UN at 81: Guterres urges countries to stand by the Charter and international law

The United Nations marked the 81st anniversary of its founding on Saturday, October 24. Secretary-General António Guterres used the occasion to call on every country to recommit to the shared values and obligations that hold the organisation together.

The anniversary falls at a time of armed conflict, a deepening climate crisis and widening inequality, while new technologies advance faster than states can regulate them.

Guterres calls for unity

In his message for the day, Guterres said the date celebrates more than an institution. In his words, it honours the idea that humanity’s future depends on acting together for peace, development and human rights. He asked the world to choose dialogue over division, cooperation over confrontation and solidarity over fear.

His most direct appeal was addressed to governments.

“I call on all countries to renew their commitment to these shared values and the obligations on which they rest.”

Guterres closed by urging member states to remain firm in their resolve to uphold the UN Charter and international law.

Morocco’s place at the UN

The Kingdom of Morocco has been a member of the United Nations since 1956. It has consistently relied on multilateralism as a framework for tackling major international questions and safeguarding the sovereignty and stability of states.

On the peaceful settlement of disputes, the most significant recent milestone is Security Council resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025. For the first time, the resolution explicitly referred to the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty as the framework in place since 2007. It passed with 11 votes in favour and 3 abstentions, and extended the mandate of MINURSO until October 31, 2026.

Ombudsman resolution

Morocco has also been active on human rights at the General Assembly. In January 2025, the Mediator of the Kingdom announced that the Assembly, at its 79th session in New York, had adopted an amended resolution on the role of ombudsman and mediator institutions in promoting and protecting human rights, good governance and the rule of law. The text was put forward at the initiative of the Mediator of the Kingdom, with significant work by Morocco’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

According to the institution’s statement, the initiative drew broad international support and reflects the Kingdom’s human rights role under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The Mediator said it worked on the text alongside partners in the International Ombudsman Institute.

The amendments recognise the contribution of ombudsman institutions to the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 16, through free and accessible complaint mechanisms and the identification of structural problems in public administration. The statement added that the resolution preserves earlier gains, including the protection and independence of these institutions, and encourages them to seek accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.