Permanent representatives to the United Nations have hailed the important role the UN has played in international affairs over the past eight decades while noting the profound challenges posed by the turbulent global situation of the present day. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of UN and the UN Charter, a pivotal document which has formed the basis of current international law. The United Nations came into being amid a determination to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” with the founding text originally signed by 50 states at the San Francisco Conference after World War II ended in 1945. For 80 years, the UN has stood as a center for multilateralism, working for peace and human rights. Around 8,000 meetings are held every year at the Palace of Nations in Geneva, the diplomatic center of the UN, but with many of these failing to reach a consensus among nations, some questions have been raised about the organization's effectiveness. Despite these concerns, representatives are quick to stress the huge contributions the UN has made over the decades in allowing member states to collectively address international issues while also pushing for fairer global development. Amid the currently complex global situation, with conflicts and geopolitical tensions on the rise, others have highlighted the need for nations to utilize the UN as a platform to come together and resolve their differences. Another worry comes as the United Nations is currently facing a liquidity crisis due to late or unpaid member state contributions, which is affecting its work and the work of its many agencies. During its 80th anniversary year, the UN80 initiative was launched by the UN Secretary General to review and realign the UN system. But this year remains a milestone one for the UN and events to commemorate its 80th anniversary have been taking place throughout the year in Geneva and New York, with the focus being on the importance of the UN as a global institution, its principles and charter. The events are likely to culminate on Oct. 24, which is officially designated as United Nations Day and marks the exact anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. Shotlist: Geneva, Switzerland - Recent: FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 1. United Nations headquarters; 2. UN flag; 3. UN logo; Geneva, Switzerland - Recent 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Chen Xu, Chinese Permanent Representative to United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland: "The United Nations has played such an important role in international affairs, in the maintenance of international peace and security, and in the promotion of economic and social progress. So that is the common understanding of the international community."; FILE: Geneva, Switzerland - Date Unknown 5. Various of Palace of Nations, flags; 6. Entrance to Palace of Nations; Geneva, Switzerland - Recent 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Bilal Ahmad, Pakistani Permanent Representative to United Nations Office at Geneva: "The real challenge is a severe test on the international community, for their will to cooperate. I would say the mechanisms to cooperate are there, the rules and procedures to cooperate are there. But are they really willing to do that? So this is a challenge which we all, I think, no country is absolved of that. It really depends on that."; 8. Exterior of Palace of Nations; 9. Various of notice on operation hour reduction; 10. Various of Palace of Nations exterior. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]