Stakeholders from across Cameroon gathered at the National Assembly on September 21 to commemorate the 45th International Day of Peace under the theme “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.”
Parliamentarians from both the National Assembly and the Senate joined representatives from the United Nations system, the diplomatic corps, members of government, civil society organizations, human rights actors, and students.
Chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Mary Muyali Meboka, this historic high-level gathering served as a vital platform to honor conflict victims and recognize the resilience of affected communities across the nation.
Marking a major institutional milestone, both Chambers of Parliament jointly championed the national peace agenda, signaling that lasting stability requires active institutional ownership paired with grassroots action.
Organized by the UN Systems in partnership with the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace – IAPP and the ITAKA Escolapios Foundation, the session focused on turning legislative commitments into practical pathways for peaceful coexistence.
Attendees re-examined mechanisms to make peace durable by expanding spaces for open dialogue, practicing peace as a daily commitment, and cultivating a culture rooted in compassion, patience, and social cohesion.
During the ceremony, United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr. Issa Sanogo delivered the official message of the UN Secretary-General. His address underscored the vital imperative of solidarity, transparent dialogue, and coordinated collective action to accelerate both sustainable development and peace throughout Cameroon. UN leadership emphasized that institutional frameworks must continuously bridge with local community initiatives to address the root causes of conflict and ensure that no region is left behind in national reconciliation efforts.
A key highlight of the commemoration was the official launch of the Academic Peace Project within school milieus. Designed to instill values of dialogue, forgiveness, and mutual respect among youth, the project aims to integrate peace education into educational institutions nationwide. By engaging students and educators directly, the initiative seeks to establish schools as safe spaces for nurturing tolerance and conflict resolution skills early in life.
The high-level event concluded with a renewed determination among Cameroon’s leaders and international partners to promote justice, inclusiveness, and shared responsibility across all sectors of society.
By uniting parliamentary oversight with UN support and community-level action, the initiative sets a forward-looking vision for a harmonious and prosperous future. Leaders reaffirmed that sustaining long-term peace requires continuous investment from institutions, citizens, and local communities alike.
