51³Ô¹Ï

Japanese Peace Bell and cherry blossoms at UN Headquarters
The Peace Bell was donated by the 51³Ô¹Ï Association of Japan in 1954. It has become tradition to ring the bell twice a year: on the first day of spring, at the Vernal Equinox, and on 21 September to celebrate the International Day for Peace.
Photo:UN Photo/Manuel El¨ªas

2023 Theme
Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoals

Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.

This year¡¯s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all.

51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres said, "Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization."

Sustainable Development Goals

2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit (18 ¨C 19 September) to mark the mid-point milestone.

The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence. But without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors including the 1.2 billion young people alive, the goals will not be achieved. We invite you to join the 51³Ô¹Ï¡¯ call to take action for peace: fight inequality, drive action on climate change, and promote and protect human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights & the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide

2023 is also the 75th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. IDP 2023 encourages all youth to be ambitious in their engagement as positive and constructive social agents, to join the movement to reach the SDGs and contribute to building sustainable peace. Together we can help to lead our world towards a greener, more equitable, just, and secure future for all.

Peace begins with me

Premiering September 14, 2023, the "Peace Begins With Me" multimedia poem showcases a creative collaboration between Congolese peacekeeper and musician Pacifique Akilimali and Nigerian peace advocate and poet Maryam Bukar Hassan. See Michael Douglas, Nancy Ajram & others as they join in the fight for peace.



Background

The International Day of Peace was in 1981 by the 51³Ô¹Ï General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

Press Release [PDF]

2023 Events

Peace Bell Ceremony - International Day of Peace
13 September, 10:00-10:30 a.m. EST

This year, the traditional Peace Bell Ceremony took place on Wednesday, 13 September. Remarks were delivered by the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, and the event was livestreamed on . .

Youth Event - International Day of Peace
14 September, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST


Programme

This year, the International Day of Peace Youth Event was livestreamed on and on 14 September. The event provided a platform for young people to showcase the actions they have taken, or commit to an action they will take, in their schools and communities to help accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs and thereby fostering peace.

Read an interview in Africa Renewal with Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, who spoke at the event.

Get Involved!

Act for our common future

ACT NOW banner with the colours of the 17 SDGs

Embrace the possible. That¡¯s the call of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, a blueprint for a better world. We don¡¯t have to wait for the future we want¡ªwe can create it right now. Everyone can join the global movement for change.

ActNow is the 51³Ô¹Ï campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Unity is at the heart of the SDGs because achieving any single goal requires achieving them all. And this is only possible when people themselves unite for change to give humanity and our planet a beautiful, sustainable future.

We are stronger together, united in action. and UNITE TO #Act4SDGs

Share!

animation of the colours of the SDG wheel transforming into colourful streams emanating from a white dove

Start the conversation about this year's IDP 2023 - Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. Share your thoughts using the .

The SDG multicoloured wheel is project around the round gold UN emblem of the map of the world surrounded by olive branches

The 2023 SDG Summit takes place on 18-19 September 2023, during the 51³Ô¹Ï General Assembly high-level week to follow-up and review the implementation of the and the . Member States will carry out a comprehensive review of the state of the SDGs, respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world, and provide political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to the target year of 2030 for achieving the SDGs.

footballers celebrating win

Related observances

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the 51³Ô¹Ï, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.