The UN Choir is visiting Japan to mark the 70th anniversary of Japan's accession to the United Nations, performing on a "Peace Concert" tour from October 10 to 23, 2026. UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a message for the tour.
In the message he thanks the choir members for their visit and says the "Declaration of Peace through Music" presented at the concerts reminds us that music is truly a language of peace.
He also notes that for decades the UN Choir has carried this message to audiences around the world through the timeless power of choral music, and that Japan has long raised its voice for peace at the UN, building bridges of mutual understanding through diplomacy, dialogue and partnership.
Key points
- A UN Choir tour marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's UN membership
- The Secretary-General's message: music is a language of peace
- Concerts as a chance to recall our shared humanity in a divided age
Why this news deserves attention
International cooperation is often discussed in terms of aid and institutions, but peace also grows from shared experiences in which people's voices and sounds come together. This tour offers a familiar, musical way to feel the 70-year relationship between the UN and Japan.
The message closes by saying peace is always within our reach. It is a line worth taking as a prompt to think about peace starting close to home.
Editor's comment
Music reaches the heart across languages and borders. I hope the UN Choir's concerts will inspire many people to think about peace.
For dates and venues, please check UNIC's announcement. Why not start thinking about peace from where you are?