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UN accepts UAE initiative to mark February 4 as International Day for Human Fraternity

New York - Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity thanks UAE for making the new achievement in the service of humanity possible

The international community is set to observe February 4 as International Day for Human Fraternity after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution based on an initiative that was introduced by the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The day will be marked annually beginning 2021.

Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, told the UN General Assembly earlier, "In recent years, the world has been witnessing a dramatic increase in violence, hate speech, xenophobia, religious bigotry, and other forms of discrimination. In the face of such transnational threats, we need to support initiatives that encourage solidarity and unity among people in the spirit of human fraternity".

“Through this initiative, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt aspire to celebrate together shared values of acceptance, openness, empathy, and love towards other human beings,” she added.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), affirmed that the adoption of the UN resolution is a testament to HCHF's achievements as well as further international recognition of the historic Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019 by Al Azhar’s Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyib and His Holiness Pope Francis.

"We thank the United Arab Emirates, who through the UAE Mission to the United Nations, made this new achievement in the service of humanity,” Abdelsalam said.

The UN resolution also expresses deep concern for acts that advocate religious hatred and undermine the spirit of tolerance, especially as the world confronts the unprecedented crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It also highlights the need for a global response to the pandemic built upon unity, solidarity, and renewed multilateral cooperation.

The resolution further recognises the valuable contributions of people of all religions and beliefs to humanity, and underlines the role of education in promoting tolerance and eliminating discrimination based on religion or belief. It commends all international, regional, national, and local initiatives and efforts by religious leaders to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

The resolution was co-sponsored by 34 UN member states.