Ban Ki-moon's statement for UN Day 2013

Today, October 24, is United Nations Day, which each year commemorates the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. In other words, it's the UN's birthday.

As usual, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement to mark the occasion.

Here are some excerpts:

United Nations Day is a chance to recognize how much this invaluable Organization contributes to peace and common progress.

It is a time to reflect on what more we can do to realize our vision for a better world.

The fighting in Syria is our biggest security challenge.

Millions of people depend on UN humanitarian personnel for life-saving assistance.

UN experts are working hand-in-hand with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to destroy Syria’s stockpiles.

And we are pushing for a diplomatic solution to end suffering that has gone on far too long.

Our most urgent development challenge is to make sustainability a reality.

The Millennium Development Goals have cut poverty in half.

[...]

We continue to show what collective action can do. We can do even more.

In a world that is more connected, we must be more united.

On United Nations Day, let us pledge to live up to our founding ideals and work together for peace, development, and human rights.

Amen.

The UN is certainly not perfect, but the world would be far less secure without it.

>> Read the full statement.