International Day of Peace events worldwide

OKLAHOMA COMES TOGETHER FOR PEACE

The afternoon brought together diverse voices around a shared commitment to peace. Speakers offered their perspectives on the theme and on how peace can be strengthened in our lives and communities, while music and dance expressed that message through the arts. The program also included meditation, Expressions of Peace, recognitions and awards, and community organization tables that created opportunities for learning, connection, and meaningful engagement. Together, these elements created an atmosphere of reflection, understanding, goodwill, and shared purpose.

Special Guest & Keynote Speaker: BK Gayatri Naraine, Main Representative of the Brahma Kumaris at the UN. Read more.

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Brahma Kumaris, Sri Lanka

Celebrated Peace Day at the various centers across the country. Read full report here.

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Japan news:

On 21 September, the UN International Day of Peace, a public forum entitled “Science × Silence × Dialogue“ was held at the Tsukuba Convention Center, Japan. Although a typhoon reached Tsukuba that day, 60 participants of all generations, including many university students, joined the program. University students took part in planning and running the forum together with the organizing committee.

SCIENCE — Dr. Yasunori Matogawa (Professor Emeritus, JAXA) spoke of how Japan’s space program began with peaceful aims, and how protecting the life on our small “Pale Blue Dot” is the task of all of us who live on Earth.

SILENCE — Asha Didi explained that what we truly seek is peace of mind: not a passive peace, but an “active peace” that comes from living in harmony with our values. “The password to happiness is giving,” she said. “The past is a cancelled cheque and the future is only a promissory note, so value the present.” She invited everyone to invest five to ten minutes a day in themselves, echoing this year’s UN theme, “Invest in Peace,” and then guided the whole hall into a few minutes of silence.

DIALOGUE — Prof. Tetsuya Kono led group discussions on “What is Peace?” and “What is Furusato (Hometown)?”, focusing on mutual respect and peaceful dialogue.

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Programme in Mongolia:

This year, the UN International Day of Peace is celebrated worldwide under the theme “Invest in peace for everyone, everywhere, every day.” In Mongolia, the celebration of the International Day of Peace took place, as usual, on September 21 at noon near the Peace Bell, which is installed in the square in the central square of Sukhbaatar. Mr. Jaap van Heerden, the UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, took part in the event. He delivered a speech on the importance of peace and read out the message from UN Secretary‑General António Guterres on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. He also lit a peace candle and rang the Peace Bell, officially opening the ceremony. Representatives of various religious communities and organizations in Mongolia read prayers and mantras and held meditations on peace and the well‑being of humanity in accordance with their traditions. The event was attended by representatives of the Hindu community, the Buddhist Dash Choy Lin Monastery, the “Oomoto Mongolia” center, the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, the Brahma Kumaris Center, and the Baha’i Community of Mongolia.

Sister Inna Kim from the Brahma Kumaris Center conducted a short meditation and explained the triple meaning of the phrase “Om Shanti.” After that, she suggested that everyone observe a minute of silence in the name of world peace. Ours may be a small but valuable contribution for bringing peace and happiness in the society. On this special day, when people unite in thoughts, prayers, and deeds for the peace and well‑being of all humanity, we express our sincere gratitude to all the people and organizations that joined the celebration and made their contribution to it. Let us rekindle the commitments in our hearts “Invest in peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every day.” Photo gallery.

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Malaysia: Nationwide Celebrations of UN International Day of Peace 2026

We are pleased to present the comprehensive consolidated report covering the nationwide observances of the UN International Day of Peace 2026, organized by the Brahma Kumaris Foundation, Malaysia (BKF) in collaboration with local community partners. While the official United Nations observance falls annually on September 21st, BKF mobilized a synchronized, multi-state campaign spanning mid-to-late September 2026, uniting various
regional centers under peace-centered initiatives to foster personal transformation and collective harmony. Read more.

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Trinidad and Tobago

The celebration was honoured by the presence of The Honourable Jearlean John, Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Deputy Political Leader of the UNC, Member of Parliament for Couva North, and Minister of Works and Infrastructure.

In her remarks, The Honourable Jearlean John reflected on peace not simply as the absence of conflict, but as something that must be built through the choices we make every day—in our homes, our communities, and in the way we treat one another.

She encouraged citizens to recognise that creating a more peaceful society begins with personal responsibility, respect, discipline, and the values we pass on to the next generation.

Also joining the observance were Sister Hemlata from Brahma Kumaris, His Excellency Álvaro Sánchez Cordero, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, together with representatives of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago.

The occasion offered a powerful reminder that peace is not merely an aspiration—it begins within each of us, through our thoughts, words, actions and relationships.

Peace starts with us.
It starts at home.
And it starts with the small things we choose to do every day. Photo gallery