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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T235959
DTSTAMP:20260525T204703
CREATED:20240112T230413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182438Z
UID:10001146-1709251200-1709337599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Seagrass Day
DESCRIPTION:Healthy seagrass\, healthy planet\nIn May 2022\, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/76/265 proclaiming 1 March as World Seagrass Day. The resolution highlights the urgent need to raise awareness at all levels and to promote and facilitate actions for the conservation of seagrasses in order to contribute to their health and development\, bearing in mind that enhancing ecosystem services and functions is important for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. \n\nWhy seagrass matters\nSeagrasses are marine flowering plants that are found in shallow waters in many parts of the world\, from the tropics to the Arctic circle. They form extensive underwater meadows\, creating complex\, highly productive and biologically rich habitats. \nCovering only 0.1% of the ocean floor\, these seagrass meadows provide food and shelter to thousands of species of fish\, seahorses\, turtles\, etc. and sustain some of the world’s largest fisheries. They improve water quality by filtering\, cycling and storing nutrients and pollutants\, reducing contamination in seafood. Highly efficient carbon sinks\, they can store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon\, making them a powerful nature-based solutions to tackle climate change impacts. Because they buffer ocean acidification\, they contribute to the resilience of the most vulnerable ecosystems and species\, such as coral reefs. And to the coastal populations\, they act as the first line of defense along coasts by reducing wave energy\, protecting people from the increasing risk of floods and storms. \n\nA resource in danger\nDespite its important contribution to sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation\, this core component of marine biodiversity is in danger and only about a quarter of all meadows fall within marine protected areas. \nSeagrasses have been declining globally since the 1930s\, with the most recent census estimating that 7% of this key marine habitat is being lost worldwide per year. It was recently noted that 21% of seagrass species are categorized as Near Threatened\, Vulnerable and Endangered Species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. \nThe combined pressures of coastal development\, pollution\, including land-based run-off\, climate change\, dredging and unregulated fishing and boating activities are key drivers of the degradation of seagrasses and their associated ecosystems. \n\nProtection works\nDespite a general global trend of seagrass loss\, some areas have shown abating declines or substantial recovery of seagrasses. These recoveries can often be attributed to human interventions reducing the effect of human-caused stressors. \nSeagrasses are critical for life underwater\, but also provide wide-ranging benefits to people on land. Raising awareness about their importance for community well-being\, whether through food security from fish production\, improved quality of water filtered by seagrasses\, protection of coasts from erosion\, storms and floods\, or carbon sequestration and storage will drive efforts around the world to conserve\, better manage and restore these ecosystems. \nUltimately\, the protection and restoration of seagrass meadows will help countries achieve multiple economic\, societal and nutritional objectives\, aligning with and supported by policies implemented at the national\, regional or global levels. For example: \n\nThe benefits from conserving and restoring seagrass meadows can also help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators associated with ten Sustainable Development Goals.\nGiven the carbon storage and sequestration capacity of seagrass ecosystems\, including them in nationally determined contributions (NDCs) can help nations achieve their targets under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).\nInclusion of seagrass ecosystems in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is also critical for protecting the integrity of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.\nRestoration of seagrasses also provides countries with opportunities to achieve commitments to be made to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.\n\nInclusion of seagrass management\, conservation and restoration should be a critical component of sustainable blue economy strategies in the future. Projects are already underway in various countries\, and a few have even been selected as World Restoration Flagships initiatives. Chosen as best examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration\, these projects embody the 10 restoration principles of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\nSeagrass meadows exist in 159 countries on six continents\, covering over 300\,000 km2\, making them one of the most widespread coastal habitats on Earth.\nAlmost 30% of global seagrass area has been lost since the late nineteenth century and at least 22 of the world’s 72 seagrass species are in decline.\nSeagrasses\, as a part of the marine ecosystem\, store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon.\nConserving and restoring seagrass meadows can also help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators associated with ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).\n\n\nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-seagrass-day/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/seagrass-day-benjamin-l-jones.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T235959
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240112T231245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182218Z
UID:10001147-1709251200-1709337599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:Zero Discrimination Day
DESCRIPTION:ABOUT ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY\nOn Zero Discrimination Day\, 1 March\, we celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion\, compassion\, peace and\, above all\, a movement for change. Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination. \nOn Zero Discrimination Day this year\, under the theme “Save lives: Decriminalise”\, UNAIDS is highlighting how the decriminalisation of key populations and people living with HIV saves lives and helps advance the end of the AIDS pandemic. \n\nCriminal laws targeting key populations and people living with HIV violate people’s human rights\, exacerbate the stigma people face and put people in danger by creating barriers to the support and services they need to protect their health. \nIn 2021\, the world set ambitious law reform targets to remove criminal laws that are undermining the HIV response and leaving key populations behind. Recognising decriminalization as a critical element in the response\, countries made a commitment that by 2025 less than 10% of countries would have punitive legal and policy environments that affect the HIV response. \nHowever\, despite some encouraging reforms\, the world is far from achieving the target. In fact\, today there are 134 countries explicitly criminalising or otherwise prosecuting HIV exposure\, non-disclosure or transmission; 20 countries criminalise and/or prosecute transgender persons; 153 countries criminalise at least one aspect of sex work; and 67 countries now criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity\, according to UNAIDS. In addition\, 48 countries still place restrictions on entry into their territory for people living with HIV\, while 53 countries report that they require mandatory HIV testing\, for example for marriage certificates or for performing certain professions. 106 countries report requiring parental consent for adolescents to access HIV testing. \nCriminalisation drives discrimination and structural inequalities. It robs people of the prospect of healthy and fulfilling lives. And it holds back the end of AIDS. \nWe must end criminalisation to save lives. \nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/zero-discrimination-day/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/zero-discrimination-day.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T120000
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240114T001907Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182147Z
UID:10001163-1709460000-1709467200@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Wildlife Day
DESCRIPTION:Online Event accessed through CITES YouTube Channel\n\nThe incalculable value of wildlife\nBillions of people\, in developed and developing nations\, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food\, energy\, materials\, medicine\, recreation\, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. \nThe accelerating global biodiversity crisis\, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction\, threatens these contributions to people. \nWorld Wildlife Day (WWD) is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time\, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species\, which have wide-ranging economic\, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects\, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss. \n\nFifty years promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation\nWorld Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation“\, honoring the people who are making a difference. \nPartnerships operate on a large scale or involve a few children or a school. For some\, it could be organizing a school sale to benefit a conservation group\, for others it could be posting photographs online to raise awareness of endangered species. All of them are equally valid. \nThis upcoming year\, the UN celebrates a special partnership: the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). \nThis Convention is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Today\, it grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37\,000 species of animals and plants. \nThrough the past 50 years\, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES\, and WWD will celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form\, making a significant contribution to sustainability\, wildlife and biodiversity conservation. \nIn accordance with this convention\, UN agencies\, private sector organizations\, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation\, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife. \nSustaining existing partnerships and building new ones is critical for the future of life on earth. \nWe need to change our relationship with nature and we need to work together. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\n50\,000 Wild Species Meet Needs of Billions Worldwide.\n1 in 5 people around the world rely on wild species for income and food\, while 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.\nIt seems surprising\, but cacti\, seaweeds\, giraffes\, parrots\, and oak trees are groups of species endangered. Currently there are one million species under threat.\n\n\nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-wildlife-day-2/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gorilla_portrait.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240112T233257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182118Z
UID:10001148-1709460000-1709485200@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Wildlife Day
DESCRIPTION:The incalculable value of wildlife\nBillions of people\, in developed and developing nations\, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food\, energy\, materials\, medicine\, recreation\, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. \nThe accelerating global biodiversity crisis\, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction\, threatens these contributions to people. \nWorld Wildlife Day (WWD) is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time\, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species\, which have wide-ranging economic\, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects\, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss. \n\nFifty years promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation\nWorld Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation“\, honoring the people who are making a difference. \nPartnerships operate on a large scale or involve a few children or a school. For some\, it could be organizing a school sale to benefit a conservation group\, for others it could be posting photographs online to raise awareness of endangered species. All of them are equally valid. \nThis upcoming year\, the UN celebrates a special partnership: the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). \nThis Convention is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Today\, it grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37\,000 species of animals and plants. \nThrough the past 50 years\, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES\, and WWD will celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form\, making a significant contribution to sustainability\, wildlife and biodiversity conservation. \nIn accordance with this convention\, UN agencies\, private sector organizations\, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation\, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife. \nSustaining existing partnerships and building new ones is critical for the future of life on earth. \nWe need to change our relationship with nature and we need to work together. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\n50\,000 Wild Species Meet Needs of Billions Worldwide.\n1 in 5 people around the world rely on wild species for income and food\, while 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.\nIt seems surprising\, but cacti\, seaweeds\, giraffes\, parrots\, and oak trees are groups of species endangered. Currently there are one million species under threat.\n\n\nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-wildlife-day/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gorilla_portrait.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240227T182027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182027Z
UID:10001162-1709460000-1709485200@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Wildlife Day
DESCRIPTION:The incalculable value of wildlife\nBillions of people\, in developed and developing nations\, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food\, energy\, materials\, medicine\, recreation\, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. \nThe accelerating global biodiversity crisis\, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction\, threatens these contributions to people. \nWorld Wildlife Day (WWD) is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time\, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species\, which have wide-ranging economic\, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects\, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss. \n\nFifty years promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation\nWorld Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation“\, honoring the people who are making a difference. \nPartnerships operate on a large scale or involve a few children or a school. For some\, it could be organizing a school sale to benefit a conservation group\, for others it could be posting photographs online to raise awareness of endangered species. All of them are equally valid. \nThis upcoming year\, the UN celebrates a special partnership: the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). \nThis Convention is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Today\, it grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37\,000 species of animals and plants. \nThrough the past 50 years\, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES\, and WWD will celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form\, making a significant contribution to sustainability\, wildlife and biodiversity conservation. \nIn accordance with this convention\, UN agencies\, private sector organizations\, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation\, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife. \nSustaining existing partnerships and building new ones is critical for the future of life on earth. \nWe need to change our relationship with nature and we need to work together. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\n50\,000 Wild Species Meet Needs of Billions Worldwide.\n1 in 5 people around the world rely on wild species for income and food\, while 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.\nIt seems surprising\, but cacti\, seaweeds\, giraffes\, parrots\, and oak trees are groups of species endangered. Currently there are one million species under threat.\n\n\nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-wildlife-day-3/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gorilla_portrait.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240320T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240320T235959
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240201T004142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181138Z
UID:10001220-1710892800-1710979199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Happiness
DESCRIPTION:What is the International Day of Happiness?\nIt’s a day to be happy\, of course! Since 2013\, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. \nHappiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive\, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.” \nIn 2015\, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals\, which seek to end poverty\, reduce inequality\, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness. \nThe United Nations invites each person of any age\, plus every classroom\, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness. \n\n\nBackground\nThe General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness\, recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. It also recognized the need for a more inclusive\, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development\, poverty eradication\, happiness and the well-being of all peoples. \nThe resolution was initiated by Bhutan\, a country which recognized the value of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s and famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product. It also hosted a High Level Meeting on “Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly. \n\nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-happiness/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/happy.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T235959
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240114T000405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181021Z
UID:10001155-1710979200-1711065599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
DESCRIPTION:Background\nThe International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville\, South Africa\, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. \nIn 1979\, the General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion\, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination\, beginning on 21 March\, would be organized annually in all States. \nSince then\, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries\, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism\, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is now nearing universal ratification\, yet still\, in all regions\, too many individuals\, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings. \n\n75th anniversary of the UDHR – an impetus to combat racism\nThe 2023 theme of the International Day focuses on the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination\, 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). \nSeventy-five years ago\, for the first time\, the international community agreed on a set of common values and acknowledged that rights are inherent to every single human being and not granted by the State. These rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights\, a blueprint for international human rights norms. \nThe UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms\, without distinction of any kind\, such as race and colour\, among others. However\, racism and racial discrimination continue to affect people all over the world. \nThe commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the UDHR should give States an impetus to take prompt and robust steps\, in law and in practice\, to advance equality and combat racism\, racial discrimination\, xenophobia and related intolerance. \nThe UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights\, Volker Türk\, has invited all States\, as part of the Human Rights 75 initiative\, to combat racial discrimination by committing to take specific and urgent actions. \n\nMajor UN meetings and events\nIn September 2021\, the United Nations General Assembly brought together world leaders for a one day meeting in New York to mark the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action under the theme of “Reparations\, racial justice and equality for People of African Descent.” \nIn 2001\, the World Conference against Racism produced the most authoritative and comprehensive programme for combating racism\, racial discrimination\, xenophobia and related intolerance: the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). In April 2009\, the Durban Review Conference examined global progress made in overcoming racism and concluded that much remained to be achieved. Undoubtedly\, the greatest accomplishment of the conference was the renewed international commitment to the anti-racism agenda. \nIn September 2011\, the United Nations General Assembly held a one day high-level meeting in New York to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. There\, world leaders adopted by consensus a political declaration proclaiming their “strong determination to make the fight against racism\, racial discrimination\, xenophobia and related intolerance\, and the protection of the victims thereof\, a high priority for [their] countries.” \nComing as it did during the 2011 International Year for People of African Descent\, the 10th anniversary was a chance to strengthen political commitment in fighting racism and racial discrimination. \nOn 23 December 2013\, the General Assembly proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent commencing 1 January 2015 and ending on 31 December 2024\, with the theme “People of African descent: recognition\, justice and development.” \nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-for-the-elimination-of-racial-discrimination/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240322T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240322T235959
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240114T003505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180831Z
UID:10001165-1711065600-1711151999@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Water Day
DESCRIPTION:Key messages for World Water Day 2024\n\nWater can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted\, or when people struggle for access\, tensions can rise. By cooperating on water\, we can balance everyone’s water needs and help stabilize the world.\nProsperity and peace rely on water. As nations manage climate change\, mass migration and political unrest\, they must put water cooperation at the heart of their plans.\nWater can lead us out of crisis. We can foster harmony between communities and countries by uniting around the fair and sustainable use of water – from United Nations conventions at the international level\, to actions at the local level.\n\nWater for peace\nWater can create peace or spark conflict. \nWhen water is scarce or polluted\, or when people have unequal\, or no access\, tensions can rise between communities and countries. \nMore than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet\, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water. \nAs climate change impacts increase\, and populations grow\, there is an urgent need\, within and between countries\, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource. \nPublic health and prosperity\, food and energy systems\, economic productivity and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle. \n\nCreating a positive ripple effect\nThe theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’. \nWhen we cooperate on water\, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony\, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges. \nWe must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right\, intrinsic to every aspect of life. \nThis World Water Day\, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace\, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow. \n\n\n\n\nPlay your part!\n\nBe part of the global campaign on ‘Water for Peace’. We need everyone – from individuals and families to companies and governments – to do what they can to cooperate on water and pave the way for a more harmonious society. Download resources to get involved this World Water Day and find out more about the connection between water and peace. \n\n\n\n\nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-water-day/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T235959
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240201T011733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180653Z
UID:10001225-1711324800-1711411199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
DESCRIPTION:2024 Remembrance Programme\n   “Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations”\n  \nThe transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans represents one of the most horrific and traumatizing eras in human history. \nThis racialized system of enslavement abducted\, trafficked\, and brutally dehumanized Africans and their descendants over centuries leaving a pernicious legacy of racism grounded in the false narrative of white supremacy. \nA critical antidote to countering racism with justice is to acknowledge the fundamental dignity\, equality\, and rights of people of African descent within communities\, institutions\, policies\, laws\, and governing bodies. \nRecognizing the egregious history and legacies of enslavement the United Nations will step up efforts to address racism\, intolerance\, bigotry and hatred to advance the cause of global freedom. \n\n25 March 2024\nGeneral Assembly Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade\nThe United Nations General Assembly will hold a meeting to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade reflecting of this year’s theme “Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations”. Speakers will include the President of the General Assembly\, the Secretary-General\, Member States\, a keynote and a youth speaker. (more to come)\nWatch on UNWebTV: https://webtv.un.org/en \n\nThe Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery was established in 2007 with the adoption of General Assembly resolution 62/122. The Programme raises awareness of the history of the transatlantic slave trade\, its impact on the modern world\, and its legacies\, including racism and prejudice. Over the years\, the Programme has established a global network of partners\, including from educational institutions and civil society\, and developed resources and initiatives to educate the public about this dark chapter of history and promote action against racism. \n  \nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/the-international-day-of-remembrance-of-the-victims-of-slavery-and-the-transatlantic-slave-trade/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240330T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240330T235959
DTSTAMP:20260525T204704
CREATED:20240116T194348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180606Z
UID:10001169-1711756800-1711843199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Zero Waste
DESCRIPTION:International Day of Zero Waste\nThe International Day of Zero Waste aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns\, support the societal shift towards circularity and raise awareness about how zero-waste initiatives contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. \nThe waste sector contributes significantly to the triple planetary crisis of climate change\, biodiversity and nature loss\, and pollution. Humanity generates an estimated 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually\, of which only 55 per cent is managed in controlled facilities. Every year\, around 931 million tons of food is lost or wasted and up to 14 million tons of plastic waste enters aquatic ecosystems. \nZero-waste initiatives can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste\, helping to address the triple planetary crisis\, protect the environment\, enhance food security and improve human health and well-being. \n\nAdopting zero waste\nA zero-waste approach entails responsible production\, consumption and disposal of products in a closed\, circular system. This means that resources are reused or recovered as much as possible and that we minimize the pollution to air\, land or water. \nAchieving zero waste requires action at all levels. \nProducts should be designed to be durable and require fewer and low-impact materials. By opting for less resource-intensive production and transport methods\, manufacturers can further limit pollution and waste. Advertising and closely managing demand can further enable zero waste throughout products’ life cycles. \nConsumers can also play a pivotal role in enabling zero waste by changing habits and reusing and repairing products as much as possible before properly disposing of them. \nWith governments\, communities\, industries and other stakeholders increasingly recognizing the potential of zero-waste initiatives\, bolstering waste management and improving recovery systems through finance and policymaking. The Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production can guide this transition. Established by the United Nations General Assembly\, Member States and stakeholders\, the strategy calls for the adoption of sustainable consumption and production objectives across all sectors by 2030. \n\n\n\nBackground\nOn 14 December 2022\, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution at its seventy-seventh session to proclaim 30 March as International Day of Zero Waste\, to be observed annually. Türkiye\, with 105 other countries\, put forward the resolution. It follows other resolutions focused on waste\, including “End plastic pollution: towards an internationally legally binding instrument”\, adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly on 2 March 2022. \nDuring International Day of Zero Waste\, Member States\, organizations of the United Nations system\, civil society\, the private sector\, academia\, youth and other stakeholders are invited to engage in activities aimed at raising awareness of national\, subnational\, regional and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to achieving sustainable development. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) jointly facilitate the observance of International Day of Zero Waste. \nPromoting zero-waste initiatives through this international day can help advance all the goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development\, including Sustainable Development Goal 11 and Sustainable Development Goal 12. These goals address all forms of waste\, including food loss and waste\, natural resource extraction and electronic waste. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet involved\n\nJoin the conversation on social media using #ZeroWasteDay and #BeatWastePollution. \nYou can reduce your carbon footprint and also cut down on waste. Start with these ten impactful actions. \n\n\n\n\n\nMatt BirdMatt Bird is the Founder\, CEO\, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy\, media\, fintech\, and communications\, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.\nHe has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI)\, UNCTAD\, and the UN\, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum\, ADFW\, Climate Week NYC\, EU Parliament\, COP\, the Vatican\, NASDAQ\, NYSE\, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation\, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.\nHe previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021\, leading coverage of more than 10\,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does. \nesgnews.com
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-zero-waste/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
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