UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh weighs in on sustainable fashion. "Fashion has become more affordable, and we have more of it. But the actual costs are much higher, and much more devastating than we realize," she says. Be an informed consumer. Learn six things you didn't know about the true cost of fast fashion. Join the ActNow for Zero-Waste Fashion challenge. You can also Shop Zero Waste.

To mark its 75th anniversary in 2020, the United Nations has launched the biggest-ever global conversation - UN75 - on the role of global cooperation in building the future we want. The campaign has initiated dialogues on issues such as the climate crisis, inequalities, demographic changes, cyber criminality and health epidemics that require cooperation across borders, sectors and generations. Join us for a discussion on these and other global challenges and possible solutions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 25 February (10 – 11 am CET).

Every hour of every day, the United Nations is delivering aid to alleviate the suffering of people caught in crises across the globe. Although the humanitarian challenges continue to grow, so does the commitment of humanitarians - individuals who put themselves on the front lines to help women, men and children in desperate need to survive war or natural disasters, or rebuild their lives from the rubble. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary work. They have what it takes to help the world live up to its commitment to save and improve lives. #WhatItTakes.

For Safer Internet Day, UNICEF teamed up with international cyberbullying experts, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to answer teenagers’ top questions about how to prevent and deal with online bullying.

Around the world children serve as soldiers in armed conflicts. Child soldiers are victims, whose participation in conflict has serious consequences for their physical and emotional well-being. The General Assembly adopted the Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict in order to protect children from recruitment and use in hostilities. The anniversary of its entry into force, 12 February 2002, is marked as the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, also known as Red Hand Day. Let’s #ACTtoProtect children affected by conflict.

We are UNited and Working Together on Data Privacy & Data Protection

The Principles on Personal Data Protection & Privacy: http://bit.ly/UNDataProtectionPrinciples

#DataPrivacyDay #DataProtectionDay

With just 10 years to go, an ambitious global effort is being kicked off to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Decade will be a global movement spearheaded by change-makers everywhere to galvanize our commitment for a better world. On 22 January, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will address the General Assembly on his priorities for 2020 and launch the Decade. Watch live on UN Web TV.

With only ten years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, world leaders at the SDG Summit in September 2019 called for a decade of action and delivery for sustainable development, and pledged to mobilize financing, enhance national implementation and strengthen institutions to achieve the Goals by the target date of 2030, leaving no one behind. The UN Secretary-General called on all sectors of society to mobilize for a decade of action on three levels: global action to secure greater leadership, more resources and smarter solutions for the SDGs; local action embedding the needed transitions in the policies, budgets, institutions and regulatory frameworks; and people action, including by youth, civil society, the media, the private sector, unions, and academia.

In his video address, Secretary-General António Guterres greets the New Year with a message of hope addressed to the world's youth: "This year, my New Year’s message is to the greatest source of that hope: the world’s young people. From climate action to gender equality to social justice and human rights, your generation is on the frontlines and in the headlines. I am inspired by your passion and determination. You are rightly demanding a role in shaping the future. I am with you. The United Nations stands with you – and belongs to you." Recalling that 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the Secretary-General announces that the UN is launching the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals, the Organization's blueprint for a fair globalization.

To mark our 75th anniversary in 2020, the United Nations is igniting a people's debate: UN75. Launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, this promises to be the largest and furthest-reaching global conversation ever on 'building the future we want.' We aim to reach as many people as possible; to listen to their hopes and fears; and to learn from their ideas and experiences. The views and ideas generated will be presented to world leaders and widely disseminated.

It's our world. It's our future. It’s time for everyone, everywhere to talk about the future we want.
Join the Conversation. Be the Change. #UN75

A new social media campaign launched by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, celebrates the strength, resilience and skills that refugees can bring to their new communities. The campaign kicked off with a powerful multi-voice video in which refugees are joined by celebrities and advocates to rally support around the core message of the Global Refugee Forum – that everyone has a role to play in helping refugees. 

The world went orange: Putting a spotlight on ending violence against women

Most of the global population is exposed without their consent to hazardous substances and wastes that increase their likelihood of developing diseases and disabilities throughout their lives. Low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of pollution-related illnesses, with a disproportionate impact on children, women and the most vulnerable. Air pollution alone kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year.

How can you change the world with just US $ 0.50? With a tap on your smartphone you can "share the meal" with a child in need. It costs only US $ 0.50 to feed one child for a day.

We need to stand up for our rights and those of others. We can take action in our own daily lives, to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the kinship of all human beings. Wherever there is discrimination, we can step forward to help safeguard someone's right to live free from fear and abuse. The UN Human Rights Office upholds values that are the roots of peace and inclusion. Join us. It starts with each of us. This Human Rights Day and every day stand up for human rights.