United Nations ECOSOC Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre –PEPOLAC has hosted the 2025 South-South Peace Conference and inaugural ceremony in celebration of World Peace Day.
The event, themed “Cultivating a Culture of Peace, Fostering Peaceful Coexistence: The Imperatives in Our Contemporary Society,” was held Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
The South South Peace conference brought together a diverse assembly of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, international and zonal peace advocates as well as newly inducted ambassadors for peace.
In his welcome address, the south south zonal coordinator, Amb. Kufre Japhet, noted that the south south region inaugural and world peace day celebration of UN-PEPOLAC serves as a platform to rediscover a true solidarity against all forms of conflicts. He highlighted some programs carried out by UN-PEPOLAC, south south zone to include scholarships, medical assistants and water project to remote communities, among other projects.
Meanwhile the chairman of the occasion, Amb. Sunday Sampson said UN-PEPOLAC plays vital role in promoting peace, security, development and positive living among people worldwide. He encouraged the public to seek peaceful Coexistence and harmonious living in a world where there are insurgency, war, criminality and general insecurity.
Also, the keynote speaker, Dr Peter Equere, while stressing on the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace, Fostering Peaceful Coexistence: The Imperatives in Our Contemporary Society,” emphasized that in promoting peace, the world must prioritise education, health, housing, job creation and security and adequate care for the elderly. He added that there must be government policies to tame impunity and rascality in the society.
While inaugurating the new appointees, the International Coordinator of PEPOLAC,
Amb. Dr. Festus Ozoemena, emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of peace through education, dialogue, and community engagement. He noted that PEPOLAC’s mission aligns with the UN’s vision of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated peace ambassadors, pledged to advocate for peace and positive living in their respective communities.
Highpoints of the event were, Inauguration of new UN-PEPOLAC Ambassadors, Investiture and presentation of awards.