International Day of Friendship 2024; July 30th.

FORUM: “Sharing the human spirit through friendship.” International Day of Friendship 2024. In a world full of challenges, friendship is often our most powerful tool. The International Day highlights the importance of friendship in promoting peace and unity across cultures and continents. Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust— we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #FriendshipDay, #30july, #Friendship, #Diplomaticrelationship .

EVENTS: On July 30th, to mark the International Day of Friendship 2024, the United Nations encourages governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Friendship is our most Powerful Tool.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024; July 30th.

FORUM: “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024. This year's global campaign urges to accelerate action to end child trafficking. Children represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims worldwide, with girls being disproportionately affected. 1 in 3 victims of human trafficking globally is a child. Additionally, children are twice as likely to face violence during trafficking than adults, according to the UNODC's Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP). Regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean bear a disproportionate burden, with children making up for 60 per cent of detected trafficking victims. Amid overlapping crises such as armed conflicts, pandemics, economic hardships, and environmental challenges, children are increasingly vulnerable to trafficking. Furthermore, the proliferation of online platforms poses additional risks as children often connect to these sites without adequate safeguards. Traffickers exploit online platforms, social media, and the dark web to recruit and exploit children, utilizing technology to evade detection, reach wider audiences, and disseminate exploitative content. The causes of child trafficking are as diverse as the ways in which children are exploited. Children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including exploitation in forced labour, criminality or begging, trafficked for illegal adoption, recruitment into armed forces, and online and sexual abuse and exploitation. Root causes are manifold, including poverty, inadequate support of unaccompanied children amidst rising migration and refugee flows, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, and lack of parental care. Notably, in low-income countries, children are often trafficked for forced labour, whereas in high-income countries, sexual exploitation remains prevalent among child victims. Identification and protection of child victims remain challenging due to underreporting, lack of awareness, and inadequate resources for victim support services. Traffickers often employ coercion, deception, and threats to maintain control over their victims, making it difficult for authorities to intervene. To effectively combat this scourge, concerted efforts are needed at both national and international levels. States must prioritize child protection, bolster legislation, improve law enforcement, and allocate more resources to combat child trafficking. Prevention efforts should target root causes like poverty and inequality to reduce children's vulnerability. Special attention must be paid to trafficking of children on the move. Strengthening child protection systems and implementing child-sensitive justice mechanisms are crucial for supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. The way to address online child exploitation requires innovative strategies, collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement, and robust legal frameworks. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #endHT, #30July, #worlddayagainsttraffickinginpersons, #EndHumanTrafficking on all digital platforms.

EVENTS: As we observe the 10th edition, it is crucial to address the shortcomings and accelerate action to End HumanTrafficking. On July 30th, the UNODC will celebrate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024 under the theme "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking" as part of awareness-raising events. Civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities have a vital role in raising awareness, providing support services, and advocating for policy reforms. The UNODC Regional office and the UNODC partners will also organize many activities in cities across the countries. Get involved!

PUBLICATIONS: ILO Convention against trafficking in Persons. Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published during the 112nd ILC session (2024) Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024; July 30th.


Human trafficking is a horrific crime that targets the most vulnerable in our societies.

On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we focus on the most vulnerable among us – children.

Children account for one-third of trafficking victims, suffering unspeakable abuse – whether they are forced into labour, sold off as brides, recruited as soldiers, or coerced into criminal activities. Rising inequalities and globalization have fuelled complex trafficking networks that challenge traditional legal frameworks, creating new forms of slavery. Online platforms further expose children to sexual exploitation and gender-based violence and allow traffickers to exploit victims across borders.

The physical and psychological scars of these crimes persist long into adulthood, robbing them of their innocence, futures and fundamental rights.
We must strengthen protection responses – including child-sensitive justice mechanisms, raise awareness, support unaccompanied children on the move, provide care for survivors, and tackle the root causes of exploitation by helping vulnerable families.

I call upon governments, civil society, and the private sector, including tech companies, to intensify their efforts and collaboration so that no child is victimized and no trafficker goes unpunished.

On this day, let us renew our commitment for a future where every child is safe and free.

United Nations Secretary-General.

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UNODC Executive Director’s Message on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, 30 July 2024.
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Human trafficking leaves deep scars.

And when the victims are children, those scars can come to define the rest of their lives.
This year’s theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons focuses on child victims, which have tripled over the past 15 years.

According to UNODC data, children account for more than a third of victims detected globally, and in some regions, they constitute the majority.

Poverty, conflict, climate change, and inadequate parental support are leaving too many children, easy prey for traffickers.

And once trafficked, they endure horrific abuse.

They are forced to work under horrendous conditions in sweatshops, on farms, and construction sites.

They are made to beg on the street, commit crime, or work as domestic servants.

They are recruited as child soldiers, while others are trafficked as they attempt to flee the shadow of war.

And many, particularly girls, face gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and forced marriage.

Meanwhile, digital technologies are enabling exploitation, with artificial intelligence generating thousands of images of child sexual abuse.

Last year, the United Nations policy forum on human trafficking, ICAT, called for united action to end child trafficking.

Now we must heed that call, by stepping up responses and working across all sectors of society, including governments, the private sector, tech companies, schools, healthcare, and social workers.

As a mother and a grandmother, I want to leave behind a world where no child is exploited, trafficked, or abused.

Let’s work together to make the world safer for all children.

UNODC Executive Director.

Video Message of the UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Mira Sorvino on 30 July 2024.

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World Hepatitis Day 2024; July 28th.

FORUM: "It’s time for action." World Hepatitis Day 2024. With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, we must accelerate action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes. There are 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D, and E. Together, hepatitis B and C are the most common infections and result in 1.3 million deaths and 2.2 million new infections per year. Despite better tools for diagnosis and treatment, and decreasing product prices, testing and treatment coverage rates have stalled. But, reaching the WHO elimination goal by 2030 should still be achievable, if swift action is taken now. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #worldhepatitisday, #28July, #hepatitis, #by2030.

EVENTS: On July 28th; The World Hepatitis Day 2024 will be held online from 13:00 – 15:00 CET. The webinar will feature WHO leaders and high-profile speakers in a multi-stakeholder discussion to share country examples and solutions that highlight the importance of the liver for a healthy life and the need to scale up viral hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment to optimize liver health, prevent liver disease and achieve the 2030 hepatitis elimination. It will highlight the importance of a public health elimination approach and upcoming complementary guidelines update that has the potential to change the trajectory of the hepatitis B response. Hosted by the World Hepatitis Alliance, the World Heath Organization (WHO), the WHO/PAHO; the WHO Europe, the WHO SEARO, the WHO EMRO, the WHO WPRO and the WHO African Regional offices with the participation of the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

On July 29th, from 12:30 – 14:30 pm (CEST), the WHO is organizing a global webinar on the campaign theme It's time for action, and sub-theme Global hepatitis response: Closing the gap towards the 2030 elimination goals. This broad theme highlights the fact that progress, as well as action, have stalled and that the global health community needs to get back on track toward viral hepatitis elimination by 2030. This global webinar will provide spotlights and country progress on access from communities, and partners, as well as new approaches for increased case finding for hepatitis B and C and for transforming the hepatitis B response to a public health approach. It will feature high level international and national leaders with participation of Ministers of Health, national programme managers and policy makers, UN organizations, implementation agencies and regional and country office colleagues as well as civil society and people with lived experience and other partners. It is time for action to accelerate the reduction in new hepatitis infections, stem the decreasing mortality and aid countries in achieving the goal of elimination by 2030. Register here!

On July 25th; As part of the activities, the WHO/Europe will host a webinar focusing on the new recommendations for hepatitis B, including the broader eligibility for treatment and how countries are planning to implement these changes in their national programmes. Webinar registration.

On July 25th; As part of the activities, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EDT, Washington D.C.), the PAHO will held a webinar; Our regional effort to eliminate viral hepatitis is strategically aligned with PAHO's Communicable Disease Elimination Initiative. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for governments, communities, and stakeholders to join forces and work together to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030. The World Hepatitis Day also seeks to highlight the support of key stakeholders in this effort, as well as to share good practices and experiences from PAHO Member States. Read the agenda programme and watch the livestream!

STATEMENTS: Statement from Dr. Tedros on World Hepatitis Day 2024; July 28th.

PUBLICATIONS: Global Hepatitis Report 2024 - Action for access in low- and middle-income countries. This report presents the latest estimates on the disease burden and the coverage of essential viral hepatitis services from 187 countries across the world.

World Chess Day 2024; July 20th.

FORUM:"100 years of promoting and governing the game of chess."World Chess Day 2024. This year the International Chess Federation (FIDE) celebrates its 100th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, FIDE wants more chess games played on this day than any other 24-hour period and plans to record the number of games played with Guinness World Records, the global authority for record-breaking achievements.

EVENTS:Be part of the worldwide celebration on World Chess Day 2024 and play at least one game on a platform or in an over-the-board tournament registered for the effort. The time period for games to be played is between 00:00 on July 20 and 00:00 CEST on July 21 (6 p.m. on July 19 and 6 p.m. July 20 ET, or 3:30 a.m. July 20 and 3:30 a.m. July 21 IST). Games can be played online or over-the-board.

Nelson Mandela International Day 2024 July 18th.

FORUM: "It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity." Nelson Mandela International Day 2024. Madiba encouraged every individual to take responsibility and be the change they want to see. One area we can bring about positive change is through our fight against climate change which is impacting numerous areas of life including food security. Today and every day, Let us find hope in Nelson Mandela’s example and inspiration in his vision; Let us honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy by taking action: By speaking out against hate and standing up for human rights. By embracing our common humanity – rich in diversity, equal in dignity, united in solidarity and by making our world more just, compassionate, prosperous, and sustainable for all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags; #MandelaDay, #Itisinyourhands, #18july.

EVENTS: At UNHQ NYC, on July 15th, from 17:00 p.m to 21:00 p.m. EDT; The United Nations General Assembly will mark the Nelson Mandela International Day 2024 with an informal plenary meeting at the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber. The speakers are H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly; H. E. Ms. Amina J Mohamed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations; H.E. Mr. Richard Allen Stengel, Editor, Author and Former United States Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and Mrs. Sabrina Elba, Philanthropist & IFAD Goodwill Ambassador. Read the agenda programme and Watch the livestream!

At the Randall’s Island in NYC on July 18th, the annual volunteer event in honour of Nelson Mandela will take place on Randall’s Island. Volunteers will remove invasive plants and introduce new native plantings. The volunteer activity was a collaboration co-organized by the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs, the United Nations Department for Global Communications, the Office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly, and the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations. In partnership with Randall’s Park Alliance. Get the flyer to Learn more about the ‘‘Volunteering for #MandelaDay’’ activities.

Statement by H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on Nelson Mandela International Day 2024; July 18th.

Nelson Mandela showed us the extraordinary difference one person can make in building a better world.

And as the theme of this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day reminds us – combatting poverty and inequality is in our hands.

Our world is unequal and divided.

Hunger and poverty are rife.

The richest one per cent are responsible for the same quantity of planet-wrecking greenhouse gases as two-thirds of humanity.

These are not natural facts. They are the result of humanity’s choices. And we can decide to do things differently.

We can choose to eradicate poverty.

We can choose to end inequality.

We can choose to transform the international economic and financial system in the name of equity.

We can choose to fight racism, respect human rights, combat climate change, and create a world that works for all humanity.

Every one of us can contribute – through actions large and small.

I join the Nelson Mandela Foundation in urging everyone to perform 67 minutes of public service on Nelson Mandela International Day – one minute for each year he fought for justice.

Together, let’s honour Madiba’s legacy and turn our hands towards building a better world for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

International Criminal Justice Day 2024; July 17th.

FORUM: “Truth, Memory and Justice: Engaging victims of mass atrocities in international criminal justice.” International Criminal Justice Day 2024. 17 July is the Day of International Criminal Justice. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998, the founding treaty of the ICC, which seeks to protect people from genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. It’s an occasion to unite all those who wish to support justice, promote victims' rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world. This year, the Day of International Criminal Justice would be devoted to victims of mass atrocities and to mechanisms to ensure their meaningful involvement and participation in international criminal proceedings since the early stages. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Romestatute, #JusticeMatters, #17july, #criminaljustice, #SDG16, #Internationalcriminaljusticeday.

EVENTS: Marking the 26th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute. On 17 July 2024; during all the day; The ICC will celebrate the Twenty-Sixth Anniversary of the Adoption of the Rome Statute. Explore the commemorative events overview!
At the United Nations Headquarters in New York on July 17th from 15:00 to 16:30 will be held the Commemoration of the Day of International Criminal Justice; The President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Ms. Päivi Kaukoranta (Finland) invite you to a panel discussion entitled “Truth, Memory and Justice: Engaging victims of mass atrocities in international criminal justice” at in the Ecosoc Chamber. The voices of those who suffer the consequences of international crimes and their quest for truth lay at the foundation of international criminal justice, the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court. The commemorative event will focus on three main issues: 1. How to protect the memory of mass atrocities that have involved millions of people since the inception of the 20th century. 2. How to properly address the quest for justice of victims and survivors of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide within the system of the International Criminal Court. 3. How to improve the statutory framework to allow a deeper and more meaningful participation of victims in the Court’s proceedings since their beginning, including by providing victims with means of judicial redress before the Pre-Trial Chamber during the investigative stage of the proceedings as well as rights of participation as parties to the proceedings and rights of appeal. The discussion will not refer to any situation before the Court. The Opening remarks will be made by the moderator: Ms. Päivi Kaukoranta, President, Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute; The Panel members are: Judge Tomoko Akane, President, International Criminal Court; Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, First Vice-President, International Criminal Court; H.E. Mr. Michael Imran Kanu, Vice-President, Assembly of States Parties; Mr. Pablo de Greiff, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence. The panel discussion will be followed by question & answer segment. Requests for inscription on the list of speakers for States and other stakeholders wishing to pose a question should be made from 11 July until the end of Tuesday, 16 July via email at: asp@icc-cpi.int and copied to Estera.Luteranova@icc-cpi.int specifying the name and title of the speaker. Participants will be inscribed on the speakers list on a first come, first served basis with States Parties being given priority. Participants are kindly requested to keep their questions to a maximum of three minutes. Read the concept note and get the Invitation!

LIVESTREAM: Reviewing the ICC's Jurisdiction over the Crime of Aggression: Addressing Double Standards in International Law.

The panel will discuss the importance of States using the mandated review of the Kampala amendments on the crime of aggression to harmonize the ICC's jurisdiction over all four of its core crimes.

World Youth Skills Day 2024; July 15th.

FORUM: “Youth Skills for Peace and Development.“ World Youth Skills Day 2024. Reflecting on progress made and setting directions for future initiatives, the international community’s commitment to empowering youth with comprehensive skills for peace and sustainable development is crucial, particularly as young people are at the forefront of global efforts in shaping a peaceful, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future. This ongoing commitment ensures that the educational strides we make are not only maintained but also adapted to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities of our global society. This observance will underscore the crucial role young people play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. The world faces a multitude of challenges today, many of which affect the youth. Violent conflicts disrupting education and stability, a polarized online environment fostering negativity, and persistent economic inequality limits opportunities. These issues threaten not only individual futures but also the overall stability of societies. It is crucial to equip youth with the necessary skills for fostering a culture of peace, nurturing responsible global citizens, and promoting sustainable development to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. On this World Youth Skills Day, let us unite in recognizing the potential of young people as agents of peace and commit to providing them with the skills and opportunities to address challenges and contribute to a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #15July, #WYSD, #WorldYouthSkillsDay.

EVENTS: At UNHQ; On July 15th; from 10:00apm - 11.30am EDT, to observe the World Youth Skills Day 2024, a hIgh level event entitled ’’Youth Skills for Peace and Development.’’ organized by the Permanent Mission of Portugal and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations New York, in collaboration with UNESCO-UNEVOC, the International Labour Organization, the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, with Member States, young experts, social partners, teachers and educators, and other stakeholders, will be held. This event will bring also together students, governments, United Nations agencies, the private sector, and civil society representatives, to analyze the impact of current crises on youth globally and debate the options for young people to quickly adapt to the demands of an ever-changing world. The virtual panel discussion objectives are to: • Review effective practices and interventions to advance skills development that enables youth to contribute actively to peace and sustainable development. • Highlight youth’s contribution to the acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs especially those related to skills and decent work for peace and resilience, • Highlight the positive experiences and skills of young people that have contributed to a workplace free from violence and harassment. • Explore ways to foster social and emotional learning into education and training systems to equip youth with skills for empathy, resilience, and conflict resolution. • Explore ways to foster global citizenship education and integrate it in curricula at all levels of education, including TVET, to enhance understanding of global issues and empower youth to act as agents of change. More details on the event and Get involved!

From UNESCO; On July 15th, from 10:00 - 12:30 EST, a virtual event entitled ‘‘Building an equitable and inclusive future of work that fosters peace, global citizenship, and sustainable development.’’ will be held. Register to participate!

From UNESCO; On July 15th, from 10:00 - 12:30 EST, a virtual event entitled “AI Skills for the Future of Work." will be held. The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies across various industries is transforming the landscape of work. To prepare youth for the jobs of the future, it is crucial to equip them with the necessary AI skills. The Global Skills Academy will host a dedicated session on "AI Skills for the Future of Work" to address this pressing need. Register to participate!

Virtually; On July 15th, Join us at the HESI Global Forum On "The Future of Higher Education for Sustainable Development." to engage in discussions on education, innovation, and sustainability with a focus on AI. Register to participate!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Youth Skills Day 2024; July 15th.

The future of humanity and our planet depends on young people.

But it also depends on ensuring they have the skills to tackle today’s challenges and shape a more peaceful tomorrow.

We know there is a clear link between countries that enjoy high levels of peace, spending on education, and school completion rates.

Yet today, almost a quarter of the world’s youth are not in education, employment, or training – with that figure more than twice as high for young women.

Meanwhile the financing gap for education in low and middle-income countries stands at a massive 100 billion dollars a year.

This year’s World Skills Day shines a spotlight on skills for peace and sustainable development.

Around the world, young people are already working to build safer and stronger communities. They can make an even bigger difference for our shared future with training for the burgeoning green and digital economies, education to help break the cycle of hate speech and misinformation, tools to enhance mediation and dialogue, and so much more.

Today, and every day, let’s work to transform education.

And let’s ensure that youth have what they need to build skills for shaping a more peaceful, sustainable future for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

LIVETREAM: From UNHQ, New York - World Youth Skills Day 2024 - Youth Skills for Peace and Sustainable Development. Virtual event/ Stay tuned on 15 July 2024 starting at 10:00 am ending at 11:30 am EST.

Ten years ago, in December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly established World Youth Skills Day as to emphasize the critical importance of equipping young people with essential skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship, as well as for addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development. 2024 marks a significant milestone to reflect on the transformative progress made in youth skills development over the past decade, but also the gaps that remain and the challenges that still need to be addressed, in the context of a constantly evolving world of work. The international community has amplified its efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment, adapting to rapid technological advancements and shifting economic priorities. Today's youth face increasing challenges that threaten not only their individual futures but also the overall peace and stability of societies around the world. Among the most disruptive of these challenges are conflicts, whose induced polarization renders educational and training environments unsafe and inaccessible, puts a break to job creation, and weakens the enabling environment for young workers and young entrepreneurs to thrive. Conflicts contribute to cycles of violence and instability, impacting young people's ability to contribute to their communities. Additionally, youth today must navigate an increasingly divided online environment where hate speech, cyberbullying and disinformation campaigns are prevalent, further disrupting their social interactions and undermining their mental well-being. At the same time, expectations towards a workplace free from harassment, violence and conflict have gained momentum. In many workplaces, gender-based violence and harassment are no long tolerated.

 The ILO RC190 - Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) details actions member states are expected to take to protect workers from violence and harassment. The convention is particularly important for young people that have often less negotiating power in their job experiences. Skills development where peace is adequately mainstreamed is an important part of the answer to conflicts. Skills development interventions strengthen mutual understanding and trust between groups. Skills development also increases young people‘s employability reducing conflict around the control of income generating assets; skills development can also address grievances and perceptions of injustice. The goal is therefore to equip young people affected by conflict with market relevant technical skills, including the skills demanded by the digital and green economies; core skills including social and emotional learning (SEL) skills to build up agency, resilience, empathy; interpersonal skills, and the skills to effectively engage in the peace and security agenda. The recent report by the Secretary-General on Youth and Peace and Security highlights the need to promote youth inclusion in peace and security and calls on member states and regional organizations to provide young people with the necessary skills and knowledge for engaging in peace processes, conflict prevention, climate justice, and peacebuilding. 

Similarly, UNESCO’s “Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development” provides guidance on education and skills development efforts for young people to become agents of change and lead efforts toward a more peaceful, just and inclusive future. Additionally, the Youth Declaration on Transforming Education calls for a comprehensive education framework based on peace and human rights and urges decision-makers to establish a safe learning environment, free from all forms of violence and discrimination. 

World Population Day 2024; July 11th.

FORUM: "To leave no one behind, count everyone." World Population Day 2024. as we mark this year observance, the importance of collecting inclusive data – counting everyone, everywhere, as they are – takes the spotlight. An often unrecognized hero, reliable data have helped drive global advancements in women’s access to reproductive care, reductions in maternal death and improvements in gender equality. But there is much to be done. Thirty years ago, at the landmark International Conference on Population and Development, world leaders called for reliable, timely, culturally relevant data, broken down by gender, ethnicity and other factors. While data collection and analysis tools have vastly improved since then, these changes have also exposed significant information gaps and potential risks, including the misrepresentation or misuse of data. So we have not yet delivered on that call to action. In an increasingly unpredictable world – with rapid population growth in some places, rapid ageing in others, and climate change, conflict and crises everywhere – reliable population data are more important than ever, and must be used to reach and respond to the needs of those who have been left behind. Too many people, communities and needs are going uncounted and unaccounted for. Indeed, research in UNFPA’s flagship State of World Population report shows that the world’s most marginalized communities have been largely excluded from progress. Why? Because we are not prioritizing investments in population data systems, or making data collection safe for all people, or working with marginalized communities to ensure they are represented. New and innovative data tools can bring invisible issues to light and illustrate the full picture of people’s experiences. But these applications must be carefully managed: Biases and risks to privacy remain unresolved concerns around technology such as artificial intelligence, or AI. As the world moves into a new era of data collection, societies must work to ensure that processes respect people’s rights and protect their information, while gathering data that capture multifaceted experiences. Countries and societies must champion data collection that counts people as they are, in all their complexity. To be sure, data alone cannot tell the whole story. Too often, data reduce people to simple statistics – reinforcing stereotypes, biases and stigma. Combating prejudice and inequality requires updating our data-collection processes to be inclusive, equitable and transparent. Individuals are experts in their own experiences. Empowering people, especially those left behind, to share their full stories and selves in data collection is key to a more resilient and equitable future for all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldPopulationDay; #11july, #sustainablefuture, #programmeofaction, #population, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #CountEveryone #megatrends, #icpd30.

EVENTS: On July 11th; to mark World Population Day 2024, the UNFPA and the Specialized agencies will highlight the need or reliable data collection and analysis tools. This World Population Day is a moment to ask who is still going uncounted and why – and what this costs individuals, societies and our global efforts to leave no one behind. It is also a moment for all of us to commit to doing more to ensure that our data systems capture the full range of human diversity so that everyone is seen, can exercise their human rights and can reach their full potential which will help achieve progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary General on World Population Day 2024; July 11th.

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. It must also be the year we resolve to accelerate efforts and investments to turn its promises into a reality.

Central to the ICPD Programme of Action is the recognition that women’s sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights are cornerstones of sustainable development.

In the decades since it was adopted, we have made progress. More women than ever have access to modern contraception. Maternal deaths have fallen thirty-four per cent since the year 2000. The women’s movements and civil society have been critical to driving change.

But progress has been unequal and unsteady. It is outrageous that well into the 21st century, around 800 women die needlessly every day in pregnancy and childbirth – the vast majority in developing countries. And in some places, legislative advances in tackling vital issues such as female genital mutilation risk going into reverse.

As the theme of this year’s World Population Day reminds us, investing in data collection is important to understanding problems, tailoring solutions, and driving progress. So is finance. I urge countries to make the most of the Summit of the Future this year to unleash affordable capital for sustainable development.

Let’s deliver on the ICPD Programme of Action for everyone, everywhere.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from UNFPA Executive Director on World Population Day 2024; July 11th.

For humanity to progress, people must be counted, wherever they are and whoever they are – in all their diversity. To end inequality, to find and grow peace and prosperity, to weave more threads of hope, the world needs to do more for inclusion.

To go uncounted is to be made invisible and, as a result, left unserved. This contributes to a 10-year-old girl being left with no health care when she is displaced during conflict. Or to an older woman with a disability having no safety net when a crisis strikes. It leaves a newborn in a remote indigenous community without the passport to protection that birth registration confers.

Over the last three decades, heeding the call of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, societies around the world have made tremendous strides in improving population data gathering, analysis and use. New population numbers, disaggregated by age, ethnicity, gender and other factors, reflect the diversity of our societies. To take just one example, approximately two thirds of countries now include questions on disability in their censuses.

Advances like these have improved the delivery of health care to people all over the world, resulting in significant leaps forward in sexual and reproductive health and the ability to exercise rights and choices. Increasingly, new technologies are enabling more granular and timely measurement of more people’s experiences than ever before.

Even so, the most marginalized communities are still underrepresented in data, and the consequences of this deeply affect their lives and well-being. Recent UNFPA research reveals acute and growing inequalities, within and among countries. In too many places, for example, women from racial and ethnic minority groups are nearly invisible in statistics tracking maternal deaths. This is one reason why health and social services overlook their needs, and a far greater share of these women die giving birth.

World Population Day 2024 is a moment to ask who is still going uncounted and why – and what this costs individuals, societies and our global efforts to leave no one behind. It is also a moment for all of us to commit to doing more to ensure that our data systems capture the full range of human diversity so that everyone is seen, can exercise their human rights and can reach their full potential.

Thirty years on from Cairo, there’s much to be celebrated but still much work to be done. People may be hard to reach, but no one is unreachable. To realize the rights and choices of those pushed to the margins of our societies, we have to count them – because everyone counts. Our rich human tapestry is only as strong as the weakest thread. When data and other systems work for those on the margins, they work for everyone. This is how we accelerate progress for all.

Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA. 

MEETING: Navigating Megatrends: The ICPD Programme of Action for a Sustainable Future.

Launch of the ICPD30 Think Pieces.

Date: Thursday 11 July 2024.

Time: 11:30 - 1 PM.

Venue: UN Secretariat, New York - Conference Room 6.

Interpretation: French and Spanish 

 ICPD30 in the context of global megatrends

 The vision and values of the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (PoA) inspired development priorities worldwide. The core tenet of the ICPD-PoA - that sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women empowerment are absolute preconditions for sustainable development - is now widely recognized within development agendas. The ICPD-PoA discouraged target-based population policies and affirmed an integrated multi-sectoral approach to development based on human rights, non-discrimination and inclusive human capital development. Recognizing environmental stress, it called to reform unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, and eradicate inequality and multidimensional poverty. Thirty years after the adoption of the Programme of Action, countries face diverse demographic trends and a constellation of challenges including pushback on gender equality and reproductive rights, the climate crisis and increasing conflict that are displacing millions of people, as well as pressures around population ageing and rapid urbanization. While global, regional and national initiatives have advanced many core objectives of the PoA and contributed to progress in the global development agenda, shortfalls in implementation now coincide with new and unfamiliar threats to development. At the midpoint on our way to 2030, about half of SDG targets with available data are moderately or severely off track; and over 30 per cent have either seen no movement or regressed below the 2015 baseline. Impacted by polycrises, the world is back at hunger levels not seen since 2005. Under current trends, 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030, with only about one third of countries meeting the target to halve national poverty levels1 . The world’s most 1 United Nations, The Sustainable Development Goals Report, 2023 Special edition. 2 marginalized people, including low-income groups, persons with disabilities, and, racial and ethnic minorities have seen the least progress in achieving their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). At the current pace of decline, maternal mortality in 2030 will still be almost three times higher than the SDG target 3.1 of 70 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. UNFPA’s ICPD30 Think Pieces To mark the 30th anniversary of the ICPD, and as the international community prepares for the Summit of the Future in September 2024, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has produced five Think Pieces exploring key themes shaping the future of the ICPD mandate and providing future-focused ideas on how to achieve the PoA in a world of radical transformation. 

The think pieces are entitled:

 1. Demographic Change and Sustainability 

2. The Future of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 

3. The Future of Population Data 

4. ICPD and Climate Action 

5. A Safe Digital Future 

The think pieces are intended to prompt discussion on future priorities and directions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and accelerating, advancing and amplifying the vision and principles of the ICPD. Developed under UNFPA’s leadership, the Think Pieces include technical contributions from more than 50 experts from the UN system, academia, civil society and INGOs.

The event 

The ICPD30 Think Pieces will be launched on World Population Day (annually celebrated on July 11th) to raise awareness of global population issues. The event will also take place concurrently with the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which this year will focus on "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises”. The launch session will thus provide a platform for global leaders, policymakers, experts, and advocates to engage in meaningful discussions and reflections on the future role of the ICPD mandate in realizing the promise of the SDGs, and the challenges ahead. 

Key objectives of the launch: 

● Disseminate the key findings and insights from UNFPA's five ICPD30 Think Pieces, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics in population and development and their intersections with global megatrends. 

● Explore the policy implications of the findings and highlight actionable recommendations for governments and other stakeholders to advance the goals of the ICPD-PoA and promote their alignment and integration with the SDGs. 

● Inspire renewed commitment and collective action towards achieving the vision set forth in the ICPD-PoA, ensuring that the next 30 years bring about positive and sustainable change.

● Provide an opportunity for networking and enhanced collaboration among diverse stakeholders working on the key themes shaping the future of the ICPD mandate. 

Target audience: The primary target audience for the event will be Member States (senior government officials and representatives of the permanent missions), as well as civil society organizations, international agencies, experts, and other delegations attending the HLPF. 

Format: Following the welcome address by the moderator, opening remarks will be provided by UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNFPA Deputy Executive Director for Programme, Ms. Diene Keita, alongside the three co-hosts from Canada, Cote d’Ivoire and Japan (TBC), who will officially launch the ICPD30 Think Pieces. A presentation summarising the key findings and messages from the 5 papers will be delivered by the Chief of Population and Development at UNFPA Headquarters. This will be followed by commentaries by experts in population and development issues. In a Q&A session, Member States and other participants in the audience will be encouraged to ask questions or share policy and practice experiences relevant to the topics of the Think Pieces. The moderator will make brief closing remarks at the end of the session.

LIVESTREAM: Navigating Megatrends: The ICPD Programme of Action for a Sustainable Future. Watch the webcast!

International Day of Cooperatives 2024; July 6th.

FORUM: "Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All." International Day of Cooperatives 2024. Cooperatives generate decent work, practice gender equality and provide strong opportunities for youth. We innovate and connect users, producers and consumers, in a responsible, supportive and inclusive manner. We manage resources in a transparent and democratic way, putting communities in control of their capital We take care of ecosystems, because the environment and people, They are at the center of our socio-business model We promote positive peace, because the cooperative economy is synonymous with harmonious relations between peoples. For all this and much more, cooperatives build a world better for all people. This July 6th let's take advantage of our Day to boost this global recognition in different countries on all continents. For the journey to 2025, proposed by the United Nations as the International Year of Cooperatives, let us take the call of the UN to the states to support our model, as we continue to build a sustainable world in social, economic and environmental matters. Together with the more than one billion members of three million cooperatives on all continents, let's show how we are transforming the societies we live in, day by day. On July 6th, the cooperative movement will celebrate the Day. The worldwide cooperatives will have the opportunity to showcase their current and historical contributions to building a sustainable future, accelerating efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. Learn more on how Cooperatives help to move forward the United Nations 2030 Agenda and make SDGs a reality. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #coops4sdgs, #CoopsDay, #6july, #Sustainability, #Cooperatives.

EVENTS: This year’s, we will mark the 30th International Day of Cooperatives recognized by the United Nations and the ICA event celebration will celebrate the 102nd International Cooperative Day. Through the Day, local, national, and international policymakers, civil society organisations and the public in general can learn about the contribution of cooperatives to a just and sustainable future for all. The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) invites cooperators everywhere to spread the word about the Agenda 2030. For this year observance, cooperatives can showcase their high standards for inclusive and sustainable growth, and service as stewards for protecting the environment and fighting climate change. Through democratic governance and shared ownership, cooperatives set an example for peace and stability, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together on equal terms, and fostering understanding and respect. Hundreds of cooperative events occur annually around the world. Check the worlwide map of the events and Register to participate!

In New York; On 9 July, the UN Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives will host a soft-launch hybrid event of the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the UN Headquarters. Get more infos on the Soft-Launch Event for the IYC2025 to celebrate 2024 CoosDay!

In India, New Delhi, The organizers will host “cooperators from around the world” to kick-off the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives. The conference theme, Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All, celebrates cooperatives as people-centred, purpose-led and progress-driven enterprises. Register to participate!

STATEMENTS: Statement of the President of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), Mr. Ariel Guarco on the International Day of Cooperatives 2024.

LIVESTREAM: Watch the UN DESA International Day/International Year of Cooperatives!