Vietnamese President Luong Cuong (first from right) and other Vietnamese officials at the commemorative ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
The commemorative ceremony was attended by 103 heads of state, 46 prime ministers, senior officials from UN member countries, and leaders of international and regional organisations.
In her speech, Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th UN General Assembly, emphasised that the anniversary is an opportunity for countries to reaffirm their commitment to the UN Charter - the foundational document expressing humanity’s aspirations, beliefs, and hopes worldwide for peace, development, and human rights.
Highlighting the UN as the only organisation capable of connecting all nations with global political credibility, she called on member states to promote cooperation, support UN reform to meet the demands of the modern era, and diligently fulfill their obligations under the UN Charter, while acting collectively to address global challenges such as poverty, conflicts, and climate change.
In his address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the international community continues to face numerous challenges, including endless conflicts, geopolitical competition, climate change, and natural disasters, particularly in an increasingly “multipolar world.” He stressed that over the past 80 years, the UN has served as a platform for hope and international cooperation, providing a forum for dialogue among nations to promote peace, human rights, sustainable development, and humanitarian action.
The Secretary-General called on all countries to respect international law, uphold the UN Charter, and cooperate to advance peace, justice, and progress for all people.
Several other speakers shared the views of the UN General Assembly President and Secretary-General, noting that the 80th anniversary should be accompanied by clear commitments leading to tangible results. They highlighted the power and impact of technology, particularly technologies that can spread misinformation and lead to online violence. The speakers also underscored the crucial role of women in peace negotiations and reconciliation, calling for continued enhancement of women’s roles across all sectors.
