Reaffirm commitment to brighter, better future – UN SG on UN Day

The timeless values of the UN Charter must remain our guide.  Our shared duty is to “unite our strength” to serve “we the peoples”. To mark this anniversary, monuments and buildings across the world are being illuminated in UN blue.  As we shine a light on this milestone anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to a better and brighter future for all.

This is the call of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon  in a message to mark United Nations Day and the 70th anniversary of the United Nations today.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.

24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday. Among the activities to observe the Day are:

• UN Day Concert – 23 October, United Nations General Assembly Hall
  A concert to celebrate and reflect on the work of the UN through the universal language of music, featuring Korean Traditional Music Orchestra, Lang Lang, world famous Harlem Gospel Choir, etc.
• ‘Turn the World UN Blue’– 24 October, Worldwide
  Iconic monuments, buildings, statues, bridges, and other landmarks across the world will be lit up blue to help unite global citizens and promote the message of peace, development and human rights.
• Art Installation “Enlightened Universe” – 24 October, Manhattan, New York
  Renowned artist, Cristobal Gabarron, will unveil his monument in New York’s Central Park. The monument is an interactive sculpture formed by a sphere and surrounded by a spiral of 70 figures – one for each of the 70 years since the UN was created.
• Visit the UN70 Website for detailed information about the upcoming activities in New York and around the world.