Felipe VI says that United Nations continues to be indispensable

USPA NEWS - The King of Spain, Felipe VI, presided over this Tuesday at the Palacio de El Pardo in Madrid the commemorative act of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations with the entry into force of the 'Charter of the United Nations: Together for a reinforced multilateralism'. The act began with the interpretation of the Spanish National Anthem in the Patio de los Austrias of the Palacio de El Pardo. Next, the King attended the projection of a video commemorating the 75th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations letter and the interventions of the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez and, in telematic format, those of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, and the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, as well as the projection of some videos with the participation of heads of State and Government and representatives.

The musical interpretation of the "String Quartet No. 1 in D minor" by Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, performed by a string quartet of young musicians from the Reina Sofía School of Music, preceded the intervention of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, who was followed up by the King of Spain, who wanted to express his gratitude to "the Organization, to those who founded it and to those who continue to work in it to really materialize, day by day, the purposes and principles of the United Nations."

Felipe VI affirmed that "either due to the logical desire for a permanent improvement in its operation, or due to an excessive demand for results, we are not always aware of the achievements made by the United Nations throughout these 75 years, successes without those that our world would not be what it is today," to underline that their "successes are fundamental pillars of the way in which we understand reality and that we often take for granted without realizing that they have been possible thanks, above all, to the United Nations."

The King stressed that "there is still a long way to go and the United Nations continues to be as indispensable today as it has been with each of these milestones that mark its history," and recalled the words of the Secretary General in which "he indicated a few days ago the existing threats, warning that it only makes sense and success is possible if we tackle them together."

Felipe VI encouraged all those present to continue "also working in a coordinated manner with nations such as those that we are meeting today virtually in Madrid, representing the five continents, to reaffirm our commitment to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and the 2030 Agenda, with the promotion of Human Rights and gender equality, with the construction of peace or the protection of the environment." And, "of course, with the adoption of the 'Call to Action for a strengthened multilateralism' that has brought us together today," he concluded.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the 1945 entry into force of the Charter of the United Nations. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially entered into force. October 24 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by member states as a public holiday.

The United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary at a time when the world is in great turmoil, exacerbated by an unprecedented global health crisis that has serious economic and social repercussions. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, Member States agreed to hold a high-level event on September 21, recognizing and reaffirming that our challenges are interrelated and can only be met through revitalized multilateralism.