UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the world to end wars and embrace peace, calling it a necessity that “cannot wait,” in his message on the International Day of Peace observed on September 21.

“The world is crying out for peace,” Guterres said, appealing to the international community to silence the guns, heal divisions, and create stability and prosperity. He stressed that this year’s theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” is a call for urgent collective action.

Highlighting the devastating toll of global conflicts, Guterres noted that countless lives are being destroyed, children are losing their futures, and human dignity is being trampled amid war and violence. He warned of “an explosion of conflict, international law flouted, and record numbers of displaced people” seeking refuge worldwide.

“All they want is peace. Peace is everyone’s business,” he said, adding that the effects of war extend beyond borders, threatening global security and stability.

The UN chief linked sustainable development to peace, observing that nine out of ten countries struggling most with development are also mired in conflict. He urged efforts to tackle racism, dehumanisation, and misinformation, which he described as forces that fuel division and violence.

“Instead, we must speak the language of respect, open our hearts to others,” Guterres emphasised. “Where we have peace, we have hope. Families unite, communities rebuild, children learn and play.”

The International Day of Peace was first established by the UN General Assembly in 1981. In 2001, the day was further designated as a global period of non-violence and ceasefire.