During the ceremony ahead of the International Day of Peace, the UN chief recognized challenges like those posed by rapid breakthroughs in technology — including artificial intelligence — which must be managed carefully to ensure that humanity is helped, not harmed. And challenges like climate change, pollution and epic biodiversity loss. For people and planet alike, we can — and we must — push for peace.

“As we gather today, peace is under attack in every community, country and region. Peace is also under attack in the hearts and minds of people by the dark forces of disinformation and hate speech,” he said.

This context demands action by everyone through prevention, dialogue and mediation to heal divisions, defuse conflicts and ensure a stake in the future.

Pushing for peace means focusing on prevention, dialogue and mediation to heal divisions, defuse conflicts and ensure every community has a stake in a shared future. Pushing for peace means rallying around the tools that support global trust and solidarity — including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Charter.

Pushing for peace means addressing discrimination and racism. It means rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals and expanding opportunities for women and girls.

Pushing for peace means accelerating our battle against climate change, ending our addiction to fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy.

Now more than ever, we need global solidarity, collective action, commitment and mutual trust. Let us all pledge to be part of this push for peace.

Before I ring the Peace Bell, please join me in a brief moment of silence to reflect on the meaning and necessity of peace — and what each one of us can do in our own way to deliver peace to our world.

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