In 1945, after the devastation of two World Wars, global leaders came together in San Francisco to sign a bold new document — the Charter of the United Nations. This video, featuring historian Stephen Schlesinger, marks the 80th anniversary of that historic moment and explores the origins, vision, and enduring relevance of the UN Charter.
Discover how this ground-breaking document set the foundation for global cooperation, peace and collective security — and why it remains a vital guide for humanity.
Learn about the events that led to the Charter and learn why the UN was and is still seen as a beacon of hope in these turbulent times.
00:00 History of the UN Charter – San Francisco Conference
01:19 The Spirit of the UN Charter
02:00 The UN Today
03:06 The Future of Collective Security
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
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Highlights:
Secretary-General/Responsibility to Protect
Security Council
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Democratic Republic of the Congo
SALIENT 2.0
Day of the Seafarer
**Guests
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SECRETARY-GENERAL/RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT
This morning, the Secretary-General was at the General Assembly, where he delivered remarks on the Responsibility to Protect.
Mr. Guterres warned that we are witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War. These are marked by rising identity-based violence, widespread violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as deepening impunity.
Mr. Guterres said that we must recognize that the Responsibility to Protect is more than just a principle. It is a moral imperative, rooted in our shared humanity and the UN Charter.
He added that credibility as the guardian of peace and security, development, and human rights requires consistency with the [UN] Charter.
And tomorrow, at 10 a.m., in the General Assembly, the Secretary-General will deliver remarks to commemorate the Eightieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Charter of the United Nations.
SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning, the Security Council heard a briefing from Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for children and armed conflict, who was presenting the Secretary-General’s report. She said, and as you have seen in the report, that 2024 marked a devastating new record: the United Nations verified 41,370 grave violations against children—a staggering 25 per cent increase compared to 2023. She added that the report she is presenting also includes the highest number of children killed or maimed since the mandate was established by the Security Council. Cases of sexual violence, she added, also rose by 35 per cent with 1,982 verified cases.
The way forward is clear, she said, we must call on all parties to conflict, particularly the armed forces and groups listed in the annexes to the report, to engage with the United Nations to develop, to sign, and to fully implement action plans that end and prevent grave violations against children.
Also briefing from the UN side was Sheema Sen Gupta, UNICEF’s Director of Child Protection. She said that we cannot allow these grave violations against children to continue unchecked, and she called on council members to act with urgency, with courage and with the conviction that every child, no matter where they are, deserves to live in peace.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=25%20June%202025
What are the best investments humanity can make? As delegates prepare to gather for the Fourth World Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Spain, Mariangela Parra-Lancourt explains that what’s good for the individual can advance society as a whole. Drawing on her expertise as Chief of the UN’s Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, she shows how this works.
Scientists in Europe: Andrew, a epidemiologist from the US, shares how moving to Prague supported by EU funds, opened up new directions in both his science and his way of seeing the world.
Among Europe’s diverse landscapes and international research communities, Andrew reflects on collaboration, curiosity, and the fresh perspectives that come with change.
This is a story of growth, of stepping into unfamiliar landscapes and finding deeper roots in research, connection, and purpose.
00:04 A Need for Change
00:25 New Research Ground
01:17 A Global Community
01:31 Discovering Europe
01:56 Purpose and Perspective
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-274482
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Joint Security Council Stakeout on Children and Armed conflict led by Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, and accompanied by Security Council Members.
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