UN chief also underlined the need to “build on progress”, pointing to the global collaboration currently underway to develop a safe, affordable and accessible COVID-19 vaccine.
This banner year has also seen the start of a Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their promise of a better future for all people and the planet. For Guterres, the 17 SDGs provide an inspiring blueprint for recovering better after the pandemic. The U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which many identify with, offer hope for the future. But too often, the SDGs are used as a mere branding opportunity, without enough practical steps toward their core objective to “leave no one behind” and combat climate change. What the world needs is concrete action.
Solidarity and a shared vision
Although the world faces colossal challenges, the UN chief was adamant that they can be overcome through global solidarity and cooperation, saying: “That’s what the United Nations is all about.”
Guterres asked people everywhere to unite on this UN anniversary.
“Together, let us uphold the enduring values of the United Nations Charter”, he declared. “Let us build on our advances across the decades. Let us realize our shared vision of a better world for all.”
To mark UN Day the UN Global Compact is calling on 100 million employees around the world to participate in a social media campaign and online survey to demonstrate their support for the UN’s mission and drive business action to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“At a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis, the UN Global Compact recognises we must unite companies in the business of a better world and engage all their employees in our mission to drive corporate sustainability and achieve the SDGs”, said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.
These exciting, though uncomfortable, questions force us to acknowledge the dismal living conditions endured by billions. A high level of national comfort and security is admirable. Still, in the face of growing global challenges to security, development, and environmental sustainability unmet by adequate responses from the world’s nations, such national privilege can become disturbing, and ultimately abhorrent. All governments should recommit themselves to the global solutions that will keep us safer as we emerge — hopefully soon — from the pandemic.
