“The ideals of the United Nations – peace, justice, equality and dignity — are beacons to a better world. […] Our Organization’s founders began their work during the heat of conflict. Now it falls to us to chart our way out of danger. In the words of our Charter, let us “combine our efforts to achieve these aims” as United Nations.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Covid-19 is a stark reminder of the need for cooperation across borders, sectors and generations. The virus knows no boundaries. A coordinated global response is needed to build a better future for all, and global dialogue and cooperation are now more urgent than ever.
To mark its 75th anniversary, the United Nations in January 2020 launched a global conversation to gather public opinion and crowdsource solutions to global challenges. We highlight the results of this unprecedented survey on the future people around the world want – overwhelmingly one where global cooperation plays a vital role in addressing today’s challenges.
This editorial package also looks at 20 years since the adoption of the landmark Security Council resolution on women, peace, and security, why human rights and the rule of law are the backbones of sustainable development, and why recovering and rebuilding from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic will only be truly possible if there is equal access to justice for everyone.
UN75
75th anniversary of the United Nations
24 October (UN Day) marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. 24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.
This year, the United Nations marks its 75th anniversary, in a time of great upheaval and uncertainties. To chart a way forward for building a better future for all, the Organization in January 2020 launched a large global conversation. The nearly 1 million participants in the UN75 survey — the UN’s most ambitious attempt to crowdsource priorities and solutions from the global public — responded with resounding support of the United Nations’ mission, and highlighted the need to change and innovate, to be more inclusive of the diversity of actors in the 21st century, and to become more transparent, accountable and effective.
KEY FINDINGS
- Across regions, ages and social groups, respondents were broadly united in their priorities for the future.
- Amid the current COVID-19 crisis, the immediate priority for most respondents is improved access to basic services – healthcare, safe water, sanitation and education, followed by greater international solidarity and increased support to those hardest hit. This includes tackling inequalities and rebuilding a more inclusive economy.
- Looking to the future, the overwhelming concerns are the climate crisis and the destruction of our natural environment. Other priorities include: ensuring greater respect for human rights, settling conflicts, tackling poverty and reducing corruption.
A new virtual exhibit highlights the work of the United Nations in preventive diplomacy, good offices, mediation, and elections over the last 75 years, and also looks ahead at what the future may hold for this work. In addition, a virtual dialogue series, featuring voices from Afghanistan, Bolivia, Iraq, Rwanda, and Uganda, highlights the knowledge, experience, and visions for the future of communities on the frontlines of conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts.
75 Years, 75 Documents
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library is presenting an exploration of 75 key documents that have shaped the United Nations and our world.
The documents selected honour the historic breadth of the Organization’s work in the areas of peace and security, humanitarian assistance, development and human rights.
United Nations Day Concert 2020 (22 October)
The 2020 UN Day Concert, “Reimagine, Rebalance, Restart: Recovering Together for our Shared Humanity”, will be broadcast on UN WebTV on Thursday, 22 October 2020 from 12:00 p.m EDT. The Concert will feature a pre-recorded dance performance from étoile danseur Roberto Bolle along with other leading international dancers and will be accompanied by the Orchestra of La Scala Theater. The concert is sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations.
WOMEN, PEACE, AND SECURITY
Sylvain Liechti/MONUSCO
On 31 October 2000, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (S/RES/1325) on Women and Peace and Security. The landmark resolution was the first to recognize the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls, acknowledge the contributions women and girls make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding, and highlight the importance of their equal and full participation, as active agents in peace and security. In the leadup to the 20th anniversary on 31 October, several events will take place, including virtual meetings, the Oslo Pax Forum 2020, roundtables, and report launches.
8 October | UN Secretary-General’s Roundtable on Women, Peace and Security
The UN Secretary-General and four women leaders from the Central African Republic, Cyprus, Darfur and Mali will discuss progress and challenges in advancing the women, peace and security agenda and look at how COVID-19 has impacted women’s participation in peace processes and decision-making. A recording of the event will be broadcasted on UN WebTV the following day, on 9 October.
“Peace is My Mission”
The Peace is My Mission campaign, launched in support of the Secretary-General’s System-wide Gender Parity and Uniformed Gender Parity Strategies, aims to promote the meaningful participation and work of women — both uniformed and civilian personnel — in United Nations peacekeeping and Special Political Missions. Communications assets, including videos, quote cards, written profiles, photos, and key messages, are available here.
Women Transforming Peace
Read, and watch, how women leaders from Mali, South Sudan and the Central African Republic are engaging in local and national peace processes and partnering with UN peacekeeping missions.
JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Deterring ‘atrocious crimes’ contributes to development: International Criminal Court President
The ICC investigates and tries people for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression and plays a key role in helping countries establish peace and justice and build strong institutions. UN News asked Mr. Eboe-Osuji how important justice is for peace and sustainable development.
COVID-19 limits road to justice for victims of human trafficking
The COVID-19 global emergency has caused the postponement of trials and significant disturbances in the conduct of proceedings before criminal, civil and administrative courts – to the detriment of victims of human trafficking. At the same time, due to lockdowns and shifts in law enforcement priorities, fewer victims are being rescued and more criminals are able to operate without being caught and convicted. Read the full story here.
Protecting Journalists, protecting the freedom to express
According to UNESCO, clampdowns on the media have increased sharply in 2020, including during numerous protests around the world in which State security forces have violated journalists’ rights.
In a recent report on the Safety of Journalists covering Protests, the organization found a “wider upward trend” in the use of unlawful force by police and security forces over the last five years, with more than 30 protests impeded by police and security forces last year alone – double the 2015 number.
The report details a wide range of abuses journalists face when covering protests, from harassment, intimidation and beatings, to being shot at with lethal or non-lethal ammunition, detention and abduction. The key findings reveal attacks across 65 countries, resulting in the deaths of at least ten journalists over the last five years.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS TO LOOK OUT FOR
International Day of the Girl Child (11 October)
UN Women/Ryan Brown
With the theme “My voice, our equal future” the International Day will focus on the need for adolescent girls to live free from gender-based violence, learn new skills towards the futures they choose, and lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change. UNICEF has launched a campaign to reimagine a better world inspired by adolescent girls — energized and recognized, counted, and invested in.
International Day of Rural Women (15 October)
UN Women/Rosendo Quintos
The International Day of Rural Women recognizes the crucial role that women and girls play in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall wellbeing. Women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural labour force, including informal work, and perform the bulk of unpaid care and domestic work within families and households in rural areas.
World Food Day (16 October)
World Food Day 2020 is recognized under the theme “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together,” and marks the 75th anniversary of FAO. It’s a call for global solidarity to help the most vulnerable people to recover and make food systems more sustainable, stronger, and resilient to shocks as countries around the world suffer the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. See how you can take action.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October)
UN/Logan Abassi
The theme for the Day, “Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all,” highlights the growing recognition of the multi-dimensionality of poverty. While progress has been made in addressing income poverty, there has been less success in addressing the other important dimensions of poverty, including the rapidly growing impact of the environment, within a more holistic approach.
World Statistics Day (20 October)
World Statistics Day will be marked with the theme “Connecting the world with data we can trust,” reflecting on the importance of trust, authoritative data, innovation and the public good in national statistical systems. It takes place during the UN World Data Forum, where the global community of data experts and users will come together (19-21 October) to identify innovative solutions for better data and intensify cooperation on data for sustainable development. On World Statistics Day, the UN will also launch “The World’s Women 2020” report, a comprehensive look at the latest data on gender at the global and regional levels.
TAKE ACTION!
Act now on climate change and sustainability
COVID-19 has upended our lives — the way we work, the way we interact, the way we move about. This can be a turning point. Let’s seize the moment, and change course — toward more sustainable lifestyles. The UN’s ActNow campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability now offers a gamified experience for people to learn, engage and take action for a more sustainable future. Download the app to log and track a set of everyday actions and see the impact you are making in terms of CO2, water and electricity saved. Educational journeys, challenges, tips and quizzes will keep you engaged.
Take care before you share
As the world confronts its biggest challenge in living memory, there has never been a greater need for accurate, verified information. Like the virus itself, misinformation spreads from person-to-person, heightening the risk to health and spreading fear and division. The world cannot contain the disease and its impacts without access to trusted, accurate information that promotes science and real solutions – and builds solidarity within and between nations. Verified is a United Nations initiative to encourage us all to check the advice we share. Sign up to receive content you can trust: life-saving information, fact-based advice, and stories from the best of humanity.