SAN FRANCISCO, June 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Celebrations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Untied Nations kicked off Saturday here with a low-profile symposium as participants called for active US involvement in UN activities.

    The two-day event in this US city, where the UN Charter was signed 60 years ago, was organized by the local branch of the United Nations Association, a non-governmental organization dedicated to enhancing US participation in the world body.

    UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Shashi Tharoor, who acted as representative of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to attend the weekend celebrations, briefed some 150 guests over the UN reform proposals that will be considered by the UN General Assembly this September.

    Hailing that the United Nations' existence created the framework within which human progress was possible during the ColdWar and beyond, Tharoor said that future UN reforms would be aimedat creating mechanisms to address global issues more actively and bringing the Security Council and the General Assembly into the 21st century.

    Other speakers at the conference, including former US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Sklar, said that active US participation in UN activities would only do good for world peace and stability.

    Sichan Siv, US representative to the UN Economic and Social Council, was representing President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who reportedly turned down invitations to attend the San Francisco celebrations.

    A brief ceremony is also planned at UN headquarters in New YorkMonday on the occasion of the United Nations' 60th anniversary, UNofficials said.

    While in San Francisco, the birthplace of the first truly international institution supported by governments worldwide, cultural and educational events are being organized to showcase the city's role in the founding of the United Nations.

    A processional walk by some 30 former world leaders, including former Irish president Mary Robinson, former French prime ministerMichel Rocard and senior UN official, is to take place Sunday morning at Grace Cathedral in downtown San Francisco, organizers said.

    Representatives of 50 countries signed the UN charter on April 26, 1945 at the San Francisco Opera House while attending the United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO), which was held on the initiative of Britain, China, the Soviet Union and the United States at the end of World War II.

    The charter, printed in Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, has since served as the fundamental document for the United Nations which has been benefiting the global community in almost every aspect of life around the world. Enditem