UN celebrates 75th anniversary of founding charter

By Mario Villar

United Nations, Jun 26 (efe-epa).- The United Nations celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding charter on Friday, a document the organization says “remains a touchstone” for the world today.

“We, the peoples of the United Nations,” is how the preamble begins to the declaration that was signed by delegates from 50 nations on 26 June 1945 in San Francisco in the United States.

It was a commitment to creating a new international order after the defeat of Nazism and the end of World War Two.

The UN now has 193 member states and a decades-long history of which the standout achievement has been a long period without conflict between the biggest international powers.

UN secretary-general António Guterres said Friday at an official commemoration of the anniversary: “It remains our touchstone for a world mired in a pandemic, torn by discrimination, endangered by climate change and scarred by poverty, inequality and war.

“Post-war multilateral arrangements have compiled a solid record of service, saving millions of lives, advancing the human condition and fulfilling its cardinal task of preventing World War Three.”

A virtual ceremony was held in celebration of the history and future of the UN due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a succession of video messages recorded by the organization’s staff and representatives from the different regional groups.

The event ended with a joint performance by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, where the Charter was negotiated and signed, and the New York Philharmonic, where the UN has its headquarters.

“We need to reimagine multilateralism, the charter’s vision stands the test of time and its values will continue to carry us forwards,” Guterres added in his statement.

The text outlines government commitments to protect peace, defend human rights and freedoms and improve the lives of all people on the planet.