As part of the Photoville Festival, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations and recall the enduring relevance of this historic document. The Charter was conceived during the cataclysm of war. Its signing on 26 June 1945 at the San Francisco Conference heralded a new era of global cooperation.
For delegates present, it marked a decisive turn towards peace following the horrors of the Great Depression, the Holocaust and two World Wars that had left an indelible mark on the conscience of humanity.
With the signing of the Charter, states vowed to never again inflict such suffering and devastation upon humanity. They envisioned a world rooted in respect for human rights, promotion of peace and security, and support for sustainable development. They set out the rights and obligations required for upholding this shared vision. And they pledged to work collectively, as nations united, to achieve its aims.
Photo: UN
This is our moment to revive the spirit of San Francisco and again embrace the ideals that united humanity during its darkest hour. Together, let us light a brighter path towards a more stable, equitable future – one in which tomorrow’s generations are not only spared the scourge of war but thrive in a world solidly built on peace, justice and human dignity.
“To understand the Charter’s relevance today, is to remember its significance in 1945. For a world mired in endless cycles of conflict and human suffering, the Charter and the principles it represented — dialogue, diplomacy, cooperation, and solidarity — was a path to a better, more peaceful, and prosperous future. The decades since have only proven the Charter’s enduring legacy. It has shaped decades of progress – guided international action on decolonisation, protected human rights, and promoted justice and sustainable development. The Charter has provided the legal backbone for our collective response to challenges and laid the groundwork for modern agreements like the Pact for the Future.
As we look ahead, we would be wise to remember our past, celebrate our successes, and build our future on the foundation of the UN Charter.
– H.E. Philemon Yang,
President of the General Assembly for the 79th session
Photo: UN
This exhibit has been made possible through the generous contributions of the following UN Member States and Observers:
- Brazil
- The Republic of Cameroon
- The People’s Republic of China
- Norway
- The State of Qatar
- The Republic of Singapore
- The European Union
