NEW YORK, September 25 (WSH) — Co-produced by the World Madam Foundation in partnership with Good News, OMMM, and other collaborators, the 21st United Nations International Day of Peace Concert was staged in grand fashion at Times Square on September 20, concluding with resounding success.
The event ran from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It ended with more than 100 volunteers, carrying the flags of the UN’s 193 Member States, forming a great circle symbolizing “unity and peace,” and together raising their voices in the call: “Let Peace Prevail.”
Two theme songs—“Dear World” and “Let Peace Prevail”—stirred both live audiences and millions watching online across global platforms.
Songs that Resonated with Peace
“Dear World” was composed by Dai Rui, President of the International Artificial Intelligence Association, who traveled thousands of miles to perform live alongside American singers Mark MK McLaughlin and Renee Knorr.
“Let Peace Prevail” was performed by World Madam Foundation Founder Anni Huang, World Madam 2024 Global Champion Liora Michelle Greeng, young American singer Martin Qin, and Mark MK McLaughlin.
Both pieces fused passionate and lyrical melodies, with heartfelt lyrics expressing humanity’s fervent longing for peace and bright hopes for the future.
The Inspiration Behind Let Peace Prevail
“Let Peace Prevail” was created with English lyrics by UN Correspondents Association Vice President Martin Jiangang Wang, Chinese lyrics by World Madam Foundation Founder Anni Huang, and composition by World Madam 2021 Global Runner-up Liangzi Liu. The song was first performed at UN Headquarters on March 8, 2024, by Liu and American singer Josh Moreland. It has since been translated into all six official UN languages—Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic—and released worldwide.
In an interview, Annie Huang recalled: “When I first entered the United Nations, I was struck by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s words: ‘The world is over-armed, and peace is under-funded.’ Those words inspired me to use music as a light to awaken the yearning for peace in people’s hearts. My hope is that Let Peace Prevail is not only a song, but also a beacon that inspires people to work together for a future without war. I dedicate it as a gift to the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.”
The Significance of the Day and the Concert’s Impact
The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 and, since 2001, has been observed annually on September 21. Its aim is to advocate for global ceasefire and non-violence, and to encourage nations and peoples to promote peace through education, culture, and cooperation. On this day, the UN Secretary-General traditionally rings the “Peace Bell” at UN Headquarters in New York, while peace concerts, seminars, and cultural events are held around the world. It has become a global day of reflection, reminding humanity that without peace, there can be no sustainable development—nor a future.
By 2024, the International Peace Concert had been successfully held 20 times. The 21st edition in 2025 marked its largest scale ever, with Times Square as its iconic stage. The event was streamed live on multiple global platforms, attracting an estimated audience of over 10 million viewers worldwide, making it a landmark celebration of peace that drew global attention.
