On UN Day, Ban calls for renewed commitment to building a better world

(Oct. 24, 2012) On the occasion of United Nations Day, Wednesday, Oct. 24,Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday (Oct. 24) called on individuals and the international community to reaffirm their commitment to building a better world, while also highlighting the importance of cooperation in these efforts. “We are living through a period of profound turmoil, transition and transformation. Insecurity, inequality and intolerance are spreading. Global and national institutions are being put to the test,” Ban said. “With so much at stake, the UN must keep pace across the spectrum of its activities – peace, development, human rights, the rule of law, the empowerment of the world's women and youth.
On this UN Day, let us reaffirm our individual commitment and our collective resolve to live up to the ideals of the United Nations Charter and build better world for all,” Ban added in his message for the Day. In his message, the UN chief also said there has been progress on many fronts on the international agenda: extreme poverty has been cut in half since the year 2000, democratic transitions are under way in many countries, and, there are encouraging signs of economic growth across the developing world. However, more needs to be done, he added.
The date of 24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of world body’s founding document by the majority of its signatories – including the five permanent members of the Security Council – the United Nations officially came into being.