The 2020 UN Peace Day Theme:
Shaping Peace Together
This year’s theme draws attention to the importance of combatting climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world.
As we struggle to defeat COVID-19, your voice is more important than ever. In these difficult times of physical distancing, the 2020 International Day of Peace will be dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas. The world will be invited to unite and share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet and change it for the better. Even though we may not be able to stand next to each other, we can still dream together.
Celebrate the day by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. Join together so that we can Shape Peace Together.
The General Assembly, recalling its resolution 36/67 of 30th November 1981, by which it declared that the third Tuesday of September, the opening day of the regular sessions of the General Assembly, will be officially proclaimed and observed as the International Day of Peace and will be devoted to:
- Commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.
- Reaffirming the contribution that the observance and celebration of the International Day of Peace makes in strengthening the ideals of peace and alleviating tensions and causes of conflict.
- Considering the unique opportunity it offers for a cessation of violence and conflict throughout the world and the related importance of achieving the broadest possible awareness and observance of the International Day of Peace among the global community.
- Drawing attention to the objectives of the International Day of Peace and fixing a date for its observance each year that is separate from the opening day of the regular sessions of the General Assembly.
- With effect from the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly:
- The International Day of Peace shall be observed on 21st September each year, with this date to be brought to the attention of all people for the celebration and observance of peace.
2. Declare that the International Day of Peace shall be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the special day.
This is the battle of our lives, and a race against time. We can win — and we must. Solutions are in our hands:
Tax pollution, not people.
Stop subsidizing fossil fuels.
Stop building new coal plants.
Focus on a green economy, not a grey economy.
I count on your continued support as we strive to build a world where we can live every day in harmony with the environment and with each other.
Secretary-General António Guterres
Please pause at 12 Noon local time on Monday 21st September and join people all across the globe in a Minute of Silence/Moment of Peace.
Join with people around the world by observing the International Day of Peace! People in cities, communities and villages worldwide will be engaged in diverse and meaningful ways.