KABUL - Drama performances portraying the effects of war on Afghan communities, especially children, were a key component of an International Day of Peace event in Kabul today.

More than 50 people, including government officials and UN workers, attended the event.

Observed around the world, the UN General Assembly declared 21 September as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This year’s theme is ‘Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.’

The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of seventeen aspirational global goals to eliminate poverty and hunger, and address a range of other issues, by 2030. In September 2015, the 193 countries of the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda.

Mohammad Qasem Haidary, Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority deputy, spoke at the event and said peace is a priority for the country. He thanked the international community for its contribution to building peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The event was supported by Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan (MACCA), a United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) project. 

UNMAS is part of the UN family in Afghanistan. More than 20 different UN entities are present in the country, working to support the Afghan government’s priorities through a broad spectrum of development and humanitarian activities, including through support for development planning, resource mobilization, and coordination of international donors and organizations.