Peace Bell rings in Ankara with a shared call for peace

Representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society organizations, runners and peace advocates gathered at Botanik Park in Ankara for a Peace Bell Ceremony marking the International Day of Peace.

The ceremony was jointly organized by the United Nations in Türkiye and the Turkish-Japanese Foundation, with contributions from Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Çankaya Municipality and the Federation of Soroptimist Clubs of Türkiye.

Opening the event, Turkish-Japanese Foundation Chairperson Professor Nejat Bora Sayan emphasized that peace is not simply the absence of war, but a world shaped by justice, human rights, tolerance and mutual respect. He highlighted culture, education, the arts and exchanges among young people as powerful means of building lasting peace.

The Ambassador of Japan to Türkiye, Masami Tamura, recalled the origins of the World Peace Bell. The first Bell was presented to the United Nations in 1954 by Chiyoji Nakagawa, who had witnessed the realities of war and was determined to give tangible expression to humanity’s shared aspiration for peace. Cast from coins and medals contributed by people around the world, the Bell remains an enduring symbol of international solidarity.

“The presence of the World Peace Bell reminds us of the longstanding friendship between Japan and Türkiye,” Ambassador Tamura said. Noting that conflicts continue to claim lives more than 80 years after the end of the Second World War, he called on the two countries to learn from history and work together for a peaceful and stable future.

Addressing the gathering, UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi said Ankara was fortunate to be home to a Peace Bell, describing it as “a lasting reminder of an aspiration shared across countries, cultures and generations: to live together in peace.”

Referring to the 2026 theme for the International Day of Peace, “Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” Dr. Ahonsi stressed that peace requires sustained effort and action.

“We invest in peace when we choose dialogue, protect human rights and build trust,” he said. “Peace is not just made at conference tables, but in classrooms, neighbourhoods and everywhere people meet with open minds and open hearts.”

Hatice İmer, President of the Federation of Soroptimist Clubs of Türkiye, highlighted the contribution of education, gender equality, youth participation and solidarity to peaceful societies. She underlined that empowering women and girls and giving young people a meaningful role in shaping the present are among the most valuable investments in peace.

Runners who had taken part in a run for peace arrived at the Bell during the gathering, bringing a message of solidarity and demonstrating how sport can unite people around a common purpose.

The ceremony concluded with Dr. Ahonsi, Ambassador Tamura and Professor Sayan ringing the Peace Bell together, sending out a shared call to transform the hope for peace into everyday action—in communities, institutions and relations among people.