International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/77/243
About International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism
The International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism is observed on 12 February. The United Nations General Assembly created it to raise awareness and strengthen international cooperation on preventing violent extremism when it is conducive to terrorism.
The UN resolution explicitly states that terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. That boundary is important for accurate and non-stigmatizing coverage.
Why International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism matters
The observance emphasizes prevention alongside security responses. UN materials discuss conditions that can make recruitment and radicalization more likely and stress approaches consistent with human rights and international law.
Because “violent extremism” has no single universally agreed definition, responsible material should avoid labeling lawful political, religious or social views as terrorism without a clear legal and factual basis.
History of International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism
Austria, Belgium, Iraq, Jordan and Qatar submitted draft resolution A/77/L.41, with many additional Member States later joining as sponsors. Iraq introduced the initiative in the General Assembly.
On 20 December 2022, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/77/243 and declared 12 February as the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism.
The first observance took place on 12 February 2023. The Day builds on the UN’s earlier prevention framework, including the Secretary-General’s 2015 Plan of Action and General Assembly resolution 70/254 of 12 February 2016.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Austria, Belgium, Iraq, Jordan and Qatar
The UN Digital Library lists these five Member States as the initial authors of draft resolution A/77/L.41; Iraq introduced the draft in the General Assembly.
United Nations General Assembly
A/RES/77/243
First documented observance
UNOCT describes 12 February 2024 as the second International Day and 12 February 2026 as the fourth, establishing 2023 as the first annual observance.
United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in collaboration with relevant Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities
The UN observance page states that the General Assembly invited the Office of Counter-Terrorism, in collaboration with relevant Compact entities, to facilitate the observance.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism
Use UN and national legal sources to distinguish terrorism offences, violent conduct and protected expression.
Discuss prevention measures together with human-rights safeguards and the risks of stigmatizing communities.
Examine recruitment narratives, online manipulation and community resilience using evidence-based research rather than stereotypes.
Include victim and survivor perspectives without circulating propaganda or graphic extremist material unnecessarily.
International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism Facts
The Day is observed on 12 February.
The General Assembly adopted A/RES/77/243 on 20 December 2022.
Austria, Belgium, Iraq, Jordan and Qatar were the initial named sponsors of A/77/L.41.
The first observance was on 12 February 2023.
The resolution invites the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, working with relevant UN entities, to facilitate observance of the Day.
International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism Messages
May International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism Quotes
“Together, let’s build resilient and inclusive communities where violent extremism finds no foothold, and peace prevails for all.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/77/243 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — draft A/77/L.41 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism — 2026 fourth observance (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism?
12 February The documented recurrence rule is: 12 February.
Does International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Austria, Belgium, Iraq, Jordan and Qatar. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in collaboration with relevant Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities.
Is International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-07.
When is the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism?
It is observed annually on 12 February.
Who established the Day?
The UN General Assembly established it through A/RES/77/243, adopted on 20 December 2022.
Does the UN associate violent extremism with a particular religion or nationality?
No. The establishing resolution reaffirms that terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.
Other observances on February 12
These observances are also listed on February 12, 2027.
International Darwin Day
The Darwin Day organization identifies 12 February as International Darwin Day and maintains current event listings; no UN designation is asserted here.
International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers
The UN Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict states that the Optional Protocol entered into force on 12 February 2002 and that the date is now known as the In…
International Winter Bike to Work Day
The official campaign site states that International Winter Bike to Work Day began in 2013 and occurs on the second Friday in February every year.
National Plum Pudding Day
Two ANFP Wyoming chapter calendars list National Plum Pudding Day on February 12.
No One Eats Alone Day
Beyond Differences documents the program’s 2012 origin; its recent calendars and independent calendar records support the second-Friday-in-February recurrence, including February 13 in 2026.
Safetypup Day
The National Child Safety Council states that Safetypup was introduced on February 12, 1985 and that Safetypup’s birthday is February 12; the Georgetown, Ohio Police Department independentl…