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2025.05.16
Seoul
International Day of Living Together in Peace
Olga Pynenkova
Celebrated annually on May 16, the International Day of Living Together in Peace was established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 2017. Its primary aim is to encourage the global community to strengthen efforts in building a world rooted in peace, tolerance, solidarity, and inclusion.
This observance is part of the United Nations’ broader commitment to peacebuilding, following a long tradition of initiatives and declarations since the end of World War II. These include the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which serves as a universal mandate for promoting non-violence and harmony, especially for future generations. Other notable milestones include UN Resolution 52/15 (1997) declaring the year 2000 the International Year for the Culture of Peace, Resolution 53/25 (1998) proclaiming the decade 2001–2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, and Resolution 71/252 (2016), reinforcing the agenda of promoting a culture of peace.
Today, the message of this day is more urgent than ever. According to the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), 2023 was one of the most violent years since the end of the Cold War, with 59 active conflicts — the highest number on record. The number of global conflicts has doubled over the past five years, and the past few years have seen more conflict-related fatalities than any time in the last three decades. The ACLED Conflict Index estimates that over 233,000 deaths have been reported as a result of political violence in 2024 alone.
This alarming rise is attributed to large-scale conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar, as well as ongoing violence in regions such as Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia’s Tigray, Mexico, and the Sahel. Few conflicts have been resolved, and the presence of armed groups continues to expand. In fact, 2024 recorded a 25% increase in political violence events compared to the previous year, continuing an upward trend since 2020.
Africa remains the region most affected by state-based conflicts, followed by Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Notably, the number of conflicts in Africa has nearly doubled since 2013.
Against this backdrop, the International Day of Living Together in Peace holds profound significance. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need to foster reconciliation, support sustainable development, and advance peacebuilding efforts through cooperation with local communities, faith leaders, and other key actors. Encouraging forgiveness, compassion, and acts of service is essential in promoting peaceful coexistence and a more inclusive future for all.
Written by Olga Pynenkova for Yonsei GSIS Human Rights Hub
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