The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Peace(IDP), observed every year across the globe on September 21, celebrates and promotes the principles of peace within and among all nations and peoples.
- September 21, 2025, marks the 26th anniversary of the UN General Assembly(UNGA)’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.
- The IDP is symbolized by a dove carrying an olive branch.
The dove signifies peace and freedom, while the olive branch has been a timeless emblem of peace since ancient times.
Theme:
2025 Theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”
Focus: This year’s theme highlights the urgent need for both individual and collective efforts to promote peace in the face of global challenges.
Symbol:
Exam Hints:
- Event: International Day of Peace(IDP) 2025
- When? September 21
- Purpose: To promote peace
- Symbol: Dove carrying an olive branch
- Theme 2025: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”
- UNGA resolution: A/RES/36/67-3rd Tuesday of September
- First IDP: 21 September 1982
- 2001: UNGA resolution A/RES/55/282 fixed 21 September as IDP
- Peace Bell Ceremony: Held annually at UN HQ, New York, USA
Background:
Adoption: In 1981, the UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/36/67, declaring the 3rd Tuesday of September, coinciding with the opening day of the UNGA regular sessions, as the IDP.
First Observation: The first IDP was observed on 21 September 1982 (the 3rd Tuesday of September 1982).
Resolution 2001: In 2001, the UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/55/282, designating 21 September each year as the International Day of Peace, a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, honouring the cessation of hostilities for the day.
UN Initiatives for Peace:
Declaration: The UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (A/RES/53/243) was adopted by the UNGA on 13 September 1999 and is considered a cornerstone document on par with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Peacebuilding Commission: Through its Peacebuilding Commission, marking its 20th anniversary in 2025, the UN addresses poverty, inequality, discrimination, and injustice, which are key drivers of violence.
Peace Bell Ceremony: Every year, the UN hosts a Peace Bell Ceremony in New York, the United States of America(USA), on 21 September to observe the IDP.
About UN Peace Bell (JPB):
Donation: The JPB at UN headquarters was donated by Chiyoji Nakagawa via the UN Association of Japan (UNAJ) in June 1954 as a symbol of peace and was officially presented to the UN by Renzo Sawanda, a Japanese UN observer, the same year.
Design: The JPB, cast in 1952 from coins and medals donated by delegates from over 60 nations at the 13th UNA General Conference (GC) in Paris, France (1951), is housed in a bell tower modeled after the Hanamido, a flower-decorated temple symbolizing Buddha’s birthplace.
Ringing: The JPB is traditionally rung twice a year: on the vernal equinox for Earth Day and on 21 September for the IDP.
