International Day of Human Fraternity 2026
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026
Event Date: 4 February 2026
Recognizing Body: United Nations General Assembly
Short Event Descriptor: International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is a United Nations observance focused on human fraternity, interreligious dialogue, and intercultural understanding.
What the Event Is
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is a United Nations international day observed each year on 4 February. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to support interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for peace.
The date of 4 February is associated with the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which is referenced in UN-related background materials about the observance.
Origins and Background
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 75/200 in 2020, proclaiming 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity and specifying that it would be observed each year beginning in 2021.
Background materials linked to the UN observance note the 4 February 2019 meeting in Abu Dhabi between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyeb, and the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.”
Purpose and Scope of the Event
The purpose of International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is to recognize human fraternity and to highlight approaches to strengthening mutual understanding across religions, beliefs, and cultures within a framework referenced by the United Nations and related UN bodies. The observance is global in scope and is relevant to member states, international organizations, civil society, and research communities concerned with social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
UN-related materials describing the day emphasize themes such as tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity, and they situate the observance within broader UN work on dialogue and a culture of peace.
Event Theme (Current or Upcoming)
Theme: Not yet announced
For International Day of Human Fraternity 2026, no official global theme was identified in the core UN resolution establishing the day or in publicly available UN-linked background material referenced for the observance. International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is therefore documented without a confirmed theme.
Historical Themes
International Day of Human Fraternity is a relatively recent UN observance, with annual observation beginning in 2021. An official, consistently maintained set of annual themes by year was not identified in the establishing resolution or in the UN-linked background material consulted for this page, so a year-by-year themes table is not included.
Connection to the Sustainable Development Goals
International Day of Human Fraternity is commonly presented in connection with Sustainable Development Goals that relate to education, inclusion, reduced inequalities, and peaceful societies, based on SDG-oriented event documentation.
SDG 4: Quality Education – Advancing inclusive learning that supports respect and understanding among cultures and religions is referenced as a connection point for the observance.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Supporting inclusion and equal opportunity through dialogue and mutual respect is documented as part of the observance’s SDG linkage.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies through intercultural and interreligious understanding is documented as an SDG-related framing for the day.
How the Event Is Observed
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is observed through events and statements held or issued by UN entities, member states, and partner organizations, as well as by religious leaders, faith actors, and civil society representatives in different regions. UN-related event descriptions note that the first observance on 4 February 2021 included a virtual event with broad participation.
In some settings, the day coincides with activities connected to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, an independent award that is presented in conjunction with the International Day of Human Fraternity on 4 February.
Key Facts at a Glance
Date: 4 February 2026
Established by: United Nations General Assembly (Resolution 75/200)
First observed: 4 February 2021
Observance type: United Nations international day
Related document: Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together (signed 4 February 2019, Abu Dhabi)
Associated activity (documented): Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ceremony held on 4 February in Abu Dhabi in conjunction with the observance
International Day of Human Fraternity Themes
| Year | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Islam and Human Fraternity: The Impact and Prospects of the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Coexistence | Marked by the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, emphasizing coexistence. |
| 2020 | Islam and Human Fraternity: The Impact and Prospects of the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Coexistence | Continued focus on the impact of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, promoting coexistence and peace. |
| 2021 | A Pathway to the Future | First observance as part of World Interfaith Harmony Week, promoting peace and mutual understanding as a way forward. |
| 2022 | Commitment to Mutual Respect, Peace, and Acceptance | Emphasized a culture of peace, respect for human rights, and fighting hate speech, inspired by the Human Fraternity declaration. |
| 2023 | Human Fraternity in Promoting and Sustaining Peace | Focus on compassion, respect, and unity as foundations for peace, inspired by the Abu Dhabi declaration. |
| 2024 | Celebrating the Spirit of Mutual Respect and Solidarity | Encouraged upholding human rights, combating hate, bridging divides, and fostering global cooperation for a peaceful future. |
| 2025 | Promoting Unity, Peace, and Tolerance | This theme was chosen to highlight the importance of wetlands for people and the environment, and to encourage action to protect them. |
Frequently Asked Questions – International Day of Human Fraternity 2026
What is International Day of Human Fraternity 2026?
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is a United Nations international day observed on 4 February each year. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for peace.
When is International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 observed?
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is observed on 4 February 2026. The UN resolution establishing the day specifies that it is observed annually on 4 February beginning in 2021.
When was International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 established?
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 was established by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 75/200 adopted in 2020. The same resolution proclaims 4 February as the annual date for the observance.
Why is 4 February significant for International Day of Human Fraternity 2026?
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is observed on 4 February, a date referenced in UN-related background materials in connection with the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019. The observance is framed around principles associated with that document in UN-linked event descriptions.
Was International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 first observed in 2026?
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is part of an annual observance that began in 2021. UN-related materials state that the day was celebrated for the first time on 4 February 2021, following the General Assembly resolution adopted in 2020.
Is there an official theme for International Day of Human Fraternity 2026?
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is documented without a confirmed official theme in this page. The establishing UN resolution and the UN-linked background material consulted do not provide a specific global theme for 2026.
How is International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 connected to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity?
International Day of Human Fraternity 2026 is associated in practice with the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which is presented in conjunction with the UN-recognized day on 4 February. Public award materials describe an award ceremony in Abu Dhabi on 4 February that coincides with the observance.
References
“International Day of Human Fraternity.” United Nations General Assembly. https://docs.un.org/en/a/res/75/200
