UN Ethiopia, partners commemorate the International Day of Peace

The event brought together key partners and stakeholders, including the Government of Ethiopia, civil society organizations, academia, religious institutions, youth and women networks and peace advocates to discuss the central role of engaging youth and women for achieving lasting peace in Ethiopia. 

Participants reflected on how the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) is contributing to a culture of peace and cooperation. Additionally, the event explored the relevance of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in reducing gender-based violence and promoting peace in the country.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.

The UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) also identifies five key pillars for action: participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, and disengagement and reintegration. It urges Member States to give young people a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional and international levels and to consider setting up mechanisms that would enable young people to participate meaningfully in peace processes. 

In his remarks to the commemoration on behalf of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative, said, “peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is a dynamic process that requires effort, commitment, and resilience.”

“Empowering women and youth is crucial to our vision for peace. Women are not just victims of conflict; they are vital agents of change and peacebuilding,” said the Resident Representative. 

“The youth of Ethiopia represent the hope and future of this nation. By integrating their voices and contributions into peace processes, we are ensuring that our efforts are inclusive and representative of all segments of society,” he said.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly, and two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. 

This year’s International Day of Peace also arrives at a pivotal moment, as world leaders convene at the Summit of the Future in New York, grappling with the tumultuous challenges posed by war, the erosion of multilateralism, and the mismanagement of our planet to imagine a new future for humanity.