Every year, the International Day of Peace gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to all those who, in Haiti and around the world, work every day for peace: in their communities, within institutions, civil society, women’s and youth organizations, and wherever dialogue helps resist violence and preserve social cohesion.
This year’s theme, “Invest in Peace: for everyone, everywhere, every day,” reminds us that peace cannot simply be proclaimed: it must be built collectively and over time. It also requires concrete investments in the institutions and communities that make peace possible.
Peace is more than the absence of violence. It means being able to live in safety, move freely, go to school, work, access essential services, and look to the future with dignity and confidence. It also depends on functioning institutions, access to justice, and the ability of everyone to fully exercise their rights.
In Haiti, this imperative has never been more urgent. Gang violence continues to disrupt the lives of millions of people, displace families, deprive children of their right to education, and weaken institutions and communities.
Responding to this crisis requires, first and foremost, restoring security and State authority. But building lasting peace also requires advancing dialogue and the political process, strengthening justice and the fight against impunity, supporting communities, and providing children and young people in particular with opportunities and alternatives to violence. These efforts must move forward together.
On this International Day of Peace, our message also goes to those who continue to resort to violence: lay down your weapons, release those who have been kidnapped, and allow children to leave your ranks. Choose disengagement. There is always another path than violence.
The United Nations remains fully committed to standing alongside Haiti in working towards a safer, more stable and more peaceful future.
