[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="8737,8736,8734,8735,8733,8732"] The United Nation Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 24 every year, marks the anniversary of the enforcement of the UN Charter in 1945. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including Saudi Arabia, the United Nations officially came into being. This day has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. This year, the UN celebrates its 70th anniversary and the adoption of a new global development agenda. On the occasion of this historic event, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered a message assuring the UN's commitment toward peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. "The 70th anniversary of the United Nations is a timely opportunity to highlight its many and enduring achievements — and to strengthen our collective resolve to do more to promote peace and security, sustainable development and human rights," Ban said. "Every day, the United Nations makes a positive difference for millions of people, vaccinating children, distributing food aid, sheltering refugees, deploying peacekeepers, protecting the environment, seeking the peaceful resolution of disputes and supporting democratic elections, gender equality, human rights and the rule of law. "The challenges of our times transcend borders and require complex solutions reached through negotiation and compromise. The theme of this anniversary year — ‘Strong UN, Better World' — captures the importance of multilateralism and the essential role of the United Nations. "Only when we work together can we overcome shared threats and seize shared opportunities; only at the United Nations can all countries – large and small, rich and poor – and all people have their voices heard. In our rapidly changing world, the United Nations remains humankind's invaluable instrument of common progress. Let us use this anniversary to reflect on the lessons of seven decades, and reaffirm our commitment to serve we the peoples and build lives of prosperity, security and dignity for all." The United Nations, established on Oct. 24, 1945, by 51 countries, currently has 193 members. It is committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. The UN family The UN system, unofficially known as the UN family, is made up of the UN itself and more than 30 affiliated programs, funds and specialized agencies, all with their own membership, leadership and budget. The programs and funds are financed through voluntary rather than assessed contributions. The specialized agencies are independent international organizations funded by both voluntary and assessed contributions. UN Charter Delegates of 50 nations met at San Francisco between April 25 and June 26, 1945. Working on the Dumbarton Oaks proposals, and amendments proposed by various governments, the conference agreed upon the Charter of the United Nations and the Statue of the New International Court of Justice. The Charter was passed unanimously and signed by all the representatives. It came into force on Oct. 24, 1945, when China, France, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States and a majority of the other signatories had filed their instruments of ratification. The United Nations and its system work 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, expanding food production, and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations. Saudi Arabia joined the United Nations as a Charter Member on June 26, 1945. King Faisal, then foreign minister heading the Saudi delegation, signed the Charter as a founding member at a ceremony held in San Francisco, US. The UN Country Team in Saudi Arabia is comprised of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank Group, including World Bank and the International Financial Corporation (IFC). The International Organization for Migration (IQM), is also part of the team. IOM, an inter-governmental organization that works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, came to Saudi Arabia in 1992 after the First Gulf War, to assist in the departure of 40,000 Iraqi refugees who were staying in the Rafha Refugee Camp. At present IOM Riyadh is assisting in the movement of migrants and refugees from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. Strong UN, Better World The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established in 2000 and include eight anti-poverty targets to be accomplished by 2015. Since then, enormous progress has been made toward achieving the MDGs. World leaders have called for an ambitious, long-term agenda to improve people's lives and protect the planet for future generations. This post-2015 development agenda is expected to tackle many issues, including ending poverty, improving health and education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting oceans and forests. The UN is working with governments, civil society and other partners to build on the momentum generated by the MDGs and carry on with an ambitious post-2015 sustainable development agenda that was adopted by UN member states at the Special Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2015. On Sept. 25, at the Summit on Sustainable Development, the member states adopted Resolution A/70/L.1: Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agenda is far-reaching and ambitious, and contains the 17 goals and 169 targets.
