UN Chief Calls for Peace and Conflict Resolution in International Peace Day Message
Antonio Guterres emphasizes “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” highlighting the urgent need to end war, uphold human dignity, and promote stability.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to “silence the guns, end the suffering, build bridges, and create stability and prosperity” in a message marking the International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21.
“Peace cannot wait,” Guterres said, stressing that a world plagued by war urgently needs reconciliation and stability. He highlighted the devastating human impact of conflict, with lives destroyed, childhoods lost, and basic human dignity disregarded.
“We are seeing an explosion of conflict, international law flouted, and record numbers of people fleeing their homes,” he said. “All they want is peace. Peace is everyone’s business.”
The UN chief linked sustainable development and peace, noting that nine out of the 10 countries struggling most with development are also conflict-affected. He urged global leaders and citizens to combat racism, dehumanization, and misinformation, which exacerbate conflicts.
“Instead, we must speak the language of respect and open our hearts to others. Where we have peace, we have hope—families unite, communities rebuild, and children learn and play,” Guterres said.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly and officially designated in 2001 as a day of non-violence and ceasefire. This year’s theme is “Act Now for a Peaceful World.”
