An annual event to celebrate the togetherness and stability of some of the world’s leading nations is coming up.
United Nations Day 2024 will take place later this week and will commemorate the founding Charter of the United Nations being set up in 1945.
The day is celebrated every year on the anniversary to mark the birth of the United Nations.
In the institution’s own words: “There is no other global organisation with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations.”
Here is everything you need to know.
What is United Nations Day?
It is a day that commemorates the official Charter of the UN being signed.
The Charter is the founding treaty that sets out the principles and objectives of the UN, promoting peace, international security, human rights and cooperation among nations.
The document was signed in San Francisco in 1945 and is binding for all of the member states of the organisation. It states that it “embodies the principles of international relations, from the sovereign equality of states to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations”.
When is United Nations Day?
It is celebrated on October 24 every year, meaning that for 2024, the day will fall on Thursday.
What is the role of the United Nations?
The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to “maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights”.
The aim of the UN is to attempt to keep peace around the world, to develop friendly relations among nations, to help nations work together to help improve issues such as hunger, disease and illiteracy and to create a hub where all the nations can work together for a common goal.
Who were the founding signatures for the Charter of the United Nations?
There were five signatures which marked the official birth of the United Nations Charter, and they were the signatures of the five permanent members of the Security Council: the United Kingdom, China, the United States, France and the then-USSR. Since 1991 and following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has become a permanent member.
How can I celebrate?
People from all over the world are encouraged by the UN to “come together and celebrate”.
In some places, parades are organised to spread happiness among people from different countries but other, smaller ideas are welcomed to spread awareness of the day.
This could mean sharing a favourite meal with friends and family from different countries, or dressing in your country’s traditional clothing if you live in a country different from the one you're born in.
Schools also can take part in United Nations Day, and a range of material can be found to help children learn - no matter what their age - about the day here. These include posters, games and PowerPoint presentations.
