The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. The General Assembly, in a resolution adopted on 5 June 2007, established the commemoration, the International Day as an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness. The resolution reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.

This year, on the occasion of the Day of Non-Violence, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations will host a special event on 2 October at UN Headquarters, where the President of the 68th session of the General Assembly, Ambassador john Ashe, and the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, will join UN delegations, staff and guests to celebrate non-violence and the 114th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.