ACT 1: A world where we are all equal

Session 1: Intergenerational dialogue for peace

A session to explore ways in which different generations can exchange views on the search for peace in a more complex and divided world.

Moderator: Razia Iqbal, Princeton University Professor

Opening Statement: Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs

Bakary Sonko, Founder of The Peace Hub The Gambia

Dolores Hernández, Executive Director, Uno Integra Consultores SC

Juan Manuel Santos, Former President of Colombia and Member of The Elders

Tsakhia Elbegdorj, Former President of Mongolia and Member of The Elders

Session 2: Dismantling patriarchal power structures

The purpose of this session is to help build participants’ understanding of what ‘patriarchal power structures’ are, how they affect the lives and opportunities of all people, the particularly pernicious effect they have in conflict-affected contexts, and to consider concrete steps that can be taken to dismantle such structures to create a more just, fair, equal, and inclusive future.

Moderator: Razia Iqbal, Princeton University Professor

Opening Statement: Alhan Islam (Maryam Bukar Hassan), Poet, Author of Peace Begins With Me

Geroge Kipiani, Former Georgian footballer and the current Technical Director of FC Locomotive Tbilisi

Khaleda Popal, Former Afghan Footballer and Founder & Director of the Girl Power Organisation

Kholood Khair, Founder and Director, Confluence Advisory

Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

ACT 2: A world free from violence

Session 3: A Call to Action for a Future Without Terrorism

Through audio-visual presentations and remarks from prominent leaders and experts, this session will envision a cooperative, networked and interconnected approach to tackle conflict and the spread of terrorism.

Ambassador Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar

Folly Bah, Journalist, Principal Presenter for Al Jazeera English

Manuel José Gonçalves, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique

Safa Haroon, Participant, 2022 Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism

Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT)

Lunch

Walk for Peace - optional self-guided tour

As part of the Action Days, participants are invited to join a “Walk for Peace,” a voluntary and reflective journey across the United Nations premises, along a route that highlights significant art pieces related to the search for peace, donated by various member states. This unguided walk offers an opportunity to explore the artwork that represents peace, solidarity, and global unity.

Session 4: Protection of Civilians in urban settings

This session will raise awareness about the impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas by State and non-State actors, including terrorist groups. Renowned storyteller Giles Duley, the United Nations Global Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations, will describe the long-term impact of war through the stories of five survivors of armed conflict. The session will amplify these voices and highlight the humanitarian impact of war and its legacy on individuals and communities and call for Member States to address how to better protect civilians and to support survivors. 

Ambassador Maritza Chan-Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations

Bethany Ellis, Global Advocacy Advisor for Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict

Giles Duley, UN Global Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations

Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications (DGC)

ACT 3: A more resilient world

Session 5: Imagining Peace in a Digital World

This session will explore future scenarios for international peace and security, considering themes such as new and emerging technologies and climate change, with a particular focus on how digital technologies can be harnessed for peace. This session will showcase multi-stakeholder perspectives and opportunities for collaboration in an interactive dialogue that will feature a demonstration of digital technologies and audience engagement.

Moderator: Joon Baek, Participant, UNODA Youth 4 Disarmament Initiative

Ambassador Maritza Chan-Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations

Benjamin Prud’homme, Vice President, Policy, Safety and Global Affairs at Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute

Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs (ODA)

Jaan Tallinn, Founding engineer of Skype and Kazaa, co-founder of the Cambridge Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and the Future of Life Institute

Omran Sharaf, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology