FOGGS - UN Charter at 80 - A call to reclaim its purpose : Shared by Fouad Kronfol

24 October 2025 Dear Madam / Dear Sir, Eight decades ago, on this same day of 24 October, the United Nations Organization came officially into being. As we celebrate this historic occasion, we cannot but feel concerned about the present and future of the Organization and of multilateralism more broadly, with all consequences this is having for humanity and our planet. Today, the principles entrusted to the UN through its Charter —peace, human rights, development, and the rule of law—are under systematic assault. War rages, authoritarianism spreads, facts are drown in propaganda, and young people face exclusion and despair. We would therefore like to share with you a Call, signed by hundreds of former UN system staff, members of the Club de Madrid, other VIPs, and members of the general public (full text and signatories here). The Call reminds us that “the UN’s true promise lies in preventing wars before they begin” and urges a return to the Charter’s values: peace, development, human rights, rule of law, and faith in human dignity. It emphasizes the need for moral clarity, strengthening international law, preventing violent conflict, and transforming global systems to create opportunity for all, rather than perpetuate inequality. On this solemn occasion, we respectfully invite UN Member States, other state and non-state actors and the world's citizens to reaffirm the Charter's purpose and to act in ways that uphold its principles for current and future generations, ensuring that the legacy we leave is one of peace, courage, solidarity, and responsibility. On behalf of the Call signatories and the initiating network, Kind regards, Georgios Kostakos, Executive Director FOGGS - Foundation for Global Governance and Sustainability www.foggs.org | info@foggs.org