International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025, August 23rd.

FORUM: "Deepening our understanding of major historical events can help foster greater respect and tolerance." International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025. It's crucial to educate and inform current and future generations about the causes, consequences and lessons of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. Let’s show that applied knowledge of the antislavery past offers a way to ‘care for the future’. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #August23, #RememberSlavery.

EVENTS: Commemoration of the 28th edition of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

At UN Headquarters; The ceremony to mark the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on August 23rd will provide an inclusive space for all people to remember the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, reflect on its legacy, honour freedom fighters and look forward to transforming the legacy of racism through progressive education. We thanks the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and African Group Member States for their sustained commitment to this annual remembrance.

At UNESCO HQ, On Saturday’s August 23rd, #RememberSlavery Day, the UNESCO will held a webinar. The participants will have the opportunity to reflect on one of the darkest chapters in human history and learn from it. Register to participate!

In the UNITED KINGDON; On Thursday 21 August, City Hall hosted its annual event to mark UNESCO’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Abolition. The commemoration brought together Londoners, community leaders and artists to reflect on the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and celebrate the resilience of African and Caribbean heritage communities. The event was chaired by BBC broadcaster Eddie Nestor MBE and featured a keynote address from Dr Denise E Noble, a Black Studies scholar and author. Reflections were also shared by members of City Hall’s Community Advisory Group: including Arthur Torrington CBE, founder of the Windrush Foundation; academic and author, Dr Javeria Khadija Shah; and fashion designer and entrepreneur, Lucy Isaiah. The programme also included performances of music, poetry and dance by African and Caribbean artists. This year’s theme, We Rise: Remembering the Past, Reimagining the Future, focused on the continued need to tackle racism and inequality, while amplifying the voices and histories of Londoners whose ancestors were affected by the slave trade.

trade-remembrance-day

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2025; August 22nd.

FORUM: "Building a world where religious diversity is celebrated and where everyone can live in safety and dignity.” International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2025. Around the world, individuals and communities face violence based on religion or beliefs. We must urgently combat this scourge. It is crucial to avoid generalizations about entire religions or religious groups based on the actions of a few individuals or extremist groups. It is also important to understand the specific context and motivations behind acts of violence for addressing the root causes and preventing future incidents. Promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and respect for religious diversity is crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence. Governments must protect all people and places of worship, implement comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and invest in education initiatives that foster inclusion and equal rights. Digital platforms must enforce content moderation policies that align with international human rights standards. Political and religious leaders must unequivocally condemn hate speech, advance dialogue, and make clear that violence can never be an answer. We must work together to stem the tide of hatred and promote tolerance, mutual understanding and respect.This year’s offers the opportunity to make visible the multiple, daily and egregious violence that takes place based on religion or belief, and to seek to respond to its root causes, urgently and with far greater determination. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #22August, #Religiousviolence, #CounterViolentExtremism, #ForSafeWorship, #AgainstReligiousViolence.

EVENTS: On August 22nd; A webinar to mark the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2025 will be held at UNHQ in New york. Religious or other ideologies and beliefs can never be evoked to justify attacks against life, human dignity and rights, and in no circumstances should be used for suppressing critical and dissenting opinions and views, and undermining rule of law, peace and the democratic principles, as has been reiterated by the United Nations experts. The topics of the panel discussion will focus on Freedom of religion or belief and gender equality; the Religion and freedom of religion or belief literacy and the Antisemitism. Register to participate!

Message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres on the International Day to commemorate victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief 2025.

Across the globe, people continue to be harassed, attacked – and even killed – simply for what they believe.

Places of worship are desecrated. Communities are terrorized. Online platforms are flooded with hate.

These acts are not only abhorrent – they are a threat to our shared humanity.

When people are targeted for their faith, when hate speech goes unchecked, when impunity prevails – everyone is at risk.

We must confront this threat head-on.

Governments must adopt and enforce strong anti-discrimination laws – and invest in education that fosters respect, inclusion and human rights for all.

Political, religious and community leaders must reject divisive tactics and champion dialogue within and across communities.

And digital platforms must step up and incorporate safeguards to avoid becoming megaphones of hate.

On this International Day, we remember the victims and recommit to action.

Let us stand together to build a world where diversity is celebrated and everyone can live in safety and dignity.

António Guterres.

International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2025; August 21st.

FORUM: “United by Hope: Collective Action for Victims of Terrorism.” International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2025.The Day is both a tribute and a call to action, honoring victims’ resilience and leadership, while reaffirming our shared responsibility to uphold their rights. Only through sustained collaboration can we build truly inclusive, victim-centered responses to terrorism. United by hope, we can make a lasting impact. Together, victims are transforming grief into purpose, building a global movement that demands inclusion, recognition, and lasting peace.The 2025 theme, inspired by members of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN), emphasizes the hope that emerges when victims come together to transform pain into purpose. United across regions, cultures, and experiences, victims and survivors are offering mutual support, amplifying one another’s voices, and driving collective action to raise awareness, influence policy, and ensure their rights and needs are placed at the center of counter-terrorism efforts. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #UNCCT, #VictimsofTerrorism, #21August, #FindingHope, #BuildingaPeacefulFuture, #UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism.

EVENTS: On August 21st, at 10:00 am EDT, at UN Headquarters, a high-level event will be held, organized by members of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN), the event aims to emphasize the hope that emerges when victims come together to transform pain into purpose. To mark the eighth International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, the United Nations will organize a pre-recorded high-level virtual event titled “United by Hope: Collective Action for Victims of Terrorism.” The High-Level Segment will feature the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres keynote message followed by opening remarks from the Under-Secretary-General for the Office of Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov. The segment will also include a statement by the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, the screening of the Victims of Terrorism Association Network (VoTAN) film, and a Global Minute of Silence honouring victims worldwide. Following the high-level segment, a virtual panel discussion will gather victims and survivors of terrorism from diverse regional and personal backgrounds to explore how survivor leadership, peer-to-peer collaboration, and joint advocacy can strengthen global efforts to uphold victims’ rights and build more inclusive, resilient societies. Get the concept note and agenda programme and Register to participate!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2025; August 21st.

On this solemn day, we honour the victims and survivors of terrorism everywhere – saluting their courage, acknowledging their pain, and reaffirming our enduring commitment to peace, justice, and human rights.

This year’s theme, “United by Hope,” reflects the strength of victims coming together to turn suffering into solidarity, and anguish into action.

Victims of terrorism are showing the way: supporting one another, speaking out, and championing the rights of all those affected.

I welcome the launch of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network – supported by the United Nations – which fosters partnership, amplifies victims’ voices, and empowers them to shape decisions that affect their lives.

Governments, civil society, and the international community must match their courage – by upholding victims’ rights, delivering justice, and standing with them at every step of their healing journey.

United by hope, we can build a future free from terrorism, where all people live in dignity and without fear.

 United Nations Secretary-General.

 Statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2025, 

“One of the many ways people fall victim to terrorism is through the traumatic experiences of being forced to flee from their homes. Violence, forced recruitment, abduction and enslavement of women and girls, threats and extortion by terrorist groups can compel people to seek safety elsewhere in a country or even across borders.Displacement often occurs in fragile, conflict-affected and low-income States who have limited capacity to prevent it or provide humanitarian assistance and solutions to the victims.

Displacement has cascading impacts on human rights. While it may improve physical safety – though this is not always the case – it separates people from their homes, livelihoods, schools, health care, support networks and even family members.

Over the past year, I have met with many victims of forced displacement in Somalia, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin and heard about their struggles to rebuild safe and dignified lives. Some had experienced repeated cycles of displacement, including due to forced evictions, disasters, and violence. Forced displacement has also occurred elsewhere in West Africa and in the Sahel, including Nigeria, as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The legacy of forced displacement is still raw after recent conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. Tens of thousands of displaced people, mainly women and children, remain detained in North-East Syria. Over half of the 2.1 million displaced people who have recently returned to Afghanistan were forced to leave by Iran and Pakistan, where they had earlier sought refuge without other countries sharing responsibility for them.

People are forced to move not only because of terrorist threats, but also due to security operations by States while countering terrorism and the climate of insecurity during armed conflicts. International humanitarian law exceptionally allows the temporary displacement of civilians to ensure their safety or for imperative security reasons. Regrettably, some States have forcibly displaced civilians as an illegal tactic of war, including Israel in Gaza. Such forced displacements can also constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and may even be an instrument of ethnic cleansing.

Counter-terrorism campaigns can also escalate into wider conflicts resulting in displacement. Recent examples include the hostilities between India and Pakistan after India responded to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and Israel’s targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities partly under the guise of preventing terrorism.

The UN Model Legislative Provisions to Support the Needs and Protect the Rights of Victims of Terrorism emphasize the need to equally recognize the victims of terrorism as well as of State human rights violations while countering terrorism.

In country visits, I found that internally displaced people, refugees and asylum seekers often face serious difficulties in accessing clean water, adequate food, decent shelter, quality schooling, livelihood opportunities, and land for cultivation or livestock. Many reported receiving little outside assistance and some lacked the documents necessary to exercise their legal rights.

Accessing healthcare is particularly challenging, with people being forced to borrow money to pay for their children’s treatment. There were significant unmet needs for the treatment of people traumatized by violence, including unacknowledged sexual and gender-based violence. Displacement also increases vulnerability to sexual violence, particularly for women and girls.

It was distressing to witness “lost generations” of children deprived of even basic education, seriously impeding their life opportunities and freedoms, and aggravating the risk of terrorist recruitment.

Some communities faced stigmatization and discrimination, including unfounded suspicions of associating with terrorists. Journalists reporting on conflicts, and human rights defenders, have also been threatened by terrorist groups and intimidated and arbitrarily detained by authorities as terrorist sympathizers.

Local communities reported being under stress from hosting displaced people, given population pressures, resource competition, and scarcity of public services. Host communities need to be adequately supported alongside displaced people.

Governments in low-income countries often make considerable efforts to support displaced people, including generously hosting refugees, aided by international humanitarian organizations and donor countries.

Many displaced people still reported receiving little outside assistance. The alarming global cuts to foreign aid, coupled with the United Nations liquidity crisis, are seriously undermining efforts to assist them. In Somalia, among the world’s least developed countries, aid cuts recently forced the country’s few rape crisis centres to close, excluding victims of conflict-related violence from this vital service.

I call on donor countries not to turn away from the victims of terrorism and counter-terrorism in their hour of greatest need.

Governments must also fulfil their responsibilities towards displaced persons in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, including in relation to the prevention of displacement, assistance during displacement, and assistance during return, resettlement and reintegration. The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (known as Kampala Convention) should also be fully implemented.

Finally, the past year has seen an alarming resort to counter-terrorism pretexts to summarily expel foreign nationals, including asylum seekers, in breach of the duty of non-refoulement and the prohibition on arbitrary expulsion. In the United States, this has been carried out through the improper listing of organized criminal groups as “terrorist organizations” and abusively invoking war-time expulsion powers. Mass expulsions from neighbouring countries to Afghanistan were also partly based on unfounded security grounds.

Today, on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism, I urge all States to recommit to the protection of human rights affected by terrorism and counter-terrorism, in line with the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The international community must redouble efforts to assist displaced people, particularly in low-income, conflict-affected States, as among the most disadvantaged and marginalized of all victims.”

Mr. Ben Saul,UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

LIVESTREAM: 2025 Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism (21 August).

This year will mark the eighth commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. Amid the multiplicity of violent conflicts and terrorist attacks worldwide, this day continues to honour victims and survivors of terrorism, ensure their voices are elevated, raise awareness and highlight global solidarity. By amplifying the voices and experiences of victims, the International Day seeks to inspire collective action and empower individuals and communities to work towards a future defined by peace, solidarity, and resilience. This year's theme "United by Hope: Collective Action for Victims of Terrorism", is inspired by members of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN) and emphasizes the hope that emerges when victims come together to transform pain into purpose. United by shared experiences across regions, cultures, and communities, victims and victims' associations are leading the way; offering mutual support, amplifying each other's voices, and advancing collective action that drives change for communities, countries, and at the international level.

World Humanitarian Day 2025; August 19th.

FORUM:" #ActForHumanity.'' World Humanitarian Day 2025. A bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello on 19 August 2003. Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating August 19th as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). Since then, WHD has become OCHA's annual flagship campaign. Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.This year, we call for an end to the attacks on humanitarians and civilians and impunity under International Humanitarian Law. We urge those in power to Act For Humanity. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #ActForHumanity, #WorldHumanitarianDay, #august19, #safetyandsecurity, #reliefworkers, #aidworkers, #humanitarians.

EVENTS:  On August 19th, the Annual observance of World Humanitarian Day 2025 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. Last year on WHD, we demanded protection for humanitarians in conflict zones. Resolutions were passed, promises were made. But nothing changed on the ground. The rules and the tools exist. Security Council resolution 2730 sets a path. A major political declaration is on the way. What we need now is the will – and the courage – from all with power or influence to #ActForHumanity.

 

Watch the World Humanitarian Day 2025 - UN Geneva Commemoration!

Meetings & Events

Wreath-laying by Mr. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Operational Support (accompanied by survivors of that bombing).

Watch the Wreath-laying ceremony to honour colleagues who lost their lives at the Canal Hotel, Baghdad!

Message of the United Nations Secretary-General for World Humanitarian Day 2025.


Humanitarian workers are the last lifeline for over 300 million people caught in conflict or disaster.

Yet, funding for that lifeline is drying up.

And those who provide humanitarian aid are increasingly under attack.

Last year, at least 390 aid workers - a record high - were killed across the world.

From Gaza to Sudan to Myanmar and beyond.

International law is clear: humanitarians must be respected and protected. They can never be targeted.

This rule is non-negotiable and is binding on all parties to conflict, always and everywhere.

Yet red lines are crossed with impunity.

Governments have pledged action – and the Security Council has laid out a path to protect humanitarians and their lifesaving work.

The rules and tools exist. What is missing is political will – and moral courage.

On this World Humanitarian Day, let’s honour the fallen with action:

To protect every aid worker – and invest in their safety.

To stop the lies that cost lives.

To strengthen accountability and bring perpetrators to justice.

To end arms flows to parties that violate international law.

Together, let us say in one voice: An attack on humanitarians is an attack on humanity.

And let’s #ActForHumanity

Secretary-General António Guterres.

Remarks by Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the World Humanitarian Day 2025 Commemoration Ceremony.

Dear survivors, families – especially the families – Excellencies and colleagues:

We are here to grieve and honour those we have lost. They are the best of us.

Humanitarians carry hope where there is despair.

They are selfless in a selfish world. They seek to mend what others seek to break. They bring humanity where there is inhumanity.

Yet from that day in Baghdad till now, the best of us are under attack.

Last year, more than 380 humanitarians were killed – not dead, killed – the highest ever recorded. Hundreds more wounded, kidnapped, detained.

In Gaza, 520 aid workers – mostly UNRWA staff – killed since October 2023, the deadliest place for humanitarians for the second year running. This number doesn’t even touch the hundreds of staff who have lost family members, like my colleague Saed Al Ghamri, whose wife Ola was killed in our guesthouse.

In Sudan, 60 colleagues lost their lives – over double the year before. These include my colleague Sadig [Andosa], killed in El Fasher in November.

Already this year, hundreds more names. Each a family, each with a story.

This is more than a statistical spike. It is a stain – the normalization of violence against this community. Each attack on a colleague is an attack on all of us and we do not accept it. Enough.

Zero accountability, an indictment of international inaction and apathy. The Member States must not accept it. Enough.

As a humanitarian movement, we demand the protection of civilians and aid workers and we demand that perpetrators are held to account.

Humanitarians will not retreat, despite these dangers.

Last year, despite the risks, we reached more than 116 million people. Families fed, children in school, sick people cured, communities protected. We will not let down those we serve. It is our way of honouring those who died in 2003 and who have been killed since. But you, the international community, must also not let us down.

So, we grieve again those we’ve lost, and those we’ll continue to lose. We honour those who defy the dangers. We demand their protection and an end to impunity. And we commit afresh to this mission, whatever the risks.

Thank you.

Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Remarks by Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Head and Representative of OCHA Geneva and Director of the Coordination Division  at the commemoration service for fallen humanitarian workers on World Humanitarian Day 2025.


Survivors, families, Excellencies, colleagues:

I would like to express here my appreciation to Australia and Ambassador Walsh for this initiative and for the important leadership and support you have brought to the protection of aid workers.

19 August is always a hard day. I remember exactly where I was in 2003 when I heard about the bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad. That day, 22 humanitarians were killed, including my former boss, Sergio Vieira de Mello. It was a wound to the humanitarian community that has never healed.

Every year since, on World Humanitarian Day, we gather to honour those we have lost – and to stand with those who continue bringing hope to the world’s hardest and most dangerous places.

But remembrance is not enough. Because today is not only about looking back. It is about confronting a present reality that is unacceptable.

Last year alone, 383 humanitarians were killed – another record. Hundreds more were wounded, kidnapped, or detained. Already this year, the toll is rising again.

We lost 181 colleagues in Gaza – many from UNRWA – who kept classrooms open and food lines running even as the very schools and shelters where they worked were bombed.

We lost 60 colleagues in Sudan, more than double the year before – killed as they tried to deliver medicine, food, and water to those in desperate need.

These are not just statistics. These are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters. Friends, mentors, teammates. They had names. They had families waiting for them at home. And, for the vast majority of them – home was in the same country where they were killed. They are among the thousands of local staff of UN agencies and NGOs who carry the biggest risk, pay the highest prize, yet whose names often go unheard.

These events are not recent. I remember a close colleague and friend who was pulled out of his Landcruiser and executed by armed men. But, what was a rare event in that period, has now become a weekly occurrence and humanitarian innocence is all but lost.

Let us be clear: these attacks are often not accidents of war. Many are deliberate acts. And they continue because the world allows them to continue. Impunity is pervasive. Our calls for justice are too often met with silence, or, even worse, accusations of culpability.

Last year the Security Council passed Resolution 2730, reaffirming the duty to protect humanitarian personnel and hold perpetrators to account. But resolutions mean little if no one enforces them. Words do not save lives. Silence does not protect aid workers. Action does.

That is why remembrance is only a part of our duty today. The other major part is demand. Demand for protection. Demand for accountability. Demand for change. Because the killing of aid workers is not an unfortunate side-effect of war. It is an outrage. It is an attack on humanity itself.

And it isn’t only the bullets and bombs. Humanitarians are being strangled by bureaucratic blockades, by relentless underfunding, by smear campaigns that spread lies and hatred online. Their families scroll through social media and see them vilified for the very work that keeps others alive.

Yet despite it all, humanitarians continue to step forward. Last year, more than 116 million people received aid because colleagues refused to give up. Children had classrooms. Families had food on the table. Displaced communities had shelter and clean water.

This is what humanitarianism means. Not a slogan, not an abstract principle – but lives saved, hope restored, dignity defended.

So today, as we remember those we have lost, let us also honour those still carrying hope. And let us not leave this place without a pledge.

The campaign we relaunch today – #ActForHumanity – is not a hashtag. It is a demand. A demand for protection. For accountability. For action.

To our colleagues in Gaza, in Sudan, in every crisis where humanitarians are risking their lives: we see you. We grieve with you. We stand with you. And we will fight for your protection.

To the families of those who never came home: we cannot fill the space they leave behind. But we can promise this – their names will not be forgotten, and their sacrifice was never in vain.

Because violence against humanitarians is not inevitable. It is a choice – a choice made by people. And together, we must make a different choice. A choice to defend humanity. A choice to end impunity. A choice to act.

Thank you.

Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham.

Remarks by the Executive-Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on World Humanitarian Day 2025.

On World Humanitarian Day, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) joins United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations in calling for the urgent protection of aid workers and an end to the rising violence against them worldwide. IOM is urging stronger, coordinated, and decisive political action from Member States to halt this alarming trend.

“International humanitarian law explicitly protects humanitarian workers, yet attacks continue with impunity. We see this play out everywhere: convoys attacked, facilities damaged, and aid corridors cut off or rendered unsafe,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “When humanitarians are silenced, it’s the people in greatest need who are left without life-saving support. We need to see urgent political will and real accountability to stop these indefensible attacks.”

This year’s World Humanitarian Day comes as the cost for those delivering aid reaches devastating levels. In 2024, attacks killed 383 humanitarian workers, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In 2025, as of August 15, 265 humanitarian workers have been killed, with at least 202 more wounded, kidnapped, detained or arrested. At the current rate, 2025 is on track to becoming one of the deadliest years on record.

The rise in attacks is unfolding against a backdrop of growing displacement and escalating needs that have left millions dependent on humanitarian assistance. By the end of 2024, conflict and violence had forced 73.5 million people from their homes, according to the 2025 Global Report on Internal Displacement.

IOM and other humanitarian actors are often the first to respond in high-risk environments, and international humanitarian law requires the protection of both civilians and those who deliver life-saving assistance. IOM joins the United Nations and humanitarian partners in calling on all states to use their influence to prevent and end these violations.

"Humanitarians risk their lives every day to help people in need. On World Humanitarian Day, let's honor their service and sacrifice by doing more to protect them now and in the future,” DG Pope said.

Miss Pope, Director at IOM.

Statement by UN Women on World Humanitarian Day 2025.

On this World Humanitarian Day, we honour every humanitarian who risks and -- all too often -- loses their life to help others. We honour the women leaders and local responders who stand on the frontlines, often facing double peril: targeted for the work they do, and for who they are. We pay tribute to those killed, and salute those who keep showing up in the face of danger.

This year’s call to #ActForHumanity is more urgent than ever. The humanitarian landscape is collapsing under escalating violence, dwindling resources, and broken promises of protection.

The past year marked a devastating chapter for humanitarian workers, with more lives lost than ever before and attacks surging significantly. These deaths are not accidents. They stem from systemic failures: impunity for those who break the rules of war, eroded respect for humanitarian principles, and a growing disregard for international humanitarian law.

The violence is compounded by unprecedented funding shortfalls. As at 12 August, only about 18 per cent of the Global Humanitarian Overview’s requirements have been met. Cuts to women responders are severe: a 2025 UN Women survey found that in 44 crisis settings, 72 per cent have laid off staff and over half have suspended programmes. This loss of capacity strips away essential services, increases violence against women, burdens them with heavier unpaid care work, and removes social protections that could prevent harm.

We cannot allow this to be normalized. We call on leaders to act, decisively, now to: Protect humanitarian workers – including women on the frontlines who face targeted violence – and the civilians they serve.
Fund the lifeline that sustains lives – ensuring resources reach women-led and local organizations that are often first to respond and last to leave.
Guarantee the full participation and leadership of women in humanitarian decision-making, recognizing their essential role in effective, inclusive response.

Act now. The world is watching. #ActForHumanity.

UN Women Americas and Caribbean.

Statement by Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director, on World Humanitarian Day 2025.

On World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to the humanitarian workers who risk their lives everyday to deliver for people caught in crises around the world.


Their courage, compassion and unwavering commitment in the face of adversity embodies the very best of humanity.

Their work could not be more important, now more than ever.

When crises happen, UNOPS helps partners identify and address urgent needs, and helps communities recover and build resilience.


We live at a time of growing humanitarian needs: Our world is more violent now than at any time since the second world war. The climate crisis is wreaking havoc and natural disasters are becoming more intense, longer and more frequent.

And yet 2024 has been the deadliest year on record for humanitarians around the world.

In Gaza, Sudan, and many other places, humanitarian workers are increasingly caught in the crossfire, suffering injuries, abductions, and deaths, just as the people they are there to help.

The deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel is a violation of international law.

Over the past two years, two of our UNOPS colleagues have been killed in Gaza. Our premises in Gaza have come under attack, at least twice.

We honor the memories of our colleagues and other fallen humanitarians.

We demand an end to attacks on humanitarians and on all civilians. Perpetrators must be held to account.

And we call on everyone to do more to protect and safeguard our common humanity.

To all humanitarian workers — thank you for your strength, dedication, and hope.

We salute you.

And we vow to continue your efforts, to help deliver life-saving assistance and bring dignity and hope to vulnerable communities.

Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director.

PUBLICATIONS: 

United Nations Secretary General’s Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
provided by the UN Publication. Learn more


2025 Aid Worker Security Report provided by the Humanitarian Outcomes. Learn more


Rapid support for aid workers at risk provided by the Protect Aid Workers. Learn more

CALL TO ACTION:

When protection is denied and accountability is absent, our voices and actions must fill the void. Aid workers keep going into danger, through checkpoints, under fire. They show up. So must we.

• Use your voice: Every post, tag and conversation build pressure for protection. Share, speak out and demand action using #ActForHumanity.
• Fund the lifeline: Humanitarians can’t deliver without safety or support. Help keep aid flowing and protect aid workers – especially local responders.
• Mobilize: Across cities, campuses and communities; people are taking a stand. Show leaders the world is watching.
• Create with purpose: Artists, storytellers, influencers – use your art, platforms and brands to stir emotion and inspire action. Make this message impossible to ignore.

International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

FORUM: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond." International Youth Day 2025. The theme places a strong emphasis on the transformative role of young people in the localization of the SDGs, translating the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local realities. This theme recognizes that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development, but are active agents of change, innovation, and leadership. It acknowledges the need for youth inclusion in local governance processes, as their creativity, energy, and community knowledge are essential for addressing the complex and interconnected challenges of our time. Over the past decade, global institutions have increasingly acknowledged that the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 depends on how effectively they are localized—translated into concrete actions at the community level. Recent reports by UN-Habitat and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) revealed that at least 65 per cent of SDG targets relate directly to the mandates of local and regional governments (LRGs). Consequently, there is a growing imperative to empower youth as partners in SDG localization processes, as they are often deeply embedded in their communities and possess unique insights into local development needs. Localizing the SDGs refers to the process of adapting and implementing the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments. This approach is vital to ensure that development is inclusive, participatory, and sustainable. When young people are empowered to engage in this process, they become catalysts for innovation and resilience in their communities. The theme of 2025 IYD is deeply aligned with the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), which sets a policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people. As the WPAY approaches its 30th anniversary, the 2025 IYD theme offers a timely opportunity to renew commitment to its principles, particularly those emphasizing youth agency, youth engagement in decision-making, and sustainable development. Indeed, the WPAY provides a vital framework for guiding and advancing youth contributions to development processes. By aligning SDG localization efforts with the objectives of the WPAY, countries can promote their role as key partners in sustainable development, and ensure their inclusion in designing, implementing and evaluating policies that directly affect their communities. SDG localization supports the WPAY by enabling young people to take ownership of the development agenda, turning the global goals into localized actions that reflect their unique challenges and aspirations.

Building on this foundation, 2025 IYD connects with new global commitments such as the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations, which emphasize the importance of youth in shaping a fairer, more equitable and sustainable world. The Pact calls for “meaningful youth engagement, recognizing young people as agents of change and essential partners in achieving sustainable development”. Similarly, the Declaration affirms “the duty to ensure that the interests and needs of future generations, including today’s children and youth, are reflected in public policy and decision-making at all levels”. Localizing the SDGs through youth-led efforts ground the goals of the Pact and Declaration—making them real in the places young people live and lead. The upcoming Second World Summit on Social Development (Doha, Qatar, November 2025) also presents a key opportunity to spotlight youth-led actions on social development and strengthen their role in shaping inclusive social policies. Local youth actions are not isolated activities; they are integral to broader efforts to achieve national development plans and the SDGs. By highlighting and supporting these initiatives, the international community can help bridge the gap between top-down policy frameworks and bottom-up implementation, thus ensuring that no one is left behind.

The 2025 IYD will serve as a strategic platform to: 1. Recognize youth as key local development partners: • Elevate the visibility of youth-led initiatives and their impact on SDG implementation. • Raise awareness about the WPAY and its role in recognizing the youth as local development partners. • Celebrate young people as innovators, leaders, and mobilizers within their local contexts. 2. Promote policy coherence and institutional support for local youth initiatives: • Encourage governments to integrate youth-led initiatives into local development frameworks and decision-making processes. • Promote the integration of youth development goals within local development strategies, drawing from the WPAY’s framework and the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations • Advocate for inclusive policy environments that facilitate youth participation in governance. 3. Encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration: • Foster partnerships between youth and youth-led organizations, local governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, and UN agencies. • Promote knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving to enhance the effectiveness of local SDG implementation. • Leverage technology and innovation to connect youth across regions and facilitate collaboration. 4. Showcase youth stories and solutions: • Provide platforms for youth to share their personal experiences, insights, and innovations. • Use storytelling as a tool to amplify youth voices and promote peer learning. • Document and disseminate lessons learned from youth-led localization projects.

Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #12August, #InternationalYouthDay, #Youthday, #Greenskills.

EVENTS: On August 12th at 9:00 (EST), The global observance of the International Youth Day 2025 will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted in collaboration with UN-Habitat, a key partner of DESA and a leading advocate for sustainable urban development and SDG localization. The event will bring together youth leaders, policymakers, municipal officials, academics, development practitioners, and UN representatives to explore strategies for enhancing youth engagement in local development. Planned activities include: • Interactive Dialogue: The event will feature an interactive dialogue between youth and other decision-makers. Topics will cover urban planning, climate resilience, social inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation, all through a youth lens. • Youth Innovation Showcase: Youth organizations and social enterprises will have the opportunity to exhibit their work both in the community and at the UN compound. • Commemoration of 2025 IYD which will include youth, UN and government represenatives. The commemoration will be held in person on the UN compound and virtually, ensuring global participation of youth and youth partners. Knowledge products developed include: • Infographics: Visual tools that present data and analysis on the contributions of youth to SDG localization. Designed to inform policy discussions and advocate for greater youth involvement. • Youth storytelling series: A multimedia collection featuring short films, podcasts, and blog posts. These stories will reflect diverse youth experiences in implementing the SDGs at the local level. • Social media engagement package: A ready-to-use digital toolkit that includes infographics, video messages (e.g., from the UN Secretary-General or DESA’s USG), and sample content. Designed for dissemination by youth networks, Member States, and UN agencies to increase outreach and engagement. The Youth Unit Programme encourages youth around the world to organize activities to raise awareness about the situation of youth in their country. Read the concept note and Register to participate!

On August 12th, to mark International Youth Day and as part of the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement Initiative (WYDE), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is hosting an empowerment briefing for Young MPs to access peer-to-peer support, empowerment networks and initiatives. Despite increased acknowledgement from parliaments of the importance of youth participation in political decision-making, the number of sitting Young MPs remains unrepresentative. This webinar entitled ''Youth Political empowerment'' will showcase youth platforms, exchange country-level experiences of youth networks and identify better opportunities for youth to be heard in the political community. Register to attend!

On August 8th 2025, the UNITAR High-level panel discussion to mark the International Youth Day 2025 entitled "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," will highlight the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy. This year's observance, organized in collaboration with UNITAR and AFS Intercultural Programs and the Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN, provides a dynamic platform for young leaders, policymakers, diplomats, innovators, and civil society actors to engage in meaningful conversations on how technology and partnerships can strengthen global cooperation. Open to all through public registration, the event will encourage diverse participation, ensuring that voices from various backgrounds contribute to shaping a more connected and collaborative world. In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, youth are emerging as key drivers of change, harnessing the power of technology and strategic partnerships to address pressing international challenges. By 2030, the youth population is projected to comprise 57 percent of the global demographic, underscoring the urgent need to empower young people with meaningful roles indecision-making and global governance. This demographic shift positions youth not only as beneficiaries of multilateral policies but as essential partners in shaping them. The theme for International Youth Day 2025, "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," highlights the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy. By leveraging digital tools and fostering cross-sector collaborations, youth are not only amplifying their voices but also facilitating inclusive, impactful dialogue across nations, cultures, and institutions. Digital platforms empower young people to transcend national boundaries, enabling real-time collaboration on global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and economic disparity. Through initiatives like virtual hackathons, open-source development, and cross-border social media campaigns, youth are not only raising awareness but also co-creating innovative solutions with youth across continents. Their digital fluency allows them to participate in global dialogues previously limited to diplomats and policymakers, positioning them as active stakeholders in shaping multilateral agendas. Youth-run digital platforms are being used to mediate conflict and promote intercultural understanding in regions of unrest. By embedding technology into the fabric of multilateral cooperation, and by forming dynamic alliances across sectors, the youth are not just participants, they are architects of a more collaborative and innovative global order.

Objectives 1. Highlight and empower the role of youth as active participants and leaders in international decision-making processes. 2. Explore how digital innovation enables youth to transcend geographical boundaries and foster effective diplomatic relations. 3. Encourage collaboration between youth, governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to address global challenges. 4. Create a space where diverse perspectives are shared, promoting equity, mutual understanding, and cooperative action. 5. Motivate participants to develop initiatives and partnerships that continue beyond the event, contributing to long-term global cooperation.

Expected Outcomes 1. Enhanced understanding of how youth-led technological initiatives and partnerships can influence multilateral diplomacy. 2. New connections formed among youth, institutions, and stakeholders, fostering future joint efforts. 3. Encouragement of young participants to take active roles in diplomatic and global governance spaces. 4. Compilation of key discussion points and recommendations to be shared with relevant organizations and participants for continued engagement.

SPEAKERS ● 3:30 - 3:35 pm - Welcome: Yumna Khan, Director of the Youth Assembly and Strategic Youth Initiatives, AFS ● 3:35 - 3:40 pm - Introduction: Daniel Obst, President and CEO, AFS ● 3:40 - 3:50 - Remarks: H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (pending) ● 3:50 - 3:55 pm - Remarks: Mr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs, UN Youth Office (video) ● 3:55 - 4:05 pm - Remarks: Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN ● 4:05 - 4:15 pm - Remarks: Mr. Samim Hamidy, UNITAR ● 4:15 - 4:25 pm - Mr. Eliot Minchenberg, Director, New York Office & Representative to the United Nations, UNESCO (invited) ● 4:25 - 4:30 pm - Youth Remarks: Ms. Daphne Frias, Youth Advocate, Box The Ballot, Forbes 30 under 30 ● 4:30 - 4:35 pm - Remarks: Ms. Azza Karam, Founding President and CEO of Lead Integrity ● 4:35 - 4:45 pm - Remarks: Ms. Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google YOUTH PANEL SPEAKERS 4:45 - 5:55 pm ● Moderator: Ali Mustafa, AFS Intercultural Programs ● Daphne Frias, Youth Advocate, Box The Ballot, Forbes 30 under 30 ● Shah Chowdhury, Co-Founder and President, Footsteps Bangladesh ● Ilan Enverga, Youth Representative on the UNESCO SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee and Founder & CEO of Global Changemaker Schools ● Dana Al Anzy, Qatar Youth Ambassador, AFS International Board of Trustees Member ● Yugratna Shirawastwa, Co-Chair Major Group of Children and Youth. Read the Concept note and Watch the celebration of the International Youth Day 2025!



STATEMENTS:

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

On International Youth Day, we celebrate the determination, creativity and leadership of young people everywhere.
This year's theme – Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond – reminds us that global progress begins in communities. And in every corner of the world young people are leading the way.

They are driving sustainable development, building more inclusive communities, forging peace, and demanding a fairer, greener and more just future.

Young people are bold innovators, resilient organizers, and essential partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

This year also marks a renewed commitment to the World Programme of Action for Youth – a recognition that when young people lead, societies thrive.

To every young person: your voice, ideas and leadership matter.

Let us work together to support youth-led solutions and build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world, from the ground up.

António Guterres,United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

Dear friends, today on International Youth Day, we celebrate young people who are driving change in their communities and advancing sustainable development goals.

This year's the same local youth actions for the SDGs and beyond reminds us that meaningful change starts in our local communities. Over the 65% of the SDG targets are linked to the policies and services delivered by the local and regional governments. Empowering youth where they live is not just beneficial, it is essential. Young people process an intimate understanding of their community's needs and are uniquely equipped to design the solutions that resonate. By empowering young people, we unlocked a powerful and effective force for sustainable development, shifting towards a more inclusive and participatory processes, amplifying diverse voices, building trust and delivering lasting solutions.


Young people are already leading the way, tackling local challenges and demonstrating sustainable development in practice. Young people are also actively engaged in the key UN platforms to advance sustainable development.

At the annual ECOSOC youth forum, the UN's largest intergovernmental gathering with young people, leaders from around the world shared invaluable ground level experiences and shaped global policies.
At the internet governance forum, youth voices have been instrumental in promoting an open and inclusive digital space highlighting the role of a digital technology in achieving sustainable development. Young people also played a critical role at the recent conferences supported by UN DESA including the third UN ocean conference and the fourth international conference on financing for development showing their impact across a wide range of sustainable development issues.

At the UN, we are very much looking forward to having impactful contributions in the process leading up to the second world summit for social development to be held in Doha later this year.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of the world programme of the action for youth, we have a pivotal opportunity to deepen our commitment to ensuring young people are fully included as equal partners, particularly at the local level.
By championing young change makers, let us build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.
Happy International Youth Day.

Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General, UN DESA.

OTHER STATEMENTS:

• Statement by the President of the United Nations General Assembly on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement from the ILO Director General, Gilbert F. Houngbo on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the UNFPA Executive-Director; Dr. Natalia Kanem’ on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the UN-Habitat on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the ITU on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

PUBLICATION: The Youth2030 Phase 2 (2025–2030) presents a comprehensive Strategic Priorities and Results Framework, charting a bold path forward to intensify impact and drive transformative change with and for young people worldwide. Launched in 2018 by the UN Secretary-General, Youth2030 — the UN Youth Strategy — is the umbrella framework guiding the UN system’s work with and for youth. Now, over six years into its implementation, acceleration is needed at all levels to meet the strategy’s goals. The report focuses on accelerating the implementation of Youth2030 at the global, regional, and national levels. Read the full Youth2030 Phase 2 (2025–2030) report!

LIVESTREAM: High-level Event organized bty the UNITAR to mark the International Youth Day 2025; The theme for International Youth Day 2025, "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," highlights the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy.This year's observance, organized in collaboration with UNITAR and AFS Intercultural Programs, provides a dynamic platform for young leaders, policymakers, diplomats, innovators, and civil society actors to engage in meaningful conversations on how technology and partnerships can strengthen global cooperation. Open to all through public registration, the event will encourage diverse participation, ensuring that voices from various backgrounds contribute to shaping a more connected and collaborative world. Get the Concept note!

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2025; August 9th.

FORUM: “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.” International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2025. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support cultural revitalization, youth empowerment, and even adaptation to climate chance, it often reinforces bias, exclusion, and misrepresentation towards Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples continue to face barriers to accessing new technologies, as recognized through the World Summit of the Information Society process, especially in rural areas, widening digital divides. Yet, Artificial Intelligence (AI) also holds potential opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. When developed inclusively and ethically, AI can support language revitalization and enhance cultural preservation. For example, AI-driven tools can help document endangered Indigenous languages, contributing to their revitalization and preservation for future generations. Most AI systems are built without Indigenous input, risking the misuse of their data, knowledge, and identities. Besides, massive data centers can also impact Indigenous lands, resources, and ecosystems. This is a new issue added to the barriers to accessing new technologies, especially in rural areas, excluding Indigenous from full participation in AI-related processes. To unlock AI’s full potential, Indigenous Peoples must be respected as rights-holders, co-creators, and decision-makers. Meaningful inclusion, data sovereignty, and culturally grounded innovation are key to ensuring AI empowers their communities. The upcoming International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples will put a spotlight on this through its theme, Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures. Let’s leave no one behind. Spread the word and Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #IndigenousPeoples, #9August, #WeareIndigenous, #IndigenouspeoplesDay.

EVENTS: On August 8th, 2025 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. EDT, New York time at United Nations Headquarters. The virtual commemoration will take place online. It will include an opening segment and statement from the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. A moderated panel with invited speakers will discuss how Indigenous Peoples rights can be ensured in the age of AI, and consider the associated challenges and opportunities Indigenous Peoples face. Indigenous Peoples, Member States, UN entities, civil society, and the public are all invited to attend. Interpretation will be available between English and Spanish, kindly provided by FILAC.Join us to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2025 to debate on the theme, Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures. Register for this online event!

From April 21st to May 2nd 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters was held the 24th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the theme of the 24th Session was "Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges". The session was organized by Aluki Kotierk, newly elected Chair and Mr. Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Learn more.

PUBLICATIONS: It is essential that Indigenous Peoples play an active role in shaping the future of AI. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recognized this in its recommendations from the 24th session in 2025, highlighting the importance of meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in AI development, governance and application. Read the UNDESA publication ”Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the age of AI.“

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a 2024 resolution emphasizing that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems. Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights, data sovereignty, and promoting Indigenous-led innovation are key to realizing the positive potential of AI and avoiding perpetuating harm.

Inteligencia artificial centrada en los pueblos indígenas: perspectivas desde América Latina y el Caribe. Read the UNESCO Publication.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2025; August 9th.

Indigenous Peoples are guardians of ancient knowledge, defenders of cultural heritage, stewards of biodiversity, and essential to our shared future.

This year’s theme focuses on the risks and rewards of Artificial Intelligence for Indigenous Peoples.

AI can help preserve endangered languages and oral histories, map ancestral lands, and amplify Indigenous wisdom to fight climate change.

But without the meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples, these same technologies risk perpetuating old patterns of exclusion, misrepresenting cultures, and violating fundamental rights.

We must ensure AI is developed and governed in ways that are inclusive, ethical, and just.

That means removing barriers to new technologies for Indigenous Peoples, protecting their data sovereignty and intellectual property rights, and supporting their meaningful inclusion in the application of AI.

On this important day, let’s build a future where technology supports cultural preservation and Indigenous knowledge, protects rights and advances dignity – for today and generations to come.

António Guterres; United Nations Secretary-General.

DOCUMENTARY: Are the Taino extinct? This woman knows otherwise | PBS

Story of Maekiaphan, a Taino woman from the U.S. Virgin Islands, on her journey to reclaim her Taino heritage.