Today, 21st September, SADC joins the international community to commemorate the International Day of Peace. The day was set aside by the United Nations in 1982 to among others recognize the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. The day is commemorated on 21st September each year for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to peace and engendering a global culture of peacefulness, and to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
Absence of peace results in loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, internal displacement, and in the process, commitment of various kinds of human rights abuses, especially on minorities, women and children that ultimately derail efforts to ensure improvement of the living standards of people and attainment of the socio economic development of states.
SADC has spared no effort in finding solutions to all manifestations of conflict in the region with the goal of attaining durable peace. Among others, SADC has put in place mechanisms to ensure mediation, conflict prevention and resolution of conflicts to ensure long-lasting solutions to its political and security challenges.
Attainment of universal peace can only be effectively achieved through collective efforts and the creation of conditions that promote peace at the community, national, regional, continental and global levels. I wish to call upon all Member States and the international community to continue to work together towards the realization of durable peace and ensure that the objectives of the day of international peace are realized.
