International Day of Living Together in Peace2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/72/130
About International Day of Living Together in Peace
International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed on 16 May. It promotes peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, solidarity and the ability of people with different backgrounds and beliefs to coexist with dignity.
The United Nations General Assembly created the day in 2017 as part of its broader culture-of-peace framework.
Why International Day of Living Together in Peace matters
Living together in peace is more than the absence of armed conflict. The UN culture-of-peace framework emphasizes dialogue, mutual understanding, inclusion and peaceful resolution of differences.
The observance is therefore suited to practical work on reconciliation, anti-discrimination, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, community trust and participation rather than symbolic harmony alone.
History of International Day of Living Together in Peace
Algeria introduced the draft resolution in the General Assembly, and the President of the Assembly later thanked the African Group and Algeria in particular for their work in bringing the Day to life.
On 8 December 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/72/130 and designated 16 May as the International Day of Living Together in Peace.
The General Assembly observed the Day for the first time on 16 May 2018.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Algeria, with the African Group
Algeria introduced draft resolution A/72/L.26; the President of the General Assembly later thanked the African Group and Algeria in particular for their work in bringing the International Day to life.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/72/130
First documented observance
The General Assembly spokesperson explicitly stated that 16 May 2018 was the first observance since the Day was declared.
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 Living Together in Peace
Organize a dialogue that gives participants equal time to listen and respond rather than treating the event as a one-way speech.
Review whether a school, workplace or community process unintentionally excludes people because of language, disability, belief or background.
Learn about mediation, restorative practices or community reconciliation methods from credible institutions.
Pair messages about tolerance with concrete commitments against discrimination, hate speech and violence.
International Day of Living Together in Peace Facts
The Day is observed on 16 May.
The General Assembly adopted A/RES/72/130 on 8 December 2017.
Algeria introduced the establishing draft in the General Assembly.
The first observance took place on 16 May 2018.
The Day sits within the UN culture-of-peace framework.
International Day of Living Together in Peace Messages
May International Day of Living Together in Peace encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing International Day of Living Together in Peace a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Day of Living Together in Peace, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
International Day of Living Together in Peace Quotes
“We can live together, in peace.”
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.
UN General Assembly meeting record A/72/PV.68 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/72/130 (opens in a new tab)
President of the UN General Assembly — first observance (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
UN General Assembly spokesperson — first observance (opens in a new tab)
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 Living Together in Peace?
16 May The documented recurrence rule is: 16 May.
Does International Day of Living Together in Peace fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Living Together in Peace 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 Living Together in Peace?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Algeria, with the African Group.
Is International Day of Living Together in Peace 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 2026-09-05.
When was the International Day of Living Together in Peace established?
The UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/72/130 on 8 December 2017.
Who advanced the proposal?
Algeria introduced the draft resolution, and the General Assembly President later credited the African Group and Algeria in particular for helping bring the Day to life.
When was it first observed?
The General Assembly commemorated it for the first time on 16 May 2018.
Other observances on May 16
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