Seventy-Five years ago, when the guns fell silent after six years of war, the Charter of the United Nations was ratified: Since then, every year on the 24th of October, UN day is celebrated. The year 2020 marks a special anniversary for the United Nations, which is the 75 years of celebration of the UN Charter in San Francisco.

UN was the second multi-purpose international organization established in the 20th century with a worldwide scope of membership. It is headquartered in New York City and also the UN has regional offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. UN is a global diplomatic and political organization dedicated to international peace and stability. Due to its unique international character and the powers vested from its Charter, the organization can take action on a wide range of issues and provide a forum for 193 member States to express their views through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.

The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe. Although humanitarian assistance, there are many other ways the United Nations and its system affect our lives and make the world a better place. The UN has four main purposes; keeping peace throughout the world, developing friendly relations among nations, helping nations work together to improve the lives of poor people to conquer hunger, disease, literacy and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedom, is a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.

For the first time in history, the global leaders of this organization were not able to meet physically because of the prevailing pandemic situation around the globe. Thus, the session went virtually. Especially, world leaders had to submit pre-recorded video statements for the United Nations General Assembly which was held in September. The landmark of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly began on the 15th of September. Usually, the General Debate runs for a week where the leaders and ministers from 193 UN member states address the world from the iconic lectern in the General Assembly hall.

“Shaping Our Future Together” is the theme for the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and this theme was native under a great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis named COVID-19 but, it is also a reminder that times of struggle can become an opportunity for positive change and transformation. Biodiversity also took a center stage at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.

The declaration on the UN’s 75th anniversary recalls the UN’s successes and failures over more than seven decades and vows to build a post-pandemic world that is more equal, works together, and protects the planet in a spirit of inclusive multilateralism. This year’s General Assembly has a strong focus on the topics of sustainability and climate change.

Moreover, ensuring meaningful youth participation is a core component and one of the key goals outlined in the UN’s Youth 2030 strategy. With COVID-19 continuing to disrupt lives and economies around the world and putting at risk the hard-won gains of women’s rights, gender equality is on top of the agenda for decision-makers this year as they convene mostly virtually. Through a host of side-events, inter-generational and inter-governmental conversations, UN women are spotlighting the need to place women and girls front and center of COVID-19 response.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the agreed targets to reduce poverty and maintain peace and whilst protecting the planet, remain high in the UN’s agenda 2020. Hence, in Rotary, there is a similar intention of making the world a better, safer, and more peaceful place while driving progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Rotary and the United Nations have built a strong relationship through their tenure since 1945. Thus, the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, always has the intention of covering SDGs through their executed projects in line to keep a step forward to make betterment for everyone.

Created 75 years ago amidst the ashes of the Second World War, the United Nations today remains true to its founding mission; to bring nations and people together to preserve peace, security and improve lives everywhere. So, on this historic anniversary, let’s reflect on all that humanity has achieved together and all that is still left to do. Let’s recommit to the vision of the UN Charter – it’s more relevant today than ever before.

References:

www.onu.delegfrance.org

www.britannica.com

www.un.org

www.rotaractdc.org

Written by Rtr. Kavishka Jayasekara