International Day of Happiness (20 March)
The General Assembly of the United Nations 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.
International Day of Forests (21 March)
The International Day of Forests and the Tree is held annually on 21 March to raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.
International Women's Day (8 March)
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women” seeks to strengthen international community’s commitment to put an end to violence against women.
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 March)
The annual observance of 25 March as the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade serves as an opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system.
This year’s theme, “Forever Free: Celebrating Emancipation,” pays tribute to the emancipation of slaves in nations across the world.
Human Rights Day 2012
Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.
This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.
Zero Hunger Challenge
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is challenging all nations to end hunger in his lifetime. Nearly 870 million people are chronically undernourished and immediate action is need to tackle hunger. Eliminating hunger involves investments in agriculture, rural development, decent work, social protection and equality of opportunity.
International Day of the Girl Child (11 October)
The International Day of the Girl Child calls for recognizing girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
For its first observance, this year’s Day focuses on child marriage, which is a fundamental human rights violation and impacts all aspects of a girl’s life.
Security Council
A redesigned site for one of the main organs of the United Nations, the Security Council, which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. As well as providing the latest news from the Security Council and its President, the site offers quick and easy access to all Security Council resolutions, Presidential Statements and press releases. Records of Security Council meetings, past and present, and details on the Council’s subsidiary bodies can also be found on the new website.
The website also provides information on the work of the Security Council Affairs Division of the Department of Political Affairs and highlights the substantive and logistical support provided to the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies as well as information on the research and guidance role played by the Division.
Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), 2 to 27 July 2012
The first-ever UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, starting on July 2, aims to agree on standards to regulate the international arms trade, making it harder for weapons to be diverted to conflict zones, illegal market and into the hands of terrorists, warlords, drug traffickers and criminal cartels. It is seen as the most important initiative ever regarding conventional arms regulation within the United Nations. A robust arms trade treaty can make a difference for millions of people confronted with insecurity, deprivation and fear.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15 June
The World Health Organization estimates that 4 - 6 per cent of older persons worldwide have suffered from a form of elder abuse. Emerging research suggests that abuse, neglect and violence against older persons, both at home and in institutions, are much more prevalent than currently acknowledged. On 15 June, the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.
Sustainable peace for a sustainable future: 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace, marked every year on 21 September, gives us all a chance to reflect on the unconscionable toll — moral, physical, material — wrought by war. Those costs are borne not only by us today, but by future generations as well. In the context of the upcoming Rio +20 Conference, this year's theme "Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future" highlights the fact that there can be no sustainable future without a sustainable peace, and that sustainable peace must be built on sustainable development.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers, 29 May
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, which is commemorated each year on the 29th of May, is an occasion to salute the 120,000 peacekeepers serving in 17 missions in some of the world’s most volatile and dangerous environments. This Day is also a time to mourn fallen peacekeepers.
Vesak Day, 5 May 2012
"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 that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away.
International Jazz Day, 30 April
International Jazz Day is intended to raise awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people.
General Assembly Committee on Information
The Committee on Information is is responsible for overseeing the work of the Department of Public Information and for providing it guidance on policies, programmes and activities of the Department. Its Chairman, Mr. Eduardo Ulibarri of Costa Rica, will preside over the 34th Session (23 April - 4 May 2012) and its general debate scheduled (23 - 25 April 2012).
Security Council Committee Established Pursuant to Resolution 1540 (2004)
The United Nations Security CouncilResolution 1540 (2004) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which affirms that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The resolution obliges States to refrain from supporting by any means non-State actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivery systems.
United Nations Ethics Office
The United Nations Ethics Office promotes an ethical organizational culture based on our shared values of integrity, accountability, transparency and respect. It is independent, impartial, confidential and professional. Learn more on this new website about what you can and cannot do while working for the Organization.
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, 25 March
The transatlantic slave trade, often known as the triangular trade, connected the economies of three continents. It is estimated that between 15 to 20 million people, men, women and children, were deported from their homes and sold as slaves in the different slave trading systems. This year’s theme of "Honouring the Heroes, Resisters and Survivors" of the Transatlantic Slave Trade aims to pay tribute to the brave men and women who valiantly fought against the inhumane practices of slavery.
International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, 24 March
The right to the truth about gross human rights violations and serious violations of human rights law is an inalienable and autonomous right, linked to the duty and obligation of the State to protect and guarantee human rights, to conduct effective investigations and to guarantee effective remedy and reparations.
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, 25 March
This day marks the anniversary of the abduction by armed gunman in 1985 of Alec Collett, a former journalist with UNRWA). The observance seeks to mobilize action, demand justice and strengthen the protection of UN staff and peacekeepers, as well as the non-governmental community and the press
World Water Day, 22 March
With 7 billion people to feed on the planet today and another 2 billion more expected to join by 2050, ensuring access to nutritious food and freshwater to everyone calls for a series of actions we can all help with. Join the World Water Day 2012 campaign on water and food security and find out more.
World Down Syndrome Day, 21 March
Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health. Its estimated incidence is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide.
Let's Fight Racism Campaign
Racism, xenophobia and intolerance are problems prevalent in all societies. Each and every one of us plays a role in either contributing to or breaking down racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes. See what you can do to help fight racism.
Outreach Programme on the Rwanda Genocide and the United Nations
The Outreach Programme on the Rwanda Genocide and the United Nations is an information and educational outreach programme run by the United Nations Department of Public Information. The programme focuses on learning the lessons of the Rwanda genocide in order to help prevent similar acts in the future, as well as raising awareness of the lasting impact of genocide on the survivors and the challenges that they still face today.
International Women’s Day (8 March 2012)
Rural women enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In recognition of their critical role and contribution, the 2012 observance of the International Women’s Day focuses on "Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty".
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. The current Secretary-General, and the eighth occupant of the post, is Mr. Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea, who took office on 1 January 2007.