UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has called upon all to reach out to one another as friends and build long-term foundations for lasting peace in the time of mistrust and violence.
Marking the International Day of Friendship, the UN chief said that whatever the cause or however powerful the animosity, the human spirit must prevail, Xinhua reported.
"Let us remember the ties that bind us together, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or borders," Ban said in his message for the International Day. "Let us cultivate solidarity as a single human family on our one and only planet."
This year's message includes a nod to Ban's environmental priority, ahead of a climate summit that he is due to host in September at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The secretary- general is inviting heads of state and government along with private sector and civil society leaders to showcase initiatives and forge alliances that can help launch a sustainable future.