United Nations Day 2023: History, significance and theme of world body as it celebrates 75th anniversary

The United Nations acts as a pioneer for international peace and promotes the idea of a fairer world to make the globe a better place to live in. The organisation was established in 1945 and completed its 75th anniversary this year. United Nations Day is an important observance that is celebrated annually on October 24, marking the adoption of the United Nations Charter in the year 1945. This basic document set the foundation of the United Nations and gave hope to people across the globe who wished they would be united and peaceful. Thus, the UN serves as the last hope for unity in the world that has immeasurable legitimacy, convening power, and normative influence.

The United Nations Conference on International Organization was held in San Francisco in 1945 by representatives of about 50 nations. They were tasked to draw up the United Nations Charter and it was adopted by the signatories. Five out of 10 were permanent UN Security Council members. When the agreement was signed by a majority, the United Nations assumed operations. Since then, the UN has been central to the process of international cooperation, peace, and development. It acts as a catalyst in the transformation advocating for human rights, freedoms, and justice.

This year UN Day has an added importance because it commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with the theme of “Equality, Freedom and Justice for All”. The declaration, consisting of 30 articles, acts as a blueprint for the UN. This played a positive role in initiating the ratification of a multitude of human rights treaties globally.