International Day of Peace, Peace Bell Ringing Ceremony 2024

We gather today to observe the International Day of Peace, a day when we join the world in reaffirming our commitment to the universal pursuit of peace. This year’s theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” reminds us that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but requires active engagement in dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.

As we ring the Peace Bell today, we also celebrate a milestone – the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. This declaration, crafted in 1999, recognized that achieving peace demands a positive, participatory process, one that promotes mutual respect, non-violence, and cooperation.

As we stand here, alongside the Peace Bell, let us reflect on the words of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who urged all to nurture a culture where equality, peace and justice thrive. “Cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment, and despair with justice, equality and hope for all” he said. 

We live in a time of escalating global conflicts, deepening divisions, and mounting crises that challenge the very fabric of peace. From Ukraine and Gaza to Sudan and Myanmar, from Haiti to so many other parts of the world, violence and unrest are spreading, and people everywhere are desperately searching for a glimmer of hope.

Yet, amid this uncertainty, we are reminded today of the power of peace – of dialogue, tolerance, and understanding. The ringing of the Peace Bell symbolizes not just a call to action but a message of hope: hope that peace can prevail even in the darkest of times.

We are also reminded of the significance of this moment in history. World leaders are gathering in New York for the Summit of the Future yesterday and today, a landmark event that will confront some of the most pressing challenges of our time. This includes the protection of human rights, addressing climate change, ensuring security, and controlling the misuse of artificial intelligence, all while reaffirming our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The challenges we face today demand more than words; they require concerted global action. As the Secretary-General emphasized, “international institutions must be better positioned to respond.” 

Today, as we ring the Peace Bell here in Ankara, we add our voice to the global call for peace. We ring the bell to remind ourselves that peace begins in the hearts and minds of people. It is a commitment we must make every day – to our communities, our nations, and our world.

As we move forward, through the Summit of the Future and beyond, let us remember: peace is not just an aspiration; it is a responsibility. And today, with the ringing of the Peace Bell, we reaffirm our shared commitment to that responsibility.

I would like to finish with the timeless message by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk “Yurtta sulh, cihanda sulh” – "Peace at home, peace in the world." 

Thank you.