The United Nations(UN) Day is annually observed across the globe on 24th October to mark the anniversary of the coming into force of the charter of the United Nations(UN).
The annual observance offers an opportunity to amplify the common agenda and affirm the purpose and principles of the UN Charter.
- 24th October 2022 marks the 77th Anniversary of foundation of the UN.
- UN Chamber Music Society (UNCMS) will present a virtual concert in celebration of the United Nations’ 77th Anniversary.
Background:
In 1947, The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/168 (II) and proclaimed the 24th October of every year as the United Nations Day.
UN Charter:
i.In 1945, the representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco, United States of America(USA) at the UN Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter.
ii.On 24th October 1945, the Organisation of UN officially came into force when the UN charter was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and most other signatories.
iii.The term “United Nations” was suggested by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States of America(USA) and the term was first used in the Declaration of UN signed in Washington DC, USA on 1st January 1942, during 2nd World War.
Significance of UN:
i.The unique international character and the power vested on its founding charter, the UN can take actions on wide range of issues and provide a forum of its 193 members to express their view.
ii.The organisation is best known for peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.
4 main purposes:
- To keep peace throughout the world;
- To develop friendly relations among nations;
- To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
- To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals
Symbols of UN:
Emblem:
i.The first original UN emblem was designed by a team of designers led by Oliver Lincoln Lundquist during the 1945 UN Conference on International Organization.
ii.The emblem features a world map in an azimuthal equidistant projection centred on the North Pole inscribed in a wreath of crossed conventionalized branches of the olive tree, in gold on a field of smoke-blue with all water areas in white.
iii.The map extends to 60 degrees south latitude and includes five concentric circles.
iv.The UN Blue colour, representing Peace in opposition to red(for War), became an integral part of the UN’s visual identity.
Flag:
In October 1947, UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/167 (II) and approved the UN Falg. the flag is the official emblem of the UN under the terms of its resolution 92 (I) of 7 December 1946, centred on a light blue ground.
About United Nations:
Secretary-General– António Guterres
Headquarters– New York City, United States
Established in 1945
