From November 17 to 21, 2025, representatives of governments and international organizations will gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York for the Sixth Session  of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. This annual meeting reviews progress toward the objective of reducing the risks associated with weapons of mass destruction in the region and provides a forum for states to discuss prac

On November 16, the United Nations commemorates the International Day for Tolerance , proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1996. At a time when mistrust, polarization and targeted misinformation strain relations within and between societies, this observance calls on states, educators, media and civil society to strengthen learning, law and public life in a way that allows people with different convictions and histories to coexist peacefully. It also supports the achieveme

Each year on November 10, the international community observes World Science Day for Peace and Development , proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001 to highlight science’s role in sustainable progress and peace. The 2025 theme, Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2050 , underscores the importance of transparency, inclusion, and ethics in scientific practice. These values resonate deeply with the Universal Peace Federation’s principles  of interdependence, mutual

UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference , held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 30 to November 13, 2025, marks an opportunity for global dialogue on education, culture, and ethics in the digital age. Gathering representatives of 195 member states outside Paris for the first time in nearly four decades, the conference underscores the value of intercultural understanding at a time when technology is reshaping societies faster than human consciousness can adapt.  Samarkand, a his

Paris, France  – To mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, a conference was held on November 7, 2025, at the headquarters of UPF-France at Espace Barrault in Paris. Under the theme “At 80 – What Future for the United Nations?” the event was dedicated to examining the organization’s founding principles, its evolving objectives, and its prospects in a rapidly transforming global context. Eighty years after the adoption of the San Francisco Charter, mul

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF), founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han  and the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon , an NGO in General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC ), extends its greetings to all participants of the Second World Summit for Social Development ( SWSSD 2025 ), held in Doha from November 4 to 6, 2025. Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development , this gathering reaffirms the globa

Meersburg, Germany  – More than fifty participants from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein met in the small but internationally known town of Meersburg, on Lake Constance in Germany, for a discussion on the theme, “The World at a Turning Point – What Values Will Secure Our Future?” The conference took part from November 1-2, 2025.   The mayor of Meersburg, Mr. Robert Scherer , opened the conference with welcoming remarks, linking his motto, “Peace begins in the m

Conakry, Guinea  – Following the regional launch of the 100-Day Harmony and Hope Campaign in Lomé on October 23, 2025, UPF-Guinea organized two key activities to mobilize communities and strengthen the capacity of ambassadors for peace. These events were held at the provisional UPF headquarters and reflected the country’s commitment to fostering unity, love, and reconciliation. The first activity, held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, focused on community mobilization and aware

Monrovia, Liberia  – The historic National Legislature of Liberia was the stage for an inspiring gathering of young leaders, dignitaries, and peace advocates in Monrovia on Monday, October 27, 2025. The event, organized by UPF-Liberia in collaboration with the Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP), marked two important milestones: an Induction Ceremony for the newly elected YAP leadership, and the official launch of Liberia’s 100 Days of Harmony and Hope Campaign. The ceremony wa

The United Nations' Global Media and Information Literacy Week, observed each year from October 24 to 31, reminds humanity that the power to shape ideas and societies now lies in every hand. In the digital century, tools of communication have become immensely powerful, capable of building understanding or causing confusion. Such influence demands personal maturity, moral awareness, and responsibility in producing and sharing information.   The Universal Peace Federation (UPF)

New York, United States  – In celebration of the United Nations' 80th anniversary, diplomats, experts, and NGOs convened on International UN Day, October 24, 2025, calling for a reinvigoration of the founding principles of the UN Charter: national sovereignty, human dignity, and the centrality of the family. The missions of Burundi and Djibouti co-sponsored the event at UN headquarters in New York, organized by C-Fam and Campaign Life Coalition, with support from UPF, the Aso

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is launching the global “Harmony and Hope” campaign, a 100-day initiative running from United Nations Day, October 24, 2025, to February 1, 2026, the start of World Interfaith Harmony Week. This initiative is dedicated to advancing unity, peace, and moral leadership. In line with the UN objectives for peace and sustainable development, the campaign invites partners and Ambassadors for Peace of UPF to strengthen collaboration, compassion, a

New York, United States  – The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns-NY (CSVGC-NY) organized the annual Spirit of the United Nations Award Ceremony on October 23, 2025, in the Tillman Chapel of the UN Church Center in New York. This year’s theme was “Fostering Foundational Principles for a Sustainable Tomorrow.” This prestigious award marked the 80 th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, honoring the work that individuals have done in suppor

Geneva, Switzerland  – The conference “No Peace without Women: No More War – Can We?” featured two distinguished panels of UN officials, government representatives, journalists, and civil society leaders, who highlighted the indispensable role of women and faith-based actors in peacebuilding and the prevention of war. The program was co-organized by the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), and held in the Palais de

On behalf of the founders of the Universal Peace Federation, Dr. Hak Ja Han   and her late husband, Dr. Sun Myung Moon, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Ambassador Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, former foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2006–2007) and former ambassador and permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (2008–2017). Ambassador Ugwu passed away on October, 13, 2025. UPF wishes her family, friends, and all who knew her pe

Moscow, Russia  – On October 13, 2025, a roundtable titled “Global Initiatives of BRICS+ Countries in the Fields of Economy, New Technologies, Culture, and Education” was held at the State Duma of the Russian Federation. The event was organized within the framework of the BRICS Cultural Media Forum in partnership with the Moscow branch of UPF. The session was moderated by Mr. Sergey Dvoryanov , president of the international club Amicability, who is an expert in international

Berlin, Germany  – As the issue of mental illness is increasingly impacting families and societies around the world, UPF-Berlin organized a discussion on this topic on October 11, 2025, inviting two speakers to share their experiences with this phenomenon. The program coincided with the UN-designated Mental Health Day, set as October 10 in 1992, to shed light on the growing prevalence of mental illness, and to raise understanding for those affected. Mental illnesses have exis

Monaragala District, Sri Lanka  – Students from Kolladeniya College participated in a three-day Leadership Camp organized by UPF-Sri Lanka and the Religious Youth Service (RYS) of Sri Lanka, from October 4-6, 2025. The event was timed to coincide with World Children’s Day, which is celebrated on October 1 in Sri Lanka. The camp was guided by the senior leadership of the organizing bodies, including Dr. Chula Senarathna , secretary general of UPF-Sri Lanka; Mrs. Dineesha Liyan

Kampala, Uganda  – September was a busy month for UPF-Uganda, which organized a series of events across the country under the theme “Peaceful Family: The Basic Building Block for World Peace.” The events were conducted in collaboration with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and partner schools, engaging youth, educators, community leaders, and ambassadors for peace. Activities were held across five venues between September 21 and 30, 2025, emphasiz

Accra, Ghana  – In observance of the UN International Day of Peace, UPF-Ghana held an interfaith event under the theme “Resilience Through Solidarity: Advancing Peace in Challenging Times” on September 29, 2025. The commemorative event, held at the Church of the Peace Makers International in Accra, gathered 30 participants, including religious, academic, and civic leaders. The program received nationwide coverage on Ghana Television (GTV) and served as a solemn moment of reme