United Nations (UN)’s International Delegate’s Day is annually observed across the globe on April 25 to create awareness about the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations.
- The day commemorates the 1st day of the San Francisco Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organisations held on 25th April 1945.
- 25th April 2023 marks the observance of the 4th International Delegate’s Day.
The day recognises the role of the delegates in fulfilling the UN’s goals like maintaining international peace, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/73/286 on 2nd April 2019 and proclaimed April 25 of every year as International Delegate’s Day.
ii. The 1st ever International Delegate’s Day was observed on 25th April 2020.
San Francisco Conference, 1945:
i. Delegates from 50 nations met in San Francisco, California, the United States of America (USA), between April 25 and June 26, 1945.
ii. There were 850 delegates, and their advisers and staff together with the conference secretariat brought the total to 3,500.
iii. The Conference settled on the Charter of the United Nations and the Statute of the new International Court of Justice while working on the Dumbarton Oaks ideas, the Yalta Agreement, and amendments proposed by various governments.
- The Charter of the United Nations, together with the Statute of the International Court of Justice which forms an integral part of the Charter, was adopted unanimously at the end of the Conference.
- On 26 June 1945, the UN Charter was signed at the Herbst Theatre auditorium of the Veterans War Memorial Building, San Francisco, USA.
Roles of Delegates:
- The delegates represent their countries at the meeting of the United Nations.
- They speak and vote on behalf of their countries at the UNGA and other forums, such as the UN Security Council.
- They negotiate agreements and coordinate with their home countries.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General- António Guterres
Headquarters- New York, USA
Establishment- 1945
