United Nations Charter

In the midst of war, the world’s people collaborated in the drafting of a viable international constitution. The preamble of the United Nations Charter reflects the collective resolve of nations to aspire to a better future. It begins with the proclamation:

"WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED

To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and..."

Since the UN's founding in 1945, the mission and work of the Organization have been guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. As an international treaty, the Charter codifies basic tenets of international relations – from the sovereign equality of states to the prohibition of the use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.