United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honored the UN’s Charter Day by recognizing the role that the UN plays daily in global affairs.

Whether it is securing peace, protecting civilians in war zones, providing aid to disaster victims and those displaced by conflict, and many other actions, Guterres noted that the UN continues to put a positive mark on the world.

Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock reaffirmed the principles outlined in the UN Charter and called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism at a General Assembly meeting on Friday marking the Charter’s 81st anniversary.

“The Charter was a promise to the world: That humanity can choose cooperation over chaos; law over lawlessness; dignity over domination; and hope over fear,” Mr. Guterres said.

Signed on June 26, 1945, the Charter is the founding document of the United Nations. It codified the major principles of international relations and outlined the UN’s goals of maintaining peace and security, reaffirming fundamental human rights, establishing the conditions for cooperation between states, and promoting social progress.

Since then, June 26 has been recognized as UN Charter Day. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Better Together: One Charter, One Future.”

Both UN officials noted the importance of upholding the principles of the UN Charter, and called for reforms within the UN to keep it relatable and vibrant as it tackles new challenges.