Messages - 2024
Everywhere we look, peace is under attack.
From Gaza, to Sudan, to Ukraine and beyond we see:
Civilians in the firing line;
Homes blown apart;
Traumatised, terrified populations who have lost everything ¨C and sometimes everyone.
This catalogue of human misery must stop.
Our world needs peace.
Peace is the ultimate prize for all humanity.
And as this International Day of Peace reminds us ¨C the solutions are in our hands.
Cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment, and despair with justice, equality and hope for all.
It means focusing on preventing conflict;
Propelling the Sustainable Development Goals;
Promoting human rights.
And tackling all forms of discrimination and hate.
This month¡¯s Summit of the Future is a vital opportunity to advance these aims.
Let¡¯s seize it.
Together, let¡¯s lay the groundwork for peace.
And let¡¯s nurture a culture where equality, peace and justice thrive.
Ant¨®nio Guterres
21 September 2024
Secretary-General's remarks to the UN Peace Bell Ceremony
13 September 2024, as delivered
Secretary-General's 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace message
Every year on 21 September, the 51³Ô¹Ï invites the world to mark the International Day of Peace. This year¡¯s focus is on ¡°Cultivating a culture of peace¡±.
In a world mired by conflict, inequalities and discrimination, we must strive ever harder to promote dialogue, empathy and human rights for all.
As we begin the 100-day countdown to Peace Day, let us plant the seeds for non-violence, justice and hope.
Ant¨®nio Guterres
13 June 2024
Cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment, and despair with justice, equality and hope for all.
Ant¨®nio Guterres
