SARAJEVO JOINT STATEMENT:
“A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law”
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
16-18 October 2025
We, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Secretary-General of Religions for Peace, the Mayor of Sarajevo, the Chairman of the Assembly of the Inter-religious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, women and youth leaders, academics, and civil society actors, gathered in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 16 to 18 October 2025, on the occasion of the second chapter of the initiative, “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law”,
Building on the lessons learned and the success of the discussions held at the launch of the “Call for Peace” initiative in Gernika, Spain, and inspired by the momentum generated through this global call to further advance dialogue, foster mutual understanding, and mobilize collective action to build a peaceful future,
Recalling the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the determination “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women, and of nations large and small,
Recalling also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, as well as other relevant international instruments aimed at the promotion of peace, tolerance, reconciliation and cooperation among peoples,
Taking note of the Cascais Declaration adopted at the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in November 2024, and welcoming the efforts of the international community to advance intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a response to the challenges of violent extremism, intolerance and hatred,
Recognizing Sarajevo as a city of unique symbolism — a place where the outbreak of global conflict in 1914 shaped the course of the twentieth century, where citizens endured the longest siege in modern European history, and where today the spirit of multiculturalism, reconciliation and resilience inspires hope for future generations,
Acknowledging the urgent need to rebuild trust in international law, multilateralism and diplomacy at a time when armed conflicts, occupations, terrorism and violations of international humanitarian law continue to cause suffering across the globe,
Alarmed by the proliferation of hate speech, disinformation and incitement to violence, which threaten social cohesion, deepen divides and endanger peaceful coexistence,
Recognizing the importance of the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and encouraging the world powers to redirect their military outlays to a world fund to relieve the needs of impoverished peoples,
Encouraging the full engagement of youth, women, religious leaders, media actors, academia and civil society in promoting dialogue, reconciliation and the prevention of conflicts,
Welcoming innovative approaches, including education for peace, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, cultural diplomacy, sports diplomacy and the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence and new technologies, as tools to foster trust, cooperation and peaceful coexistence,
Mindful of our collective responsibility to safeguard cultural and religious heritage, to respect diversity as a source of enrichment for humanity, and to ensure that the tragedies of the past are not repeated,
Determined to work together for a world in which wars are brought to an end, where international law is respected, and where humanity advances in unity and dignity,
We declare the following:
Our Commitments
Reaffirmation of Peace and International Law
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, to international law and international humanitarian law, and stress that no justification exists for wars of aggression, terrorism or attacks on civilians, cultural heritage and religious sites.
Sarajevo as a Global Symbol
We acknowledge Sarajevo as a city of bridges – between cultures, religions and civilizations – a reminder of the devastation of war and a beacon of hope for reconciliation, coexistence and peace.
Dialogue and Reconciliation
We recognize the indispensable role of intercultural, interreligious and inter-civilizational dialogue in preventing conflict, fostering reconciliation and rebuilding trust among nations and peoples.
Human Dignity, Equality and Non-Discrimination
We reaffirm the inherent dignity and equal rights of all human beings. We strongly condemn racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, Christianophobia, and all forms of hatred, intolerance and exclusion.
Women and Youth as Agents of Peace
We emphasize the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding, mediation and decision-making processes. We recognize the transformative power of youth as agents of creativity, innovation and peace, and pledge to support youth-led initiatives to counter extremism and intolerance.
Religious Leaders and Faith Actors as Bridges for Peace
We acknowledge the vital role of religious leaders and faith actors in fostering mutual understanding, reconciliation and respect among communities. We emphasize their capacity to serve as bridges for dialogue across divides, countering intolerance and violence, and promoting values of compassion, solidarity and unity in diversity.
Restoring Trust in Multilateralism and Diplomacy
We underline the urgent need to restore trust in multilateralism, strengthen solidarity, and deepen international cooperation, including through preventive diplomacy, mediation and reconciliation efforts.
Countering Hate Speech and Disinformation
We express profound concern at the global spread of disinformation, misinformation and incitement to hatred, and commit to advancing information integrity, responsible media and education for critical thinking.
Respect for Diversity and Safeguarding Heritage
We celebrate cultural, religious and linguistic diversity as enrichment for humankind. We pledge to safeguard cultural and religious heritage as an essential foundation for peaceful and inclusive societies.
Innovation, Education and Future Generations
We welcome the responsible use of innovation – including artificial intelligence, education for peace, sports diplomacy and cultural initiatives – as tools for dialogue, understanding and sustainable peace. We stress the importance of intergenerational dialogue as a bridge between memory and the future.
From Words to Action
We call upon Member States, international organizations, civil society, religious leaders and faith-based communities, women and youth networks, and all stakeholders to translate these commitments into concrete actions at local, national, regional and international levels, and to ensure accountability for advancing the cause of peace and respect for international law, and encourage the creation of a lobby for peace to mobilize all stakeholders to support this initiative
We, the participants of the Sarajevo “Call for Peace”, proclaim this Joint Statement as a renewed call to end wars, to restore trust, and to uphold respect for international law — convinced that humanity can only advance in unity, dignity, justice and peace.