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.
Secretary-General's message 2023
As we mark this International Day of Peace, people and our planet are in crisis.
Conflicts driving record numbers of people from their homes. Deadly fires, raging floods and soaring temperatures. Poverty, inequalities and injustices. Mistrust, division and prejudice.
This year¡¯s theme reminds us that peace is not automatic. Peace is the result of action.
Action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind. Action to end the war on our planet and its natural gifts. Action to uphold and protect the human rights and dignity of every person ¡ª especially as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Action to use the timeless tools of diplomacy, dialogue and collaboration to defuse tensions and end conflict. And action for those millions of people living through the horrors of war.
Peace is not only a noble vision for humanity. Peace is a call to action.
Let us commit to build, drive and sustain peace for all.
Ant¨®nio Guterres
Secretary-General's 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace message
Our world needs peace ¨C now more than ever.
Yet conflict, rising inequalities, persistent injustices, humanity¡¯s war on nature, and a global financial system that is outdated, dysfunctional and unfair, are blocking the path to peace.
This year¡¯s International Day of Peace will focus on ¡°Actions for Peace¡± and how the Sustainable Development Goals are essential to preventing conflict and maintaining peace.
The 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace starts now.
Together, let us take action now to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world for all.
Ant¨®nio Guterres
Get Involved!
Act for our common future
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
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