This year we at Brighton, Hove & District United Nations Association Branch, along with UNA-UK supporters across the country, will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, which is needed more than ever.

Sadly the image of the UN in the media does little to inform of its role and why it is so important for national governments to work through the UN.

For example overseas aid is an investment in our future and we are proud that the UK is the first G7 country to reach the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid.

Faced with world challenges such as Ebola and climate change, our future and that of the planet increasingly need the UK to work in institutions like the UN.

This year, the UK has the opportunity to make a real contribution towards addressing global issues.

Countries will come together at the UN to adopt new global goals to eliminate poverty and promote a sustainable world – for example the crucial climate change conference in November in Paris.

We want the UK to take a lead to goals that are not just ambitious, but inclusive and well-resourced.

As well as exercising leadership on the world stage, we also want the UK to set an example at home.

This includes outlining how the UK will support the new goals in its development programmes and ensuring that UK aid makes a real difference to the most vulnerable people.

As UK and global citizens, we all have a stake in a fair, sustainable world. We don’t just want the UK to do its bit – we want it to lead the way.

Francis Clark-Lowes
Joyce Edmond-Smith
Trafalgar Terrace