This year’s World Radio Day theme is “Radio and Peace.” It cannot be more relevant than this moment when the United Nations kicks off its year-long campaign to commemorate the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping.

Operating as part of UN peacekeeping missions, we operate radio networks which are vital to reaching large-scale and diverse communities, particularly in places where internet penetration is poor and the population is very mobile due to conflict and displacement.

On this World Radio Day, I’d like to thank those working in peacekeeping radio stations, in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations, for their immense efforts to help protect communities and build peace. I also want to express my appreciation to other radio stations, particularly those independent networks that help share fact-based information and dispel mis and disinformation, for using their platforms to foster inclusive dialogue, tackle issues of concern to local populations, and spread messages of peace. Lastly, a special thank you to the listeners. Through your active participation, we are a stronger, united movement for peace.