Member State Sponsor
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Burundi to the United Nations
Co-sponsoring Member State
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations
Co-sponsoring Civil Society Organizations
Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam)
Campaign Life Coalition
Asociación La Familia Importa (AFI)
Family Watch International
Global Center for Human Rights
United Families International
Universal Peace Federation
Event Background
On October 24, 1945, the United Nations was formally established when its Charter came into force. Founded in the aftermath of a devastating global conflict, the United Nations was rooted in a vision to promote peace, uphold human dignity, and affirm the worth of every person. At its core, the UN was established to foster effective multilateral cooperation and to build international dialogue grounded in mutual respect and the sovereign equality of all Member States.
As we mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, this milestone offers a timely opportunity to revisit the Charter of the United Nations—the foundational document that continues to guide international cooperation—and to reflect on other cornerstone texts such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Together, these documents enshrine the core principles of fundamental human rights and their relevance remain as vital today as they were 80 years ago.
This commemorative event seeks to reaffirm those founding values and consider how current practices within the UN system can more fully reflect them—particularly as the international community reviews the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development. As Member States look ahead to future outcomes, revisiting the UN’s founding, offers both clarity and a common vision.
At a moment of increasing polarization, this event aims to ensure that multilateralism remains anchored in the UN’s original mission—to uphold human dignity, preserve peace, and to protect human life, including future generations—while also providing Member States and civil society with a meaningful platform for dialogue and the pursuit of common goals.
STATEMENT
Video Address: The Honorable U.S. Congressman Chris Smith
PANEL PRESENTATION
The Honorable David Mulroney, Former Canadian Ambassador to China
Neydy Casillas, Vice President for International Affairs, Global Center for Human Rights
Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D., Founder and president of the American Council on Women Peace and Security (ACWPS)
Stefano Gennarini, J.D., Vice President for Legal Studies, Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam)
STATEMENTS BY CIVIL SOCIETY
PROGRAM MODERATOR
Matthew Wojciechowski, Campaign Life Coalition
Yours sincerely,
