International Day of Peace marked

Manama : The International Day of Peace was marked in an event held yesterday at the United Nations House premises in the Diplomatic area. It was organised by the United Nations Information Centre for the Gulf countries in collaboration with Al-Areen Lions Club and International Club for Social Media. 

Al Areen Lions Club President Salah Al Tattan, United Nations Resident Coordinator Amin El Sharkawi, Assistant Undersecretary for GCC and Western Countries Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Dhafer Ahmed Alumran, United Nations Information Centre Acting Director Samir AlDarabi and other guests were present. 

Speaking during the event, AlDarabi said, “This year the theme is about sustainable development and we are trying to raise awareness about its contribution to peace. Without it, peace will be threatened everywhere. Each sustainable development goal is integral in the shaping of international peace,” he said. 

“We also launched a speech writing competition in Bahrain and the region, calling participants to write about peace and sustainable development. This will help us think about sustainable development and how to achieve it.”

During the event, a video message by Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon was screened. 

“Every year on the International Day of Peace, the United Nations calls on warring parties to lay down their arms and observe a 24-hour global ceasefire. The symbolism of a day without fighting is a crucial reminder that conflict can and must come to an end. But peace is about much more than putting weapons aside. It is about building a global society in which people live free from poverty and share the benefits of prosperity. It is about growing together and supporting each other as a universal family,” Ban Ki-moon said in the video message.