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The Global Continuum of Peace: Voluntary Civic Relay in Support of the International Day of Peace

Consultation draft. Formal submission follows sponsoring-mission counsel, negotiation and United Nations editorial review.

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 36/67 of 30 November 1981 establishing the International Day of Peace and its resolution 55/282 of 7 September 2001 establishing 21 September as an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence,

Reaffirming that peace is advanced through diplomacy, prevention, protection of civilians, respect for international law, education, dialogue, culture and the voluntary participation of peoples and institutions,

Recognizing the potential of civil society, youth, cities, educational institutions, cultural organizations, media and responsible private-sector partners to increase public awareness and participation in the International Day of Peace,

Emphasizing that public designation of an observance does not constitute a governmental commitment, a negotiated humanitarian pause or a ceasefire between parties to armed conflict,

Welcoming voluntary initiatives that make peaceful cooperation visible while respecting national sovereignty, human rights, civilian protection, data privacy, cultural diversity and the safety of persons affected by conflict,

1. Reaffirms 21 September as the International Day of Peace and recalls the invitation contained in resolution 55/282 to all nations and peoples to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day;
2. Encourages Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, regional organizations, civil-society organizations, educational and cultural institutions, cities and individuals to expand education, public awareness, service and cultural exchange in support of the International Day of Peace;
3. Takes note of civil-society proposals for a voluntary annual “Global Continuum of Peace” from 11 July through 20 September, structured as a rolling civic and cultural relay leading to the International Day of Peace;
4. Notes that such a voluntary civic relay may feature three national communities per day from 11 July through 13 September, followed by regional or continental observances from 14 through 20 September, with cultural programming, education, service and cross-border exchange adapted to local circumstances;
5. Invites participating institutions to distinguish clearly among (a) civic or cultural observance, (b) an authorized non-escalation or restraint commitment, and (c) a negotiated humanitarian pause or ceasefire involving parties to armed conflict;
6. Encourages, where parties to armed conflict voluntarily agree and where appropriate mediators or humanitarian actors are engaged, consideration of time-bound humanitarian pauses or other measures that protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian access or reduce violence, consistent with international law;
7. Encourages transparent public reporting that identifies whether an activity has merely been designated, formally invited, committed to by an authorized participant, or independently verified, and cautions against representing civil-society designations as United Nations or governmental endorsements;
8. Invites media organizations, digital platforms, cultural institutions and responsible private-sector partners to support accessible, multilingual programming and civic participation while respecting data protection, child safety, conflict sensitivity and the independence of humanitarian and verification functions;
9. Encourages civil-society organizations and participating institutions to share lessons, evidence and good practices with relevant United Nations entities in connection with the International Day of Peace;
10. Invites the Secretary-General, within existing mandates and resources and as appropriate, to continue encouraging broad observance of the International Day of Peace and cooperation among Member States, United Nations entities and civil society;
11. Invites voluntary observance of a synchronized global minute of silence on 21 September, at a time to be determined through consultation, without prejudice to other local or national observances;
12. Decides to remain seized of the matter.