United Nations (UN) Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 24 every year, is an occasion during which the organization "reaffirms the purposes and principles" that have helped to guide it for 76 years. It also marks the anniversary of when the UN Charter entered into force.

For this year's observance, the traditional UN Day Concert was held Thursday, with the theme "Building Back Together for Peace and Prosperity," as the world slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his message for the occasion, UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted how the organization was meant to be a "vehicle of hope for a world emerging from the shadow of catastrophic conflict."

"Today, the women and men of the UN carry this hope forward around the globe," he said, adding that "solidarity is the only way forward" and the values that have led the UN for decades "have no expiry date."

Let's have a look at some significant and inspiring quotes as we celebrate UN Day. (Courtesy: Brainy Quote, UN Foundation, InspiringQuotes.us and Good Reads)

  • "The United Nations stands for the freedom and equality of all peoples, irrespective of race, religion or ideology." — Ralph Bunche, the first African American to be given the Peace Prize
  • "In a world in which all problems are global, there is no way countries can handle issues by themselves; we need global responses." — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
  • "More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together." — Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General
  • "The ultimate renewable energy is human ingenuity." — Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General
  • "I have a dream to make this world a better place to live for our unborn generations and that dream will come true through silent revolution - the revolution of positive actions and positive deliberations. Be a part of that revolution," — Amit Ray, Indian author
  • "By strengthening the three pillars of the United Nations — security, development and human rights — we can build a more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world for our succeeding generations." — Ban Ki Moon, Former UN Secretary-General
People walk past flags outside the United Nations headquarters on May 20, 2021 in New York City
People walk past flags outside the United Nations headquarters on May 20, 2021 in New York City AFP / Angela Weiss
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