Lives are being torn apart, childhoods destroyed, and basic human dignity ignored amid the cruelty and dehumanization of war. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, stated in a message on the International Day of Peace, “All they long for is peace.” Conflict today is not just confined to battlefields. Its impact is felt across borders, driving displacement, poverty, and instability.
“We must silence the guns. End the suffering. Build bridges. And create stability and prosperity,” Guterres emphasized. The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 and later designated as a day of non-violence and ceasefire. This year’s theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” emphasizes the urgent need for collective action, especially for women and young people.
In Colombia, children’s messages of peace were placed in communes in the city of Medellín. The Secretary-General underscored the link between peace and sustainable development, warning against racism and dehumanization, and instead, called for “the language of respect” and dialogue.
This year’s observance comes as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly’s annual high-level week, highlighting the timeliness of an international push for peace in a world marked by division and instability.
“Where there is peace, there is hope,” Mr. Guterres said. “Peace cannot wait – our work starts now.”
Source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2025/09/1165904
