United Nations Day 2024: All you need to know

Observed every year on October 24, United Nations Day celebrates the establishment of the United Nations, an international body created with the motive of maintaining peace and security. Incepted in 1945, United Nations seeks to discover solutions that benefit all of humanity. United Nations Day serves as a reminder to acknowledge the significance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and United Nations role in finding resolutions that ensure prolonged peace across its 193 member states.

History: Why United Nations Day is celebrated

The havoc caused by World War II called for the establishment of a body that could prevent future conflicts and promote peace on a global scale; hence, the United Nations was founded. In 1945, the United Nations Conference on International Organization took place in San Francisco, which was attended by representatives of 50 nations. They were tasked to draft the United Nations Charter, which was adopted and signed on June 26, 1945.

On October 24, 1945, the UN officially came into existence. Since then, UN has operated on the principles of promoting international peace and security and fostering friendly relations amongst nations. In addition, it also acts as the intermediary to guide the actions of its member states.

UN members

Currently, the United Nations comprises 193 member states. They depict every sovereign nation in the world. Five permanent (P5) and ten non-permanent members are part of the UNSC (United Nations Security Council). The permanent members, including China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States, exercise more power in the decision-making process while the non-permanent members are re-elected every two years based on the geographic regions.

United Nations Day: Significance

In 1945, the United Nations Charter came into effect when its signatories approved it, marking the occasion of United Nations Day. However, this day was first commemorated in 1948. Ever since then, the UN's principles of practice have centered around promoting friendly relations and encouraging peace and security amongst the world nations.

Starting from 51 members, today UN has 193 member states. In addition, it contains various organisations overseeing different sectors, including the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, Unesco, Unicef, and the World Food Programme. The occasion of United Nations Day acknowledges the efforts and initiatives led by the UN to encourage global well-being and international cooperation.

2024 Theme

The 2023 theme for United Nations Day was “Equality, Freedom and Justice for All.” The idea behind this theme was to promote a world where essential human rights-like equality, freedom, and justice-are fairly exercised.

While the theme for 2024 World United Nations Day has not been announced yet, it is anticipated to be centred around the significance of international collaboration in ensuring global security.

Celebrating unity and peace!

This United Nations Day, let us come together and celebrate the UN and its role in maintaining peace and prosperity on a global level.