Eighty years ago, delegates from 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to sign the UN Charter. At the closing ceremony, President Truman declared, "In this most destructive of all wars, you have won a victory against war itself. It was the hope of such a Charter that helped sustain the courage of stricken peoples through the darkest days of the war. For it is a declaration of great faith by the nations of the earth–faith that war is not inevitable, faith that peace can be maintained."
This statement was cited as reflecting the moral clarity and shared purpose that defined the founding of the United Nations.
Over these past 80 years, significant achievements have been made under this charter. Millions have been saved from starvation and extreme poverty, conflicts have been alleviated, and freedom has been championed—fostering prosperity and improving living standards.
However, challenges remain. The speaker noted that wars continue on multiple continents and emphasized that "the principles of the UN Charter must remain at the heart of this institution—not just as an agreement for a better world, but also as a continuing call to action." The UN should prioritize maintaining international peace and security while serving Member States and respecting state sovereignty.
The address included criticism regarding inefficiencies within the UN structure: "We will look to cut inefficiencies and excessive spending, and increase fiscal transparency." There was also mention of rejecting initiatives falling outside its founding mission.
Highlighting recent efforts toward peace, it was stated: "Like 80 years ago, we stand ready to find a better way," referring to securing an Iran-Israel ceasefire.
Concluding remarks urged for a return to foundational principles with hopes for achieving "the bold vision of peace and prosperity" initially committed to in San Francisco.