UN Day: 81 years of commitment to global peace and cooperation

October 24 marks United Nations Day, commemorating 81 years since the founding of the United Nations, an organisation established to promote global peace, safeguard international security, uphold human rights and strengthen cooperation among nations. Born out of the devastation of the Second World War, the UN was founded with the aim of saving future generations from the horrors of war. More than eight decades later, it remains one of the principal forums for international diplomacy.

The United Nations formally came into existence on October 24, 1945, when the UN Charter entered into force. The date is observed every year as United Nations Day. The organisation now has 193 member states and works to promote the peaceful settlement of international disputes, provide humanitarian assistance, advance sustainable development and protect fundamental human rights through collective action.

The UN headquarters is located in Manhattan, New York City, in the United States. The organisation’s name was coined by then US president Franklin D Roosevelt. Its current secretary-general is António Guterres of Portugal, who serves as the UN’s chief administrative officer.

One of the organisation’s most important bodies is the Security Council, which has 15 members. Five countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China—hold permanent seats and possess veto power. The remaining 10 members are elected for two-year terms. The council’s principal responsibilities include taking measures to maintain international peace and security and pursuing efforts to resolve conflicts.

The United Nations has six official languages: English, French, Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. These languages facilitate international discussions, decision-making and communication among member states.

For Bangladesh, joining the United Nations was a significant milestone in its emergence as an independent country on the international stage. Bangladesh became the organisation’s 136th member on September 17, 1974. Since then, it has played an active role in multilateral diplomacy and initiatives concerning international peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.

Bangladesh has also made substantial contributions to UN peacekeeping operations. Its participation began in 1988, when it sent personnel to the Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group. Since then, members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and police have served in conflict-affected regions around the world, helping maintain peace, protect civilians and restore stability.

According to UN figures for February 2026, Bangladesh ranked fourth among countries contributing military and police personnel to UN operations, with 4,148 personnel deployed at the time. <Cite refs={["turn803806search36","turn803806search5"]}/>

Bangladesh has achieved another significant diplomatic milestone this year with the election of its foreign minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman, as president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He secured 99 votes in the election held on June 2, 2026, and began his one-year term on September 8. <Cite refs={["turn803806search0","turn803806search1"]}/>

Bangladesh previously held the presidency of the General Assembly in 1986, when diplomat Humayun Rashid Choudhury was elected president of its 41st session. Nearly four decades later, Rahman’s election marks another important moment in the country’s engagement with multilateral diplomacy.

United Nations Day is observed around the world through discussions, cultural programmes and public awareness initiatives. These events highlight the importance of international cooperation, human rights, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.

At a time when the world faces wars, armed conflicts, humanitarian crises and climate change, United Nations Day offers an opportunity to reflect anew on the principles that inspired the organisation’s founding. It also underscores the need for dialogue, cooperation and collective action to address shared global challenges.