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The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Religions for Peace (RfP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the City of Sarajevo, and the Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are bringing the global “Call for Peace” initiative to Sarajevo.
06 October 2025, New York / Sarajevo – The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Religions for Peace (RfP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the City of Sarajevo, and the Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are jointly organizing the second chapter of the global initiative “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law” from 16–18 October 2025 in Sarajevo.
Launched in April this year in Gernika, Spain, on the 88th anniversary of its bombing, the initiative seeks to transform remembrance into momentum — amplifying a global call to end war and to advance dialogue, peace, and a respect for international law.
The “Call for Peace” continues in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — a city that bears the deep scars of war but also stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and as a testament to the power of recovery, reconciliation, and rebuilding. Linking Gernika and Sarajevo underscores a shared message: remembrance of the tragedies of war can inspire dialogue, reconciliation, and the building of a more peaceful future.
Sarajevo: A City’s Resilience as a Call for Global Action
Marked by its role in the outbreak of World War I and the trauma of its 1990s siege, the longest in modern European history, Sarajevo embodies both the immense human cost of war and the enduring hope for peace. As Bosnia and Herzegovina marks three decades of peace this year, Sarajevo stands as a living reminder of the need and urgency behind the initiative “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars, and Respect for International Law.”
At the crossroads of civilizations, Sarajevo has long been home to Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim communities living side by side. This multi-ethnic and interfaith character makes it a powerful setting to advance dialogue, inclusion, and respect for international law. (For more information about Sarajevo and its significance in this landmark event, click here.)
A Three-day High-level Gathering
Over the course of three days, the Sarajevo “Call for Peace” will bring together high-level officials, government representatives, faith leaders, civil society actors, academics, women and youth to advance a shared vision of peace and mutual respect. The programme will feature keynote remarks from global leaders, and grassroots panels. Thematic sessions include: “Faith in Action: How religious leaders and faith actors can rebuild trust, foster reconciliation, and counter extremism”, “Agents of Peace: The role of civil society in transforming conflict-affected societies”, “Women Shaping Peace: Bridging the gaps in leadership and security”, “Youth: From Words to Action: A focus on empowering new generations as peacemakers”. This unique blend of global leadership and local voices will provide a platform to share lessons, exchange experiences, and send a strong message against war and violence — emphasizing the urgency of peace and the importance of upholding international law.
A Call to Action
The event is open to the public, encouraging participation from governments, religious communities, civil society, academia, youth, women’s networks, media practitioners, and the international community to share stories, ideas, and join a global call for enduring peace.
To register, please visit: https://apply.unaoc.org/callforpeace-sarajevo/
Note: Seating is limited. General participants will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.