A/HRC/39/31 been focusing on the prevention of violent extremism, in line with the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (A/70/674). 34. With regard to the promotion of intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, Mr. Tararas referred to activities in the context of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2013–2022. Those activities were underpinned by the acknowledgement that peace was not simply the absence of war, but a long-term process that required vigilance and mutual understanding through a participatory approach. The priorities of UNESCO during the second half of the International Decade included the creation of a database that focused on enabling conditions for peace, related advocacy and the development of tools to counter discrimination, xenophobia and prejudices against those who were different. In May 2018 UNESCO had published the book, Long Walk of Peace: Towards a Culture of Prevention, which highlighted the perspectives of 32 United Nations entities on the challenges of peacebuilding and explored how they had perceived and contributed to the peace agenda within their own areas of competence. 35. In line with the emphasis on implementation at the local level in article 3 of the Declaration, UNESCO was also working on expanding its partnerships, including through the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities. The mandate of that coalition was to promote dialogue among local decision makers, recognizing that they had a key role in promoting human rights and peace. Local authorities were duty bearers for issues that had been delegated to their level, including the right to education, housing, access to employment, participation and access to cultural rights. In 2016 UNESCO had launched the “Welcoming Cities for Refugees and Migrants” initiative, which focused on promoting inclusion and protecting rights. 36. To sustain peace and achieve sustainable development, Mr. Tararas stressed the importance of engaging in strong collective action and enhancing collaboration and partnerships, including with the business community, financial institutions, civil society and regional and subregional organizations. In addition, States should enable civil society organizations to play an active and important role in the policy process. Their role would be instrumental in identifying local level partners and in promoting peace education. With Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda as reference points, UNESCO recognized the strategic role of cities in the achievement of global commitments for peace, as the level of governance closest to the inhabitants and to the challenges and opportunities for development. 37. As key messages, Mr. Tararas stressed the need to build on the new dynamic in the area of prevention, as illustrated in recent resolutions from the General Assembly and Security Council and in reports from the Secretary-General. It was also important to promote a whole-of-government approach and to reinforce cooperation with local authorities. Furthermore, in line with a whole-of-society approach, the work with youth and women should be increased in order to promote peace and understanding. Finally, it was important to mainstream a peace perspective throughout the work of the United Nations system and across efforts to achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals. 38. Ms. Pochat said that States and elected representatives had the responsibility to ensure the right to peace, the right to a culture of peace and everyone’s human rights; however, legislation regulating the manufacture and trafficking of weapons was lacking or insufficient, Governments were corrupt and there was a lack of political will to end all armed conflicts. 39. Ms. Pochat called for individual and collective initiatives to achieve peace and build bridges so that everyone could experience peace and revive the essence of human values. Art, especially music, could function as a vehicle for persons individually or collectively to express in a creative manner how they saw life. Paz Sin Fronteras, which had been founded by the musicians Miguel Bosé and Juanes, aimed at contributing to the promotion of the values of peace, human rights and tolerance in the world. In order to bring people and communities closer together, the foundation had organized large concerts, for example in Cúcuta, at the border between Colombia and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and in Havana. 8