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73rd anniversary of the UN Charter – United Nations Day

On the 24th of October 1945, the UN Charter entered into force. On the occasion of this anniversary, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders reaffirms the Belgian commitment to the United Nations and the multilateral system. The Charter is the founding document of the United Nations and up until today the basis on which all UN-initiatives around the world are built.

 

Didier Reynders
Didier Reynders, Minister of Foreign Affairs from Belgium

 

More than ever, the values and principles of the Charter are at the heart of our common efforts for peace and development. The UN is far from outdated: it remains a project for the future, a space for open dialogue and decision making with a clear added value. The United Nations are the framework in which global solutions can be found for global challenges such as peace and security, the respect for human rights, sustainable development, climate change and environmental issues, migration, healthcare and many other issues.

For 70 years, Belgium made a clear choice for an efficient and inclusive multilateralism. In all its UN initiatives, Belgium showcases the need for an integrated and coordinated approach to ensure sustainable peace for all. Belgium therefore supports the major efforts of the Secretary General of the UN to make the UN-system more efficient and coherent and to focus more on conflict prevention.

On the 1st of January 2019, Belgium starts its mandate as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Minister Reynders commits himself to put the Belgian slogan “Fostering Consensus, Acting for Peace” into practice in a Security Council, which is often divided and sometimes even paralyzed.

Belgium is determined to fight for peace, human rights and sustainable development. The UN Charter gives us the power and the tools to fulfill this mission. Belgium will demonstrate it is a reliable and ambitious partner for peace.