UN China and ICC Co-host Event on 80th Anniversary of the UN and All Parties Call for Strengthening the UN’s Role

On 24 October 2025, the United Nations in China organized an event in support of the International Cooperation Center (ICC) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations in Beijing. Representatives of the Chinese government, foreign diplomatic envoys, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, and representatives of United Nations agencies in China, as well as over 200 guests from the academic community, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations, attended the event. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The international community generally believes that the United Nations has become the most universal, representative, and authoritative inter-governmental international organization in the world today. It plays an indispensable and significant role in global governance. It is precisely because of the establishment of the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order based on international law that human society has achieved overall peace and witnessed unprecedented great development.

High-level meeting held by the UN headquarter for the 80th anniversary of establishment

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a video address

The United Nations Day is set on October 24th every year, aiming to commemorate the official entry into force of the United Nations Charter on October 24, 1945. This year's commemoration coincides with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres previously stated at the high-level meeting of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations' establishment: "We must not only defend the United Nations, but also strengthen it." He emphasized that the core of the 2030 Agenda, the "Contract for the Future", and the United Nations 80th Anniversary Initiative is to rebuild the foundation of international cooperation and create benefits for the people of all countries. In his video message to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Guterres reviewed the process of the United Nations creating peace, promoting human rights, and addressing global challenges over the past 80 years. Facing increasingly escalating various crises, he emphasized the urgency of taking collective action, "Let us show the world that when 'we the people of the United Nations' choose to unite, everything is possible."

Assistant Foreign Minister Cai Wei delivered a speech on behalf of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stating that China is one of the founding members of the United Nations. Over the past 80 years, the United Nations has carried the aspirations of the people of all countries, as well as it made indispensable and significant contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting sustainable development. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we should revisit the original intention of its establishment, carry forward the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We firmly uphold the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order based on international law, jointly address global challenges, and enhance the common well-being of all humanity. He emphasized: "Despite the changes in international circumstances, China has always firmly stood on the side of history's righteousness. We fully supported the UN cause, actively assumed the responsibilities of a major country, and unwaveringly been a contributor to global development, a defender of world peace, a promoter of human civilization, and a builder of international order. We will always be a reliable partner of the United Nations."

Former UN Secretary-General and Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia Ban Ki-moon delivered a speech

Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General and Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, pointed out in his speech that looking back 80 years ago, just after the end of World War II, the cruelty was beyond imagination, leaving a world in ruins. Amidst the ruins and grief, we vowed to create a more peaceful future. On this occasion of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, let us recall that solemn commitment made on October 24, 1945. Let us advocate a spirit of partnership rather than division; hold on to our beliefs rather than succumbing to fear; unite as one rather than act independently. Let us remember that our strength lies not in differences but in unity. He suggested that humility should be the foundation; partnerships should be the bridge to build this future. A vision of caring for future generations should be the blueprint to create this future, and keeps the next generation in mind. He emphasized: "The United Nations is not perfect, but it is indispensable. Here is the forge that shapes our 'hand in hand' concept: in the dialogue for creating peace, in the treaties for protecting our planet, in the actions of feeding the hungry and healing the sick."

Assistant Foreign Minister Cai Wei delivered a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Siddharth Chatterjee delivered a speech on behalf of the United Nations in China.

Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Resident Coordinator in China, on behalf of the UN system in China delivered a speech. He states that all countries need to have a place at the multilateral platform, and this principle can only be strengthened and not weakened. The tools for maintaining peace need to keep up with the times in order to address today's conflicts. The UN, which serves the future world, must become more efficient and more inclusive, and build a new trinity development framework centered on partnerships, science and unity. In his speech, Siddharth Chatterjee reviewed the 80th anniversary of the UN as a historic milestone and expounded on China's important role in shaping the multilateral cooperation landscape. He believes that this partnership has matured and is moving towards a new stage of leading the future. China is currently becoming a key force in building a fairer world through initiatives such as the Global Governance Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. These initiatives are not only national initiatives but also contributions that benefit the entire world, and they are resonating with the fundamental spirit of the UN Charter. He emphasized: "If we unite, trust each other, and move forward together, we will forge ahead without hesitation and be invincible. The UN was born out of the determination of humanity to rise from the ruins; now, it must become the engine for us to reshape the future."

Group photo of high-level representatives from China and abroad, along with members of the United Nations in China

Guests attend the event in the United Nations compound in Beijing

Looking back over the past 80 years, it was a period of accelerated development of world multipolarity and economic globalization. It was also a time when people from all countries persevered and jointly faced challenges, as well as a period when the "Global South" rose and grew stronger. At the same time, despite humanity emerging from the shadow of the Cold War and moving beyond the bipolar confrontation, it failed to achieve comprehensive peace and common prosperity. Currently, the world is experiencing accelerated changes in the century-old transformation, with escalating geopolitical conflicts and multiple crises emerging one after another. Instability and uncertainty are becoming increasingly prominent. Guests who attend this event believe that in this period of intensified turbulence and transformation, the international community needs to revisit the original intentions of the UN's establishment, rejuvenate true multilateralism, and accelerate the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and also the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. Participants stated that the best way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the UN's establishment is to uphold the correct view of World War II history, adhere to the concept of true multilateralism, and support the UN in playing a core role in international affairs. China looks forward to deepening all-round cooperation with the UN and supporting the UN in reforming to build a more complete global governance system.