UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a powerful message on Sunday for the International Day of Peace, urging the world to step up and make peace a reality. Observed every September 21, this day calls on everyone to “silence the guns, end the suffering, build bridges, and create stability and prosperity.”
“Peace cannot wait,” Guterres said, as conflicts rage across the globe and people everywhere cry out for an end to the violence. He encouraged individuals and nations alike to amplify that urgent call for peace.
War’s toll hits hard, Guterres warned. Families shatter, children lose their futures, and basic human rights vanish amid the horrors of battle. “We’re witnessing an explosion of conflict,” he noted, with international law ignored and a record number of people forced to flee their homes.
“Peace is what they all want—it’s everyone’s responsibility,” the UN leader stressed. He explained how the effects of war spread far and wide, disrupting lives and economies globally.
Guterres linked peace to progress, pointing out that sustainable development thrives in stable environments. Yet, nine out of the 10 countries facing the biggest development challenges are caught in conflict.
To fight back, he called on the international community to stamp out racism, dehumanization, and misinformation that fan the flames of war. Instead, we should embrace respect and empathy. “Open our hearts to others,” he said. In places with peace, hope blooms—families reunite, communities rebuild, and kids get to learn and play freely.
The UN established the International Day of Peace in 1981. In 2001, the General Assembly made it a global commitment to non-violence and ceasefires. This year’s theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” pushes us all to take immediate action against ongoing conflicts and toward lasting stability.
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