United Nations Day 2025: Reflecting on Global Unity in a Time of Change

Every year on 24 October the world marks United Nations Day — the anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations (UN) Charter in 1945. (United Nations). This year is especially significant: 2025 not only marks the UN’s 80th anniversary, but the organisation is also navigating a changing global landscape of peace, development and cooperation. (United Nations)

Why we celebrate

The UN was born out of the ashes of a world war — fifty nations signing the Charter in San Francisco, a shared pledge “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” (United Nations) Since then, the UN has grown into the most universal international organisation, with a mandate covering peace & security, human rights, sustainable development, humanitarian assistance and more.

United Nations Day is a moment to:

• Re-affirm the ideals of multilateral cooperation: nations working together, trusting one another, sharing responsibility.

• Recognise how global challenges — from pandemics to climate change to conflicts — cannot be solved by one country alone.

• Raise awareness among publics, communities, students and civil society of the vital work the UN does and still needs to do. (United Nations)

• Spark action — for all of us, in our local communities, to connect to a wider global mission.

  
  

The theme for 2025

In 2025 the UN is marking its 80th anniversary under the banner: “The United Nations at 80: Building Our Future Together.”

That theme carries a dual message: looking back at eight decades of achievements and looking forward to the future we still must build together. It underscores that global cooperation remains vital, that no nation can do it alone, and that multilateralism must evolve to meet today’s tests.

Achievements & challenges

Over the past eight decades, the UN has:

• Facilitated peaceful transitions and prevented wider wars in many regions. (United Nations)

• Established humanitarian relief systems that reach millions in crises every year.

• Promoted human rights, built legal frameworks, advanced norms of international law. (United Nations)

• Developed sustainable development goals (SDGs) and pushed for global action on poverty, health, education, climate.

  
  

But the job is far from done. The UN itself acknowledges that new challenges abound: climate breakdown, emerging technologies, rising inequalities, conflict and fragmentation. (United Nations) The theme “Building Our Future Together” is thus a call to action: reform, adaptation and renewed commitment.

What this means in 2025

For a blog audience — particularly in Nigeria, Africa and the Global South — the theme speaks powerfully:

• Shared responsibility: The future won’t be built from New York or Geneva alone. Local communities, national governments, regional alliances (e.g., in Africa) must be active partners.

• Inclusivity: The UN emphasises that sustainable development and peace are not just about states, but about women, youth, indigenous peoples, marginalised communities.

• Adaptation to new realities: From AI governance and digital access, to climate resilience, to building peace in fragile contexts — the “together” means bringing in new actors, new voices.

• African perspective: For Nigeria and the African continent, the UN remains a vehicle for leveraging collective strength — be it in peace-keeping, regional cooperation, climate adaptation financing, or harnessing the energy of youth.

  
  

Ideas for personal & community action

To mark United Nations Day meaningfully:

• Host a discussion or school forum on what cooperation means in a globalised world — and what it means locally.

• Share stories of how the UN has impacted Nigeria, Africa or your community (e.g., health campaigns, education, peace-keeping).

• Reflect on or write about how you personally can contribute to building a better future together — whether through volunteering, community service, raising awareness.

• Use social media or local events to highlight cultural diversity, mutual respect between nations, and solidarity across borders.

• Tie into the SDGs: pick one goal (e.g., #4 Quality Education, #13 Climate Action) and think about what you or your community can do.

On 24 October 2025, as we observe United Nations Day under the theme “The United Nations at 80: Building Our Future Together,” we are invited not just to celebrate past achievements but to recommit to a future of cooperation, mutual respect, shared humanity. The world remains interconnected in ways perhaps unseen before; our problems and our solutions are increasingly collective. In that light, the UN remains as relevant as ever — not as a distant institution, but as a framework within which each of us has a role to play.

Let us use this day to reflect, to learn, and to act — not just globally, but right here at home. Because building our future together begins locally.