NewKerala.com

Key Points

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a powerful message for International Peace Day, calling for immediate action to end global conflicts. He described how lives are being ripped apart and childhoods extinguished by warfare across multiple regions. The UN chief connected sustainable development challenges directly to ongoing conflicts, noting that nine of the ten most development-challenged countries are suffering from violence. Guterres urged the international community to combat racism and misinformation while building bridges toward stability and prosperity worldwide.

Key Points: UN Chief Guterres Urges Global Ceasefire on International Peace Day

  • Guterres highlights record numbers of people fleeing homes due to global conflict explosion
  • Links sustainable development challenges directly to ongoing warfare worldwide
  • Urges combating racism and misinformation that fuel violence
  • Emphasizes that peace enables families to unite and children to learn
2 min read

UN chief urges peace, end of conflict in International Peace Day message

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for silencing guns and building bridges in his International Day of Peace message, citing record conflict and displacement.

"Peace cannot wait - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres"

United Nations, Sep 22

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on the international community to "silence the guns, end the suffering, build bridges, and create stability and prosperity," in a message on the International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21.

"Peace cannot wait," as the warring world is crying out for peace, said the UN chief. This year's International Day of Peace urges each of us to give voice to that call, he said.

Around the world, lives are being ripped apart, childhoods extinguished, and basic human dignity discarded, amidst the cruelty and degradations of war, Guterres said.

"We are seeing an explosion of conflict. International law flouted. And record numbers of people fleeing their homes," he said.

"All they want is peace. Peace is everyone's business," said the top UN official, adding that the impacts of war ripple around the world, Xinhua news agency reported.

Guterres pointed out that while sustainable development supports peace, nine of the 10 countries struggling most with development are suffering conflict.

He urged the international community to "quell the racism, dehumanisation and misinformation that throw fuel on the fires of conflict."

"Instead, we must speak the language of respect, open our hearts to others," he emphasised. "Where we have peace, we have hope" -- families unite, communities rebuild, children learn and play, said the UN chief.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire.

The theme for this year is "Act Now for a Peaceful World."

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The UN chief is absolutely right about development and peace being connected. India has shown how economic progress can bring stability to regions. We need more countries to follow this path.
M
Michael C
While the message is inspiring, I wish the UN had more power to actually enforce peace. Too many conflicts continue while powerful nations ignore international law.
A
Ananya R
"Peace cannot wait" - such powerful words! In India, we've seen how conflicts affect ordinary people. Let's hope world leaders actually listen to this message. 🌍
S
Siddharth J
India has always stood for peace and non-violence, following Gandhi's principles. We should lead by example in the international community. The world needs more dialogue and less conflict.
K
Kavya N
The part about misinformation fueling conflicts is so true! Social media has become a weapon in many regions. We need more responsible reporting and fact-checking.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50