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Members of Medway UNA, Jessica Giles and John Castle attended the Service of thanksgiving marking the 80th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the United Nations at Methodist Central Hall.
It was hosted by the Methodist Central Hall Westminster in the presence of senior UN leaders, British officials, diplomats and faith leaders and address by Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh attended the service, representing the King and lit the first candle to honour the memory of those who have been killed in the name of the United Nations and to also recognise diplomacy, cooperation, and peace. The poignant Act of Remembrance alongside local schoolchildren, honouring loss, sacrifice, and the human cost of conflict.
The event was meaningful and held significance globally as it was also attended by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.
The service reflected the mission of the United Nation, which held its inaugural session of the General Assembly on January 10, 1946. The meeting was attended by the original 51 member states under the then recently-ratified United Nations Charter.
After the thanks giving service there was a 5 hour conference with speeches and various panels, to mark UNGA at 80: From 1946 to Our Future at Central Hall Westminster!
Welcome remarks: Jane Kinninmont, CEO of UNA-UK
Opening Speeches
The President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres
The Attorney General, Lord Hermer
Panel 1: Peace, Security and Justice
This panel will consider the UN role in international peace and security, in upholding human rights and international law, and advancing the women, peace and security agenda.
Lord George Robertson, former NATO Secretary-General
Sanam Anderlini, International Civil Society Action Network
Andreas Persbo, Open Nuclear Network and former UN peacekeeper in Lebanon
Moderated by Jane Kinninmont, CEO of UNA-UK
Data Drop
Hassan Damluji, Global Nation – “We the peoples”: public attitudes to global solidarity.
Spotlight session
Richard Foord MP and former UN peacekeeper in Kosovo – What does the UN mean on the doorstep? Introduced by Theo Clarke, UNA-UK Vice-Chair and author
Spotlight session
Maya Ghazal, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
Spotlight session
Louis VI, Musician, Zoologist & Founder of Nature Ain’t A Luxury on Being Better Earthlings: How Relearning To Listen To Nature Can Save The Earth And Ourselves
Panel 2: Addressing Planetary Challenges
Global challenges mean international cooperation is needed more than ever. This panel offers foresight and reflection on the planetary challenges that will affect everyone’s future – climate change, emerging technologies, nuclear risks, the future of humanitarianism, global inequality and hunger.
Derek Walker, Wales Commissioner for Future Generations
Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate
Ajay Gambhir, Accelerator for Systemic Risk Assessment
Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director, World Food Program
Moderated by Andrew Gilmour, former UN ASG for Human Rights, UNA-UK Trustee
Spotlight session
Professor Brian Cox, UN Champion for Space
Panel 3: A UN Fit for Future Generations
The original UNGA brought delegates from 51 countries to Methodist Central Hall Westminster. 80 years on, the UN has 193 member states and the world’s political landscape has evolved dramatically. How should the UN adapt?
Ishaan Shah, Coalition for the UN We Need
Heba Aly, Article 109
Antonio Patriota, Ambassador of Brazil and former foreign minister
Moderated by Ian Martin, Chair of UNA-UK Board
Closing remarks
María Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the UN General Assembly, Executive Director of GWL Voices.
There was also an UN@80 Exhibition:
'In this moment when the values of multilateralism are being chipped away, it is up to us to take a stand. More than ever, the world needs civil society movements that are fearless & persistent — @antonioguterres' remarks to UNA-UK on 80th GA Anniversary:
UNGA at 80 Saturday 17th January 2026
Everyone signed the UN Charter reaffirming our commitment for another 80 years.
UNA Westminster and LASER Summer Council - marking UN80
On a very hot Saturday 21st June, Beth, John and Alan from UNA Medway attended the United Nations Association Westminster and LASER (London & South East Region) Summer Council, marking UN80, the 80th anniversary of the formation of the United Nations.
It was hosted at Westminster Methodist Central Hall, where the first session of the United Nations General Assembly convened on 10 January 1946. A message of goodwill from the Mayor of San Francisco (where the UN was founded in 1945) was read, along with a message of goodwill from the Paul Dimoldenberg, Lord Mayor of Westminster.
The talks throughout the day gave an overview of the United Nations, how its work has evolved over 80 years, and the challenges it faces in the future. The day also had discussions on human rights, on the history and achievements of the UN, on the challenges the UN and the world currently face, as well as discussing the veto process.
Outside there was assembled an impressive display on United Nations Green outside Central Hall and the QEII Conference Centre, of all the member states’ flags, and a UN80 cake.
United Nations Green, is the only location in the United Kingdom to be named after the United Nations. It is perfectly located, between Westminster Abbey, the Queen Elizabeth II Centre which hosts major international conferences and the Methodist Central Hall.
We all felt a sense of history being located in the place where the UN Charter was originally signed
Born out of the ashes of the Second World War, the organization was the result of a global commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”
The founding of the UN also signaled a commitment to an entirely new level of international cooperation grounded in international law and the UN Charter.
Eight decades later, one can draw a direct line between the creation of the United Nations and the prevention of a third world war.
Today, the United Nations remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, prosperity and human rights.
The UN works tirelessly to support countries as they tackle poverty, hunger and disease, while also supporting people in need during times of conflict and disaster.
The organization has advanced justice and fairness through international law and respect for human rights, while also pushing for peace through dialogue, debate, diplomacy and consensus-building.
Multilateral cooperation is the beating heart of the United Nations, but multilateralism is only as strong as each and every country’s commitment to it.
And because we believe in the singular value and purpose of the United Nations, we always strive to improve the institution and the way we work.
Amid the profound challenges facing our world today, global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever.
Adapted from the remarks of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the Security Council on 18 February 2025.