The General Assembly has decided to convene a special session on children, to follow up on the 1990 World Summit for Children, from 8 to 10 May 2002 (resolution 56/222 of 24 December 2001). The session will review achievements made in implementing the Summit's World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children, as well as the Plan of Action for its implementation. It will also make a renewed commitment to children and consider action for the forthcoming decade.

The special session, originally to be held from 19 to 21 September 2001 (resolution 55/26 of 20 November 2000), was postponed following the terrorist attacks of 11 September in the host city. The rescheduled session will be preceded by a children's forum, to be held on Monday and Tuesday, 6 and 7 May.

On 19 August 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly, "appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel's acts of aggression", decided to commemorate 4 June of each year as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression (resolution ES-7/8).

The General Assembly recommended in 1954 (resolution 836 (IX)) that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children. It suggested to governments that the Day be observed on the date which each considers appropriate. The date of 20 November marks the day in which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

The General Assembly has encouraged States, the United Nations system and all other actors to take advantage of the International Year of Mountains to ensure the well-being of mountain communities by promoting conservation and sustainable development in mountain areas; increase awareness of mountain ecosystems and their importance in providing crucial goods and services, such as water supply and food security; and promote and defend the cultural heritage of mountain communities (resolution 55/189 of 20 December 2000). The Assembly proclaimed the Year by resolution 53/24 of 10 November 1998. The lead agency for the Year is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage
(2002)

Mindful of the importance of protecting the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the world as a common ground for promoting mutual understanding and enrichment among cultures and civilizations, the General Assembly has proclaimed 2002 as the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage (resolution 56/8 of
21 November 2001), inviting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to serve as lead agency for the Year. The Assembly also decided to devote one day of plenary meetings on 4 December 2002 to mark the end of the Year, and encouraged Member States and observers to be represented in those meetings at the highest level possible.

On 8 December 2000, as the General Assembly observed the fortieth anniversary of its adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, it declared 2001-2010 the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (resolution 55/146). In 2001, the Assembly called upon the administering Powers to cooperate fully with the Special Committee on decolonization to finalize before the end of 2002 a programme of work for the Non-Self-Governing Territories, on a case-by-case basis, to facilitate implementation of the relevant resolutions on decolonization (resolution 56/74 of 10 December). The First Decade, 1990-2000, was declared in 1988 (resolution 43/47).

Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
(beginning 25 May)

The General Assembly in 1999 requested the Special Committee on decolonization to observe annually the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories commencing on the week beginning 25 May 1999 (resolution 54/91 of 6 December). The Week had been proclaimed in 1972 (resolution 2911 (XXVII)) as the Week of Solidarity with the Colonial Peoples of Southern Africa and Guinea (Bissau) and Cape Verde Fighting for Freedom, Independence and Equal Rights, to begin on 25 May, Africa Liberation Day.

The General Assembly in 1987 decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. It took that action on 7 December 1987 (resolution 42/112), following a recommendation of the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which, on 26 June, had adopted the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control.

On 20 December 2000, the General Assembly decided that a high-level international intergovernmental event on financing for development should be scheduled for the first quarter of 2002, at a date to be agreed upon (resolution 55/213). Its aim is "to address national, international and systemic issues in a holistic manner in the context of globalization and interdependence" and, by so doing, address development through the perspective of finance (resolution 54/196 of 22 December 1999). The International Conference on Financing for Development will be held in Monterrey, Mexico, from 18 to 22 March 2002.

The Eighth United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names will take place in Berlin from 27 August to 5 September 2002, as decided by the Economic and Social Council (resolution 1999/9 of 26 July 1999). Consistent use of accurate place names is essential for effective communication worldwide, and facilitates economic and social development, conservation and national infrastructure. The secretariat for the Conference is the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

On 21 December 2001, the General Assembly asked the Secretary-General to convene in 2003 an International Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and Representatives of International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation (resolution 56/180). The Assembly decided to consider the precise timing and venue of that meeting at its next session, taking into account Kazakhstan's offer to host the meeting.

On 21 December 2001, the General Assembly decided to establish a world solidarity fund for poverty eradication and the promotion of human and social development in developing countries, in its resolution on the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, 1997-2006 (resolution 56/207). It also asked the Secretary-General to submit recommendations on mechanisms, modalities, terms of reference, mandates and governance with a view to establishing that fund.

The Assembly proclaimed the Decade in 1995 (resolution 50/107 II of 20 December) to follow up on the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, 1996. The Decade's main objective is eradicating absolute poverty and reducing overall poverty substantially in the world. The theme for the Decade is "Eradicating poverty is an ethical, social, political and economic imperative of humankind" (resolution 51/178 of 16 December 1996).

Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries,
Particularly in Africa
(2001-2010)

On 19 December 2001, the General Assembly proclaimed 2003 to 2012 as the United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All (resolution 56/116). The Assembly reaffirmed that literacy for all was at the heart of the notion of basic education for all, and that creating literate environments was essential to eradicating poverty, achieving gender equity and ensuring sustainable development.

In 1998, proclaiming 2005 as the International Year of Microcredit (resolution 53/197 of 15 December), the General Assembly requested that the Year's observance be a special occasion for giving impetus to microcredit programmes throughout the world. The Assembly asked all those involved in poverty eradication to take additional steps to make available credit and related services for self-employment and income-generating activities to an increasing number of people living in poverty. Governments, NGOs, the private sector and the media were invited to highlight the role of microcredit in poverty eradication, its contribution to social development, and its positive impact on the lives of the poor.

In 1992, the General Assembly proclaimed the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives (resolution 47/90 of 16 December). The date marked the centenary of the International Cooperative Alliance, an umbrella group of organizations comprising 760 million members in 100 countries.

In 1994, recognizing that cooperatives were becoming an indispensable factor of economic and social development, the Assembly invited governments, international organizations, specialized agencies and national and international cooperative organizations to observe the Day every year (resolution 49/155 of
23 December).

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
(17 October)

In 1992, the General Assembly, welcoming the fact that certain NGOs, on the initiative of one of them (the French-based International Movement ATD Fourth World), had, in many States, observed 17 October as World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty, declared that date the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (resolution 47/196 of 22 December). The observance aims to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries -- a need that has become a development priority.

Africa Industrialization Day
(20 November)

Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa, the General Assembly proclaimed 20 November as Africa Industrialization Day (resolution 44/237 of 22 December 1989). The Day is intended to mobilize the commitment of the international community to the industrialization of Africa.

International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
(5 December)

The General Assembly has invited governments to observe annually, on 5 December, the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, also urging them to heighten awareness of the contribution of volunteer service, thereby stimulating more people in all walks of life to offer their services as volunteers, both at home and abroad (resolution 40/212 of 17 December 1985). In 2001, the International Year of Volunteers, the Assembly adopted a set of recommendations on ways that governments and the United Nations system could support volunteering and asked that they be widely disseminated (resolution 56/38 of 5 December 2001).

The General Assembly has decided to hold a 10-year summit-level review of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit), in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa (resolution 55/199 of 20 December 2000). This "World Summit on Sustainable Development" will review progress in implementing the outcome of the Conference, focus on the identification of areas where further efforts and action-oriented decisions are needed, address new challenges and opportunities, and result in renewed political commitment and support for sustainable development.

On 24 December 2001, the Assembly decided the Summit shall be held from 26 August to 4 September 2002, with participation of heads of State and government during the period from 2 to 4 September (resolution 56/226). The Commission on Sustainable Development, as preparatory committee for the Summit, will hold sessions in January, March and May 2002.

As recommended by the Economic and Social Council (resolution 1998/40 of 30 July 1998), the General Assembly proclaimed 2002 the International Year of Ecotourism (resolution 53/200 of 15 December 1998). The Assembly stated that the Year would encourage cooperation among governments, international and regional organizations and NGOs to achieve the aims of Agenda 21 in promoting development and the protection of the environment. It stressed the need to integrate sustainable development in the tourist industry, and invited States, intergovernmental and governmental organizations to exert all possible efforts on behalf of the success of the Year, in particular, regarding ecotourism in developing countries.

International Year of Freshwater
(2003)

Proclaiming 2003 the International Year of Freshwater (resolution 55/196 of 20 December 2000), the General Assembly has invited States, the United Nations system and all other actors to take advantage of the Year to increase awareness of the importance of freshwater and to promote action at all levels. The Assembly invited the Subcommittee on Freshwater Resources of the Administrative Committee on Coordination to serve as the coordinating entity of the Year, and to develop proposals for possible activities that could take place in preparation for and during the Year.

World Day for Water
(22 March)

The General Assembly has declared 22 March as World Day for Water (resolution 47/193 of 22 December 1992). The observance aims at promoting awareness of the extent to which water resource development contributes to economic productivity and social well-being.

International Day for Biological Diversity
(22 May)

On 20 December 2000, the General Assembly proclaimed 22 May, the date of adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as the International Day for Biological Diversity (resolution 55/201). The Day was previously observed on 29 December (resolution 49/119 of 19 December 1994). In 2000, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, at its fifth meeting, had recommended that the date be changed to give it greater visibility.

World Environment Day
(5 June)

By resolution 2994 (XXVII)) of 15 December 1972, the General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day to deepen public awareness of the need to preserve and enhance the environment. That date recalls the opening day of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972), which led to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
(17 June)

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June, was proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1994 (resolution 49/115). On that date, the same year, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was adopted. States were invited to devote the World Day to promoting awareness of the need for international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought, and on the implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
(16 September)

In 1994, the General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution 49/114 of 19 December). States were invited to devote the Day to promote activities in accordance with the objectives of the Protocol and its amendments. The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus, helping preserve life on the planet.

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment
in War and Armed Conflict
(6 November)

On 5 November 2001, the General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (resolution 56/4). In taking this action, it considered that damage to the environment in times of armed conflict impairs ecosystems and natural resources long after the period of conflict, often extending beyond the limits of national territories and the present generation. It also recalled the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which emphasized the necessity of working to protect our common environment.

The General Assembly proclaimed the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education in 1994, to begin on 1 January 1995, and welcomed the Plan of Action for the Decade submitted by the Secretary-General (resolution 49/184). The Assembly stated that human rights education should be a lifelong process by which people learn respect for the dignity of others. It called on governments to direct education towards full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Coordinator for implementation of the Plan of Action for the Decade is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

All States and interested organizations were invited by the General Assembly in 1950 to observe 10 December as Human Rights Day (resolution 423 (V)). The Day marks the anniversary of the Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

As recommended by the Economic and Social Council (decision 2000/288 of 28 July 2000), the General Assembly has proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day (resolution 55/93 of 4 December 2000). On that day, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was adopted in 1990 (resolution 45/158). The Assembly has stressed the need to make further efforts to ensure respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants. It is estimated that some 130 million people live outside their countries of origin.

In 1985, acting on a recommendation of the Commission on Human Settlements, the General Assembly designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day (resolution 40/202 A). The first observance of the Day, in 1986, marked the tenth anniversary of the first international conference on the issue -- Habitat: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Vancouver, Canada, 1976).

"World Food Summit: five years later" will meet in Rome from 10 to 13 June to review progress made towards the goal of the 1996 World Food Summit -- to reduce by half the number people suffering from hunger by the year 2015 (a goal included in the United Nations Millennium Declaration). Although headway has been made and there has been striking success in individual countries and communities, the number of those undernourished is currently falling at a rate of only
6 million a year -- far below the 22 million per year needed to reach the target. World leaders at the 2002 Summit will make suggestions on how to accelerate progress, as well as on how to increase resources available for agricultural and rural development. On 19 December 2001, the General Assembly welcomed the convening of the Summit (resolution 56/114).

World Food Day
(16 October)

The aim of World Food Day, proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the FAO of the United Nations, is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The Day marks the date of the founding of the FAO in 1945. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity" (resolution 35/70 of 5 December).

In 1990, the General Assembly proclaimed 1993 the International Year of the World's Indigenous People (resolution 45/164). In 1993, on the recommendation of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, the Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, starting on 10 December 1994 (resolution 48/163), adopting the Programme of Activities for the Decade in 1995 (resolution 50/157). The goal of the Decade is to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health. The Coordinator of the Decade is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; its theme is "Indigenous people: Partnership in action".

On 19 December 2001, the Assembly appealed to all governments and organizations to consider contributing to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, if possible with a substantial increase in the level of contributions (resolution 56/140).

In 1994, the General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (resolution 49/214 of 23 December). The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1992, of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

On 21 December 2001, the General Assembly welcomed the action by the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at its 2001 session (resolution 1179 of 28 June), endorsing the proposal to hold a World Summit on the Information Society at the highest possible level and in two phases -- in Geneva from 10 to
12 December 2003, and in Tunis in 2005 (resolution 56/183). The Assembly invited the ITU to assume the leading managerial role in the executive secretariat of the Summit and its preparatory process. It invited governments to participate actively in the preparatory process of the Summit and to be represented in the Summit at the highest possible level. It also invited the international community to make voluntary contributions to the special trust fund for the Summit established by the ITU.

The General Assembly in 1993 declared 3 May as World Press Freedom Day (decision 48/432 of 20 December). This action stemmed from the UNESCO General Conference, which, by a 1991 resolution on "Promotion of press freedom in the world", had recognized that a free, pluralistic and independent press was an essential component of any democratic society. The General Conference had transmitted to the General Assembly the wish of UNESCO member States to have 3 May declared "International Press Freedom Day".

That date commemorates the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, adopted on 3 May 1991 by the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, organized by UNESCO and the United Nations in Windhoek, Namibia.

World Development Information Day
(24 October)

The General Assembly in 1972 instituted World Development Information Day to draw the attention of world public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them (resolution 3038(XXVII)). The Assembly decided that the date for the Day should coincide in principle with United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption, in 1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade. The Assembly felt that improving the dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people, would lead to greater awareness of the problems of development, thus, promoting efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development.

World Television Day
(21 November)

In 1996, the General Assembly proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day, commemorating the date on which, in 1996, the first World Television Forum was held at the United Nations. States were invited to observe the Day by encouraging global exchanges of television programmes focusing on issues such as peace, security, economic and social development, and the enhancement of cultural exchanges (resolution 51/205 of 17 December).

In 2001, the General Assembly decided to maintain the observance of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on the second Wednesday of October (resolution 56/195 of 21 December), as a vehicle to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction -- including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. The Assembly had designated that day to be observed during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, 1990-1999 (resolution 44/236).

On 4 December 2000 (resolution 55/58), on the recommendation of the Economic and Social Council (resolution 2000/1 of 3 May 2000), the General Assembly decided to convene the Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid from 8 to 12 April 2002. The meeting, which marks the twentieth anniversary of the Vienna World Assembly on Ageing, will review the outcome of that Assembly and adopt a revised plan of action and a long-term strategy on ageing. On 19 December 2001 (resolution 56/118), the General Assembly urged Member States to contribute generously to the United Nations Trust Fund for Ageing, to support preparatory activities for the World Assembly.

The General Assembly designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons by resolution 45/106 of 14 December 1990, following up on United Nations initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the General Assembly (resolution 47/86).

By resolution 54/68 of 6 December 1999, the General Assembly proclaimed World Space Week, to be observed between 4 and 10 October, to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition. The dates recall the launch, on 4 October 1957, of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, and the entry into force, on 10 October 1967, of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space.

In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly had adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II)). On 3 December 2001, the Assembly noted the actions taken by Member States to observe the Day, and requested that they continue to give it the widest possible publicity (resolution 56/34).

Reaffirming that the United Nations had a permanent responsibility with respect to the question of Palestine until it was resolved in a satisfactory manner in accordance with international legitimacy, the Assembly, on 3 December 2001, authorized the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to continue to promote the exercise of these rights, to adjust its work programme in the light of developments and to emphasize the need to mobilize support and assistance for the Palestinian people (resolution 56/33). The Committee was asked to continue to cooperate with Palestinian and other civil society organizations in mobilizing international support for the achievement by the Palestinian people of its rights and for a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and to involve additional civil society organizations in its work.

As part of its programme for the first Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, the General Assembly in 1979 called for the observance by all States of a Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination, beginning on 21 March (resolution 34/24).

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).

WOMEN

United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace
(8 March)

In 1977 (resolution 32/142), the General Assembly invited States to proclaim, in accordance with their historical and national traditions and customs, any day of the year as United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. States were called upon to contribute to creating conditions for the elimination of discrimination against women and for their full and equal participation in social development. That action came on the wake of the International Women's Year (1975) and the United Nations Decade for Women (1976-1985), both proclaimed by the Assembly. The United Nations began observing International Women's Day, 8 March, in 1975 -- the International Women's Year.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
(25 November)

The General Assembly has designated 25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and has invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize on that day activities to raise public awareness on the problem (resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999). Women's activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981. The date came from the brutal 1961 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo.

YOUTH

International Youth Day
(12 August)

The General Assembly on 17 December 1999 (resolution 54/120 I) endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. It recommended that public information activities be organized to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, adopted by the Assembly in 1995 (resolution 50/81).