Melbourne, Australia  – To commemorate the UN International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, a high-level dialogue convened in Melbourne on January 31, 2026, brought together a distinguished group of leaders – former Afghan government officials, academics, peace practitioners, faith-based leaders, and representatives of Afghan, African, Iranian, and interfaith communities – to explore the role of diaspora communities as agents of peacebuilding. They focused particularly on Austra

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia  – In conjunction with World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF-Malaysia co-organized a community clean-up and charity program at Seri Setia New Village in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on January 31, 2026, highlighting interfaith cooperation through practical service. The program was jointly organized with the Village Development and Security Committee of Seri Setia New Village and Petaling Jaya City Council, with support from SWAN Association, Women’s Federatio

Bangkok, Thailand  – In support of World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF-Thailand organized a Religious Youth Service (RYS) camp on Saturday, January 31, 2026.  The objective was to provide youth with the opportunity to study and learn about different religions while engaging in collective community service. This was designed to cultivate a mindset of love, unity, and self-sacrifice for the sake of others and the public good, the foundations of sustainable peace. A total of 75 p

Vienna, Austria  – Commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week, on January 30, 2026, UPF-Europe and the Middle East, in cooperation with the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna, the Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations (CFBO), Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), held a conference on the theme “The Relevance of Religions for a Peaceful World Order” at the UN Vienna International Center, with 200 guests in attenda

On January 28, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation joins the United Nations in observing the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence , proclaimed by  General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/269 , adopted on March 4, 2025 under the agenda item “Culture of Peace.” The resolution presents peaceful coexistence as a positive and participatory process that encourages dialogue and addresses disputes through mutual understanding and cooperation. It is grounded in the  Charter of the

On January 27, the Universal Peace Federation ( UPF ) joins the United Nations in observing the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust . This date marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945, an event that exposed the scale of human cruelty and the devastating impact of hatred, antisemitism, and moral indifference. Established by Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly 60/7  of 1 November 2005, “Holocaust remembrance,” th

New York, United States  – In support of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UPF sponsored a musical performance by members of the New York City Symphony, in the historic ECOSOC Chamber at United Nations Headquarters in New York on January 23, 2026. Although founded the previous year, ECOSOC held its inaugural session on January 23, 1946. The commemorative event focused on reviewing its legacy, reaffirming its role in global govern

New York, United States  – On January 22, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation, as an executive member of the NGO Committee on the Family, NY, at the United Nations, co-organized a virtual program titled, "Empowering the Family through National Policies: Insights from Burundi and Italy." Ms. Lynn Walsh, director of UPF’s Office of the Family, opened the program and welcomed the two high-level speakers. The program followed the Chatham House Rule, by which the names of comment

Communities around the world mark  World Religion Day on January 18, 2025, observed each year on the third Sunday in January. First initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States, the day has grown beyond its original setting and is now widely hosted by interfaith and multifaith coalitions. It invites reflection on a practical truth: when spiritual communities meet with humility and clarity, public life can regain moral depth and soc

As we welcome the dawn of 2026, I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt gratitude to all leaders of Universal Peace Federation worldwide, and to our dedicated Ambassadors for Peace. The year 2025 was highlighted by the successful culmination of World Summit 2025, which convened current and former heads of state, legislators, diplomats, scholars, religious leaders and civil society leaders from every continent. Under the theme “Contemporary Challenges to World Order: Estab

On December 18, the United Nations observes International Migrants Day , proclaimed by the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/55/93 of December 4, 2000, coinciding with the date on which the General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families ( A/RES/45/158 ) in 1990. In his message  for International Migrants Day, the UN Secretary-General highlights that migrants contribute to economic

Paris, France  – At UPF headquarters in Paris, UPF-France and the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) held a meeting on December, 13, 2025, to commemorate the 77th anniversary of Human Rights Day, under the theme, "Human Rights and Our Responsibility." The two organizations, both holding general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), also marked the close of a symbolic year, celebrating both the 80th anniversary of the United N

Düsseldorf, Germany  – To mark Human Rights Day, UPF-Düsseldorf held an evening of shared information and discussion on December 8, 2025. After the welcome, a video of UN Secretary-General António Guterres' address from 2024 set the mood for the topic. H.E. Guterres warned that human rights are under massive pressure worldwide. He criticized the increase in armed conflicts, the strengthening of authoritarian governments and increasing discrimination and violence. He was parti

Copenhagen, Denmark  – Human rights activists and civil society representatives gathered to mark Human Rights Day on December 10, 2025, at the annual Spiritual Human Rights Conference, in Copenhagen and online. Soteria International, together with Human Rights Without Frontiers, the Gerard Noodt Foundation for Freedom of Religion and Belief, the European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion, and the Universal Peace Federation, co-hosted the event. Moderated by Mr. Jonathan S

London, United Kingdom  – In support of the United Nations’ campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UPF-UK screened the film “Unsilenced” at its headquarters in London on December 9, 2025.  The event was co-organized by the National Association of Women’s Organizations (NAWO) and the Justina Mutale Foundation, who advocate dignity, safety and human rights for women and girls. The two organizations held daily awareness-raising sessions throughout the campaign p

Every year on December 5, the international community marks International Volunteer Day , established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 to recognize the contribution of volunteers to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2025 this observance takes place under the theme “ Every Contribution Matters ” and coincides with the global launch of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development  in 2026 (Res. A/RES/78/127). In this context the Univ

On the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action , widely regarded by the United Nations as the most comprehensive global program of action for gender equality, the international community takes stock of progress and identifies the gaps that still require attention. The platform's twelve critical areas  of concern – spanning education, health, violence prevention, economic participation, and women's participation in power and decision-making –  

Geneva, Switzerland  – A webinar hosted by UPF-Switzerland on November 24, 2025, examined the United Nations' role in the Middle East, specifically addressing the question of how a UN peacekeeping mission could achieve sustainable peace in a conflict-torn region. Approximately 60 people followed on Zoom, with many others later watching the recording. Ms. Chantal Chételat Komagata , secretary general of UPF-Switzerland, served as MC. She oriented the discussion within the fram

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) congratulates the G20 leaders on the successful 2025 G20  Summit  in Johannesburg, South Africa, held on November 22–23, 2025. This first G20 summit on the African continent advanced priorities set by the host under the themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability.  The Johannesburg Summit produced several concrete results, including strengthened representation of Africa in global governance, steps toward reforming the international f

New York, United States  – The NGO Committee on the Family, NY – of which UPF is an executive member – held a virtual program on November 20, 2025, to review the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha, Qatar, from November 4-6. The summit aimed to address the largely poor progress in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The expert panel had a special interest in the degree to which the family could potentially accelerate the attainment of Ag