International Day of Peaceful Coexistence2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/79/269
About International Day of Peaceful Coexistence
International Day of Peaceful Coexistence is observed on 28 January. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day through resolution A/RES/79/269, adopted on 4 March 2025.
The observance emphasizes tolerance, respect for religious and cultural diversity, human rights, dialogue and the practical work of living together peacefully across differences.
Why International Day of Peaceful Coexistence matters
Peaceful coexistence does not require communities to erase disagreement or difference. It depends on rights, non-discrimination, safety, dialogue and institutions capable of addressing conflict without dehumanization or violence.
Activities around the day should therefore avoid reducing coexistence to symbolic harmony. They can examine whether people from different communities have equal access, voice and protection in everyday institutions.
History of International Day of Peaceful Coexistence
United Nations sources credit Bahrain’s leadership and advocacy with playing an instrumental role in establishing the observance. Draft resolution A/79/L.53 was submitted by a broader original sponsor group that included Bahrain and 13 other states, with additional sponsors later joining.
On 4 March 2025, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/79/269 and proclaimed 28 January as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.
The first International Day of Peaceful Coexistence was marked on 28 January 2026, as confirmed by United Nations statements and commemorative coverage.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Bahrain-led advocacy within a broader multi-state sponsor group
United Nations in Bahrain states that Bahrain’s leadership and advocacy played an instrumental role in establishing the observance; A/79/L.53 documents the broader original sponsor group.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/269
First documented observance
United Nations in Bahrain and the UN Chronicle explicitly describe 28 January 2026 as the first International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.
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 Peaceful Coexistence
Hold a facilitated dialogue on a real local issue with clear ground rules against harassment and dehumanization, rather than a generic celebration of diversity.
Review whether a school, workplace or community service is accessible and welcoming across religious, linguistic, ethnic or cultural differences.
Study a conflict-prevention or mediation programme and distinguish evidence of reduced harm from purely symbolic activities.
Create a shared-community project around a practical need—such as public space, emergency readiness or youth activity—where cooperation itself is the outcome.
International Day of Peaceful Coexistence Facts
In the entry for International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, International Day of Peaceful Coexistence is observed on 28 January.
The General Assembly established the day through resolution A/RES/79/269 on 4 March 2025.
United Nations sources describe Bahrain’s leadership and advocacy as instrumental in establishing the observance.
The first observance took place on 28 January 2026.
The reviewed sources do not designate one continuing central facilitator or explain the exact historical reason for selecting 28 January.
International Day of Peaceful Coexistence Messages
Wishing everyone observing International Day of Peaceful Coexistence a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
May International Day of Peaceful Coexistence encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
International Day of Peaceful Coexistence Quotes
“Peace is far more than the absence of conflict; it is the ability to live together among our differences while upholding justice and human rights.”
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/79/L.53 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/79/269 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Chronicle — first International Day of Peaceful Coexistence (opens in a new tab)
United Nations in Bahrain — first observance statement (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day of Peaceful Coexistence (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 Peaceful Coexistence?
28 January The documented recurrence rule is: 28 January.
Does International Day of Peaceful Coexistence fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Peaceful Coexistence 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 Peaceful Coexistence?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Bahrain-led advocacy within a broader multi-state sponsor group.
Is International Day of Peaceful Coexistence 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 was International Day of Peaceful Coexistence established?
The UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/79/269 on 4 March 2025 and proclaimed 28 January as the annual observance.
When was the first International Day of Peaceful Coexistence?
United Nations sources explicitly identify 28 January 2026 as the first observance.
Who proposed the observance?
United Nations in Bahrain credits Bahrain’s leadership and advocacy as instrumental, while the formal draft resolution was submitted by a broader multi-state sponsor group.
Other observances on January 28
These observances are also listed on January 28, 2027.
Data Protection Day
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers decided on 26 April 2006 to launch Data Protection Day for annual celebration on 28 January, the anniversary of Convention 108 opening for signa…
Data Protection Day / International Data Protection Day / Privacy Day
The Council of Europe states that its Committee of Ministers designated 28 January as Data Protection Day in 2006 and that the day is now celebrated worldwide under names including Internat…
Global Community Engagement Day
The Consultation Institute identifies January 28 as Global Community Engagement Day and describes Engage 2 Act as the creator of the observance.
José Martí birth anniversary
Granma identifies January 28 as the birth anniversary of Cuba’s National Hero José Martí and documents recurring commemorations around that date.
National Blueberry Pancake Day
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council repeatedly identifies January 28 as National Blueberry Pancake Day and publishes promotional assets for the date.