Secretary-General's Message for 2019 on UN Day

United Nations Day highlights the enduring ideals of the Charter, which entered into force on this date 74 years ago.

Amid stormy global seas, the Charter remains our shared moral anchor.  

At this time of turbo-charged change, the United Nations remains focused on the real problems of real people.

We are working for a fair globalization and bold climate action.

We are pushing for human rights and gender equality -- and saying “no” to hatred of any kind.

And we are striving to maintain peace – while bringing life-saving aid to millions caught up in armed conflict.

The United Nations itself is becoming ever more agile and accountable as we enhance support to countries.

Next year marks the Organization’s 75th anniversary.  This milestone is a critical moment to shape our future, together.

I invite you to join the conversation. 

Together, let us advance the well-being of “we the peoples”.

 

António Guterres

 

On my own behalf, I would also like to acknowledge that the UN in Ethiopia is the third largest UN compound after Geneva and Nairobi.

It is only befitting that it also becomes a hub that leads by example when it comes to combating climate change, each staff member at a time.

I am happy to announce today that through the efforts of the UN Communication Group under the guidance of the UN Country Team, UN Ethiopia is joining a global campaign to take action.

I hereby kickstart ‘Greening UN Ethiopia’ campaign and hope that each and every one of you, as UN staff members have taken upon the call from your principals to join the online ‘ActNow’ Climate Action Campaign and the ‘Greening the Blue’ campaign as well.

I will be looking forward to receiving a report on progress UN Ethiopia will have made towards climate action during the next UN Day in 2020.