The Council of Organizations of the United Nations Association (COO) joins the United Nations in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the world's first pledge to protect human rights through its direct consultative status in 1945 in drawing up the global body - The United Nations. The COO members and its partners have not wavered in our commitment to the United Nations organization.

Prior to 1948, there had been no universal definition of human rights on the international level. The 18-member Human Rights Commission, chaired by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted on December 10, 1948, a milestone in protecting men and women. We express gratitude for the brilliant team that framed the debate and culminated revolutionary changes in international politics and the UN's greatest achievement was the emergence from colonialism - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights often featured in declarations of independence as new nations were created in Asia and Africa. The 1968 World Conference on Human Rights approved 20 resolutions to mark the 20th anniversary of the Universal Declaration.

Today, we are devoted to protecting the brotherhood of humanity and guarding human rights. That is ambitious and crucial today. With the UN demonstrating an ever-increasing interest in working with civil society and NGOs, the Council of Organizations plays a critical role in offering opportunities for leaders from the NGO community to develop partnerships with the UN and each other. The 17 UN Sustainable Goals address human rights issues directly and focus on Equality, Freedom and Justice for All. The genuinely supportive and collaborative environment in which we work to bring about change and Human Rights For All engages our members in action to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and combat human trafficking in our community, in every city and state and beyond. We pledge our partners to step up efforts to end human trafficking.