peace one of humanity’s most precious needs, also United Nations highest calling

says Secretary-General in international day message

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Peace observed 21 September:

Peace is one of humanity’s most precious needs.  It is also the United Nations’ highest calling.

It defines our mission.  It drives our discourse.  And it draws together all of our worldwide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting human rights and development. 

This work for peace is vital.  But it is not easy.  Indeed, in countless communities across the world, peace remains an elusive goal.  From the displaced person camps of Chad and Darfur to the byways of Baghdad, the quest for peace is strewn with setbacks and suffering.

September 21, the International Day of Peace, is an occasion to take stock of our efforts to promote peace and well-being for all people everywhere.

It is an opportunity to appreciate what we have already accomplished, and to dedicate ourselves to all that remains to be done.

It is also meant to be a day of global ceasefire:  a 24-hour respite from the fear and insecurity that plague so many places.

Today, I urge all countries and all combatants to honour this cessation of hostilities.  And I ask people everywhere to observe a minute of silence at noon local time.

As the guns fall silent, we should use this opportunity to ponder the price we all pay due to conflict.  And we should resolve to vigorously pursue ways to make permanent this day’s pause.

On this International Day, let us promise to make peace not just a priority, but a passion.  Let us pledge to do more, wherever we are in whatever way we can, to make every day a day of peace.

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For information media • not an official record