Too often, peace is understood merely as the absence of war – a quiet in the midst of chaos. Yet peace is not passive. It is an active state and a shared responsibility that demands sustained collective effort. Peaceful coexistence is a conscious choice, one that provides space to see our differences – of race, religion, language and culture – not as threats, but as sources of enrichment and strength. It calls on us to listen, to engage in a dialogue rather than a monologue, and to build bridges when others seek to erect walls. In a world marked by deepening polarization, resurgent nationalism and rising social tensions, this choice is no longer optional. It is imperative and indispensable.
On this first International Day of Peaceful Coexistence – 28 January 2026 – the global community is called not merely to reflect on a noble aspiration but to reaffirm its commitment to the demanding, transformative work of building peace through mutual understanding at every level of society. Established by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 79/269, this Day offers an opportunity to embrace respect for diversity, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and solidarity for one humanity as the foundations of a more peaceful, just and inclusive world.
For more than two decades, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has worked to advance peaceful coexistence by moving beyond abstract discourse and translating dialogue into tangible collective action. I firmly believe that living together peacefully or “convivencia” is the antidote for hate.
At the eleventh UNAOC Global Forum, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh this past December, a broad coalition of Member States, international and regional organizations, faith leaders, private sector, youth and civil society representatives came together around the guiding vision of UNAOC: “Many Cultures, One Humanity”. Together, they voiced a shared conviction: that dialogue is stronger than division, respect more powerful than hatred, and peace not a distant aspiration but a responsibility we share today.
Building on the momentum of previous Global Forums in Cascais, Portugal in 2024 and Fez, Morocco in 2022, the Riyadh Forum reaffirmed the commitment of UNAOC to an Alliance for Peace – a global movement that goes beyond declarations to inspire meaningful partnerships among governments, civil society, faith leaders, youth and women. Our mission extends beyond the prevention of conflict alone. It is the active pursuit of empathy, the fostering of dialogue, and the promotion of inclusive societies in which people can live together in dignity across their differences.
In 2025, UNAOC launched A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law in Gernika, Spain, and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – two cities that speak powerfully to the conscience of humanity. Across communities, voices of resilience and reconciliation echoed a simple yet profound truth: peace needs us as much as we need peace. This global call will continue in the third iteration of the initiative in Luanda, Angola to reaffirm the conviction that peace is not the privilege, but the right and responsibility of all.
Yet symbolic gatherings and high-level forums, however important, must translate into tangible impact on the ground. Peaceful coexistence begins locally – in classrooms, neighbourhoods, workplaces and digital spaces where the seeds of intolerance can just as easily take root as the seeds of solidarity. It flourishes when young people are empowered as agents of peace, when women are fully engaged as peacemakers, and when religious and cultural actors serve as bridges rather than barriers. It is strengthened when we uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and stand firmly against discrimination in all its forms. We walked the talk to ensure that global principles translate into measurable change. Our flagship initiatives, such as the Youth Solidarity Fund, the Young Peacebuilders programme, the Fellowship Programme, the Women’s Alliance for Peace, the Intercultural Innovation Hub and the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival are a true testimony to that end.
Today, I am reminded of the writer, philosopher, and Franco-Algerian son of the Mediterranean, Albert Camus, who declared with clarity and courage, “Peace is the only battle worth waging.”
After more than four decades of political and diplomatic service, I remain guided by this conviction. I continue to wage that battle not with force, but with dialogue; not with fear, but with hope; not with division, but with the unshakeable conviction that our shared humanity is stronger than anything that seeks to tear it apart.
Together, we can build societies resilient in their diversity, strong in dialogue, and rich in mutual respect – societies where peaceful coexistence is not merely celebrated once a year, but lived every day.
By Miguel Ángel Moratinos, originally published on the UN Chronicle, 27 January 2026
