UN Day, observed on 24th October, marks the ratification of the UN Charter, which came into force on 24th October 1945, following the end of the Second World War.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message that the United Nations Day is "a chance to recognize how much this invaluable Organization contributes to peace and common progress".
He also warned that the still ongoing fighting in Syria is the world's "biggest security challenge". Ban Ki-moon reminded that "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", Ban Ki-moon emphasized.
The UN Secretary-General also mentioned sustainable development, which should become a reality in the coming period, as one of the main challenges the world Organization would face.
"On United Nations Day, let us pledge to live up to our founding ideals and work together for peace, development and human rights", Mr. Ban concluded.
When established, the UN had 51 Member States. Today, 193 states have their representatives at the New York City headquarters on East River. Apart from the Organization's headquarters in New York City, the UN offices exist in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi.
The Security Council, as the most influential UN body, has 15 members, five of which are permanent - China, France, the United States, Russian Federation and the United Kingdom. The ten non-permanent seats rotate. The current 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC are: Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Luxembourg, Morocco, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, and Togo.
It is estimated that the UN annual budget is about 5 billion dollars, and the majority of the funds are allocated to peacekeeping missions carried out under the auspices of the Organization world-wide.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took office on 1st January 2007. In 2011, he was re-elected to head the world Organization in his second term, and he will continue to serve until 31st December 2016.
Vuk Jeremic, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, was the President of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly from September 2012 to September 2013.