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The term "unilateral coercive measures” usually refers to economic measures taken by one State to compel a change in the policy of another State. The International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures (4 December) serves as a part of global efforts to raise awareness about the negative impact of such measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. The observance emphasizes the need to promote dialogue, mutual respect, understanding, tolerance and multilateralism as the cornerstone of international relations and diplomacy.
The animated film highlights how technology can empower women and girls with disabilities while also being misused to perpetrate gender-based violence. It urges collective, intersectional action to ensure safe, inclusive digital spaces for all.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Geneva Protocol that prohibits the use of chemical weapons in international armed conflicts. A century ago, after witnessing the terrible impact of chemical weapons during World War I, the international community came together to ban their use in war. On the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (30 November) we pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare over the decades. We also remember the global efforts to end the use of these abhorrent tactics.
UNMAS leads mine action efforts in Gaza, helping humanitarian partners assess explosive ordnance risks and enabling safe operations during and after hostilities. Since 2009, and especially after the October 2023 escalation, it has expanded its work to include early recovery support and risk education for civilians across Gaza and the West Bank.
COVID-19 showed how devastating pathogens can be, even in peacetime. Yet their impact is far greater when weaponized. With rapid technological advances increasing the risk of accidental or deliberate misuse, there is no margin for error and no time to waste. The Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction (Geneva, 28-30 October) brings together top minds in health-security, emerging technologies, and biothreat policy, to explore new strategies, challenges and innovations in combating biological threats to our interconnected ecosystems.
As hospitals lie in ruins and hunger spreads in Gaza, UNFPA’s mobile clinic offers critical maternal care to women giving birth in unimaginable conditions.
Despite war and devastation, initiatives like UNESCO’s Virtual Campus and Temporary Learning Spaces are helping Gaza’s students reconnect with learning, hope, and academic life.
For two years, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has urgently called for a ceasefire in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Over 1.9 million people are displaced, with countless lives lost or shattered.
The world is witnessing a troubling erosion of our shared humanity: dialogue is giving way to violence, civilians are bearing the brunt of conflict, and international law is being disregarded. In this time of rising tensions and deepening divisions, Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of truth and non-violence carries renewed urgency. On this International Day of Non-Violence (2 October, Gandhi’s birthday), Secretary-General António Guterres calls on all people to follow Gandhi’s example—end suffering, advance diplomacy, heal divisions, and strive for a just, sustainable, and peaceful future.
Nuclear weapons offer no security, only the threat of annihilation, with around 12,241 still in existence. The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (26 September) reminds us of the Cold War’s central lesson: humanity once risked its survival. Sadly, the shadow of nuclear annihilation is still with us and spreading fast, fueled by divisions and mistrust, along with rising military spending, growing stockpiles, and nations using nuclear threats as coercion. Humanity is headed in the wrong direction. It’s time to chart a new course for lasting peace through disarmament.
Military spending reached a record $2.7 trillion last year, undermining diplomacy and draining resources from critical areas like hunger and poverty, warns a new UN report.
In today’s uncertain times, it’s crucial for everyone to mobilize for peace. From peacekeepers to community members and students, we all have a role to play. Speak out against violence and discrimination, volunteer, and challenge hate in your surroundings. Support socially conscious brands and donate to organizations promoting human rights. The UN plays a key role in advancing human rights and addressing root causes of violence through its Peacebuilding Commission and Sustainable Development Goals. On International Day of Peace (21 September) let our actions for peace speak louder than words.
In the digital age, information and communication technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming policing worldwide. These tools enhance data analysis, intelligence sharing, and cross-border cooperation against cybercrime, terrorism, and organized crime. Yet, when misused, they pose serious risks. On International Day of Police Cooperation (7 September 2025), the UN highlights the need to harness ICT and AI responsibly. International collaboration can ensure innovation benefits society by fostering transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.
This year, the International Day against Nuclear Tests (29 August) comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing nuclear risks — including the disturbing prospect of a return to nuclear testing. In 2025, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the first nuclear test. We must never forget the legacy of over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests carried out over the past eight decades. The effects of these explosions have been horrific. Now is the time to silence the bombs before they speak again.