A/RES/79/321 GA

United Nations A/RES/79/321 General Assembly Distr.: General 29 July 2025 25-12362 (E) *2512362* Seventy-ninth session Agenda item 14 Culture of peace Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 July 2025 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/79/L.111)] 79/321. Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace The General Assembly, Bearing in mind the Charter of the United Nations, including the purposes and principles contained therein, and especially the dedication to saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war, Recalling the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which states that, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”, Recognizing the importance of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, adopted by the General Assembly on 13 September 1999,1 which serve as the universal mandate for the international community, particularly the United Nations system, for the promotion of a culture of peace and non‑violence that benefits humanity, in particular future generations, Recalling all its previous resolutions on a culture of peace, including its resolution 78/277 of 2 May 2024, adopted on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, Recalling also the United Nations Millennium Declaration 2 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 3 which call for the active promotion of a culture of peace, Recalling further its resolutions 75/201 of 21 December 2020 and 70/262 of 27 April 2016 on the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, 72/276 of 26 April 2018 on the follow-up to the report of the Secretary-General on _______________ 1 Resolutions 53/243 A and B. 2 Resolution 55/2. 3 Resolution 70/1. A/RES/79/321 Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace 25-12362 2/7 peacebuilding and sustaining peace and 76/305 of 8 September 2022 on financing for peacebuilding, Recalling its resolutions declaring zones of peace in Central Asia,4 the South Atlantic5 and the Indian Ocean,6 and emphasizing the importance of these zones in maintaining stability and security in those regions, Recalling also its resolutions on terrorism and violent extremism, as and when conducive to terrorism, including resolutions 72/241 of 20 December 2017 on a world against violence and violent extremism and 77/298 of 30 June 2023 on the eighth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Secretary- General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and the establishment of the Office of Counter-Terrorism under resolution 71/291 of 15 June 2017, Recalling further the 2005 World Summit Outcome adopted at the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly,7 Welcoming the observance of 10 December as Human Rights Day,8 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime,9 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence,10 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech,11 16 May as the International Day of Living Together in Peace, 12 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, 13 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity, 14 22 August as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, 15 5 April as the International Day of Conscience, 16 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia17 and 27 January as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust,18 as proclaimed by the United Nations, Recognizing that all efforts made by the United Nations system in general and the international community at large for the prevention of conflicts, the peaceful settlement of disputes, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, mediation, disarmament, sustainable development, the promotion of human dignity and human rights, social inclusion, democracy, the rule of law, good governance and gender equality at the national and international levels contribute greatly to a culture of peace, Recalling the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, in which it is proposed that the United Nations system establish and strengthen partnerships with new and traditional media to promote the values of tolerance, non‑discrimination, pluralism and freedom of opinion and expression, and to address hate speech narratives, _______________ 4 Resolution 76/299. 5 Resolution 41/11. 6 Resolution 2832 (XXVI). 7 Resolution 60/1. 8 Resolution 423 (V). 9 Resolution 69/323. 10 Resolution 61/271. 11 Resolution 75/309. 12 Resolution 72/130. 13 Resolution 72/165. 14 Resolution 75/200. 15 Resolution 73/296. 16 Resolution 73/329. 17 Resolution 76/254. 18 Resolution 60/7. Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace A/RES/79/321 3/7 25-12362 Recognizing that efforts towards peacebuilding and sustaining peace need to take into account the promotion of a culture of peace and vice versa, Recalling its resolution 76/6 of 15 November 2021 on the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Our Common Agenda”,19 and its follow-up processes, Recognizing that the collective well-being, safety, security and prosperity of our nations and peoples are deeply intertwined, which requires us to work urgently and together in accordance with the Charter to address global risks and challenges, find viable solutions and accelerate the implementation of agreed frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sevilla Commitment adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, as well as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change20 and the Paris Agreement,21 Recognizing also that the open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas, as well as interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogue at the local, national, regional and international levels, involving civil society, can play a positive role in fostering democratic participation, ensuring equality of access to education for women, especially girls, combating hatred, incitement and violence based on religion or belief as well as racism, hate speech and other forms of intolerance, and advancing human dignity, human fraternity, tolerance and solidarity, Recognizing further the importance of respect and understanding for religious and cultural diversity throughout the world, of choosing dialogue and negotiations over confrontation and of working together and not against each other, Recalling the report of the Secretary-General,22 which provides an overview of the actions taken across the United Nations system and by Member States to implement the Programme of Action and to promote a culture of peace and non‑violence since the adoption by the General Assembly of its resolution 77/296 of 14 June 2023, Recalling also its proclamation of the period 2022–2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, Recalling further the proclamations by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in particular of 21 February as International Mother Language Day, which aims at protecting, promoting and preserving linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, in order to foster and enrich a culture of peace, social harmony, cross-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding, of 30 April as International Jazz Day, which aims to develop and increase intercultural exchanges and understanding between cultures for the purpose of mutual comprehension, tolerance and the promotion of a culture of peace, and of 21 March as the International Day of Nowruz, which promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities, Taking note of the Transforming Education Summit, convened by the Secretary- General from 16 to 19 September 2022 in New York, as well as its pre‑Summit, hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization from 28 to 30 June 2022 in Paris, _______________ 19 A/75/982. 20 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822. 21 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex. 22 A/79/573. A/RES/79/321 Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace 25-12362 4/7 Taking note also of Member States’ engagement throughout the Transforming Education Summit process, including through national consultations, and inviting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and relevant stakeholders, including the Sustainable Development Goal 4-Education 2030 High- level Steering Committee, to support Member States, upon their request, in the country-level implementation of their national commitments made during the Transforming Education Summit process, Welcoming the efforts of the international community to enhance understanding through constructive dialogue among civilizations, in particular through various initiatives at the local, national, regional and international levels, Expressing its appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in promoting a culture of peace through a number of practical projects in the areas of youth, education, media and migrations, in collaboration with Governments, international organizations, foundations and civil society groups, as well as media and the private sector, Taking note of the tenth United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum, held in Cascais, Portugal from 25 to 27 November 2024 on the theme “United in peace: restoring trust, reshaping the future – reflecting on two decades of dialogue for humanity”, Recalling the General Assembly High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace, held on 13 September 2019 on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action, and the Chair’s summary of the meeting on the theme “The Culture of Peace: empowering and transforming humanity”, Welcoming the General Assembly High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace, held on 2 August 2024, on the theme “Cultivating and nurturing the culture of peace for present and future generations” to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, at which Member States and observers of the General Assembly and other stakeholders, such as civil society, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, renewed their commitments to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action, Taking note of the outcome document of the international conference entitled “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”, held in Ashgabat on 11 December 2022,23 and the Declaration of the Seventh Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Astana on 14 and 15 September 2022,24 Noting with appreciation that the Declaration and Programme of Action continue to find relevance across the three pillars of the United Nations, which are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, in addressing contemporary global challenges, Recalling the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly, known as the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, convened by the President of the Assembly on 24 September 2018, and the adoption of its political declaration,25 Recognizing the urgent need to promote and strengthen preventive diplomacy, inter alia, through multilateralism, international cooperation and political dialogue, and stressing the crucial role of the United Nations in this regard, Recognizing also the role of women and youth, as well as the contribution of children and older persons in advancing a culture of peace, and in particular the _______________ 23 A/77/651, annex. 24 A/77/360, annex. 25 Resolution 73/1. Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace A/RES/79/321 5/7 25-12362 importance of ensuring gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, with the aim of advancing the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, in peacebuilding, as well as in activities promoting a culture of peace, including in post-conflict situations, Noting the important and positive contribution of youth in efforts to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, as well as for the promotion of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, and the importance of the full, effective, constructive and inclusive participation of youth in decision-making, and noting in this regard the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office, Recalling the adoption by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at its thirty-sixth session of a programme of action for a culture of peace and non‑violence, and noting that the objectives of that programme of action are in line with the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace adopted by the General Assembly, Recognizing the activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization related to the culture of peace and non‑violence and their focus on concrete actions at the global, regional and subregional levels, and noting its support for Member States, upon their request, in promoting the culture of peace at the national level, Noting with deep concern that the coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) pandemic led to a rise in hate speech, stigmatization, racism and xenophobia, exacerbated pre‑existing inequalities in income, opportunities, access to information and communications technologies, health coverage and social protection, deepened gender inequality, and created new challenges with regard to access to healthcare services and vaccines, Recognizing that the digital sphere and its ongoing transformation are an important area for global action on building a culture of peace, Noting the initiatives of civil society, in collaboration with Governments, to strengthen civilian capacities to enhance the physical safety of vulnerable populations under threat of violence and to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, Encouraging the continued and increasing efforts and activities on the part of civil society organizations throughout the world in advancing a culture of peace as envisaged in the Declaration and Programme of Action, 1. Reiterates that the objective of the effective implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace is to strengthen further the global movement for a culture of peace, and calls upon all concerned to renew their attention to this objective; 2. Invites Member States to continue to place greater emphasis on and expand their activities promoting a culture of peace at the national, regional and international levels and to ensure that peace and non‑violence are fostered at all levels; 3. Invites the entities of the United Nations system, within their existing mandates, to integrate, as appropriate, the eight action areas of the Programme of Action into their programmes of activities, focusing on promoting a culture of peace and non‑violence at the national, regional and international levels; 4. Commends the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for strengthening efforts to mobilize all relevant stakeholders within and outside the United Nations system in support of a culture of peace, and invites the A/RES/79/321 Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace 25-12362 6/7 Organization to continue to enhance communication and outreach, including through the culture of peace website; 5. Commends the practical initiatives and actions by relevant United Nations bodies, including the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and the University for Peace, as well as their activities in further promoting a culture of peace and non‑violence, in particular the promotion of peace education and activities related to specific areas identified in the Programme of Action, and encourages them to continue and further strengthen and expand their efforts; 6. Stresses the importance of addressing the underlying drivers of violence and conflict to promote a culture of peace; 7. Encourages Member States, United Nations entities and other relevant actors to adopt a holistic approach to the cross-cutting dimensions of peace, development, humanitarian action and human rights in order to prevent the recurrence of conflict and violence and build lasting peace; 8. Underlines that early childhood development contributes to the development of more peaceful societies through advancing equality, tolerance, human development and promoting human rights, and calls for investment in early childhood education, including through effective policies and practices, towards promoting a culture of peace; 9. Encourages Member States, United Nations entities, regional and subregional organizations and relevant actors to consider instituting mechanisms to involve youth in the promotion of a culture of peace, tolerance and intercultural and interreligious dialogue and develop, as appropriate, an understanding of respect for human dignity, pluralism and diversity, including, as appropriate, through education programmes, that could discourage their participation in acts of terrorism, violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, violence, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination; 10. Encourages the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to increase its activities that focus on peace education and global citizenship education in order to enhance an understanding among young people of values such as peace, tolerance, openness, inclusion and mutual respect, which are essential in developing a culture of peace; 11. Encourages the United Nations peacebuilding architecture to continue to promote peacebuilding and sustaining peace activities, as outlined in its resolutions 72/276 and 75/201, and to advance a culture of peace and non‑violence in post- conflict peacebuilding efforts at the country level, and recognizes the important role of the Peacebuilding Commission in this regard; 12. Emphasizes the critical importance of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery from the COVID‑19 pandemic, and in this regard calls upon States to promote the values of a culture of peace, inter alia, in countering rising inequalities, discrimination, exclusion, hate crimes and violence; 13. Urges the appropriate authorities to provide age-appropriate education in children’s schools that builds a culture of peace and non‑violence, including lessons in mutual understanding, respect, tolerance, active and global citizenship and human rights; 14. Encourages the involvement of media, especially the mass media, in promoting a culture of peace and non‑violence, with particular regard to children and young people; Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace A/RES/79/321 7/7 25-12362 15. Commends civil society, non‑governmental organizations and young people for their activities in further promoting a culture of peace and non‑violence, including through their campaign to raise awareness of a culture of peace and the peaceful settlement of disputes; 16. Encourages civil society and non‑governmental organizations to further strengthen their efforts to promote a culture of peace, inter alia, by adopting their own programme of activities to complement the initiatives of Member States, the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, in line with the Declaration and Programme of Action; 17. Invites Member States, all entities of the United Nations system and civil society organizations to accord increasing attention to their observance of the International Day of Peace on 21 September each year as a day of global ceasefire and non‑violence, in accordance with its resolution 55/282 of 7 September 2001, and of the International Day of Non-Violence on 2 October, in accordance with its resolution 61/271 of 15 June 2007; 18. Acknowledges that 2024 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on a Culture of Peace by the United Nations at the fifty- third session of the General Assembly in 1999; 19. Encourages Member States, United Nations entities, civil society and other stakeholders to follow up on the discussions held during the High-level Forum, convened by the General Assembly on 2 August 2024 to commemorate the twenty- fifth anniversary, on the theme “Cultivating and nurturing the culture of peace for present and future generations”, by reflecting on the enduring significance of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace; 20. Requests the President of the General Assembly to consider convening a high-level forum, as appropriate, and within existing resources, devoted to the implementation of the Programme of Action on the occasion of the anniversary of its adoption, during the seventy-ninth session, and requests the Secretariat to provide the required logistical support for its effective organization within their respective mandates and existing resources; 21. Invites the Secretary-General, within existing resources, in consultation with the Member States and taking into account the observations of civil society organizations, to explore mechanisms and strategies, in particular strategies in the sphere of information and communications technology, for the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action and to initiate outreach efforts to increase global awareness of the Programme of Action and its eight areas of action aimed at their implementation, including through public information activities by the Department of Global Communications of the Secretariat; 22. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its eighty-first session a report, within existing resources, on actions taken by Member States, on the basis of information provided by them, and those taken system-wide by all concerned entities of the United Nations to implement the present resolution; 23. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its eightieth session the item entitled “Culture of peace”. 86th plenary meeting 25 July 2025

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