International Day of Human Fraternity 2024

On December 21, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/200, designating February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity, to be commemorated annually starting in 2021.

Co-facilitated by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the resolution acknowledges initiatives fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Notably, it recognizes the historic meeting on February 4, 2019, between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which led to the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.” The resolution also encourages all Member States to actively promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.

Celebrating human fraternity and its underlying principles — including mutual respect, cultural and religious diversity, and the promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue — serves as a poignant reminder of the shared values that unite us as one humanity. This spirit has become especially crucial in these troubled times marked by divisions along religious, ethnic, and cultural lines. The rise of religious animosity, stigma, and various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities, not only violates human rights and UN values, but also poses a serious threat to international peace and security efforts.

The upcoming virtual event will provide an opportunity to highlight the principles and values included in the Document of Human Fraternity and renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity and advancing dialogue.