PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly on 2 February 2017 declared 12 December as the International Day of Neutrality by adopting the resolution 71/275 which noted the link between the preservation of peace and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The General Assembly resolution also proposes that UN Secretary-General continue to cooperate closely with the neutral states, with a view to implementing the principles of preventive diplomacy and utilizing them in the mediation activities. Neutralism or a "neutralist policy" is a foreign policy position wherein a state intends to remain neutral in future wars. A sovereign state that reserves the right to become a belligerent if attacked by a party to the war is in a condition of armed neutrality.
FORUM: "The power of impartiality." International Day of Neutrality 2025. Neutrality is understood to mean that “humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious, or ideological nature”. Neutrality is much more than an abstract principle, however. International humanitarian organizations often operate in volatile contexts – 60 per cent of students at UNRWA schools have lived through conflict – and neutrality helps to create what is termed “humanitarian space”. By upholding neutrality and working with the sole goal of alleviating suffering wherever it is found, humanitarian organizations can continue their crucial work. For example, neutrality is essential for the Agency to access its beneficiaries and provide them with crucial aid and to communicate with all parties to ensure that its buildings are not affected during times of hostilities or armed violence. Neutrality also enables Humanitarian agencies to work with host governments to import medicines for its clinics and to secure visas for staff to enable them to carry out their professional duties. These illustrations 6 Staff conduct and neutrality), (Infrastructure Installations and neutrality), (Vetting), (Peace Education and Neutrality) are just a snapshot explaining the crucial importance of neutrality for UNRWA operations as a humanitarian actor.The policy of neutrality contributes to strengthening global peace and security and plays an important role in forging peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #PreventiveDiplomacy, #NeutralityDay, #12December, #NeutralistPolicy, #Neutralism.
EVENTS: On December 12th, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, and the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs the UNRWA and other specialized agencies will observe the International Day of Neutrality 2025 at UNHQ to discuss the principles of Neutrality. Neutrality is understood to mean that “humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious, or ideological nature”. Register to participate!
PUBLICATIONS: Read the UN Charter, The law of Armed conflicts, the UN Peacebuilding: An orientation, the Peacemaking convenant about the principles of Peace the UNRWA independent Review on Neutrality, and the writing research of the Peace and Conflicts Journal.
PODCASTS: In the face of political tension and escalating crises, it is of great importance to defend, promote and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security are not endangered. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Neutrality has for decades dovetailed with “international activism” and the articulation of international law and collective action. Let’s focus our attention on Neutral state’s position in international relations. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
In February 2017, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 12th as the International Day of Neutrality proposed by Turkmenistan, recognized by the United Nations as a permanently neutral state since December 1995. Timely application of preventive diplomacy and promotion of peace has been recognized by the Security Council and the General Assembly as the most desirable and efficient means for easing international tensions before they result in conflict.
The types of neutrality are :
Perpetual neutrality: The status of states permanently neutralized by special treaty.
General & Partial neutrality: General neutrality covers the territory of an entire State, but circumstances may exist in which only a part of its territory is neutral, for example, by treaty.
Voluntary & Conventional neutrality: In some instances a state is bound by treaty to remain neutral; in all others the status is purely voluntary.
Armed neutrality: The status of a state which takes military measures to protect its neutral status.
Benevolent neutrality: An obsolete term for less than neutral behavior.Absolute vs.
Qualified neutrality: Qualified neutrality implied the giving of some kind of aid to one belligerent.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
Hence, preventive diplomacy is a core function of the United Nations and is central to the role of the United Nations Secretary-General, including the special political missions of the United Nations and the good offices of the Secretary-General in peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
Prevent existing disputes from escalating into conflicts
Uphold the principles of sovereignty and the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity, self-determination and non-intervention in the internal affairs of any State.
Adopt the policy of neutrality to maintain an attitude of impartiality towards the belligerents
Forge peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of the world.
Recognize the notion of abstention and impartiality
Help ensure that trust territories were administered in the best interests of their inhabitants and of international peace and security
Maintain the trust and cooperation of all
Operate independently and effectively, especially in politically charged situations.
Strengthen global security
Promote Sustainable Peace and mutual understanding.
A neutral state's position involves abstaining from participation in armed conflicts, maintaining impartiality between warring parties, and respecting the inviolability of its territory, meaning they don't provide direct military aid (troops, weapons) to belligerents but can still trade with them.
The International Day of Neutrality is hosted by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, the United Nations Member States, the United Nations Non-Member states, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Secretary-General, the United Nations Trusteeship Council, the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), the United Nations Peacekeeping, the United Nations Department of Peacebuilding affairs and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).
With the participation of Diplomats, International Civil Servants, Humanitarians, Interventionists and the media.
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Based on Articles 2(5) and 25 and on the enforcement action provisions of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Article 2(5) provides: All Members shall give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the present Charter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.
Article 25 requires that: The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter.
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