Sixty five years ago,
in 1945,
representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco to draw up the Charter of the United Nations. The delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United States, in August-October 1944. The Charter was signed on June 26, 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.
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The name 'United Nations' had been coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of January 1, 1942 during the Second
World War when
representatives of
26 nations pledged their Governments to
continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. While these powers were referred to as Allies, the Axis Powers were the ones opposed to them. The three major powers in that military alliance were Germany, Japan and Italy.
In 1899, the first International Peace Conference was held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for settling crises peacefully,
preventing wars and
codifying rules of warfare
The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived during the First World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security".
The International Labour Organization was also created under the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League. The League of Nations ceased its
activities after failing to prevent the Second World War.The United Nations
officially came into
existence on October 24, 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and a
majority of other
signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24 each year.
It is recognized that throughout its 65-year
history the United Nations has played an integral part in shaping global events through its humanitarian and peacekeeping
activities.The United Nations is
committed to
maintaining
international peace and security,
developing friendly
relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
Due to its unique
international
character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues, and provide a forum for its 192 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.
The work of the United Nations reaches every
corner of the globe. Although best known for eacekeeping, peace
building, conflict
prevention and
humanitarian assistance, there are many other ways the United Nations and its System comprising
specialized agencies, funds and programmes, affect our lives and make the world a better place.
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Portraits of people from around the world
(3c stamp) and designs of people of all
cultures representing the skyline of
New York City (4c stamp) are depicted in these stamps released to mark the
65th anniversary of the UN. |
The Organization works on a broad range of
fundamental issues, from
sustainable development, environment and
refugees protection,
disaster relief, counter
terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, gender equality and the
advancement of women, governance, economic and social development and international health,
clearing landmines, expanding food
production, and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.
The General Assembly is the main forum where current global issues are discussed and debated.
It is composed of
representatives of all Member States. The work of the United Nations year-round derives largely from the mandates given by the General Assembly.
Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is composed of five permanent members — China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States — and ten
non-permanent members.
Of these members, Austria, Japan, Turkey, Uganda and Mexico end their terms this year while the terms of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Lebanon, Brazil, Gabon and Nigeria will end in 2011.
To mark the 65th
anniversary of the United Nations, the UN Postal Administration has released several stamps. |
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