International Day of Neutrality 2021 – December 12

The United Nations (UNs) International Day of Neutrality is annually observed globally on 12th December to promote neutrality among countries and to lay emphasis on raising awareness levels in public about the value of neutrality in international relations.

• Article 2 of the UN charter also permits the member states to settle their disputes by peaceful means.

Background:

i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES /71/275 on 2^nd February 2017 and proclaimed 12^th December of every year as the International Day of Neutrality.
ii.The first International Day of Neutrality was observed on 12^th December 2017.

Key Highlights:

i.Policy of neutrality by states can also contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security.
ii.International Day of Neutrality is observed to raise public awareness of the value of neutrality in international relations.

Note – UNGA adopted the resolution ‘Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan’ on 12th December 1995, it is the only country in the world, which got the permanent neutrality from the United Nations.

About Neutrality:

i.Neutrality is a legal status between an aggressive country and the neutral country, the country not participating in a war.

ii.Neutrality plays an important role in reducing the risk of damage to the countries getting into conflict.

Preventive diplomacy via Neutrality:

i.The ‘Preventive diplomacy’ refers to diplomatic action taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of conflicts when they occur.

ii.The United Nations highlights the importance of neutrality through national policies by the use of preventive diplomacy.

About United Nations:

Secretary General – Antonio Guterres
Headquarters – New York, United States