• World Press Freedom Day

    Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights 2023 year marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. Three decades have passed since it was proclaimed in 1993, in which we have seen substantial progress towards achieving a free press and freedom of expression around the world. The...

  • Vesak Day

    "Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak...

  • International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

    The toll of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Fisheries provide a vital source of food, employment, recreation, trade and economic well-being for people throughout the world. In a world of growing population and persistent hunger, fish has emerged as an important commodity for the achievement of food security. However, efforts by the international community to...

  • International Day of Argania

    The multifaceted argan tree The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is a native species of the sub-Saharan region of Morocco, in the southwest of the country, which grows in arid and semiarid areas. It’s the defining species of a woodland ecosystem, also known as Arganeraie, which is rich in endemic flora. It is resilient to a...

  • International Day of Families

    2023 Theme: Demographic Trends and Families In late 2022, the world’s population has reached eight billion people. Characterised by the United Nations Secretary-General as a ‘milestone in human development’ this landmark event illustrates major advancements in health extending human lifespans. Population growth is to continue albeit at a decreasing rate. It is projected to reach...

  • International Day of Living Together in Peace

    United in differences and diversity Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way. The UN General-Assembly, in its resolution 72/130, declared 16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace, as a...

  • World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

    Least developed countries need digital investment Over the past decade, the connectivity challenge has become more complex and demanding. Bringing everyone online is no longer enough. Meaningful connectivity – the possibility to enjoy a safe, satisfying, enriching, productive and affordable online experience – is the new imperative. For least developed countries (LDCs), this remains a...

  • International Day for Biological Diversity

    From agreement to action: build back biodiversity As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few. This...

  • International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

    “20 years on – progress but not enough! Act now to end fistula by 2030!” Obstetric fistula is a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment. It leaves women and girls leaking urine, faeces or both, and often leads to chronic medical...

  • International Day of UN Peacekeepers

    Peace begins with me Marking 75 years of UN Peacekeeping For 75 years, United Nations peacekeepers have worked to save and change lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations. Since 1948, more than two million uniformed and civilian personnel have helped countries to transition from war to peace. Working alongside local communities, peacekeepers help advance political...

  • World Environment Day

    Solutions to plastic pollution More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled. An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas annually. That is approximately the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers all together....

  • Russian Language Day

    Russian Language Day at the UN June 6, the birthday of the great Russian poet A.S. Pushkin, as part of the program to support and develop multilingualism and cultural diversity, the UN celebrates Russian Language Day. One of the goals of this program is to maintain equal rights for all six official UN languages: English, Arabic, Spanish,...