United Nations Association - UK (UNA-UK)

@janekinninmont.bsky.social, ELN Senior Associate Fellow and CEO of the @una-uk.bsky.social, calls for European governments to work together to stand up for international law.

Read our statement: una.org.uk/una-uk-state...

The US and Israeli attacks on Iran represent an illegal and unilateral war of choice.

This act of aggression is a violation of the UN Charter and, along with Iran’s retaliation across the region, is fuelling a growing conflict in which civilians will again pay the highest price.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres | UNGA at 80: From 1946 to Our Future YouTube video by UNAUK

"In this moment when the values of multilateralism are being chipped away, it is up to us—in our capacity as professionals, as voters, and as members of organizations like the UNA-UK—to take a stand."

Listen to the UN Secretary-General's full speech from our UNGA at 80 conference⬇️

Portrait of Ajay Gambhir speaking on a panel at the UN's 80th anniversary celebrations.

A panel talk on planetary challenges – part of the UN's 80th anniversary celebrations.

People queue outside Central Hall Westminster to enter the UN's 80th Anniversary celebrations.

It was a privilege to participate in the UN’s 80th anniversary celebrations, where Ajay Gambhir, our Director of Systemic Risk Assessment, spoke about the renewed need for international coordination to address the interconnected #SystemicRisks facing our world.

Thanks @una-uk.bsky.social

From the hall where the UNGA first met 80 years ago, our GWL Voices ED, @mfespinosaec.bsky.social, delivered the closing reflections, highlighting why #multilateralism must adapt, evolve, and deliver real impact through prevention and vision. @una-uk.bsky.social

We are only protected by law if we abide by it Juan Manuel Santos delivered a video address at the UN Association’s event marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly.

"We are living in a moment when countries that hold immense military and economic power are increasingly disregarding multilateralism." A timely warning by Juan Manuel Santos, delivered to the @una-uk.bsky.social #UN80 conference in London last weekend.
theelders.org/news/we-are-...

Attending the 80th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly in Central Hall with my friend and former UNA-UK staff colleague, Joe Korner! @una-uk.bsky.social

A photo of a large hall with a podium on the right emblazoned with the UN logo. Richard Foord is speaking at the podium and behind him is a large projection screen with his name and “Parliamentarian and Former UN Peacekeeper” on it. The top of the screen has “UNGA at 80: From 1946 to Our Future”

A photo of a group of people standing in a ballroom-setting. From left to right are Lord Hermer, Annalena Baerbock, António Guterres, Richard Foord MP, Emily Thornberry MP, and Uma Kumaran MP

It was a privilege to speak on a platform commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN General Assembly in London today.

The event was organised by @una-uk.bsky.social, and it was also addressed by the UN Secretary General and the President of the UN General Assembly. 1/2

Following the service comes a @una-uk.bsky.social event. Hearing from Annalena Bärbock, president of the General Assembly, and António Guterres, General Secretary of the UN.

Less than two weeks to go until we welcome the Secretary-General to our UNGA at 80 Conference in London!

Join us on the 17 January to explore what a renewed multilateral system must look like for the decades ahead.

Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unga-at-80...

#UnitedNations #UNGA

The Secretary-General is coming to London!

We are honoured to be welcoming H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to address our landmark public event on 17 January.

Tickets and speaker line-up available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unga-at-80...

UNGA at 80: From 1946 to Our Future Join us at Central Hall to celebrate 80 years of the UN with inspiring talks, panels and performances. Donations welcome!

Join us where history was made:

On 17 January 2026, 80 years after delegates gathered in Methodist Central Hall Westminster for the first UN General Assembly, UNA-UK invites you back to the very same room for a landmark public event.

Tickets available now⬇️

Progress for women and girls wasn't accidental - it was built over decades by people fighting for fairness, safety & opportunity. The UK helped support that progress but in 2025 it's buffering.

Join us to protect progress: act.careinternational.org.uk/open-letter-...

It could have been worse: Jane Kinninmont’s quick take on COP30 | UNA-UK UNA-UK CEO Jane Kinninmont writes on the recently concluded COP30 meeting in Belém, Brazil. Watch...

#COP30, the world’s biggest gathering to tackle climate change, has concluded. But what did it actually achieve?

Our CEO @janekinninmont.bsky.social reflects on the challenges of reaching global consensus—and whether we have to learn to work without it ⬇️

Was COP30 a success or failure?

With the COP30 Conference in Brazil closing without much of a deal, what does this mean for the future of multi lateral agreements? @una-uk.bsky.social's @janekinninmont.bsky.social explains.

Instead of joining the global majority calling for justice, the UK aligned with a small group of nuclear-armed states, including Russia, France and North Korea.

UNA-UK urges the UK government to confront its nuclear testing legacy and support measures to reduce nuclear risks.

The world demands progress on #nucleardisarmament. The UK should be backing—not blocking—that effort.

At the UN First Committee the UK voted against resolutions on:
➡️The Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons
➡️The #TPNW
➡️Nuclear Weapons and AI
➡️Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation

Read more about the event here: una.org.uk/news/una-uk-...

#UNDay #UN80

UNRWA Chief of Staff Ben Majekodunmi stands with UNA-UK Chair Ian Martin, after being presented with the Sir Brian Urquhart Award

Last week we hosted our UN Day reception in partnership with the Slovenian Embassy, marking 80 years since the Charter came into force.

We were delighted to present the Sir Brian Urquhart Award to @unrwa.org Chief of Staff Ben Majekodunmi, recognising over 3 decades of dedicated service to the UN.

UNA-UK has existed throughout the lifespan of the UN itself; we continue to work for a world where the Charter’s promise becomes reality, and multilateralism is reinvigorated for the future.

The organisation remains a unique meeting ground for states to come together. Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to international cooperation—to solve problems that no nation can solve alone.

archive photo shows children gathered round a large print out of the UN charter in 1947

80 years ago today, the UN Charter came into force.

Since its founding, the UN has worked to put the principles of its Charter into practice: advancing human rights, forging peace, and building a more sustainable world.

#UNDay #UN80 #UnitedNations

This #WorldFoodDay marks 80 years of the @fao.org and calls for global collaboration to create a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future.

Today we remember that food is a human right and deplore the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Learn more➡️ www.fao.org/world-food-d...

Madam SG: Can the UN Finally Smash Its Glass Ceiling? - PassBlue Madam SG: Can the UN Finally Smash Its Glass Ceiling? - PassBlue

"Governments and civil society organizations warned that the legitimacy of the UN itself is at stake if the UN remains dominated by men."

PassBlue reports on the growing call for the first woman Secretary-General at UNGA last month, spotlighting the side event held by 1 for 8 Billion and UNA-UK⬇️

WEBINAR Rethinking Peace and Security Policy in Australia and the UK Register here A new webinar on 16 October (09.00 UK time) will bring together representatives from Rethinking Security and a new peer network, the Australian Peace and Security Forum, founded last …

New Event - This Thursday, 9am.

On 16 October we'll bring together reps from RS & the Australian Peace and Security Forum, to discuss how & why our networks seek urgent change to security policies, incl. AUKUS & dependence on the US.

Info & Register: rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/uk-australia/

"As we see more and more #AI powered military tools being used in conflict concrete action to establish red lines has never been more important."

We're in #NewYork for #UNGA80 as states will discuss #KillerRobots at #FirstCommittee. Our Campaign Outreach Manager Isabelle explains what's at stake👇

🎉 It's our 80th anniversary!

On 10 October 1945, UNA-UK held its first national meeting at a packed Royal Albert Hall—a fortnight before the UN Charter entered into force.

Good Morning Scotland - 09/10/2025 - BBC Sounds The latest news from home and abroad, along with sport, travel and weather updates.

Early morning breaking news discussion on BBC Scotland yesterday: Good Morning Scotland about 1 hour 35 mins in here:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

A few interviews and comments on what’s next for Gaza and whether the ceasefire agreement can lead to a larger and more durable solution.