UN Focus 

Sustainable Development Goals 

  • World Teachers’ Day (UNESCO), 5 October  

  • International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October  

  • World Science Day for Peace and Development (UNESCO), 10 November  

  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December  

Human Rights  

  • International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (OHCHR / UNAIDS / UN Women), 17 May  

Peace & Security 

  • International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers (“Red Hand Day”) (SRSG-CAAC), 12 February  

  • International Day of International Criminal Justice, 17 July  

  • Anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, 31 October  

 

Responding to Crisis & Conflict 

  • International Day to Prevent the Recruitment and Use of Children by Armed Forces and Armed Groups (SRSG-CAAC / UNICEF), 12 February  

  • Global Humanitarian Overview – Donor Moment (87th Day) (OCHA), 5 March  

  • World Refugee Day (UNHCR), 20 June  

  • Peacebuilding Day (DPPA / PBSO), 23 June  

Mobilizing Climate Action 

  • Entry into Force of the Marine Biodiversity Treaty (OLA), 17 January  

  • World Environment Day (UNEP), 5 June  

  • UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) (UNFCCC), 9–20 November  

Making the Case for Multilateral Cooperation and UN Reform 

  • ACUNS Annual Meeting (Academic Council on the United Nations System; Lisbon, Portugal), 1–3 July 2026  

 Glossary 

   

ACUNS – Academic Council on the United Nations System   

ARFSD – Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development   

CCPCJ – Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice   

CDP – Committee for Development Policy   

CEPA – Committee of Experts on Public Administration   

CND – Commission on Narcotic Drugs   

COSP – Conference of States Parties   

CPD – Commission on Population and Development   

CSW – Commission on the Status of Women   

CSTD – Commission on Science and Technology for Development   

DESA – Department of Economic and Social Affairs   

DGC – Department of Global Communications   

DPIDG – Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (UN DESA)   

DPPA – Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs   

DPO – Department of Peace Operations   

ECOSOC – Economic and Social Council   

ECA – Economic Commission for Africa   

ECLAC – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean   

ESCAP – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific   

ESCWA – Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia   

EWCM – Early Warning Connectivity Map   

FfD – Financing for Development   

HLPF – High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development   

IOM – International Organization for Migration   

ITU – International Telecommunication Union   

ITU-D – ITU Telecommunication Development Sector   

ITU-R – ITU Radiocommunication Sector   

NERPS – Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability   

ODA – Office for Disarmament Affairs   

OCHA – Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs   

OHCHR – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights   

PP – Plenipotentiary Conference (International Telecommunication Union)   

SDGs – Sustainable Development Goals   

STI – Science, Technology and Innovation   

UN – United Nations   

UNAI – United Nations Academic Impact   

UNAIDS – Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS   

UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development   

UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme   

UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization   

UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund   

UN-Habitat – United Nations Human Settlements Programme   

UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees   

UNHQ – United Nations Headquarters   

UN-IATT – United Nations Inter-Agency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs   

UNMAS – United Nations Mine Action Service   

UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime   

UNPFII – United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues   

UNU – United Nations University   

UNU-INWEH – United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health   

UN-Water – United Nations Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanism for Water and Sanitation   

UN Women – United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women   

WMO – World Meteorological Organization   

WHO – World Health Organization   

WTPF – World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum