Humanity’s future depends on our ability to work together to advance peace, development and human rights.

This year’s United Nations Day presents us with an important moment to reflect on the UN’s work and recommit to the ideals and principles that led to its founding.

For more than eight decades, the United Nations has worked tirelessly to protect and improve the lives of people all over the world by:

• Settling disputes — with diplomacy and laws, not weapons;
• Working to eradicate poverty and hunger;
• Promoting human rights;
• Delivering life-saving aid to people in need;
• Safeguarding our planet;
• Supporting gender equality;
• Providing all countries an equal voice on the global stage.

The United Nations is an essential part of the fabric of our world.

And it’s needed more than ever.

Our world today is grappling with conflict, shattered by the climate crisis, scarred by rising inequalities and struggling to adapt to the transformations being brought on by new technologies.

This is a critical moment to reaffirm the values that gave birth to the United Nations:

• Dialogue over division;
• Cooperation over confrontation;
• Solidarity over fear.

United Nations Day is an opportunity for all countries to renew their commitment to our shared values and the obligations that underpin them.

Now more than ever, we must stand firm in our resolve to uphold the United Nations Charter and international law.

And we must work together to strengthen the United Nations to best serve people and meet the challenges of our time.

Based on Secretary-General @antonioguterres' UN Day message.