International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2026; January 27th.

FORUM: “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights.” International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2026. Eighty one years ago, in response to the atrocities of the war and the Holocaust, governments of the world established the United Nations, pledging to work together to build a just world where human rights were enshrined, and all could live with dignity, in peace. Acknowledging the milestone year, the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme has chosen as its guiding theme for 2026, “Holocaust remembrance and education for dignity and human rights”. The theme will reflect on the critical relevance of Holocaust remembrance for the present, where the dignity and human rights of our fellow global citizens are under daily attack. The Holocaust shows what happens when hatred, dehumanization and apathy win. Its remembrance is a bulwark against the denigration of humanity, and a clarion call for collective action to ensure respect for dignity and human rights, and the international law that protects both. Holocaust remembrance safeguards the memories of survivors and their testament of life before the Holocaust – of vibrant communities, of traditions, of hopes and dreams, of loved ones who did not survive. Safeguarding the history brings dignity to those the Nazis and their collaborators sought to destroy. Remembrance of the Holocaust is a victory against the Nazis and their collaborators, and against all who would try to continue their legacy through spreading hatred, Holocaust distortion and denial into the 21st century. Share your reflections with the hashtags: #27January, #HolocaustRemembranceDay, #austwitz, #WeRemember, #HolocaustRemembrance.

COMMEMORATIONS: Join the observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2026 on January 27th. Register to participate!

On Thursday, January 29th 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m. the Reception, and 7:00 p.m. the exhibit entitled “Between Life and Death” followed by the Panel discussion entitled “Stories of Rescue During the Holocaust” will be held at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The Holocaust survivor Elżbieta Ficowska and historians Jay Winter, Daniel Blatman and Mordecai Paldiel will explore how Holocaust remembrance has evolved, how stories of rescuers and survivors can be shared with younger generations, and how challenges such as disinformation, artificial intelligence, and fading living memory can be addressed. Jayashri Wyatt, Chief, Education Outreach Section at United Nations Department of Global Communications, moderates the discussion. The discussion is jointly organized by the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, the Center for Jewish History, together with the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme. It is supported by the Sousa Mendes Foundation. Read more and register!

On Tuesday, January 27th, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. 12:30 EST will be held the annual Holocaust Memorial Ceremony, an commemorative event organized in observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2026 at the United Nations General Assembly Hall. Four Holocaust survivors will share their experiences of the Holocaust. Guided by the theme, “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights”, the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Permanent Representatives of Israel and the United States to the United Nations, will deliver remarks. Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, will host the proceedings. Watch the livestream!

On Monday, January 26th 2026; from 3:00-4:30 p.m. A high-level panel will explore how emerging technologies, including AI, gaming, and VR, can preserve Holocaust memory, counter denial and distortion, and combat the spread of hate.The panel discussion is organized by the Holocaust and the United Nations together with the World Jewish Congress as part of the programme of activities connected to the 27 January International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust under the theme "Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights". Invited speakers include Professor Victoria Grace Richardson-Walden, Director, The Landecker Digital Memory Lab, University of Sussex and Mr. Luc Bernard, Game designer, The Light in the Darkness. Ms. Yfat Barak-Cheney, Executive Director, Institute for Technology and Human Rights, World Jewish Congress will moderate the discussion. Watch online

STATEMENTS: Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Holocaust Remembrance Service 2026; January 27th.

Excellencies, dear friends,

I am deeply honoured to join you and humbled by the presence of Holocaust survivors and their families.

We gather in solemn remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust.

They were mothers and fathers.

Sons and daughters.

Grandparents and grandchildren.

Six million Jews murdered just because they were Jewish.

We also grieve the Roma and Sinti, the people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ people, and so many more who were enslaved, persecuted, tortured, and killed.

And we also remember the stories and struggles of those who confronted the worst of humanity to show us the best.

Diplomats who defied orders and issued life saving visas.

Journalists who fought to expose the truth.

And farmers and villagers who hid families at great peril.

Remembrance is more than honouring the past.
It is a duty and a promise: to defend dignity, to protect the vulnerable, and to keep faith with those whose names and stories we refuse to forget.

The Holocaust, after all, is not only history.

It is a warning.

A warning that hatred, once unleashed, can consume everything.

Excellencies, dear friends,

Today that warning feels more urgent than ever.

Antisemitism around the world is raging.

Jewish communities live in fear.

Synagogues attacked.

Families shattered.

Vile antisemitic hatred racing across cyberspace.

We are haunted by the horrific terror attack of October 7 — which I once again categorically condemn — along with the taking of hostages, and the acts of hatred targeting Jews around the world in recent years, and, indeed, in recent weeks.

But coming together as we have come today, to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust fills me with hope.

I see the power of humanity in all of you.

I see the courage of survivors who turned pain into purpose.

I see the commitment of young people — of every faith and nation — standing together against hate.

I see the strength of solidarity when communities unite.

You are here because you choose hope over hate.

You choose remembrance as a living force — a shield against prejudice, a spark for justice, a pledge to protect every human being.

Excellencies, dear friends,

This show of unity is more important than ever.

Because we know the Holocaust is a stark demonstration of the dangers of unchecked hatred.

The Holocaust did not begin with killing.

It began with words.

Its architects telegraphed their evil intentions.

They deliberately spread a hateful, supremacist ideology that preyed on fear and economic despair.

This powerful engine of hate was given fuel through the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, the stifling of the press, the persecution of civil society, the corruption of courts, and the erosion of the rule of law.

It included a mastery of the technology of the time.

Controlling information.

Deploying propaganda and manipulating public discourse.

Spreading antisemitic and racist hatred with devastating efficiency.

And we must never forget the painful truth that Jewish families who sought refuge were met with the cold shoulder of indifference, closed borders and bureaucratic barriers.

This dark chapter of our common history reveals sobering truths.

When those with power fail to act, evil goes unpunished.

When the past is distorted, denied and weaponized, hatred and prejudice fester.

When words become weapons, lies, conspiracies, the casual joke and the coded slur can grow until the unthinkable becomes policy and violence.

So let us together pledge to stand against antisemitism and all forms of hatred — and against bigotry, racism and discrimination anywhere and everywhere.

Excellencies, dear friends,

This is the tenth time I have had the privilege as Secretary-General to address you on this day of remembrance.

For me, Holocaust remembrance — and the fight against the ancient poison of antisemitism — is not abstract.

It is personal.

One of my personal achievements as Prime Minister of Portugal was working with Parliament to adopt a decree that revoked the 16th century expulsion of Jews from my country.

I am happy to see tens of thousands of descendants of those expelled families regaining Portuguese nationality.

This was a symbolic step — but one that demonstrated the importance of acknowledging the depth of our remorse, even the remorse for the crimes of our country, remorse for the past, and our commitment to build a better, more inclusive future.

A commitment that goes to the core of what brings us here today in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

As Secretary-General, I remember standing in Yad Vashem, confronted by the immense weight of memory and the countless lives extinguished in the darkness of hatred.

I have prayed together with the Jewish community in the aftermath of atrocious acts of violence and antisemitism.

I have heard testimonies from Holocaust survivors about their experiences that began with a knock on the door — and ended with lives erased.

And I have always understood the clear link between the horrors of the Holocaust and the spirit of multilateralism, justice and rights that founded our organization.

Excellencies, dear friends,

Just over 80 years ago, the Nuremberg trials began.

These trials represented the beginning of a new era in international criminal law.

An era in which individuals, including the most powerful, are held accountable.

Today, more than ever, we need to reclaim that spirit.

At the opening of Nuremberg, Justice Robert H. Jackson warned us:

“These prisoners represent sinister influences that will lurk in the world long after their bodies have returned to dust.”

These influences — antisemitism, racism, hatred — are very much still with us.

Our duty is clear:

To speak the truth.

To educate new generations.

To confront antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination.

And to defend the dignity of every human being.

But it is also our duty to keep alive the spirit of acting in common purpose, through multilateralism, to ensure that the forces of humanity always triumph over the forces of inhumanity.

Let us honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust by recommitting to justice, dignity, compassion and vigilance.

To a world where humanity stands united against oppression.

And where the terrible legacy of the past strengthens our resolve to protect human rights today and in the future.

Let us forever carry in our hearts the Holocaust’s victims, whose calls for justice and peace can never be extinguished.

May their memory be a blessing.

Thank you.

LIVESTREAM:

The United Nations Headquarters observance on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2026 will take place on Tuesday, January 27th. Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications will host the proceedings. The observance will feature Holocaust survivors sharing their testimonies, and official remarks by the Secretary-General, the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and Representatives of the Permanent Missions of Israel and the United States to the United Nations.

   

Commemorative ceremony to mark of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust 2026 at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV)

   

At UN GENEVA This Day was chosen to mark the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp in 1945.

 

GALLERY PHOTOS:  

UNHQ, New York.

General Assembly on the Observance of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.

UN GENEVA

AT UNOV Vienna

PERMANENT MISSION OF RUSSIA TO THE U.N.

On January 27, 1944, Leningrad was completely liberated from the Nazi blockade.

International Day of Clean Energy 2026; January 26th.

FORUM: “Clean Energy Is the World’s Most Secure Path Forward.” International Day of Clean Energy 2026. Clean energy is reshaping countries, economies and lives faster than anyone expected. Bangladesh has set a global record, electrifying millions of homes powered by off-grid solar, bringing electricity to rural families who waited generations for it. Denmark has shown how wind power can move from experiment to energy infrastructure backbone. The massive purchase by Pakistan of solar panels and batteries has helped the country walk away from natural gas as a strategic fuel. And the ban by Ethiopia on fossil-fuel car imports has sparked a rapid shift to electric vehicles. These projects are proof that clean energy works at scale This is because clean energy now makes economic sense. Today, more than 90 per cent of new renewable power is cheaper than building new fossil fuel plants. Investors see it. Governments see it. Communities feel it. Clean energy is faster to deploy, cheaper to run and more resilient in an increasingly volatile world. It is also creating millions of jobs. About 16.6 million people already work in clean energy worldwide, from manufacturing to installation to innovation. In 2025 alone, global investment in renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency and electrification hit $2.2 trillion, twice the amount that flowed into oil, gas and coal. For developing economies, this shift offers a powerful opportunity to grow without locking into costly fuel imports or outdated systems. Energy is the engine behind nearly every development goal we care about. Without reliable, affordable energy, progress on poverty, health, education, gender equality, clean water, industry and cities stalls. In fact, an analysis across the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) framework shows that energy underpins roughly two thirds of all SDG targets, with 125 of the 169 SDGs linked to energy, either directly or indirectly. This is why access to clean energy sits at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, and why getting it right accelerates progress across the board. Nowhere is this clearer than with climate change. Energy use produces about three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not transform how we power our homes, factories, transport and cities, there is no credible path to a safe climate. Clean energy is quite simply the solution. Without a rapid and sustained transformation of energy systems, no credible pathway exists to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century or to meet the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement. There has been real progress. Nearly 92 per cent of people worldwide now have access to electricity. Clean cooking access has also grown, and currently stands at 74 per cent globally, improving health, saving lives and easing the burden on women and girls. These gains show what is possible when ambition meets action. But the gaps remain stark and unacceptable. 666 million people still live without electricity and 2.1 billion rely on dirty fuels to cook, breathing smoke that harms their health every day. At the same time, clean energy investment remains slow and uneven. For example, Africa, which holds some of the world’s best solar resources, receives just 2 per cent of global clean energy finance. Many countries with the greatest need are still left waiting, perpetuating poverty, inequality and health risks while constraining climate action.This carries significant economic risk. To meet global climate goals and deliver energy for all, clean energy investment must more than triple by 2030, and much of it must go to emerging and developing economies. The good news is that momentum is building. Governments are renewing commitments. Global plans are being updated. Clean energy is firmly on the climate agenda. And 2026 will be a defining year, with a major global review of progress on energy access and sustainability. Clean energy is one of the rare solutions that brings people together rather than pulling them apart. It cuts emissions while creating jobs. It strengthens economies while improving health and opportunity. It gives countries more control over their futures, and communities more power over their lives. The International Day of Clean Energy, observed each year on 26 January, is a moment to recognize just how far we have come and how much further we can go. This day is our call to accelerate action, share solutions and build momentum behind a transition that is already underway. The building blocks are in place. The technologies work. The costs are falling. And the evidence, from villages to entire nations, shows that clean energy delivers. What is needed now is the confidence to move faster and the commitment to ensure that no one is left behind. The international community has a decisive role to play in accelerating the build-out of clean energy infrastructure, especially across the developing world, where energy demand is rising fastest and the stakes are highest. By mobilizing concessional finance, de-risking private investment, and transferring technology and technical expertise, developing countries can undertake grid modernization, energy storage and robust renewable projects that will, in turn, expand clean energy access and strengthen economic resilience. If we choose ambition over hesitation, partnership over fragmentation and action over delay, clean energy can become the defining success story of this decade. It can turn global promises into real progress, lighting homes, powering schools, fuelling businesses and protecting the planet we share. A clean energy future is not only possible. It is within reach. The choices we make today, starting now, will determine whether it becomes a reality for everyone. The Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. The IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook calls for a tripling of annual renewable power capacity additions from around 300 gigawatts (GW) to 1000 GW on average until 2030 globally. Let us unite in advancing awareness, innovation, and collaborative efforts to address climate change and ensure a cleaner, greener planet for generations to come. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #SE4LL, #sdg7, #cleanenergyday, #26January, #renewableenergy, #energytransition, #greenenergy, #smartgrids, #CleanEnergy.

EVENTS: On January 26th, the United Nations will mark the International Day of Clean Energy, representing a significant milestone in our collective commitment to a sustainable future. the UN-energy, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and stakeholders will held a high-level event to mark the International Day of Clean Energy 2026 to showcase the ways to achieve a just and inclusive energy transition. The event will Explore our new Strategic Plan for 2024-2026. This plan will guide our activities over the coming three years and has been designed to address the biggest obstacles to a just and equitable energy transition. the observance will foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and actionable insights to drive the global energy transition. Register to participate!

Starting at 15:00 (CET) Global (live-streamed) -The UEF at 5 is a global live-streamed every celebrating 5 years of the Universal Energy Facility (UEF) and announcing the SOGREA initiative and call for applications; watch the event!

Starting at 11:00 in Lagos (in person) ‘‘Empowering Nigeria's Energy transition’’ an in person panel discussion, photo exhibition and reception on clean cooking, finance and carbon markets coupled with clean energy energy cooking experience exhibition.

Starting from 18:00 - 20:30(CET) in Vienna (in person) ‘‘Empowering solutions Together’’; an in-person panel discussion, photo exhibition and reception on clean cooking, finance and carbon markets.

WEBINARS: Co-hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL); The webinars brings together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the future of clean, renewable, and transitional energy systems. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.

Get informations on the upcoming webinars!

STATEMENTS: Read the following messages and quotes for this occasion.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of Clean Energy 2026; January 26th.


On this International Day of Clean Energy, we can feel the world shifting – but we must pick up the pace.

The science tells us we are heading for a temporary overshoot above 1.5 degrees Celsius. Our responsibility is to make that breach as small, as short, and as safe as possible – through a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

Renewables are the engine that can drive this transition. They are the cheapest source of new power in most places. And last year, for the first time, wind, solar, and other renewables generated more electricity worldwide than coal.

Renewable energy connects communities still left in the dark, provides clean cooking, and opens the door to better health, education, and opportunities. Renewables anchor new industries, create decent jobs and lower energy costs, while shielding countries from geopolitical shocks and market volatility.

Even so, the renewables revolution is not moving fast enough or far enough. Grid infrastructure is lagging well behind the expansion of clean energy capacity, and high costs continue to shut many countries out of the transition entirely.

The roadmap is clear: we must triple global renewable capacity by 2030, by lifting barriers, cutting costs, and connecting clean power to people and industry – with scale, speed, and solidarity.

Regulators must adopt policies that reward clean power and streamline permitting while protecting people and nature. Utilities must upgrade, expand, and digitize grids and interconnections, to carry clean power where it is needed, and scale storage so power systems stay steady as renewables grow. Industry must diversify supply chains so more countries can manufacture, install, and maintain clean energy systems. This includes the critical minerals essential to the transition, which must benefit producing countries and communities – not just global markets.

Finance must bring down the cost of capital, especially for developing countries with vast renewable potential. And multilateral development banks must reduce risk and unlock far greater private investment.

Most importantly, we must ensure this transition is just – protecting workers and communities, supporting education, industrial development, and opportunity for all as energy systems evolve.

A clean energy future is within reach. Let us seize the moment – and bring the renewables revolution to every corner of the world.

António Guterres
Statement of Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme and Co-Chair of UN-Energy on International Day of Clean Energy 2026; January 26th.


Statement of Mr. Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and head of the UN-Energy Secretariat on International Day of Clean Energy 2026; January 25th.

International Day of Education 2026; January 24th.

FORUM: ‘‘The power of youth in co-creating education.’’ International Day of Education 2026. Youth under 30 constitute more than half of the global population. They are a driving force for sustainable development, innovation and social transformation, yet they remain disproportionately affected by poverty, inequality and limited access to quality education and decent work opportunities.When it comes to shaping the future of education, youth have a special role to play: they are the beneficiaries of education programmes and their future depends on it. For this reason, meaningfully engaging students and youth in co-creating the education they want is essential to meet their aspirations and ambitions. This is particularly true at a time of radical transformation induced by the technological revolution, which calls for rethinking the purpose and modalities of teaching and learning.This commitment aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes the role of youth as agents of change in achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and building peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Although progress has been made in involving young people and students in global decision making in education – including by securing them a permanent seat alongside global leaders in the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee – more needs to be done to ensure they are co-creators of education systems at all levels: at school, at country level, in international development cooperation programmes and so. The Youth Declaration on Transforming Education is a tangible result of youth’s willingness and capacity to contribute to strategic dialogues in education. Their initiatives at grassroots level, where young people play an instrumental role in supporting their peers with the provision of education – especiallyin crisis situations – are instrumental to take informed decisions: they need to be better brought to light, mainstreamed and considered. This year’s International Day of Education will celebrate the power of youth as co-creators of education. This will be done by: 1. Taking stock of national efforts to involve youth in educational decision-making, through anew report by the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report team, in partnership with the UN Youth Office, which measures student and youth participation in education laws and policy-making. R equested by the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee in 2022, this new measurementholds countries accountable for the ir commitments to meaningfully engage youth made at the United Nations’ Transforming Education Summit and in the Pact for the Future. 2. Showcasing how UNESCO is leading the way by giving youth a voice in decision-making bodies such as the SDG 4 High -Level Steering Committee, placing them at the centre of global consultations for the post -2030 education agenda and amplifying their voices through UNESCO networks such as ASP net, SDG4 Youth & Student Network, the Global Youth Community, and the Youth Climate Action Network. On the ground, UNESCO empowers youth as leaders and changemakers, notably in crisis-affected contexts. 3. Introducing tools to ensure meaningful youth engagement in education at school and beyond, which were developed by the SDG4 Youth & Student Network and the UNESCO Associated Schools Network. 4. Highlighting youth-led initiatives in crisis-affected contexts that help safeguard the right to education for all, particularly for the most marginalized. As we shape the 2026 GEM Report consultation, we would love your input. What should be prioritized?, Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EndLearningPoverty, #Education2030, #DayofEducation, #24January, #EducationforPeace, #Learningforpeace, #education, SDG4.

EVENTS: On Saturday, January 24th, The UNESCO and its member states will mark the International Day of Education 2026 under the theme “The power of youth in co-creating education.” On Friday, January 23rd; From 10:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m at UNESCO HQ Paris, Room I and Room VII; The global celebration will highlight how young people are shaping the future of learning and how everyone can help amplify their leadership. Youth under 30 make up more than half the world’s population, yet they remain underrepresented in education decision-making. By participating you help build a global movement advocating for inclusive, relevant and youth-centered education systems. The Observance of the International Day of Education 2026 will be marked through youth-led and participatory celebrations:

• A global event convening youth and students alongside international decision-makers will be hosted at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 23 January 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm (Paris time).

• An online youth-led event will feature young people’s stories and their role in advancing quality education in conflict-affected contexts on 23 January 2026 from 3 to 5 pm (Paris time). The event will be organized by the SDG 4 Youth & Student Network in cooperation with other UNESCO networks and partners, notably the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet).

• An online action for youth and students to participate in the celebrations around International Day for Education will accompany other activities to drive visibility and engagement.

• The issuing of a call for good practices on meaningful youth engagement in education, which will be featured in the SDG 4 Knowledge Hub.

Register to participate (via indico), get the agenda programme and watch the livestream!

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of Education 2026; January 24th.

Education is a human right, and a springboard to greater opportunity, dignity and peace.

Yet around the world, 272 million children and young people lack access to education because of poverty, discrimination, conflict, displacement and disasters.

On this International Day of Education, I call on all governments, partners and donors to prioritize education in their policies, budgets and recovery efforts. We must close the persistent gaps in financing, access and quality that lock young people out of the future they seek and deserve.

As this year’s theme reminds us, we particularly need to listen to the voices of young people themselves, and act on their pleas for qualified teachers, relevant skills and competencies training for a changing world, and equitable access to technology.

Together, let’s build inclusive, resilient and innovative education systems for all people.

António Guterres, Secretary-General.

 Statement of the Director-General of the UNESCO on International Day of Education 2026; January 24th.

On this International Day of Education, UNESCO is putting young people in the spotlight. It is our collective responsibility to offer younger generations, through education, better prospects for the future than those of the generations that came before. It is with this in mind that UNESCO helps its Member States to ensure that access to quality education is a reality for all, and not a privilege of the few. Around the world, UNESCO implements major educational programmes to unlock the potential of the millions of young people who need it most. This is the “UNESCO for the people” that we are striving to build. UNESCO runs large-scale education programmes using funds from the Global Partnership for Education. This is the case in places such as Côte d’Ivoire, Cambodia, Ukraine and Chad, where nearly 100,000 out-of-school young people have been able to return to school. We also work in the most challenging contexts, amid crises. In Haiti, for instance, we are supporting community schools in the most vulnerable neighbourhoods. In Afghanistan, we have established literacy programmes for young women. In Gaza, we are helping to maintain learning continuity and providing young people with vital psychological assistance. We also act in the aftermath of crises, as is the case in Iraq, where we have renovated more than 400 classrooms in the province of Nineveh. However, access to education is not enough. At a time when climate challenges and technological changes are affecting traditional teaching methods on a large scale, education can no longer be conceived of without young people’s input; it can no longer ignore the voices of those it is intended to benefit. Young people must be included in the construction of education. Yet according to a new UNESCO study, while four out of five countries report having consulted young people on educational laws and policies in the last three years, only one out of five youth and student organizations feels that students and youth are genuinely working hand-in-hand with their governments. Because education systems are more effective when designed in collaboration with the people they are intended to serve, UNESCO calls for greater involvement of young people in the development of the education policies and decision-making processes which affect them. It is this conviction that drives UNESCO’s work. Today we are presenting a new study under the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, developed in collaboration with the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. This edition of the GEMReport includes, for the first time, an international indicator for measuring young people’s  actual participation in the development of education policies, thereby responding to a request made in 2022 by young people themselves at the Transforming Education Summit. In the same spirit, we are launching a new cohort of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network: 110 young people from 80 countries, involved in consultations on the future of education and the post-2030 global agenda. On this International Day of Education, we are reaffirming a simple yet powerful belief: the belief that young people have a rightful place at the decision-making table – not only as beneficiaries, but also as full-fledged partners. 

Mr Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO.

PUBLICATION: 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report, Countdown to 2030: Access and equity,


The 2026 GEM Report aims to address the following questions:

• Among countries that started from similar levels of education development, which countries have improved much faster than others or stagnated in terms of early childhood education participation, out-of-school rates, completion rates and tertiary participation? 
• Have they managed to reduce disparity?
• Among countries that have improved fast (or stagnated), what are the 2-3 key reasons that help explain the observed trends?
• What policies does research identify as having played a key role for improving education participation and reducing disparity in the long term – and how do they relate to factors put forward in country analyses? 
• What is the role of financing policies to promote equity?
• What are the implications of the statistical, country case study and policy analyses for a forward looking education agenda? 

The recommendations would cover a range of issues, including: scope for improvement in approaches to monitoring participation at different education levels; lessons from past progress records on feasible but ambitious targets for an agenda post-2030 and a reflection on the implication for the right to education; mechanisms for setting targets; policy principles that have served countries that have expanded faster; and scope for improvement in approaches to monitoring policies. As the 2030 deadline draws nearer, there is a clear demand to take comprehensive stock of the progress achieved since the start of SDG 4. In this context, following a recommendation of the independent external evaluation of the GEM Report, its Advisory Board has recommended bringing education statistics to the forefront and introducing changes to the next three report cycles in the form of a Countdown to 2030 series.

The first report in the series will look at four indicators: 

1. Early childhood participation (SDG global indicator 4.2.2)
2. Out-of-school rate (SDG thematic indicator 4.1.4
3. Completion rate (SDG global indicator 4.1.2
4. Tertiary education gross enrolment ratio (SDG thematic indicator 4.3.2)

Equity measures will be examined as part of the country case studies. In addition, some countries will also be selected directly based on analysis of progress in inequality measures.

For each one of the indicators and for a broad set of equity measures, five countries of fast progress and two countries of stagnation will be analysed – a total of 35 countries – to provide a representative set of examples. The aim is not to pick the ‘best’ performing countries in the world but a regionally balanced set of countries that moved fast, given their initial conditions and contexts.

Save the date: 2026 GEM Report launch on 25 March 2026.


The 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report, Countdown to 2030: Access and equity, will be launched on 25th March, 2026. The full-day event will follow the 23-24th March meeting of the Global Education Coalition, both taking place in UNESCO HQ in Paris, France. The report is the first in a three-part series of Countdown to 2030 reports, the next of which will cover learning and quality (2027) and relevance (2028/9). The 2026 GEM Report will provide the latest data and analysis on key global education indicators: the out-of-school rate, completion rate, early childhood participation, and higher education enrolment, including case studies of countries that have improved much faster than their peers over the past two decades. It will contain the analysis of a new series of GEM PEER country profiles on equitable finance mechanisms.

For additional information about the global launch on 25 March, visit this page.

World Braille Day 2026; January 4th.

FORUM: "Honoring the Louis Braille Legacy." World Braille Day 2026. Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols. Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font. Over the years, technology has enhanced Braille accessibility with innovations like electronic Braille displays and devices. Braille is more than a way to read because it can empower individuals with visual disabilities to help pursue education, participate in their communities, and achieve their goals. Businesses can make a big difference by adding Braille to their spaces. Things like Braille signs, menus, and product labels help customers with visual disabilities feel welcome. Let’s celebrate braille and keep braillists informed with up-to-the-minute braille tools. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Worldbrailleday, #LouisBraille, #braille, #4January, #Braillecode.

EVENTS: On Sunday, January 4th, for World Braille Day 2026; The United Nations Department of Global Communications, the UNESCO, the DGACM and United Nations Regional Information Centres will host a webinar to mark the birth anniversary of Louis Braille. Classes, workshops, and consultations give you all the support you’ll need to understand and adapt to vision loss. Find offerings for children, youth, adults, and everyone in between. All Offerings. Register to participate!

WORKSHOPS: Join the upcoming workshops!

2026 New Year Message from the United Nations Secretary-General.

As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads.
Chaos and uncertainty surround us.
Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law.
A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family.
People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act.
As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words:
Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10%.
That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa.
All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II.
On this new year, let’s resolve to get our priorities straight.
A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars. Peace must prevail.
It’s clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice.
In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain.
And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part.
Our future depends on our collective courage to act.
This new year, let’s rise together:
For justice. For humanity. For peace.

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.

 

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2025; December 27th.

FORUM: "Are we ready for the next Pandemic?'' International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2025. The world is better prepared for the next pandemic thanks to new WHO initiatives, The Global Funds, and faster vaccine development goals (like CEPI's 100 Days Mission), but significant Gaps in global health security remain, requiring continued investment and coordination to address challenges like equitable access and surveillance. While improvements are evident, readiness isn't 100%, with ongoing efforts to strengthen systems for rapid detection and response. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EpidemicPreparedness, #27December, #InternationalDayofEpidemicPreparedness.

EVENTS: On December 27th, the World Health Assembly (WHA) and World Health Organization (WHO) will hold a webinar to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

 
Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2025; December 27th.


On this important day, we remind ourselves that resilient communities are fundamental to preventing, and responding to, epidemics and pandemics.

Our best defense lies not only in science, but in strong local health systems, well-supported frontline health workers, and local leaders who are prepared to guide their communities through crisis.

As epidemic and pandemic threats rise, and humanitarian crises multiply, there is no time to waste.

To help communities and governments prevent and respond to future pandemics, countries worked with the World Health Organization to develop the Pandemic Agreement. The Agreement aims to ensure people everywhere have equitable access to vaccines, treatments, equipment, information and care in a pandemic.

Across every village, city and health centre, it’s time to boost investment in community-based systems for detection, surveillance, communication and containment.

When communities are protected, we are all protected.

Let’s help all communities build a strong foundation for both prevention and recovery.

Let’s stop epidemics in their tracks.

António Guterres, Secretary-General.

World Meditation Day 2025; December 21st.

FORUM: ''Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony'' World Meditation Day 2025. In an era characterized by unprecedented technological development and information flows, humanity finds itself increasingly distant from inner peace and mental well-being. World Meditation Day is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of meditation in navigating the complexities of contemporary life. Practice of meditation is a holistic approach to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellness. At its core, it represents a deliberate technique to enable practitioners to achieve a mentally harmonious and emotionally calm state of being. In today's high-stress environment, where anxiety, and mental health challenges have become pervasive, meditation offers a crucial sanctuary of inner calm and introspection. Scientifically validated research demonstrates its profound impact on neuroplasticity, stress reduction, emotional regulation, and overall cognitive functioning. The declaration of World Meditation Day comes at a time, when various regions of the world are witnessing conflicts and growing tensions. Meditation is rooted in ancient practices and stands out as an effective tool to achieve inner transformation and peace in the modern day. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Meditation, #WorldMeditationDay, #21December.

EVENT: On Decembet 19th, from 10:00am - 12:00pm (EST) at the Trusteeship Council, UNHQ New York, an event entitled ''Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony'' will be held to mark the World Meditation Day 2025. In this context, the Permanent Mission of India along with members of the core group invites Member States to commemorate the 2nd World Meditation Day. The event features reflections from internationally recognized experts on well-being, followed by a guided meditation session led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Get the concept note, the Invitation and register to participate!

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