Belgium celebrates The International Day of Peace

Each year The International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September.

70 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this year’s theme is dedicated to the Right to Peace.  Belgium is determined to continue working towards peace.

On the eve of the opening of the Ministerial week in New York, the United Nations will host the Nelson Mandela Peace summit on 24 September in honor of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders, will reiterate Belgium’s commitment to multi-lateralism, conflict prevention, sustainable development and human rights as necessary conditions for peace.

 

 

The Minister will also emphasize that true peace is not merely the absence of war and that a lasting peace must be underpinned by a just and inclusive society with responsible institutions.

Belgium deliberately chose « Fostering Consensus, Acting for Peace » as a slogan for its non-permanent membership of the Security Council, starting in January 2019. Our action in the Council will be based on a culture of dialogue and compromise to further the process cooperation rather than confrontation, justice rather than partisanship, the rule of law rather than the law of force.

For Belgium, it is also important to ensure that peace is pursued by a comprehensive approach, combining political action, sustainable development and respect for human rights.