| Secretary-General's Message 21  September 2015 This  year¡¯s International Day of Peace comes at a time of deadly violence and  destabilizing conflicts around the world. Rather than succumbing to despair,  we have a collective responsibility to demand an end to the brutality and  impunity that prevail.I call on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global  ceasefire. To them I say: stop the killings and the destruction, and create  space for lasting peace.
 Although it may seem hopelessly distant, the dream of peace pulses in the  lives of people everywhere.
 There  is no group more poised to help realize this dream than today¡¯s young  people. They are part of the largest generation of youth in history, more  aware and connected than any before. I urge all governments to make greater  investments in realizing the potentially massive contributions of the  world¡¯s young peace builders.  At  the same time, we need to mobilize all partners who share the goal of peace.  Non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups and corporations all have  a role to play in fostering social progress, protecting the environment and  creating a more just, stable and peaceful world. The value of this  collaboration is our theme for the Day: ¡°Partnerships  for Peace – Dignity for All.¡± We  live at a moment of peril – but this is also an era of great promise. In a  matter of days, leaders from across the globe will gather at the United  Nations to adopt the 2030 agenda, our 15-year plan to achieve sustainable  development. This is fundamental to ushering in a life of dignity for all,  where poverty is history and peace is paramount. On the International Day, as we mark the 70th anniversary of the United  Nations, let us seize the opportunity achieve the Organization¡¯s founding  purpose: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
 Ban Ki-moon |