UN chief urges peace, end of conflict in International Peace Day message

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on the international community to "silence the guns, end the suffering, build bridges, and create stability and prosperity," in a message on the International Day of Peace, which is observed annually on September 21.

"Peace cannot wait," as the warring world is crying out for peace, said the UN chief. This year's International Day of Peace urges each of us to give voice to that call, he added. 

Around the world, lives are being ripped apart, childhoods extinguished and basic human dignity discarded, amidst the cruelty and degradations of war, he said.

Guterres stressed the strong link between sustainable development and peace, noting that nine out of the ten countries most behind on development are also embroiled in conflict.

He urged the international community to "quell the racism, dehumanization and misinformation that throw fuel on the fires of conflict."

"Where we have peace, we have hope," he said.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire. The theme this year is "Act Now for a Peaceful World."

(With input from Xinhua)