On 28 January, the international community marks the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, a UN observance created to spotlight the daily, practical work of living together in dignity across differences. Notably, 2026 is the first year this Day is observed following its proclamation by the UN General Assembly in March 2025..

Peaceful coexistence is not simply the absence of armed conflict. It is a social and political commitment: ensuring that differences in identity, language, religion, culture, and lived experience do not become grounds for exclusion, discrimination, or violence, but are navigated through rights, equity, and mutual responsibility.

This message closely aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where peace is framed as a foundation for a future that is not only prosperous but also just and inclusive. In this sense, peaceful coexistence is inseparable from human rights: without safety and fairness, “living together” becomes an empty slogan.

At a time when polarisation, instability, and armed conflicts are intensifying globally, the Day also draws attention to the role of education in building tolerance and social cohesion, supporting people to engage with pluralism, recognise shared humanity, and resist narratives that normalise hate.

The Day was established through UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/269, adopted on 4 March 2025, which calls on Member States and stakeholders, and encourages civil society and the media to mark the Day through initiatives that strengthen a culture of peace, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.