The UN is 65 today

[Zomi Community Network]

The role the United Nations organisation plays in today’s world which is plagued with numerous problems such as the economic and food crisis, terrorism, ethnic wars and natural disasters is very significant. This
year, on the 65th Anniversary of the United Nations, the organisation is
more engaged in numerous global problems that affect more people than
ever before. The world recognises this reality and the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) are compelling evidence of it.

On and around October 24, many activities are organised by all parts of the UN, particularly in the main offices in New York, the Hague (Netherlands), Geneva (Switzerland), Vienna (Austria) and Nairobi
(Kenya). Some of the events are concerts; flying the UN flag on
important buildings; debates on the relevance of the work of the UN in
modern times; and proclamations by state heads and other leaders.Most of
you must be aware by now as to how this important world body came into
force. However, as some of you may not be familiar with the background,
let us enlighten you about it.

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations (UN) came into force when the five permanent members of the security council ratified the charter that had been drawn up earlier that year. These members were: France, the
Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United
States.

Since 1948, the event’s anniversary has been known as United Nations Day. It is an occasion to highlight, celebrate and reflect on the work of the United Nations and its family of specialised agencies.The
foundations for a ‘League of Nations’ were laid in the Treaty of
Versailles, which was one of the treaties to formally end World War I.
The treaty was signed in Versailles, France, on June 28, 1919. The
league aimed to encourage disarmament, prevent outbreaks of war,
encourage negotiations and diplomatic measures to settle international
disputes and to improve the quality of life around the world. However,
the outbreak of World War II suggested that the League of Nations needed
to take on a different form. The ideas around the United Nations were
developed in the last years of World War II, particularly during the UN
Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, the United
States, beginning on April 25, 1945.

The UN was officially created when a UN charter was ratified on October 24 that year.United Nations Day was first observed on October 24, 1948. The UN recommended that United Nations Day should be a public
holiday in member states since 1971.

There were also calls for United Nations Day to be an international public holiday to bring attention to the work, role and achievements of the UN and its family of specialized agencies. These have been
spectacular, particularly in the fields of human rights, support in
areas of famine, eradication of disease, promotion of health and
settlement of refugees.

The UN does not work alone but together with many specialised agencies, including: the World Health Organization (WHO); the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF); International Labour Organization (ILO);
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); and United
Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).