UNGA Celebrates 80th Anniversary of the UN Charter: Portugal Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateralism and Core Values

On 27 June, the United Nations General Assembly marked the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, a historic milestone that continues to guide international peace, security, and cooperation. The commemoration brought together Member States and senior UN officials to reflect on eight decades of multilateral achievements and the enduring relevance of the Charter’s principles.

The UN Secretary General underlined that the Charter is not optional nor a “menu à la carte”, but the foundation of international relations.

Portugal joined the celebration, reaffirming its unwavering support for multilateralism, international law, sustainable development and the values of peace, justice, and human rights. In his intervention, the Portuguese Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN stressed that we are facing the highest number of conflicts since 1945 and the highest number of vetoes at the Security Council since 1989, as well as several complex contemporary challenges, underlining that this context should encourage stronger multilateral cooperation. 

“Portugal reaffirms its unwavering support to the UN as a cornerstone of a rules-based international order. (…) We also reiterate our strong support for the Secretary-General’s efforts to revitalize the UN system, including through the implementation of the Pact for the Future, and make it more inclusive, effective and fit for purpose”, said Portugal’s representative at the event.

As the celebration concluded, the message was clear: the UN Charter remains a cornerstone for global peace and cooperation, and its principles must guide collective efforts to shape a better future.