A strong UN – A better world
27/10/15
Exactly 70 years ago, on 24 October
1945, the United Nations Charter entered into force. Just weeks after World War
II ended, the United Nations became a reality. 2015 marks the global
celebration of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, which aims to honour
the historic breadth of the Organization’s development, security and human
rights work. The “UN70” celebration also aims to unite Member States, global civil
society and the many individual women and men working in common cause to enable
a strong UN to realize a better world.
For all its flaws, the United
Nations remains the only plausible forum for engaging broad global
challenges like sustainable development. The most important environmental
achievements of the past 40 years – the rise of environmental awareness, the
birth of key ideas such as sustainability or the common heritage of humanity
and the most important global treaties for environmental protection –all bear
the UN stamp in one way or another.
The 70th
anniversary of the United Nations is an opportunity to reflect – to look back
on the UN’s history and take stock of its enduring achievements. It is also an
opportunity to spotlight where the UN – and the international community as a
whole – needs to redouble its efforts to meet current and future challenges
across the three pillars of its work: peace and security, development, and
human rights.
Human rights were defined as one of the
purposes of the organization. 70 years later, as UN membership expanded from 53
to 193 states, how does the organization carry out its mandate to ensure
universal, effective respect for human rights? What are the key stakes in this
regard?
Seventy years ago, with the founding of
the United Nations, all nations reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human
rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights
of men and women and of nations large and small.
The commitment to
fundamental human rights that was enshrined in the United Nations Charter and
later in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lives on today in many other
treaties and agreements, including the Programme of Action of the 1994
International Conference on Population and Development.
If we are lucky enough as individuals
to make it to 70 years old, most of us would probably wish to be retired,
sitting back in a comfy chair and enjoying the fruits of our labor.
However, when the United Nations turns 70 on Saturday, 24 October 2015, its 193
member states and all its staff know that our work is far from over.
There is no room for the leisure and comforts of retirement.
In addition to reaching the end of its
seventh decade, this year marks two other important milestones for the UN.
This is the year when the world’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) end
– the eight goals that aimed to reduce poverty and hunger as well as improve
health, education, gender equality and environmental sustainability. This
year, an ambitious new set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will take
their place -- our collective roadmap for equitable and sustainable development
for the coming 15 years, 2016-2030.
On the UN’s 70th
birthday, the Organisation and all its members and partners are more than
doubling their ‘to do’ list, because now, more than ever, we need to ensure
that no-one is left behind in the journey towards a far more equitable and just
world.
The new Post-2015 Global Sustainable Development
Agenda is founded on principles of equality, rights and dignity. As we observe
the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and look forward to the post-2015
development agenda, we must prioritise the promotion and protection of human
rights and dignity for every person, for current and future generations, to
create the future we want./.
All comments [ 20 ]
The organization won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, and a number of its officers and agencies have also been awarded the prize.
Some commentators believe the organization to be an important force for peace and human development.
Congratulations UN! Go ahead.
We have a historic opportunity this year to tackle the causes of poverty through the Post 2015 development framework.
On September 25, 2015, the Global Goals for Sustainable Development were unanimously adopted by the United Nations at the 70th session of the General Assembly.
One of the UN's primary purposes is "promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction.
However the UN is unable to take significant action against human rights abuses without a Security Council resolution.
Yeah, UN still has many weaknesses.
In 1948, the General Assembly adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become the basis of two binding treaties, the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
I support an agenda that will leave no one behind and will respect the equal rights of men and women.
the UN is the most powerful organization in the world. It plays a key role in keeping the peace, stability and development.
but sometimes it ineffectively works out and it's voice is weak
some permanent member countries of the UN Security Council serve their own national interest, not for the international community
I think the United Nations should be reformed beacause the decision power on every issues of the world mainly depends on only some countries.
it's unfair and it's very difficult for the UN to reach the united stance in solving the problems in the world
5 permanent member countries of the UN Security Council have rights to veto any the UN's resolutions
It can't denied that the UN has made significant contributions to the peacekeeping, reduction of poverty, dealing with disasters, diseases
many countries suppose that the number of permanent member countries of the UN Security Council should be raised from 5 to 10
It's a good idea. I agree with that idea because it's easier for the UN to make decisions and fairer, more exact
Japan wants to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It has received supports from many countries.
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