International Day of Peace is September 21 – Positively Naperville

Introduction

The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 as a platform for Member States to engage in multilateral discussions on global issues, including world peace and security. In 1981, the General Assembly designated September 21 as the International Day of Peace.

Background

In 2001, the UN General Assembly unanimously voted to commemorate this day as a period of nonviolence and ceasefires worldwide. It is unclear whether this resolution was passed before or after the devastating attack on the World Trade Towers in New York on September 11th of that year. While it is easier to vote for peace than to achieve it, the intention behind this designation was to promote peace and prevent conflicts.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In 2015, all UN Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for building peace. These goals aim to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and improve the well-being of all individuals on Earth. The target was to achieve these goals by 2030, with the belief that their accomplishment would contribute to global peace.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

1. End Poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
8. Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Progress Report

Every year, a report is issued to assess the progress made towards achieving these goals. The 2023 report highlights significant obstacles such as the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, a weak global economy, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that hinder the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.

Secretary General’s Statement

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, has warned that without immediate action, the 2030 Agenda will remain an unfulfilled aspiration for a better world.

Conclusion

While different perspectives exist on how to attain peace, it is universally acknowledged as a worthwhile goal. The United Nations was established with the aim of promoting world peace and preventing conflicts. The International Day of Peace on September 21st serves as a reminder of this commitment. The 2023 report provides valuable insights into the progress and challenges faced in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.