Anniversary of the UN

In 2025 it marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, which began its authoritative activity on 24 October 1945 to defend peace, advance global cooperation and advance human rights worldwide. On this occasion, a conference took place at the University of Warsaw, attended by Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of abroad Affairs.

The United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2025. On this occasion the University of Warsaw prepared a series of events devoted to the function and importance of the UN in the modern world. On 5 November a conference “80 years of the United Nations was held in the Old Library Hall: Towards a fresh planet order?’

The beginning of the conference was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and abroad Minister Radosław Sikorski, Rector of the University of Warsaw Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Chancellor of the University of Warsaw Robert Grey, manager of the UN Information Centre in Warsaw Aleksandra Szorc. The event brought together more than 250 participants, including representatives of UN agencies, diplomats, experts and academic youth.

"The United Nations gives a chance, as present at the University of Warsaw, for people who are very diverse to talk to each other. This is surely not easy, but it is this organization that makes the planet a better place. Thank you for your efforts to advance human rights and global cooperation. It is worth to appreciate those who, as part of this large organization connecting the world, care for peace and building friendly relations," said Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw, beginning the event.

Deputy Prime Minister and abroad Minister Radosław Sikorski in his beginning speech entitled "Is it worth defending multilateralism?" addressed the key question that the global community is asking in the face of current global crises: whether the UN is needed and whether it is worth defending multilateralism.

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski stressed that although many of the findings of 1945 request to be revised, the consequence to the modern threat is not resignation, but the defence of the system. “In its 80-year history, the UN has repeatedly proven its effectiveness, preventing many conflicts, and supporting the reconstruction of states after wars and disasters”, said the head of Polish diplomacy, adding: “Poland stands up for multilateralism, just as we stand up for democracy against autocracy. We do this not for the interest of this institution or another, but in the name of the rule that law and dialog are better than force and deficiency of scruples. We request openness to civilian society, the private sector and the young generation. Key is the improvement of key bodies, headed by the safety Council, the composition of which does not reflect the modern government of forces.

In the following part of the conference, participants debated in 3 thematic panels on the function of UN agencies in the UN80 improvement process, Poland's place in the UN and the function of youth in shaping the future of the UN.