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“The Charter is a promise to the world: That humanity can choose cooperation over chaos; law over lawlessness; dignity over domination; and hope over fear,” Guterres said.
Signed on June 26, 1945, the Charter is the founding document of the United Nations. The treaty codifies key principles of international relations and outlines the UN’s goals of maintaining peace and security, reaffirming human rights, establishing conditions for cooperation between nations, and promoting social progress.
Since then, June 26 has been recognized as UN Charter Day. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Better Together: One Charter, One Future.”
The UN Charter was signed by delegates at a ceremony held at the War Veterans Memorial Hall on 26 June 1945.
Uphold the Charter
At the General Assembly meeting on Friday, Mr Guterres, Ms Baerbock and several Member States renewed their commitment to the principles of the Charter.
The commemoration comes as the UN faces growing criticism over its ability to prevent conflict and address global crises. Both speakers argued that current challenges demonstrate the need for stronger multilateral cooperation rather than ignoring it.
Said the Secretary General The UN’s key promises of cooperation and dignity are under enormous pressure, with territorial expansion, targeting civilians, ceasefire violations and selective enforcement of international law as examples of global challenges.
Guterres praised the UN’s achievements, including peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, vaccination campaigns, conflict mediation, international justice and development assistance.
“The UN has never been perfect, but it is irreplaceablehe said.
He added that the Charter “is not an à la carte menu,” arguing that states cannot selectively apply its principles regarding sovereignty, international law and human rights.
Calls for reforms to strengthen the UN
Responding to the criticism, Mr Guterres and Ms Baerbock called for reform but stressed that this reform should strengthen multilateralism and preserve the UN, not weaken it.
Miss Baerbock argue The very existence of the UN is a “miracle of humanity,” considering that the 193 Member States today would struggle to create such an institution from scratch.
He also acknowledged the UN’s shortcomings, including its failure to prevent conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon, and argued that UN80 reform initiative is an opportunity to make the organization more “agile and efficient”.
In her speech, Ms. Baerbock celebrated accomplishments such as UNICEF immunization campaigns that have saved more than 150 million children’s lives, decades-long peacekeeping missions, expanded access to education and health services, and humanitarian assistance around the world, arguing that international cooperation remains essential to achieving these goals.
“Multilateralism has not failed,” said Ms. Baerbock. “Multilateralism applies every day as humanitarian workers deliver food even before sunrise when crises occur. Multilateralism plays out every day though Security Council blocked, when peacekeepers protect civilians.”
Mr. Guterres and Ms. Baerbock described the 81st anniversary of the Charter as a call to defend the principles of the Charter while modernizing the UN, arguing that global challenges cannot be addressed without international cooperation.
