The United Nations General Assembly decided in 2018 to establish an International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace to be held annually on April 24. (Click here for the UNGA resolution).
Although not as well-known as Earth Day (April 22), the day is very important in promoting international peace and an end to war through the use of diplomacy, international agreements and multilateral mechanisms.
The core objective of the day is to promote and advance the principle aim of the United Nations to ‘save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,’ and to achieve this through the ‘settlement of disputes through peaceful means.’
Multilateral mechanisms which can be used to assist this include the UN mediation service, UN special envoys, International Court of Justice, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other dispute resolution bodies established by multilateral treaties such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Actions you can take:
- Endorse the EarthDay 2020 statement.
The Abolition 2000 statement for EarthDay specifically calls for ‘better implementation of the UN Charter prohibition on war and the utilisation of diplomacy and law to resolve international disputes,’ and calls for multilateral action to address ‘the triple threats of climate change, virus pandemic and nuclear oblivion.’ Click here to endorse. - Replace law of force with the force of law.
Call on your country to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (for international disputes unable to be resolved through diplomacy). Click here to see if your country has already accepted jurisdiction of the ICJ. - Take the Cooperative Security Initiative survey.
The Cooperative Security Initiative was established in June 2019 to generate ideas and shift momentum for cooperative security and multilateralism through the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Their survey seeks your thoughts on how to advance diplomacy and achieve security, including in the new political environment arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. - Support the UN Secretary-General’s initiative for a global ceasefire.
70 governments and over 2 million people have supported so far. UN Special Envoys in conflict zones are liaising with warring parties to advance the initiative. A number of warring parties have already laid down their arms in response, but others are yet to do so. Click here to endorse.For more information see UN Secretary-General urges global ceasefire to enable management of coronavirus pandemic and Coronavirus: UN says warring countries have responded to ceasefire call.