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Delegates from 50 countries met in San Francisco to draft the United Nations Charter. This foundational document outlined the purposes, principles, and organizational structure of the new international body.
Purpose: To prevent future world wars, promote human rights, foster social and economic development, and provide a mechanism for international law and cooperation. -
The UN Charter was ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and a majority of other signatory states. October 24 is now celebrated as United Nations Day.
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The first session of the UN General Assembly, with representatives from 51 nations, was held in London. Trygve Lie of Norway was elected as the first Secretary-General.
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The UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
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The UN authorized its first international military intervention to repel North Korea's invasion of South Korea, demonstrating its collective security function, albeit under the leadership of the United States.
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The General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, reflecting the UN's significant role in the decolonization process that swept the globe in the mid-20th century.
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The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work on behalf of children worldwide.
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The UN General Assembly voted to recognize the People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China, replacing the Republic of China (Taiwan) in all UN organs.
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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) received its second Nobel Peace Prize (its first was in 1954) for its vital work protecting and assisting refugees.
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The UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro highlighted global environmental challenges and led to key agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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The UN held a landmark summit where world leaders adopted the Millennium Declaration, committing to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out time-bound targets known as the Millennium Development Goals.
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Building on the MDGs, UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.