2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The United Nations came into being on October 24, 1945 in San Francisco where fifty nations came together at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. The United Nations had been several years in the making, with the first mention of a “United Nations” occurring in a January 1, 1942 speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. But even before, many countries around the world were meeting to ensure peace in the future, given the ravages of World War II. The St. James Palace Agreement of 1941, The Atlantic Charter of 1941, the Declaration of the United Nations in 1942, the Moscow and Tehran Conferences in 1943, and the Dumbarton Oaks and Yalta Conferences of 1944-1945 constitute the steps taken during and after World War II that led to the creation of the United Nations.
Inside the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber
To mark the 75th Anniversary, the United Nations has launched UN75 — the largest, most inclusive conversation on the role of global cooperation in building a better future for all. Rather than having a traditional celebration, UN75 is giving the citizens of the world an opportunity to shape UN’s priorities, by inviting everyone, everywhere to have their say, and to share their ideas for a better future. The core of the initiative is a short, one-minute survey focusing on the key priorities for international cooperation, where results from the survey will be presented to world leaders and governments this September. In addition, the United Nations is holding UN75 dialogues, where organizations can hold virtual events to discuss key global issues.
Covid-19 is a stark reminder of the need for cooperation across borders, sectors and generations. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has said: “Everything we do during and after this crisis must be with a strong focus on building more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics, climate change and the many other global challenges we face.”
Untapped New York is proud to be an official collaborator with the United Nations on the UN75 efforts. Through the course of the year, we will be producing content and experiences together with the United Nations to introduce UN75 to our readers and members. Fabrizio Hochschild, Under Secretary General and Special Advisor to Secretary-General, writes in a letter to Untapped New York outlining the collaboration for UN75, “I am pleased to provide this letter outlining the collaboration between Untapped New York and my office, the Office of the Special Adviser on the Preparations for the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN75)…Let me once again express my appreciation for your organization’s support on this important effort to ensure the views of all people are reflected in the United Nations’ commemoration of its 75th Anniversary.”
To kick it off, please be part of the United Nation’s efforts to collect a diverse range of perspectives by filling out the UN75 survey. It’ll just take a minute! And stay tuned for upcoming content and events produced between the United Nations and Untapped New York!
