The 2026 International Day of Peace was celebrated in Djibouti on September 19, 2026, at the King Fahad Complex. The event was co-organized by the State Secretariat for Sports, the Ministry of Youth and Culture, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UNESCO. The celebration brought together a large crowd of young people, representatives of national and international institutions, and numerous guests. The event featured various sports competitions, including football, handball, pétanque, athletics, volleyball, and handisport.
The event started with an opening ceremony, followed by the official kick-off of the tournaments. The public witnessed an impressive display of sports, showcasing diversity and inclusion. The competitions aimed to promote integration and peace through sports. Officials toured each competition area, including handball, tennis, basketball, volleyball, pétanque, athletics, and football, to encourage the athletes. The event highlighted the importance of sports as a universal tool for integration and peace.
Several officials delivered speeches during the event. The President of the Balbala Commune, Mohamed Hassan Said, was the first to speak. The General commanding the French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ), General Olivier Poncet, emphasized the importance of security and human cooperation in maintaining regional stability. The UNESCO representative, Idyle Moussa IYE, highlighted the crucial role of education, culture, and sports in promoting a culture of peace among young people in Djibouti.
The UNDP resident representative in Djibouti, Alessandra Roccasalvo, stressed the close links between peace, security, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She reaffirmed the UNDP's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote social cohesion. The event also featured interventions from representatives of the United Nations systems in Djibouti. The Secretary of State for Sports, Fatouma Ali Abdallah, concluded the speeches, praising the collaboration between ministerial departments and UN agencies.
The Secretary of State for Sports emphasized that sports are not just a game but a school of life that teaches mutual respect, tolerance, and self-overcoming. These values are essential for building a peaceful future, she added. After the sports competitions resumed, the day ended with a ceremony to award trophies to the winning teams, followed by a family photo to commemorate the event.
The celebration demonstrated Djibouti's strong commitment to the ideals of peace and fraternity. The event showed that youth and sports are the strongest bulwarks against divisions. The successful celebration was a testament to the synergy between the government and international partners. The event promoted unity, dialogue, and sustainable development, aligning with the International Day of Peace theme.
The King Fahad Complex was filled with excitement as athletes and teams prepared for the competitions. The event was a vibrant display of sports, promoting integration and peace. The International Day of Peace celebration in Djibouti was a significant success, highlighting the importance of sports in promoting social cohesion and peace.
Key points
- The event promoted unity, dialogue, and sustainable development, aligning with the International Day of Peace theme.
- The celebration demonstrated Djibouti's strong commitment to the ideals of peace and fraternity.
- The event featured various sports competitions, including football, handball, pétanque, athletics, volleyball, and handisport.
