Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
October 25, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Hello everyone, and happy UN Day!
Seventy-six years ago today, the United States – joined by the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China – ratified the United Nations Charter, along with a majority of other signatories. We were determined to, as the UN Charter’s opening words stated, “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war…reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights…and live together in peace…as good neighbors.”
This was a charter UNA-USA helped create and ratify. Since then, there have been fewer large-scale conflicts than at any point in history. We have prevented nuclear war, enshrined human rights protections, provided lifesaving humanitarian aid, and worked to improve the lives of people around the world.
Through all of it, UNA-USA was there.
Now, with more than 20,000 members and 200 chapters, you continue to promote and protect the value of our diplomacy at the United Nations and help further our goals of advancing peace, prosperity, and security.
Today, on UN Day, we pause to celebrate our collective achievements and consider how we can shape the UN to be a better version of itself. We must prepare ourselves to face some of the starkest challenges in UN history, from ending COVID-19 to combating climate change. I know UNA-USA will be there, as you have before, to educate, inspire, and advocate.
Please know that your unending support matters. We are counting on it as much now as ever. Thank you for everything you do.
###
