United Nations (UN) Day is held annually on October 24 since 1948 which marks the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. The year 2020 marks its 75th anniversary.During the high-level event of the 75th anniversary celebrations political declaration was adopted.The declaration was negotiated through an intergovernmental process under the theme “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism”.
- As a part of commemoration Member States held a special event on September 21, 2020 where they reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism.
- The day recognizes the achievements of the UN with a range of activities and events. Usually it is celebrated with an annual concert usually held in the General Assembly (GA) Hall at UN Headquarters, New York in the United States (US) but this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert was pre-recorded and screened in the GA Hall on October 22, 2020.
- The concert was sponsored by the Mission of Italy under the theme “Reimagine, Rebalance, Restart: recovering together for our shared humanity”.
Commemoration by Other Members:
–The UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC) launched pan-European campaign “Turn Europe UN Blue” under which more than 250 iconic buildings from 150 cities and 21 countries will lit up blue – the official colour of the United Nations on October 24, 2020 to promote peace, sustainable development and human rights.
–The UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS) launched “75 Years of Love” a virtual concert and debut album to support the humanitarian work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
— India commemorates this day annually by raising the United Nations (UN) flag along with the tricolour atop all the significant buildings barring the Raj Bhawan and courts.
Static Points:
–The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, after the end of World War II with an aim of preventing further wars.
–UN’s Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom (UK), US and by a majority of other signatories.
–UN emblem shows two olive branches – the symbol for peace.
–The name “United Nations” was coined by US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
—Secretary-General– Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres.
Recent Related News:
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ii.World Coconut Day is observed annually on September 2 to create awareness about the importance, usage of coconut and its benefits across the world.
