On this International Day of Peace, let us all be inspired by the courage of those who champion peace in neighbourhoods, classrooms and communities. And let¡¯s call on world leaders to invest in a peaceful future for all people.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres
2026 Theme: Invest in Peace - For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day
On 21 September, the world marks the International Day of Peace.
Today, amidst staggering volatility, the search for peace feels overwhelming¡ªbut it has never been more urgent.
Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity¡¯s challenges. It is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives.
Under the theme Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, this year¡¯s International Day of Peace honours the 'everyday architects of peace'¡ªpeople driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.
Remember, peace isn¡¯t just built in conference rooms¡ªit is shaped by everyone, everywhere, every day.
Everyone, everywhere can do their part for peace. Take one small step for peace every day:
- Give your time to help someone else.
- Lend your voice to drive positive change.
- Host a Peace Circle - an intergeneration youth-led conversation on solutions.
- Use your platform to promote a cause or tell a story of peace and hope
Show us how you're building the architecture of peace and justice using #InvestInPeace.
Background
The International Day of Peace was in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.
