Dear Editor,

United Nations Day is a chance to recognise how much this invaluable organisation contributes to peace and common progress.

It is a time to reflect on what more we can do to realise our vision for a better world.

The fighting in Syria is our biggest security challenge.

Millions of people depend on UN humanitarian personnel for life-saving assistance.

UN experts are working hand in hand with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to destroy Syria’s stockpiles. And we are pushing for a diplomatic solution to end suffering that has gone on far too long.

Our most urgent development challenge is to make sustainability a reality.

The Millennium Development Goals have cut poverty in half.

Now we must maintain the momentum, craft an equally inspiring post-2015 development agenda, and reach an agreement on climate change.

This year again, we saw the United Nations come together on armed conflict, human rights, the environment, and many other issues. We continue to show what collective action can do. We can do even more.

In a world that is more connected, we must be more united.

On United Nations Day, let us pledge to live up to our founding ideals and work together for peace, development and human rights.

Ban Ki-Moon

Secretary General

United Nations