The declaration of 2025 as the Year of International Peace comes against the backdrop of unprecedented global challenges.

• Armed Conflicts: Wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and other regions continue to cause immense human suffering. These conflicts also destabilize neighboring countries, fuel refugee crises, and divert resources away from development.
• Humanitarian Emergencies: More than 110 million people worldwide are displaced, according to UNHCR, with many lacking access to food, shelter, or healthcare. Protracted crises in Syria, Afghanistan, and parts of Africa highlight the urgent need for peace.
• Climate Change: Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and resource scarcity are driving conflict in vulnerable regions. The link between environmental stress and insecurity is now undeniable.
• Economic Inequality: The pandemic widened gaps between rich and poor, both within and among countries. Inequality fuels grievances, undermines trust in institutions, and creates fertile ground for extremism.
• Geopolitical Rivalries: Growing competition between major powers risks fragmenting the international order. If left unchecked, such rivalries could paralyze multilateral cooperation at precisely the moment it is needed most.

Against this backdrop, the UNGA 80s’ focus on peace is not just symbolic; it is a strategic necessity. Without peace, the international community cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, protect the planet, or safeguard human dignity.