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Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Organisation

24 October 2025 09:00
1767-23-10-2025

On October 24, the international community marks the 80th anniversary of the UN. Its establishment is one of the main results of Victory in the Second World War. The defeat of Nazism, to which our country made a fundamental contribution, created conditions for shaping a new system of international relations. The international community, which witnessed the horrors of the war, set itself the noble goal of preventing a repetition of that devastating tragedy. The leaders of the victorious nations, who became the architects of the UN-centric world order, rose above their differences in the name of building durable peace and security for all nations.

However, the Western camp almost immediately set course for weakening the Universal Organisation, which has prevented it from making full use of its potential. Nevertheless, the UN has scored a number of historic achievements, creating the foundations of the modern multipolar world order. One of them was the adoption of the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which was adopted at the Soviet Union's initiative and has led to the appearance of dozens of independent states on the world map.

Criticism of the UN has recently gathered momentum again. Some even claim that it has fulfilled its historical mission and is no longer relevant. It is true that there are many problems in the operation of the UN, including the Secretariat's bias, low efficiency, excessive red tape, and irrational use of funds. However, they are not rooted in structural drawbacks but in some delegations' views of the UN and the way they are using the opportunities offered by it. The Universal Organisation is a reflection of the member states' political will and negotiability.

None of this can put in question the undeniable fact that the UN is the most successful international organisation in history whose power lies in the unprecedentedly broad representation and scope of authorities. The UN Charter remains fully topical and can meet all the requirements of the age of multipolarity. The fundamental principles of interstate relations enshrined in it have withstood the test of time and must be strictly complied with in their entirety and as a whole.

Of course, the UN should be adjusted to polycentric realities, but any changes should be rational, well-balanced and aimed at strengthening the institutional foundations of the Universal Organisation, preserving the "division of labour" between its main bodies, and enhancing the effectiveness and operational capacity of the UN. It is equally important for these changes to be closely monitored by the member states and to result in enhancing the role of the Global Majority countries.

Russia as a founding state of the UN and a permanent member of its Security Council is aware of its responsibility for the Organisation. Russia is prepared to continue working energetically jointly with numerous like-minded countries towards full restoration of the central coordinating role of the UN in international affairs, which has been set out in its Foreign Policy Concept, and towards strict compliance with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.