International Day of Peace: 21st September 2023

The International Day of Peace (IDP) is followed annually around the world on the 21st September. Declared by the UN General Assembly as a day dedicated to reinforcing the ideals of peace through the observation of 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire, this year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. 

The UN reinforces the idea that the promotion of peace is directly connected to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which on their side, will build a culture of peace for all. 2023 represents a key year regarding SDGs, as we have arrived at the midpoint of their implementation. Both the 2023 International Peace Day and the SDG Summit (18-19 September) are carried out in the same week, in order to mark this mid-point milestone. 

The UN invites us all to adhere to this call to take action for peace, a sustainable peace, underlining the importance of engaging the 1.2 billion young people alive. UN Secretary General António Guterres maintains that "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."

Furthermore, the year 2023 is not only relevant regarding the IDP and SGDs, but also marks the 75th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. 

Information regarding the modes of participation in the 2023 IDP for civil society is available to be consulted in the UN’s website.