Press Release

International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations

02 June 2025

Message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres

The United Nations was built on a fundamental conviction: dialogue is the path to peace.

On this First International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, we celebrate that conviction -- and the rich diversity of civilizations as a force to promote mutual understanding and global solidarity.  Today, that mission is more urgent than ever.  Where dialogue is missing, ignorance fills the void. 

Around the world, we hear rising voices of intolerance and xenophobia, amplified by online misinformation and hate speech.

In our fractured world, dialogue is not optional -- it is essential for building bridges of understanding and trust.  So, too, is the work of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, re-enforced by the global platform for dialogue that it has created over the past two decades.

This International Day is a call to action -- to listen, to speak, to connect.  Let’s answer hate with humanity.  Let’s listen with open hearts and open minds.  Let’s choose dialogue over division.  And let us strive to be one human family, rich in diversity, united in solidarity, and equal in dignity and human rights.

[END]

Video Message

https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+INTL+DAY+DIALOGUE+AMONG+CIVILIZATIONS+05+MAY+25/3374148_MSG+SG+INTL+DAY+DIALOGUE+AMONG+CIVILIZATIONS+05+MAY+25.mp4

 

For more information and resources at the following link:

https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-for-dialogue-among-civilizations

UN entities involved in this initiative

UN
United Nations

Goals we are supporting through this initiative