António Guterres calls for investment in peace at UN ceremony

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on world leaders to invest in peace as global conflicts deepen and diplomatic dialogue falters. Speaking at the annual ceremony of the Japanese Peace Bell at the UN Headquarters in New York, Guterres marked the 45th anniversary of the International Day of Peace.

Addressing the theme ‘Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day’, Guterres emphasized that peace is not a passive achievement but requires active work, including investment in health, education, nutrition, and social protection. He urged leaders to rebuild trust in institutions and recommit to diplomacy, negotiation, and peacekeeping to end ongoing wars.

The ceremony, held ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly, highlighted the role of civil society, volunteers, and peacekeepers in bridging divides when governments fail to deliver solutions. The Japanese Peace Bell, donated to the UN in 1954, remains a central symbol of these efforts.