The health impacts of tobacco are widely known. What is less well known is the negative impact tobacco use has on the environment. The production of tobacco products causes widespread environmental degradation beginning with the preparation of land for tobacco cultivation and continues on through the life-cycle of the tobacco products as they are manufactured, marketed and consumed.
As part of this year’s campaign, the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC has also partnered with UNEP on their Clean Seas Campaign (which brings together 63 countries devoted to ending marine plastic pollution) to raise awareness on the environmental and human health impacts of microplastics in cigarette filters as well as co-organized technical webinars with WHO and partners. The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC has also developed an advocacy video and social media assets as part of the broader World No Tobacco Day campaign.
For every 15 boxes of cigarettes, a tree is chopped down.
The health impacts of tobacco are widely known. What is less well known is the negative impact tobacco use has on the environment.
The production of tobacco products causes widespread environmental degradation beginning with the preparation of land for tobacco cultivation and continues on through the life-cycle of the tobacco products as they are manufactured, marketed and consumed.
Peacekeeping is just one of many tools used by the United Nations to help secure global peace and security. It is a collective enterprise. Standing alone, we can never succeed. But, together with partners, we are strong and changing lives for the better.
Today, we honour the more than one million women and men who have served as United Nations peacekeepers since 1948.
We pay tribute to the nearly 4,200 heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives in the cause of peace.
And we are reminded of an age-old truth: peace can never be taken for granted.
Peace is the prize.
We are deeply grateful to the 87,000 civilian, police and military personnel now serving under the UN flag who are helping to realize the prize of peace worldwide.
They face enormous challenges. Rising violence against peacekeepers has made their work even more dangerous. Restrictions due to the pandemic have made it more difficult. But United Nations peacekeepers continue to serve with distinction as partners for peace.
This year, we focus on the Power of Partnerships.
We know that peace is won when governments and societies join forces to resolve differences through dialogue, build a culture of nonviolence, and protect the most vulnerable.
Around the globe, UN peacekeepers work with Member States, civil society, humanitarians, the media, the communities they serve and many others, to foster peace, protect civilians, promote human rights and the rule of law and improve the lives of millions of people.
Today and every day, we salute their dedication in helping societies turn away from conflict, towards a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.
To mark the Day at the UN Headquarters in New York on 26 May, the Secretary-General will lay a wreath in honour of all peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag over the past seven decades. And a virtual ceremony will be held at which the Dag Hammarskjold medal will be awarded posthumously to peacekeepers who lost their lives in 2021. The Military Gender Advocate of the Year award will also be presented at the virtual ceremony. Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards.
The Day is an opportunity to recognize the service and sacrifice of the more than one million personnel who have served under the blue flag since 1948. It is also a chance to honour the memory of the more than 4,000 peacekeepers who lost their lives in the cause of peace.
This year’s celebration will be dedicated to the youths and to the young adults of Africa and of the diaspora who have made their mark in the world by their achievements in various areas such as Social Activism, Science, Technology, Sports, Art, Film, and literature etc. The goal is to identify six (6) such individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and have been recognized by their peers or by their professional Association as reaching the highest standard. We have invited recommendations from the United Nations system entities as well as from African Associations in the United States and Youth organizations in Africa. The individuals selected will be invited to participate in the Africa Day event so as to shine a spotlight on them and on their achievements as an example of what this generation of Africans are able to produce when given the opportunity.
AFRICA DAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS
25 May 2022, 3:00pm New York Time,
Trusteeship Council Room
Special Guest, Queen Makhadzi, Member of the Royal Family of the Venda and Pedi People of South Africa
What is celebrated today as Africa Day was initially African Liberation
Day, so named to mark the day when the Organization of African Unity
(the OAU) was formed when thirty newly independent nations in Africa
came together to sign a groundbreaking charter to be united in an
organization and to collectively support the struggles of freedom
fighters in South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, and Southern Rhodesia.
This meeting took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 25 May 1963
resulting in 25 May being declared Africa Day. In 2002 African
Liberation Day was renamed Africa Day.
Today, with all fifty-four countries in Africa becoming independent, in
addition in celebrating the creation of the African Union, Africa Day has
become an occasion to celebrate the wonderful and diverse cultures of
Africa, including its music, art, fashions, unique fabric designs, dance,
cuisines, its sporting accomplishments, and technological advancement.
Africa Day is celebrated in many capitals around the world.
The African Renaissance and Diaspora Network was among the first
organizations in New York City and certainly within the Diplomatic
Community to celebrate AFRICA day. For several years now that task
had fallen to the African Union Observer Mission to the UN and their
gala event At the Manhattan Center had become a feature in the
Diplomatic calendar. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and
the restrictions implemented the Gala celebratory events were not held
in 2020 and 2021.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. It is a known fact that Africa has the youngest population of all the continents in the world. Seventy percent of all people in Sub Saharan Africa are under the age of thirty. This is a unique driver for economic growth and development, a vehicle for creating several million jobs, reducing poverty, and lifting the standard of living of this and the next generation of Africans. However, to achieve the development that we seek, young people must be empowered to fulfill their potential and be able to participate in decision making at all levels. They must not simply be observers at the meetings of policy making bodies. It is this potential that must be nurtured and allowed to flourish by creating educational opportunities, ensuring the health and wellbeing of all, and eliminating gender disparities which deny millions of women and girls the opportunities for self-realization.
PROPOSED PROGRAMME. ARDN and partners propose to host this year’s Africa Day celebration at the United Nations. This year’s celebration will be dedicated to the youths and to the young adults of Africa and of the diaspora who have made their mark in the world by their achievements in various areas such as Social Activism, Science, Technology, Sports, Art, Film, and literature etc. Our goal is to identify six (6) such individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and have been recognized by their peers or by their professional Association as reaching the highest standard. We have invited recommendations from the United Nationssystem entities as well as from African Associations in the United States and Youth organizations in Africa. The individuals selected will be invited to participate in the Africa Day event so as to shine a spotlight on them and on their achievements as an example of what this generation of Africans are able to produce when given the opportunity. The Africa Day celebration will focus particularly on the following Sustainable Development Goals:
Within the framework of ARDN’s Red Card Campaign to empower, and
to end all forms of discrimination and violence against, women and girls,
the Africa Day celebration will further ensure that the young people
spotlighted will highlight young women leaders across various sectors, as
well as young male leaders focused on advancing the equality, dignity
and rights of women and girls.
CO-ORGANIZERS. ARDN’s co-organizers for this programme include the Permanent
Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations, the
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nigeria to the United Nations, the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Africa Bureau of the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations
Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN
Women), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHabitat), the Pan-African Youth Organization and the Iteka Youth
Organization based in Kigali, Rwanda. [Final List TBD]
RED CARD CAMPAIGN.Women’s rights are human rights. In the game of football (soccer), a red
card symbolizes a significant infraction of the rules. ARDN Red Card
Campaign seeks to mobilize individuals from all sectors of society to
commit to giving a red card to all forms of discrimination and violence
against women and girls.
The Red Card Campaign falls within the framework of the Pathway to
Solution’s Initiative, an international, multilateral special project for the
United Nations, spearheaded by ARDN, to popularize the Sustainable
Development Goals, in collaboration with United Nations system
entities, the international community, civil society, the private sector,
academia, the world of sport and culture and governments.
To sign the Red Card Pledge: For more about Pathway to Solutions.
CONTACT
For more information, please contact Ms. Arlene Katzive, Director of
External Relations, African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, at
arlene.katzive@ardn.ngo
Action oriented and fitting within the context of the ongoing United Nations Decade on Restoration, which highlights that biodiversity is the answer to several sustainable development challenges, the slogan conveys the message that biodiversity - from ecosystem-based approaches to climate and/or nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security and sustainable livelihoods- is the foundation upon which we can build back better. The slogan builds on the momentum generated in 2020 and 2021 in support of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, due to be adopted at part two of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP-15) in Kunming, China, later this year. With the world continuing to grapple with the pandemic,
"We have won many battles, but we are still losing the war when it comes to losing biodiversity." On the occasion of International Day of Biological diversity 2022, United Nations Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner highlights the importance of acting together For Nature for the benefit of all life on Earth.
"In order to retain nature’s many functions, we can no longer destroy or overuse it." As we celebrate the International Day of Biological Diversity 2022 on 22 May, H.E. Ms. Steffi Lemke, Minister of the Environment shares a message of solidarity, underscoring the importance of addressing the biodiversity crisis and building a shared future for all life.
Biodiversity is essential for the physical health of people and planet, but did you know it can also positively affect your mental health? For #BiodiversityDay on 22 May, learn more about the positive influence of #biodiversity on mental health,
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the cultural and creative industries hard, with many artists, culture professionals and venues finding themselves out of business, sometimes permanently. Rapid digitalization has further exacerbated inequalities within the global marketplace of arts and culture, leaving many artists and culture professionals struggling to gain decent work and fair pay.
Today we are presented with a challenge:
how can we build back better?
How can we ensure that everybody can create, produce, disseminate, and enjoy a diversity of cultural expressions?
How can we ensure that artists and culture professionals everywhere benefit from the opportunities of digital technology, and that none are left behind?
In the words of former United Nations Secretary-General Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, “cultures need to assemble, but not to resemble one another”. These words encapsulate the fundamental aim of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development and the UNESCO culture conventions alike – to remind us that diversity is just as essential for the cultural world as it is for the living world.In the midst of crises, from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to wars and conflict, we can recognize more than ever both the importance and the urgency of defending cultural diversity and tangible and intangible heritage. Indeed, culture is our most powerful ally for crisis management and recovery. It is a means by which each and every one of us can cultivate and enrich our inner life; it allows us to come together, to remember the past and to think about the future. It allows us to understand that our differences provide the opportunity to celebrate the richness of the human mind, to expand our horizons and to achieve unity in diversity.Yet, cultural diversity continues to be weakened, be it by COVID-19, conflict or climate change. The closure of cultural sites and the cancellation of festivals, concerts and ceremonies owing to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the sharing of culture and impacted professionals, in particular independent creators.Although the rapid advancement of the digital world has broadened access to culture and inspired creativity, it also exacerbates inequality and can be a vector of cultural homogenization. This is the reason behind UNESCO’s intention to devise new, strong, public policies for culture based on the opinions of those involved in the field; these have been collected over the course of the 355 UNESCO ResiliArt debates held across 115 countries. These reflections informed the UNESCO report Re|shaping policies for creativity, which was published this year. The report sets out clear recommendations: to implement a more protective status for artists, to reduce inequality, both of gender and between regions and to ensure a fair income distribution between digital platforms and creators.UNESCO will ensure that these issues will be at the heart of Mondiacult 2022, the next World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, which will be held in September in Mexico City – a key event for the world of culture and for its future.On this Day, UNESCO would like to call upon everyone to celebrate cultural diversity, through which we will be able to build the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind.
From May 20, 2022, 10:00 AM.to May 20, 2022, 1:00 PM.
- In celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, UNESCO organizes a special event on the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD):The time to invest in creativity is now.From May 20, 2022, 2:00 PM To May 20, 2022, 4:00 PM.
This special event will feature keynote speeches and discussions with actors from the cultural and creative industries and private sector donors on the importance of investing in the creative economy now. The event will also feature exclusive performances from IFCD projects, and offer participants the chance to ask questions directly to IFCD project managers from across the globe.The IFCD is one of the few United Nations funds that provides financial support to arts and cultural bodies, public institutions, and NGOs in the Global South to strengthen the cultural and creative industries in their countries, bolstering inclusive and sustainable development. Over the past 12 years, UNESCO, through the IFCD, has invested more than US$ 9.4 million in 129 cultural projects across 65 Member States.
- Through the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022, UNESCO is reinvesting in the global policy dialogue in the field of culture, building on its mandate and expertise to foster multilateral cooperation and policy dialogue as a follow-up to its landmark conferences on cultural policies.The Conference will be convened by UNESCO forty years after the first MONDIACULT World Conference on Cultural Policies held in Mexico City (Mexico) in 1982, and 24 years after the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies for Development held in Stockholm (Sweden) in 1998.
FromMay 24, 2022, 2:00 PM To May 24, 2022, 4:00 PM.
The Republic of Korea has been strongly committed to pursuing its active partnership with UNESCO to promote the value of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Since 2008 the Korea-UNESCO Funds-In-Trusts has supported more than 25 projects in developing countries to build an enabling environment for Cultural and Creative Industries and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea chaired the 14th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on the 2005 Convention, which was held exceptionally online due to the pandemic. The Republic of Korea has launched the previous two editions of the Global Report and organized the forums to inform the policy dialogue on the latest policy developments to support arts and creativity. The Republic of Korea’s launch event is co-hosted by the UNESCO Secretariat of the 2005 Convention and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, and organized in cooperation with the Arts Council Korea and Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. UNESCO Assistant-Director General for Culture Ernesto Ottone R. will participate in the national launch of the Global Report in Seoul and the public presentation will include the participation of Magdalena Moreno Mújica, one of the authors of the Global Report and Executive Director of IFACCA, Geon-Soo Han, Professor of Gangwon National University and Yoonhyung Jeon from the Korean Film Council and a member of the EU-UNESCO Expert Facility. The International Forum and the launch event would be a valuable occasion to explore new opportunities and shed light on current and future challenges in areas such as digital environment, media diversity, status of artists and artistic freedom.
The International Tea Day is an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of tea, while working to make its production sustainable “from field to cup” ensuring its benefits for people, cultures and the environment continue for generations. Follow the conversation with the hastags #InternationalTeaDay; #TeaDay; #21May
Key messages
Tea production and processing represent a source of livelihoods for millions of families, including millions in least developed countries.
Tea export earnings help to finance food import bills, supporting the economies of major tea-producing countries.
The specific agro-ecological conditions where tea thrives occur in areas which are highly vulnerable to climate change.
Global trade in 2020 was affected by logistics issues and measures imposed to contain COVID-19.
Trade recovered in 2021 as shipments from major exporters resumed
During the COVID-19 pandemic tea sales remarkably increased spurred by purchases for in-home consumption, as tea brought comfort to millions around the world
Increasing in-home consumption of tea more than offset declining out-of-home consumption in many instances.
In order to ensure benefits for both people and the environment, the tea value chain must be sustainable at all stages, from field to cup.
The event, to be opened by FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, will highlight the vital role the tea sector plays for Members as well as its broader economic and social impacts around the world.
Bee engaged – Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems.
Beekeeping is a widespread and global activity, with millions of beekeepers depending on bees for their livelihoods and well-being. Together with wild pollinators, bees play a major role in
maintaining biodiversity
ensuring the survival and reproduction of many plants
supporting forest regeneration
promoting sustainability and adaptation to climate change
improving the quantity and quality of agricultural systems
The event featuring bee and pollinator experts and practitioners from across the world will open with a video message by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. The event will raise awareness on the importance of the wide variety of bees and sustainable beekeeping systems, the threats and challenges they face and their contribution to livelihoods and food systems.
The ageing of the global population will be the defining demographic trend of the 21st century—yet our societies struggle to see the opportunities that this trend can unfold. Telecommunications and information communication technologies (ICTs) have a role to play in achieving healthier ageing, but also in helping people build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination at the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons, and support millions of caregivers across the world.
EVENTS
WTISD 2022 will allow ITU membership, partners and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the important role of telecommunications/ICTs in supporting people to stay healthy, connected and independent, physically, emotionally and financially – to a life of healthy ageing – and as critical for the sustainability of economic and health systems.
As part of ITU’s efforts towards the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and the theme of WTISD 2022, “Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing”, ITU invites you to actively participate in commemorating, contributing, and innovating throughout the year with national, regional, and international initiatives to accelerate digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing.
“Digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing”
What: High-level panel to mark WTISD 2022 When: Tuesday, 17 May, 13:00 to 14:30 (CET) Where: ITU Members, Missions to the UN in Geneva and representatives from sister UN organizations can attend in person at ITU by registering here. Badges can be collected on Tuesday, 17 May, from 11:00 to 13:30 (CET) at the ITU Headquarters, Montbrillant building. To participate remotely, through the WSIS Forum 2022, register here. Programme: See the programme here.
Speakers:
Mr Houlin Zhao, Secretary-GeneraI, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, Deputy Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO)
H.E. Ms. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister, Ministry of Communication and Digitalization, Ghana
My Linh Kha, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Japan Asia-Pacific, AMGEN
Dr Jane Barratt, Secretary-General, International Federation on Ageing (IFA)
Justin Derbyshire, Chief Executive Officer, HelpAge International
FORUM: Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others. International Day of Living Together in Peace 2022; Join us ro discuss how conscience can ensure our living in a peaceful and united way. Follow the conversation #LivingTogetherInPeace. and #16May.
ACTIONS: Promote a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all of humanity, including future generations.
The applications of light science and technology are vital for advances in medicine, communications, entertainment and culture, and that light-based technologies respond to the needs of humankind by providing access to information and increasing societal well-being, and promoting peace through improved communications.
EVENTS The celebration of the International Day of Light 2022 will reach an audience of millions of Research Scientists, light Industry sector leaders and members of the public worldwide. We welcome inquiries from both the Private-public sector partnership.
The International Day of Light is celebrated on 16 May each year, the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. This day is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development.
societal well-being, and promoting peace through improved communications,
This year’s theme of the International Day of Families on “Families and Urbanization” is toraise awareness of the importance of sustainable and family-friendly urban policies. Urbanization is one of the most important megatrends shaping our world and the life and wellbeing of families worldwide. Sustainable urbanization is related to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, such as SDG1 (Poverty eradication) SDG 3, (Good health and well-being); SDG 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable), SDG10 (Reduce inequality within and among countries). All the above SDGs and targets depend on how well urbanization is managed to benefit families and enhance the well-being of all generations living in the cities.
EVENTS Friday, 13 May, 10:00-11:15 AM (New York time)
UNDESA will organize a panel discussion that will include presentations from academics, civil society and urban authorities. The event will include the launch of the background paper as well as presentation of civil society initiatives such as Venice Declaration and Civil Society Declaration for IYF+30. A major research paper is to be launched at the observance as part of the preparations for IYF+30. The keynote address by the author will mainly examine current urbanization trends from a Family perspective.
Artificial light is increasing globally by at least 2 per cent per year and it is known to adversely affect many bird species. Light pollution is a significant threat to migratory birds, causing disorientation when they fly at night, leading to collisions with buildings, perturbing their internal clocks, or interfering with their ability to undertake long-distance migrations.
Solutions to light pollution are readily available. For instance, more and more cities in the world are taking measures to dim building lights during migration phases in spring and autumn. Best practice guidelines are also being developed under the Convention on Migratory Species to address this growing issue and ensure that action is taken globally to help birds migrate safely.
EVENTS
Every Word Migratory Bird Day event is unique and as diverse and creative as the people and organizations involved. United by a common theme and campaign, #WorldMigratoryBirdDay events take place in all corners of the world and involve and inspire thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds. While events are usually organized on one of the two peak days of World Migratory Bird Day, events can be linked to World Migratory Bird Day throughout the year.
There are really no limits on creativity! A successful World Migratory Bird Day event often gets people outside, engages them in learning about birds and habitats, and equips them to take conservation action. WMBD events usually promote the conservation theme, contribute to raising awareness or encourage people to take action.
This year’s event could highlight the impact of light pollution by including night-time bird walks and other evening programs focusing on nocturnal bird migration as well as citizen science projects and other dark-sky-themed activities. The 2022 World Migratory Bird Day can also be used as an occasion to highlight any actions already being taken to address the issue of #lightpollution within your government, city or community. These actions could be changes in policy or a concrete future commitment which could be announced.
ACTIVITIES: Past activities and awareness-raising events have included birdwatching tours, educational workshops and exhibitions, webinars, festivals, and painting competitions, which have been organized at schools, parks, town halls, education centers, and nature reserves.
World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
