Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 22, 2025 UN
The General Assembly Hall in New York celebrated the anniversary on Monday. 80th anniversary of the creation of the UNThe event began with a musical performance by the youth choir Sing for Hope, singers from the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, and pianist David Watkins, conducted by Tilman Michael. However, as General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock stated in her address, "today is not a day of celebration," but "a moment to remember the lessons of history and find the courage to once again choose the path of hope."
Baerbock recalled the extremely difficult circumstances in which the Organization was created.
Choose the right path
"Countries lie in ruins. More than 70 million dead. Two world wars in a single generation. The unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust. And 72 territories are still colonized. This was our world 80 years ago," she said.
According to her, signing of the UN Charter June 26, 1945 was not just a formality, but a confirmation that humanity had learned lessons from the darkest pages of history.
"It was a commitment not to take us to heaven, but to never again allow the forces of hatred and unbridled ambition to drag us to hell," Baerbock said.
At the same time, she recalled, the world today faces new tragedies and challenges: “We see orphaned children in Gaza searching for food amid the destruction. The ongoing war in Ukraine. Sexual violence in Sudan. Gangs terrorize people in Haiti. The internet is overflowing with hate. Floods and droughts are sweeping the globe.”
"Today is not a holiday. Today is a moment to remember the lessons of history and find the courage to once again choose the path of hope instead of defeat," the General Assembly President emphasized.
Make the promise come true
The UN Secretary-General also delivered a speech. Antonio Guterres, which called for remembering the Organization's first employees, many of whom bore the "visible wounds of war."
"They saw the worst of what humanity is capable of—the horrors of death camps, the brutality of battles, cities razed to the ground. And that's why they chose to serve the cause of peace," he continued. And contrary to the misconception that the pursuit of peace is naive, "they knew: peace is the boldest, most practical, most necessary aspiration of all."
Photo UN/L. Felipe
The Secretary-General recalled that today, UN principles are being tested to unprecedented levels: civilians are under attack, international law is being flouted, poverty and hunger are on the rise, and climate chaos is causing natural disasters. Meanwhile, the global community is moving down a path of division.
"To meet these challenges, we must not just defend the United Nations, but strengthen it," the UN chief said.
"The only way forward is to act together. Let us prove ourselves worthy of this moment – with clarity, courage, and conviction. And let us make the promise of peace a reality," he concluded.
"Information Armageddon"
2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa focused her speech on the challenges of human rights and information in the digital age. She recalled that 80 years ago, the UN Charter was born as a promise to prevent a repeat of tragedies after "fascism manipulated information, destroyed truth, and dehumanized entire peoples to justify genocide and world war."
According to her, humanity is currently experiencing an "information Armageddon," where lies spread faster than facts, and algorithms are designed to evoke "outrage instead of empathy" and fuel "fear, anger, and hatred, overwhelming us with a toxic flow of information." Research shows that misinformation spreads six times faster than facts, and with the development of generative AI, the situation is only getting worse, Ressa warned.
She presented three solutions: ending impunity for digital giants and introducing international standards to protect the information environment; creating an alternative infrastructure of trust based on independent journalism; and investing in comprehensive initiatives, including strengthening democratic institutions and supporting the efforts of women, who play a key role in peacebuilding.
“Information integrity "This is the mother of all battles. Win this one, and we win the rest. Lose, and we lose everything," Ressa emphasized.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland also shared their views on the role of the UN at the meeting.
The meeting concluded with a poetic recitation by global peace advocate Maryam Bukar Hassan.
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