International Day for Human Fraternity 2026; February 4th.

FORUM: “Dialogue Over Division.” International Day of Human Fraternity 2026. This year’s theme calls on all of us to put dialogue over division. Dialogue does not mean we must agree on everything. It means we listen with care, speak with responsibility, and recognize each other’s humanity. Especially when we feel afraid, angry or uncertain. Human fraternity and the values it embodies such as mutual respect, diversity of cultures and religions, and the advancement of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue reminds us of the common values that we share as one humanity. This spirit is particularly needed at a time when many communities are divided across religious, ethnic, and cultural lines. Growing religious hatred, stigma, and manifestations of various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities including minorities are an affront to human rights and United Nations values. Such vile acts risk undermining global efforts to recover and rebuild better in a post-pandemic era. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #4February, #HumanFraternityDay, #peace.

EVENT: On Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 to mark the International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 from 14:00 to 17:00 PM EST (New York time); The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations and Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, are organizing a virtual event for Member States, religious leaders, faith actors, and civil society representatives. The upcoming virtual event will provide an opportunity to highlight the principles and values included in the Document of Human Fraternity and renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity, and advancing dialogue. Register to participate!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Human Fraternity 2026; February 4th.

On this International Day of Human Fraternity, we celebrate equality, dignity and mutual understanding.

By honouring these timeless values, we can help to heal our fractured world.

Too often, cultural and religious differences are exploited to fuel the fires of war, or to scapegoat others for political and economic challenges. At the same time, technology is increasingly used to stoke hatred and spread fear.

We must work harder to find common ground. This is the message at the heart of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, a declaration co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.

Let us draw inspiration from this spirit.

Let us reject fear and division in favour of tolerance, curiosity and respect for diversity.

Together, we can build a world based on equal rights for all and compassion — and live in peace as one human family.

António Guterres.

LIVESTREAM: The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent and international award recognizing individuals or entities across the world who lead by example, collaborating selflessly and tirelessly to bridge divides and create real human connection, often at great personal sacrifice. Honorees receive a USD$1 million prize. The Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement, Afghan girls’ education advocate Ms. Zarqa Yaftali, and Palestinian welfare organization Taawon are the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026 honorees. They are being honored for their humanitarian work in this year’s ceremony on February 4th at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. An independent jury selects these individuals and organizations for their notable contributions to pressing societal issues and nurturing peace and solidarity, making an impact in their communities as well as globally. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent international award that recognizes people and entities of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, who are working selflessly and tirelessly across divides to advance the timeless values of solidarity, integrity, fairness, and optimism, and create breakthroughs towards peaceful coexistence. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026 Ceremony will be streamed live. Watch the livestream!

The Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement, Afghan girls’ education advocate Ms. Zarqa Yaftali, and Palestinian welfare organization Taawon are the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026 honorees. They are being honored for their humanitarian work in this year’s ceremony on February 4th at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. An independent jury selects these individuals and organizations for their notable contributions to pressing societal issues and nurturing peace and solidarity, making an impact in their communities as well as globally. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent international award that recognizes people and entities of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, who are working selflessly and tirelessly across divides to advance the timeless values of solidarity, integrity, fairness, and optimism, and create breakthroughs towards peaceful coexistence. 

Follow the conversation with the hashtags:  #ZayedAwardforHumanFraternity

International Day of Human Fraternity 2025; Feburary 4th.

FORUM: “Honouring people and advancing human fraternity and solidarity around the world.” International Day of Human Fraternity 2025. The Celebration of human fraternity and the values it embodies such as mutual respect, diversity of cultures and religions, and the advancement of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue reminds us of the common values that we share as one humanity. This spirit is particularly needed at a time when many communities are divided across religious, ethnic, and cultural lines. Growing religious hatred, stigma, and manifestations of various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities including minorities are an affront to human rights and United Nations values. Such vile acts risk undermining global efforts to recover and rebuild better in a post-pandemic era. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #4February, #HumanFraternityDay, #peace.

EVENT: On Tuesday, 4 February 2025 to mark the International Day of Human Fraternity 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00 PM EST (New York time); The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations and Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, are organizing a virtual event for Member States, religious leaders, faith actors, and civil society representatives. The upcoming virtual event will provide an opportunity to highlight the principles and values included in the Document of Human Fraternity and renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity, and advancing dialogue. Congratulations to 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Honorees.

LIVESTREAM: The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent and international award recognizing individuals or entities across the world who lead by example, collaborating selflessly and tirelessly to bridge divides and create real human connection, often at great personal sacrifice. Honorees receive a USD$1 million prize. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2025 Ceremony will be streamed live. Watch the livestream!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Human Fraternity 2025; February 4th.

On this International Day of Human Fraternity, we celebrate the values of equality, unity and mutual respect.

Yet today, all over the world, we see a surge of discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance driving people apart and tearing at the fabric of societies.

It is the duty of all of us, including religious leaders, to seek dialogue over division, and confront hatred wherever we find it, before it takes hold and spreads.

The Declaration “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” – co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Teyeb – is a blueprint for interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence. It is a powerful reminder that our shared commitment to human rights and dignity is the foundation of a better future for all.

Inspired by this Declaration, let us recognize that we are one human family — rich in diversity, equal in dignity and rights, and united in solidarity.

Together, we can pave the way for a more peaceful, inclusive and just world for all people.

Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.

International Human Fraternity day 2024; February 4th.

FORUM: “Let’s renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity and advancing dialogue.” International Day of Human Fraternity 2024. The Celebration of human fraternity and the values it embodies such as mutual respect, diversity of cultures and religions, and the advancement of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue reminds us of the common values that we share as one humanity. This spirit is particularly needed at a time when many communities are divided across religious, ethnic, and cultural lines. Growing religious hatred, stigma, and manifestations of various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities including minorities are an affront to human rights and United Nations values. Such vile acts risk undermining global efforts to recover and rebuild better in a post-pandemic era. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #4February, #HumanFraternityDay,#peace.

EVENT: On the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity 2024 on Saturday, 5 February 2024, from 11:00 to 12:00 PM EST (New York time); The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations and Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, are organizing a virtual event for Member States, religious leaders, faith actors, and civil society representatives.The upcoming virtual event will provide an opportunity to highlight the principles and values included in the Document of Human Fraternity and renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity, and advancing dialogue.

LIVESTREAM: The event will be streamed live via UN Web TV and UNAOC. Watch the livestream!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Human Fraternity 2024; February 4th.

On this International Day of Human Fraternity, we celebrate the spirit of mutual respect and solidarity that binds us together as one human family.

Today, these values are being severely tested. Our world is marred by divisions, conflicts, and inequalities. Discrimination is running rampant.

We must come together to protect and uphold human rights, combat hate speech and violent extremism, and push back against those who profit from fear.

We can take inspiration from the declaration “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” – co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb – to work towards a world where dialogue, compassion, and human dignity prevail.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to bridging divides, fostering religious understanding and cooperation among people of all cultures and beliefs.

Together, let us forge a path towards a more peaceful, just and harmonious world for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

International Day of Human Fraternity 2023; February 4th.

FORUM: Promote greater cultural and religious tolerance. International Day of Human Fraternity 2023.

Human fraternity for peace and cooperation. Celebrating human fraternity and the values it embodies such as mutual respect, diversity of cultures and religions, and advancing intercultural and interreligious dialogue reminds us of the common values that we share as one humanity. This spirit is particularly needed at a time when many communities are divided across religious, ethnic, and cultural lines. Growing religious hatred, stigma, and manifestations of various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities including minorities are an affront to human rights and UN values. Such vile acts risk undermining global efforts to recover and rebuild better in a post-pandemic era.

EVENT: On the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity 2023 on Monday, 6 February 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM EST (New York time); The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations and Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, are organizing a virtual event for Member States, religious leaders, faith actors, and civil society representatives.

LIVESTREAM: The event will be streamed live via UN Web TV and UNAOC.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Human Fraternity 2023; February 4th.

The International Day of Human Fraternity celebrates the values of compassion, religious understanding, and mutual respect.

These values underwrite peace and are the glue that hold our human family together.

Yet all over the world, they are being eroded.

By deepening divides, widening inequalities, and growing despair.

By surging hate speech, sectarianism, and strife.

The fact is, we see examples of religious extremism and intolerance in all societies and among all faiths.

It is the duty of religious leaders everywhere to prevent instrumentalization of hatred and defuse extremism amidst their followers.

The declaration “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” – co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb – is a model for interfaith harmony and human solidarity.

Let us all take inspiration and renew our commitment to stand together as one human family.

Together, let us build an alliance of peace. Rich in diversity, equal in dignity and rights, united in solidarity.

António Guterres; U.N. Secretary-General.

CAMPAIGN: Promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.

International Day of Human Fraternity 2022; February 4th

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the UN and the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the UN, is organizing a virtual event celebrating the International Day of Human Fraternity, on Friday, 4 February 2022.

Statement by the U.N.Secretary-General on the International Day of Human Fraternity 2022.