In his New Year’s video message, Secretary-General António Guterres urges “More Than Ever.” 2023, With 100 million people fleeing war, natural disasters, and poverty by 2022, peace is urgently required.
Every New Year marks a new beginning. We sweep the ashes of the previous year away and prepare for a brighter day. Millions of people around the world literally swept out of ashes in 2022. People fled the ruins of their homes and lives in Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and elsewhere in search of a better life. 100 million people were on the move around the world, fleeing wars, wildfires, droughts, poverty, and hunger.
We need peace now more than ever in 2023. Through dialogue, we can achieve peace with one another. To build a more sustainable world, we must make peace with nature and our climate. Home peace allows women and girls to live in dignity and safety. Peace on the streets and in our neighbourhoods, with full respect for all human rights. Respect for each other’s beliefs in our places of worship. And online peace, free of hate speech and abuse.
“In 2023, let’s put peace at the heart of our words and actions. Together, let’s make 2023 a year when peace is restored to our lives, our homes and our world”.