Source: United Nations (video statements)
Secretary-General António Guterres rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters, and said, “I will always stand with the champions of peace around the world.”
On the occasion of the 45th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace, Guterres called on world leaders “to stand with us: Take action; Invest in solutions; And do the hard work of building lasting, sustainable peace.”
He concluded, “This is the last time I will ring the Peace Bell. But I will always stand with the champions of peace around the world.”
Khalilur Rahman, President of the General Assembly’s 81st session, said “To invest in peace is to invest in trust and, 81 years on, in the confidence that multilateral action can still deliver for those it exists to serve. This year theme – “Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”- reminds us of this calling.”
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.
Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.