A lighthouse guiding the globe.

(laichau.gov.vn) Eighty years ago, on October 24, 1945, the United Nations was established, reflecting humanity's shared aspiration for peace and development.

President Luong Cuong, the UN Secretary-General, and leaders and representatives from various countries attended the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

Throughout its long journey, marked by numerous upheavals and changes in the global situation, the United Nations has consistently persevered, affirming its role as a "lighthouse" that sows hope for the world towards a future of peace and cooperation.

Eighty years ago, amidst the ashes of World War II, the United Nations was born with a noble mission: to maintain international peace and security. On June 26, 1945, nations signed the UN Charter, establishing this multilateral organization.

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations Charter officially came into effect. Since then, the organization has consistently strived to maintain its role as a "gatekeeper" of peace, preventing and eliminating threats to international peace and security, while promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes through negotiation and dialogue.

From its founding with 51 member states, the United Nations is now home to 193 members. Over the past 80 years, the most notable achievement of the world's largest multilateral organization has been its role as a mediator in international crises and its initiatives to resolve conflicts.

This is exemplified by the story of peace in the Gaza Strip. Amidst the complex conflicts and confrontations among the parties involved, under the impetus of the United Nations, many countries recognized the State of Palestine during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

This is a positive and encouraging step forward for the organization's diplomatic efforts for peace.

The United Nations carries out many important missions such as providing food aid and deploying peacekeeping troops in conflict zones. With its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the organization promotes a range of agendas aimed at increasing human life expectancy, eradicating hunger and poverty, providing humanitarian assistance, and improving education and health.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed that the United Nations is not simply a place for parties to meet, but "a force for peace, a defender of international law, and a lifeline for those in crisis."

Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking a historic milestone in the global effort to protect cyberspace.

These achievements are a testament to the irreplaceable role of this multilateral organization in fostering international solidarity, and reflect the enduring vitality of multilateralism over the years.

Compared to 80 years ago, the current global situation has undergone significant changes. Prolonged conflicts, intense geopolitical tensions, serious humanitarian crises, natural disasters caused by climate change, cyberattacks, and epidemics present challenges that are not easy to resolve.

Having to simultaneously address multiple major crises while also mobilizing sufficient resources for development activities places immense pressure on the United Nations.

In response to changing times, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched a reform initiative called UN80, focusing on three main areas: improving operational efficiency through cost-saving measures; reviewing mission implementation methods; and restructuring the entire UN system. Member states unanimously agreed that the United Nations needed reform to enhance its role and effectiveness in the new context.

The road ahead to maintaining the United Nations' mission of protecting peace and security is fraught with difficulties. However, building on the achievements of the past 80 years, and with a determination to undertake profound reforms to meet the objective demands of the current situation, the United Nations continues to be trusted as a "lighthouse" guiding the world towards a just, rules-based international order.

Updated October 27, 2025

Source: https://laichau.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/chuyen-de/tin-trong-nuoc/ngon-hai-dang-dan-loi-toan-cau.html