The International Day of Peace, officially known as “World Peace Day,” is celebrated on the 21st of September annually. This day which was established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations Resolution (A/RES/55/282) and observed for the first time in September 1982 is dedicated to the cessation of hostilities, war, and violence through a ceasefire. This year the International Day of Peace is commemorated with the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”
The International Day of Peace provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a ‘Culture of Peace.’
Peace is not only the absence of violent conflict, but also requires a positive and dynamic participatory process, where dialogue is promoted, and conflicts are resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. Building a Culture of Peace relies on respect for the sanctity of life, human rights, and fundamental freedoms; the promotion of non-violence through education, dialogue, and cooperation; commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts and institutions with capacities and policies to promote lasting peace. It also involves adherence to freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, all forms of diversity, and understanding at all levels of society and among nations.
As we mark this important day, it is important to note that Ethiopia is blessed with age old cultural and traditional systems for peacebuilding. These systems have played significant roles in managing disputes within and between communities through the involvement of traditional institutions, religious leaders, elders, and culturally recognized reconciliatory or peace makers.
Moreover, the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS); and Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agendas which are embedded in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (S/RES/ 2250 and S/RES1325) can serve as frameworks to strengthen peace and resilience building in Ethiopia with unwavering support from all stakeholders. The YPS and WPS agendas recognize the importance of nurturing the energy, creativity, equal participation, and leveraging the potential of young people and women in fostering lasting peace and contributing to justice and reconciliation through their active involvement in peacebuilding and dialogue processes.
The Government of Ethiopia has taken bold steps aimed at implementing the WPS and YPS agendas to support the women and youth agencies and ensure sustainable peace through the on-going processes to develop the National Action Plans (NAPs) on WPS and YPS. This process led by the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, in collaboration with other Ministries and stakeholders will help to identify the priority areas and guide the efforts of the various stakeholders at national and regional levels for youth and women to contribute to the lasting peace and development of the nation.
The UN Country Team is very committed to promoting sustainable peace at all levels in Ethiopia. This is evident in the UN’s continuous support to community, regional and national level initiatives to ensure peace and sustainable development. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are providing strategic support to the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs to ensure the effective development and implementation of the National Action Plans on Women- and Youth- Peace and Security. UNDP is also supporting the National Dialogue Commission to ensure an inclusive national dialogue that promotes and responds to the voices and aspirations of all citizens especially the most vulnerable. The UNODC, OHCHR and UNDP contribute to promoting and implementing the Transitional Justice and the National Justice Sector Reform process.
These and other initiatives within this context must be inclusive, robustly resourced and sustained to ensure peace in the country, making sure no one, no region is left behind.
The UN Country Team in Ethiopia reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting strategic initiatives by the Ethiopian Government and other stakeholders to create opportunities for young people, women, and other vulnerable and marginalized groups to contribute to the lasting peace and development of Ethiopia.
This is a joint message of the United Nations Country Team in Ethiopia published in connection with the International Day of Peace 2024.
