Blanar: UN Indispensable for International Dialogue & Protection of Human Rights

Bratislava, October 24 (TASR) - Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar on Thursday stressed the irreplaceable importance of the United Nations (UN) with regard to international cooperation, dialogue, peace negotiations, respect for international law and the protection of human rights, doing so on the occasion of United Nations Day, which is observed on October 24. Blanar praised these values as the main pillars for the world community. "Slovakia is a respected member of the United Nations, and these principles are of particular importance to us," said the head of Slovak diplomacy. A series of activities and events called 'UN Week in Slovakia' is being held as of Monday to raise awareness about the importance of the UN, with 250 secondary-school and university students taking part. In cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Foreign Affairs Ministry has held debates at universities and secondary schools. The UN was founded on October 24, 1945, and currently has 193 member countries. Jan Papanek, a Slovak diplomat who co-authored the UN Charter and became Czechoslovakia's first representative to the UN, played a key role in its creation. Slovakia joined the UN on January 19, 1993, as the 180th member state. It was a non-permanent member of the UN Security council from 2006 to 2007 and is running again for a seat on the 15-member body for the 2028-2029 period. Slovakia served as a member of the UN Economic and Social Council from 2010 to 2012 and rejoined the international body for a three-year term in January 2023. zel/df