What is the International Day of Peace and why is it important?

Every year, the United Nations (UN) marks the International Day of Peace on 21 September. It was first declared 43 years ago as a shared date for the world to build a culture of peace. With wars and geopolitical tension in evidence around the globe, this year’s Day of Peace holds particular significance. The day's observance also coincides with the UN General Assembly’s Summit of the Future and the imminent signing of the Pact for the Future.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). A UN resolution declared it a day for “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples”.

Twenty years later, UNGA passed a second resolution designating the day as a time of non-violence and cease-fire – advocating for a cessation of hostilities while promoting dialogue, conflict resolution and peace education.

Since 2001, the International Day of Peace has been held on 21 September.

International Day of Peace celebrations take various forms across the globe.

In many parts of the world, the day is marked by a minute of silence, peace education events, intercultural dialogues and other activities that improve understanding and cooperation between cultures.

Every year, the day is launched at the UN’s headquarters by the Peace Bell Ceremony. The Peace Bell was cast in the early 1950s from coins and medals given by representatives of the UN member states and children from all continents.

This year’s theme is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”, stressing that the concept of peace must be nurtured around the world, different communities and generations.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his address at the Peace Bell Ceremony earlier in September: “From the Middle East, to Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, we see bullets and bombs maim and kill; bodies piled high; populations traumatised; and buildings reduced to rubble.

“Meanwhile, the foundations of a peaceful world are fracturing. Geo-political divisions are widening. Inequalities are growing.

“Disinformation is fanning the flames of hate. New technologies are being weaponized with no guardrails. And the climate crisis is fuelling instability [...].”

Misinformation, extreme weather events, societal polarization and armed conflict rank among the top risks facing the world, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2024.

The UN’s Summit of the Future will coincide with the International Day of Peace. It has been billed as an initiative to breathe new life into conjoint global action, recommitting to the UN’s fundamental principles and developing new multilateral frameworks more suited to the state of the world today and into the future..

The Summit will also see UN members sign the Pact for the Future. This document charts a new course towards the Sustainable Development Goals – many of which are still off-track – and responds to emerging challenges and opportunities. This includes overcoming the global digital divide and establishing safeguards for the impact of new technologies such as artificial intelligence to ensure trust and inclusiveness. There is also a commitment to investing in young people and addressing geopolitical tensions through new forms of multilateralism suited to our times.

As Guterres, reminds, “In short, we must ‘cultivate a culture of peace’. And it is a cause all us devotees of peace and justice must rally behind, this day and everyday – through the Summit of the Future and beyond. That is the call we make today.”