International Day of Human Fraternity2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/75/200
About International Day of Human Fraternity
International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4 February. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day through resolution A/RES/75/200 on 21 December 2020, with annual observance beginning in 2021.
The observance promotes dialogue, mutual respect, tolerance, solidarity and peaceful coexistence across religious, cultural and social differences. It is framed as a culture-of-peace observance rather than as a celebration of one faith tradition.
Why International Day of Human Fraternity matters
Human fraternity in the UN context emphasizes equal human dignity and cooperation across differences. The day invites governments, UN bodies, civil society and other actors to use education, dialogue and practical cooperation to resist hatred, intolerance and discrimination.
The resolution also takes note of the 4 February 2019 Abu Dhabi meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyib, which resulted in the document “Human fraternity for world peace and living together”.
History of International Day of Human Fraternity
On 4 February 2019, Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmad al-Tayyib met in Abu Dhabi and signed the Document on Human Fraternity.
On 21 December 2020, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/75/200 and proclaimed 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity, to be observed every year beginning in 2021.
The UN Secretary-General welcomed the first International Day on 4 February 2021 and specifically acknowledged the United Arab Emirates and Egypt for co-facilitating the proposal process.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
United Arab Emirates and Egypt, co-facilitating the proposal process
The Secretary-General’s message for the first observance explicitly applauds the United Arab Emirates and Egypt for co-facilitating the process that produced the General Assembly resolution.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/75/200
First documented observance
The Secretary-General explicitly welcomed the first International Day of Human Fraternity on 4 February 2021.
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.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day of Human Fraternity
Compare the language of the establishing resolution with a current UN message and identify which principles remain constant across years.
Host an interfaith or intercultural discussion focused on a shared civic problem, using equal speaking time and clear ground rules rather than treating any participant as representative of an entire community.
Create a short classroom or community resource distinguishing respectful disagreement from dehumanization, stereotyping and hate speech.
Pair the day with a practical cooperation activity—such as a service project or dialogue workshop—where participation does not require shared religious belief.
International Day of Human Fraternity Facts
For International Day of Human Fraternity, the observance falls on 4 February.
A/RES/75/200 was adopted on 21 December 2020.
The resolution says the annual observance begins in 2021.
The Secretary-General described 4 February 2021 as the first International Day of Human Fraternity.
The United Arab Emirates and Egypt were acknowledged by the Secretary-General for co-facilitating the proposal process.
International Day of Human Fraternity Messages
May International Day of Human Fraternity encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing International Day of Human Fraternity a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Day of Human Fraternity, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
International Day of Human Fraternity Quotes
“Together, we can build a world based on equal rights for all and compassion — and live in peace as one human family.”
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/75/L.52 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/75/200 (opens in a new tab)
UN Secretary-General — first International Day message (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day of Human Fraternity (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 of Human Fraternity?
4 February The documented recurrence rule is: 4 February.
Does International Day of Human Fraternity fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Human Fraternity 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 of Human Fraternity?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as United Arab Emirates and Egypt, co-facilitating the proposal process.
Is International Day of Human Fraternity 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 did International Day of Human Fraternity begin?
The General Assembly proclaimed the day in December 2020 and directed that it be observed annually beginning in 2021. The Secretary-General called 4 February 2021 the first International Day.
Why does the history mention 4 February 2019?
The establishing resolution explicitly notes the 4 February 2019 Abu Dhabi meeting and the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. The reviewed sources establish that historical alignment, but this guide does not turn it into a stronger causal claim than the sources make.
Is the day only for religious organizations?
No. The resolution invites Member States, relevant UN organizations, other international organizations and civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe the day in appropriate ways.
Other observances on February 4
These observances are also listed on February 4, 2027.
Day of the Beginning of the Armed Struggle for National Liberation
Angola government sources identify 4 February as the Day of the Beginning of the Armed Struggle for National Liberation and document the 2026 national commemoration; the Health Ministry not…
Homemade Soup Day
Two Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals chapter calendars list Homemade Soup Day on 4 February.
National Independence Day
Sri Lanka National Archives states that Ceylon was declared an independent state on February 4, 1948 after the Ceylon Independence Act 1947 process. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka lists Febr…
Optimist Day
Optimist International states that Optimist Day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday of February and traces the organization’s adoption of that rule to 2013.
Philippine-American War Memorial Day / Araw ng Paggunita sa Digmaang Pilipino-Amerikano
Republic Act No. 11304 declares February 4 of every year Philippine-American War Memorial Day / Araw ng Paggunita sa Digmaang Pilipino-Amerikano and classifies it as a special working holid…