The United Nations Association of Africa (UNAA) has charged world leaders to engage more on effective peace dialogues.
Amb. Victor Asije, UNAA’s Director of Peace, Security, and Conflict Prevention, gave the charge in a message to mark the 2026 International Day of Fraternity.
The International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is a United Nations international day observed annually on Feb.4.
It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for peace.
Asije said that all forms of human differences, misunderstanding, biases , prejudices, and racial discrimination should be replaced with peaceable fraternity.
“As the world today observe this year’s International Day of Human Fraternity, let me on behalf of UNAA salute the courage, and bravery of all men and women that have fought to ensure peace, compassion and peaceful coexistence across the world so far.
“In spite of these efforts, global peace and compassion have continued to be elusive, but not unachievable.
“On this United Nations special international day, I appeal to all national governments, peace-loving, peace-keeping organisations, and individuals to redouble their efforts at increasing peace diplomacy through effective dialogues,” he said.
According to him, the theme of the year 2026 International Day of Human Fraternity – “Dialogue Over Division” is apt.
He said that it was imperative for nations to always “jaw-jaw than war-war”, adding that effective dialogue was one of the surest ways to strengthening global fraternity.
The ambassador said that the world had had unpleasant experiences from past crisis, conflicts, and wars, hence, such developments should not be allowed to happen again.
“More than ever before, the peoples of the whole wide world, irrespective of their tribe, colour, religion, language, location, influence, social, economic, and political power must now know that the world is indivisible, interconnected, and interdependent.
“Most people of the world are currently afraid, and tired of living in conflicted, war-prone, and worn-torn communities, cities and nations.
“So, nations of the world must with good understanding, international relations, and more engaging diplomatic shuttles, urgently begin to recommit themselves to more result-oriented peacemaking and peacebuilding,” he said.
Asije said that most communities and nations were still in dire need of political peace, economics of peace, religious peace, and social peace.
He appealed to national governments, and peoples of the world to see the 2026 International Day of Human Fraternity as a reminder that the world is one human family.
The global peace advocate urged governments, community leaders, peace-loving, peace-keeping organisations and individuals across the world, to evolve ways of promoting mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence among them.
He said that the UNAA would continue to work closely with communities, governments, and other organisations in promoting continental and global peace.
