International Day of Peaceful Coexistence
Promoting Peace, Inclusion, and Living Together
The year 2026 marks the first observance of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. This day seeks to raise global awareness of the importance of peace, mutual respect, and harmonious coexistence in increasingly diverse societies.
Peace: An Active and Ongoing Process
Peace is more than the absence of war. It is also defined by the ability to live together despite differences of gender, race, language, religion, or culture. Peace is grounded in the defense of justice, human rights, and inclusion. Peaceful coexistence is a continuous process that requires constant vigilance and the active engagement of every individual.
This vision aligns with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in which peace holds a central place alongside people, the planet, prosperity, and partnerships. The Preamble of the Agenda emphasizes the ambition to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence.
A Global Context That Calls for Action
In a world marked by instability, armed conflicts, and social tensions, the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence serves as a platform for awareness and dialogue. It highlights the richness of diverse cultures, beliefs, and ways of life, while underscoring the fundamental role of education in promoting tolerance and intercultural understanding.
This day also provides the international community with an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the founding principles of the United Nations, as set out in the international agreements and declarations adopted over the decades.
An Official Day Observed on January 28
The International Day of Peaceful Coexistence will be observed each year on January 28. It was proclaimed on March 4, 2025, by the United Nations General Assembly, following a vote with 162 votes in favor, 3 against (Argentina, the United States, and Israel), and 2 abstentions (Paraguay and Peru). The resolution was presented by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain, Mr. Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed.
This new international observance complements the International Day of Peace, celebrated on September 21, which focuses more specifically on conflict prevention and resolution.
A Culture of Peace Rooted in History
The concept of a culture of peace was formally defined in 1989 during an international congress held in Côte d’Ivoire. It draws inspiration from the educational initiative Cultura de Paz, launched in Peru in 1986, as well as from the Seville Statement on Violence, which affirmed that war is not a biological inevitability but a social construct. In other words, “the species that invented war is capable of inventing peace.”
As Nelson Mandela once reminded us:
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the creation of an environment in which all can flourish.”