On 65th anniversary, UN resolves ‘to do more’ for Peace, Development

(October 23, 2010) Marking its 65th anniversary, the United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to promote peace, development and human rights, pledging enhanced action to achieve its global mission. UN Day is commemorated every year on 24 October, the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the Day is an occasion to reassert the “universal values of tolerance, mutual respect and human dignity,” as well as progress made jointly in the areas of literacy, life expectancy, the spread of technology and advances in democracy and the rule of law. Let us commit to do even more to realize the great vision set out in the UN Charter. “But above all, UN Day is a day on which we resolve to do more, more to protect those caught up in armed conflict, to fight climate change and avert nuclear catastrophe; more to expand opportunities for women and girls, and to combat injustice and impunity.” Mr. Ban also calls for sustained efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the set of poverty reduction and social development targets with a 2015 deadline. In his message, General Assembly President Joseph Deiss said: “We demonstrated that all the peoples of the United Nations form a single community and that no one has the right to remain indifferent to abject poverty and the suffering of others.” There will be the traditional UN Day concert in the General Assembly Hall featuring the Korean Broadcast System Symphony Orchestra, the Westminster Symphonic Choir and violinist Sarah Chang.