2015United Nations 70th Anniversary - Special Folder

Following World War II the United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 bringing together different countries in an effort to achieve world peace and prosperity and also to prevent disputes from escalating into war once again. The UN started off with 51 countries but is now made up of 193 member states.

The work of the UN reaches every corner of the world and has a number of objectives which include to keep peace throughout the world; to develop friendly relations among nations; to help nations work together so as to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms. Overall it seeks to harmonise the actions of nations to achieve these goals.

The Charter of the United Nations sets its objectives. It was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on international organisation.

In 2015, the UN is celebrating its 70th anniversary. In a message released by its Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon it was noted how this anniversary will be an opportunity for the organisation to reflect - look back and take stock of its enduring achievements. "It is also an opportunity to spotlight where the UN - and the international community as a whole - needs to redouble its efforts to meet current and future challenges across the three pillars of its work: peace and security, development, and human rights." The year 2015 is a decisive year for the United Nations as it seeks to establish a new framework for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in all its aspects.