UN marks 81 years of global cooperation

UN Photo/Loey FelipeSecretary-General António Guterres opens annual general debate at the UN Headquarters in New York in September 2026. (file)Friday, October 23, 2026UN NewsThe United Nations celebrates its 81st anniversary on Saturday, highlighting more than eight decades of work to advance peace, human rights and development around the world.United Nations Day heralds the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. The global body officially came into being after the founding document was ratified by a majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council.The day has been celebrated annually on 24 October since 1948.The agenda has remained unchanged: settling disputes through diplomacy, combating poverty and hunger, promoting human rights and delivering lifesaving aid to people affected by conflict, disasters and displacement.© UNICEF/Frank DejonghChildren are happy with their rehabilitated primary school in the village of Kerebadougou, in Côte d'Ivoire.Humanity’s future In his last message marking the day in charge of the UN, Secretary-General António Guterres said it stood for the idea that “humanity’s future depends on our ability to work t...