22nd plenary meeting

4 May 1982

International Year of Peace and International Day of Peace

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling that the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations proclaims the determination of the peoples of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and, for that end, to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours and to unite their strength to maintain international peace and security,

Recognizing that, in spite of resolute efforts of the United Nations, peace continues to be a goal whose attainment is only precarious, and is not a living and permanent awareness of all human beings and peoples,

In pursuance of General Assembly resolution 36/67 of 30 November 1981, in which the Assembly invited the Economic and Social Council to consider the possibility of declaring an International Year of Peace at the first practicable opportunity, taking into account the urgency and special nature of such an observance as well as the guidelines for international years and anniversaries adopted by the General Assembly in its decision 35/424 of 5 December 1980,

Reaffirming the validity of the guidelines for international years and anniversaries adopted by the General Assembly in that decision and taking into account that the special urgency and importance which the General Assembly attached to this Year seems exceptionally, in this instance, to justify some derogation from the guidelines,

Considering that, since the promotion of peace in accordance with the principles of the Charter is a fundamental purpose of the United Nations, the proclamation and subsequent observance of the International Year of Peace could be linked to the fortieth anniversary of the Organization on 24 October 1985,

1. Recommends the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session:

(a) To establish 1986 as the International Year of Peace;

(b) Solemnly to proclaim the International Year of Peace on 24 October 1985, the date of the observance of the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations, on the understanding that the activities of the Year will begin on 1 January 1986;

(c) To invite Member States and observers, relevant organs and organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations concerned to submit to the Secretary-General suggestions for the observance of the International Year of Peace;

2. Further recommends that the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session should request the Secretary-General, taking into account the suggestions referred to in paragraph 1 (c) above, to propose to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session a draft programme and budget for the observance of the International Year of Peace, on the understanding that its financing will conform to the guidelines laid down by decision 35/424.