Press Release: Original UN Charter, a symbol of global solidarity and cooperation, arrives at the UN Headquarters in New York

For a generation scarred by the Great Depression, two world wars and the Holocaust, the UN Charter was a bold commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation.

Signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, it outlines the structure, functions, and principles of the United Nations, including the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council and other organs. 

“To understand the Charter’s relevance today, is to remember its significance in 1945. For a world mired in endless cycles of conflict and human suffering, the Charter and the principles it represented – dialogue, diplomacy, cooperation, and solidarity – was a path to a better, more peaceful, and prosperous future,” stated the President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang.

The UN Charter officially came into force on 24 October 1945, following ratification by the five permanent members of the Security Council and a majority of other countries. 

Programme of Activities
The 80th anniversary at the UN General Assembly aims to recapture the spirit of solidarity that existed in San Francisco 80 years ago and will feature the following programme of activities:

Historical Exhibit – June to September 2025
A visual exhibition of the historic San Francisco Conference, where the Charter was signed, will be launched in late June and on display until September 2025. It will feature the UN Charter and iconic images and videos from the Conference, reinforcing the UN’s foundational principles and history.

Plenary meeting of the General Assembly on the 80th anniversary – 26 June 2025
A meeting of the General Assembly to observe the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. The meeting will serve as a moment to revive the spirit of San Francisco and once again embrace the ideals that united humanity during its darkest hour, reaffirming our commitment to those values into the future.

The commemoration of the 80th anniversary will include an extensive communications campaign that will spotlight the Charter and its signing, as well as highlight milestones and successes of the United Nations and its Member States over the past 80 years. This campaign will also feature video testimonials by world leaders from June to September 2025.

A High-Level meeting of the General Assembly for Heads of State and Government to mark the 80th anniversary is scheduled for 22 September 2025, during the UNGA High-Level Week.

Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org
Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 361 4990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org

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