UN Chief: Gandhi’s Message More Urgent Than Ever in a World Fractured by Conflict
In a powerful call for peace, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reignited the timeless message of Mahatma Gandhi, urging the global community to embrace non-violence and dialogue at a time when the world faces growing turmoil, conflict, and division.
Speaking during a heartfelt commemorative event hosted by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations on the International Day of Non-Violence—observed annually on October 2 to mark Gandhi’s birth—Guterres emphasized that Gandhi’s ideals are not relics of the past but a blueprint for humanity’s future.
“In this time of rising tensions and deepening divisions, Gandhi’s message carries renewed urgency,” Guterres said. “We are seeing dialogue displaced by violence, international law disregarded, and civilians bearing the worst of brutal conflicts. Yet Gandhi’s strength was in peaceful resistance, in confronting oppression with compassion—not cruelty.”
He reminded the world that Gandhi’s philosophy was not born of weakness but immense courage. “Non-violence,” Guterres added, “is the power to resist injustice without hatred and build peace through dignity—not domination.”
A Global Echo for Peace
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the international gathering of diplomats, UN officials, and civil society leaders with an equally strong conviction: “Gandhi’s message is universal. It is not just India’s heritage—it is humanity’s guiding light.”
Harish stressed that as conflict and polarization grip various parts of the globe, the time is ripe to revisit the Mahatma’s truth—his belief in Sarvodaya, the upliftment of all, and the refusal to leave anyone behind in the journey toward peace and justice.
Nepal’s Call for Collective Moral Action
Nepal’s Permanent Representative and President of ECOSOC, Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa, underscored Gandhi’s enduring global relevance, saying that his teachings are not only moral signposts but vital strategies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering unity.
“With growing climate disruptions, violent conflicts, and a trust deficit worldwide, Gandhi’s call to live simply, resolve disputes peacefully, and respect nature is more urgent than ever,” said Thapa.
He called upon the global community to double down on multilateral efforts, especially as the UN nears its 80th anniversary. “We must choose inclusion over isolation, dialogue over division, and cooperation over confrontation. Our strength lies in unity.”
A Personal Reflection for Today’s World
This event wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a mirror held up to our collective conscience.
The truth is, we don’t need to look far to see the urgency in Gandhi’s message. In our streets, our headlines, our digital feeds—division and conflict are becoming the norm. But we still have a choice. We can choose to lead with dignity. We can rebuild trust. We can be brave in our empathy and bold in our kindness.
Gandhi’s life teaches us that peace isn’t passive—it’s an act of courage. As we navigate a world full of uncertainty, let’s not wait for others to change. Let’s be the ones who do.