International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2025; January 27th.

FORUM: "Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights." International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2025. This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War and the Holocaust. Eighty 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 2025, “Holocaust remembrance and education for dignity and human rights”. The theme reflects 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.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General at the memorial ceremony to mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust 2025.

Statement from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust 2025; January 27th.

On 27 January 1945, 80 years ago today, horrified and exhausted Soviet troops entered the Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi concentration and extermination camp and liberated the approximately 7,000 prisoners who had survived.Every year, this symbolic date urges the international community to remember the 6 million Jews who were murdered alongside countless other victims of Nazi brutality.At a time when there are fewer and fewer direct witnesses of the Holocaust, marking the twilight of what historian Annette Wieviorka calls "the era of the witness", we must commit ourselves with ever greater gravity to the perpetuation of its memory. Firstly, we must do so by preserving the very places where the horror occurred, so that we never stop believing in what was an utterly unbelievable event. In 1979, UNESCO proclaimed Auschwitz-Birkenau a world heritage site, thus contributing to the memorial nature of the structure which had housed a death camp. This inscription affirmed the mobilization of universal awareness with regard to a phenomenon which had consisted in the desire to sever off part of humanity. UNESCO's ongoing contribution to this memorial structure is reflected in a historic agreement signed just one year ago. After 14 years of diplomatic negotiations conducted under the aegis of our Organization, this agreement between the six States of the former Yugoslavia provides for the reopening of a permanent exhibition designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind, in a renovated shared pavilion. UNESCO also supports the Counter Extremism Project's creation of a new centre for research on hate, extremism and radicalization in the former house of the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, directly adjacent to the camp. This centre, called ARCHER at House 88, will offer fellowship programmes for young researchers, in conjunction with UNESCO university chairs dedicated to research on the Holocaust, violent pasts, and the prevention of antisemitism and extremism.Honouring the memory of the victims of the Holocaust also means valuing the Jewish cultural heritage which the Nazis set out to destroy. To this end, UNESCO inscribed, in 2021, the sites of Speyer, Worms and Mainz on the World Heritage List, and, in 2023, the sites of Erfurt and the El Ghriba synagogue in Djerba. Yet we cannot cultivate the memory of a place without conveying its meaning to the younger generations. In this respect, education plays an essential role, as it enables us to pass on an understanding of the history of the Holocaust in its universal dimension. For the Holocaust reveals something about the human species which cannot be reduced to a single era or a single people. The worst can happen again wherever the necessary conditions are present.
In order to prevent antisemitic, racist and xenophobic violence from being unleashed amid ignorance of the past, UNESCO and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum jointly developed the International Program on Holocaust and Genocide Education. For 10 years now, UNESCO has thus worked with 24 countries to ensure that school curricula and textbooks reflect violent pasts based on the facts. We must face reality: teaching people about the memory of the Holocaust has become an increasingly difficult task in the light of the resurgence of antisemitism on a massive scale. That is why UNESCO, in conjunction with the European Commission and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has set up a training programme for teachers - who are on the front line when it comes to dealing with hate speech in schools. Already available in 12 countries, these training courses are being extended to all European Union Member States this year.In the age of social networks, where hate speech proliferates anonymously, it is also vital to adapt our actions. Algorithms amplify Holocaust denial, as shown by UNESCO in a report published in partnership with the World Jewish Congress: AI and the Holocaust: Rewriting History? The fight against Holocaust denial and the distortion of the history of the Holocaust must be waged on all fronts. Also in conjunction with the World Jewish Congress, UNESCO has persuaded Meta and TikTok to redirect people seeking information about the Holocaust to a reliable site: About Holocaust.org. Available in 19 languages, the site received over 4.4 million visitors in 2024 alone. On this International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, UNESCO calls on the international community to remain fully mobilized on all fronts to ensure that we never let happen again what the American lawyer Samuel Pisar called "the greatest catastrophe ever perpetrated by man against man". 

Ms Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

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EVENTS: 2025 Commemorative events to observe the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. Explore the Calendar of Events!

On January 27th, the UNOV will hold a Commemorative Ceremony to mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. Watch the ceremony!

   

 The official ceremony of the United Nations Office at Geneva will pay tribute to those who perished in Nazi death camps. Mr. Ivan Lefkovits, Holocaust survivor of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, will speak about his family experience of loss and survival. After watching a video message from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, the following speakers will deliver remarks: • Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva • His Excellency Mr. Daniel Martin Meron, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Office at Geneva • Her Excellency Lotte Knudsen, Ambassador and Head of the Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Office at Geneva Musical performance by children's choir from the La Châtaigneraie Choir (Ecolint). Watch the observance!

   

The annual Holocaust Memorial Ceremony is the central event organized in observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The ceremony will be held on 27 January 2025 in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, under the theme "Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights". The Holocaust Memorial Ceremony takes place on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on 27 January 1945. The observance will be hosted by Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. Survivors of the Holocaust will share their testimonies along with invited speakers who include the United Nations Secretary-General; the President of the 79th session of the General Assembly and representatives of Member States. Watch the commemoration!

 

International Day of Clean Energy 2025; January 26th.

FORUM: “Clean Energy for a brighter future.” International Day of Clean Energy 2025. Global energy investment is projected to surpass USD 3 trillion in 2024, with USD 2 trillion allocated to clean energy technologies. We see 2025 being the year when renewable energy investments continue to far outpace new fossil fuel investments. At the same time, we foresee key players directing more investments into emerging and developing economies, suggesting a potential new trend. Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge – and key to the solution. We saw in 2024, global temperatures hitting record highs and extreme weather events affecting people in all corners of the world. Considering this existential threat to our planet, 2025 must be the moment for the global community to double down on the efforts to reduce emissions and limit temperature rise. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are national climate action plans, will take centre stage. The current NDCs limit the global temperature increase to between 2.4 to 2.6°C equating to a reduction of 5.3% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. However, according to the IPCC, a decrease of 43% is needed to limit temperature rise. Therefore, the NDC 3.0 process that will culminate in February 2025 – the deadline for countries to submit their updated NDCs – will be another major moment and we hope that there will be strong commitments and proactive responses to the 2023 global stocktake decision. The COP29 saw the reversal of hard-won gains as there was no agreement on phasing out of fossil fuels, and the new climate finance goal of USD 300 billion annually by 2035, is viewed as largely inadequate. COP30, hosted by Brazil, will be a major moment to recalibrate our collective fight against climate change. We are thrilled that the SEforALL Global Forum is one of the key milestone moments on the road to COP30, where global leaders and changemakers will look to secure even greater commitments for a just and equitable energy transition, combining learnings from the Bridgetown Initiative, with the people-centered approach driven by the Brazilian Presidency to further enable the advancement of clean energy solutions in underserved sectors and markets. Finally, there has been a growing trend of developing countries showing their leadership on the global stage, when it comes to issues on climate, development and energy. We do see this trend continuing in 2025 with these countries working towards improving access to energy for their people, while contributing to the global fight against climate change. There is a win-win potential that can be gained from collective action. The global community must continue to work with developing countries and provide the needed finance and technical assistance that can go well beyond supporting their economic development. With a growing number of youth, abundant renewable energy resources and increasing improvements in policies, these countries could provide a pathway for a more inclusive, green and prosperous world. That is our driving force and resolution for 2025. With a dedicated focus on advocating for clean and renewable energy sources, this occasion serves as a unifying platform for governments, businesses, and individuals across the globe to expedite the shift towards more sustainable and efficient energy systems. Clean energy plays a key role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and helping communities access reliable power sources. 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 second 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 2025 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.

From 12-13 March, 2025; The 2025 Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum under the theme of “Sustainable Energy for Equity, Security and Prosperity” will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center in Bridgetown, Barbados, co-hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Government of Barbados, led by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. The SEforALL Global Forum has become the landmark global gathering to drive faster, broader progress on universal access to sustainable energy, as called for by SDG7. It is a platform for government, business and finance leaders, entrepreneurs, youth and community representatives from around the world to come together to broker new partnerships, spur new investment and address challenges at the nexus of energy, climate and development. This year’s Forum will focus on catalysing the actions and investment needed for countries to achieve their energy access, climate and development goals. Building on Prime Minister Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative for the reform of development finance, the Forum will address the challenge of how we can mobilize sufficient finance on the right terms to meet global goals, especially for the most underserved communities, countries and regions – such as Small Island Developing States. Register to participate to the SEforALL Global Forum · ‎Registration · ‎Programme · ‎Logistics.

WEBINARS: Get informations on the upcoming webinars!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of Clean Energy 2025; January 26th.
This year, renewables are projected to become the world’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time. Meanwhile, their prices keep plummeting.
On the International Day of Clean Energy, we celebrate this revolution. But we also recognise the challenges ahead.

The end of the fossil fuel age is certain. But governments must ensure that it comes swiftly and fairly. This is crucial to save us from the worst of the climate crisis, and to connect every person to clean energy – lifting millions out of poverty.

This year offers an unparalleled opportunity for countries to align their climate ambitions with their national energy and development strategies. All countries have committed to produce new national climate action plans aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. They must deliver with plans that cover all greenhouse gases and sectors; map a just fossil fuel phase-out; and contribute to the global goal to triple renewables capacity by 2030.

The G20 have the largest capacities and responsibilities – they must lead. All this must be achieved in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. But all countries must do more.

We also need action to get finance flowing to the renewables revolution in emerging markets and developing economies. That includes increasing the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, tackling the high cost of capital, and taking effective action on debt.

On the International Day of Clean Energy, let’s commit to an international era of clean energy with speed, justice, and collaboration at its core.

António Guterres.

International Customs Day 2025; January 26th.

FORUM: “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity.” International Customs Day 2025. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is dedicating 2025 to Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity. The Secretariat is inviting Members to look at how they support newly-recruited officers, facilitate the sharing of knowledge, and heighten the sense of pride in being part of this institution and of the global Customs community. The WCO Members will have the opportunity to showcase the efforts and activities in this domain. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalCustomsDay, #26January, #Customs.

EVENTS: On January 26th, International Customs Day 2025, The participants are invited to mark the Anniversary of the WCO - a unique Organization dedicated to international cooperation and the sharing of knowledge.
 

On January 15th 2025, from 13:00 to 15:00 (Brussels time) was held the 2nd Symposium on "Removing counterfeits from e-commerce". In 11 June 2024, the WCO organized a Symposium on “Removing counterfeits from e-commerce” preceded by the Operation STOP III report launch. This event, the first of its kind under the IPR, Health and Safety Programme, attracted more than 350 registrations from WCO Member administrations, the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) network, international organizations, rights holders, industry, academia and private sector representatives, including e-commerce platforms, Customs brokers, express carriers and postal operators. The Symposium presented and described the landscape of illicit goods based on WCO data analysis resulting mainly from Operation STOP III and from seizures by other WCO Members and other stakeholders. In addition, through a panel discussion on the “Paradigm shift to bring about better results in the fight against counterfeiting in e-commerce”, the Symposium provided an opportunity for discussions on the challenges faced by Customs and the private sector with respect to intellectual property right (IPR) enforcement, particularly in the e-commerce domain.

Objectives: The aim of this second edition of the Symposium is to continue raising awareness among Customs officials and the general public about the threat of counterfeiting through e-commerce. This edition of the Symposium has a special focus on substandard, counterfeit and falsified medicines and medical devices.

Target audience

• WCO Member administrations and the RILO network
• International organizations
• Rights holders and industry representatives
• Private sector representatives (e-commerce platforms, Customs brokers, express carriers, postal operators)
• Academia

Format: The Symposium will be held in a hybrid format.

Registration: When registering, attendees may choose to attend either in-person at WCO Headquarters in Brussels or online. Register to participate, get the agenda programme and the list of speackers!


Message by the Secretary-General of the WCO on International Customs Day 2025; January 26th.

International Day of Education 2025; January 24th.

FORUM: “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation.“ International Day of Education 2025. Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed January 24th as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. As computer and AI-driven systems become more sophisticated, the boundaries between human intention and machine-driven action often blur, raising critical questions about how to preserve, redefine, and, ideally, elevate human agency in an age of technological acceleration. Under the theme “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”, the 2025 edition will inspire reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities navigate, understand and influence technological advancement. The International Day for Education 2025 aims to: • Examine new possibilities offered by AI, especially for teaching, learning, assessment and educational administration. • Promote the development of critical AI literacies by equipping educators and learners with the competencies needed to understand, use and influence AI technologies, in line with the UNESCO AI competency frameworks for teachers and students. • Ensure that AI complements, rather than replaces, the essential human elements of learning, including the cultivation of in-person relationships and emotional intelligence. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EndLearningPoverty, #Education2030, #DayofEducation, #24January, #EducationforPeace, #Learningforpeace, #education, SDG4.

EVENT: Organized by UNESCO and the UN Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning, the International Day of Education 2025 will delve into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping education and learning. By dedicating this year edition to artificial intelligence, UNESCO is aiming for a global discussion on the place of this technology within education. The Organization has scheduled conferences in Paris and New York, as well as a webinar.

On January 24th, the high-level event to celebrate the International Day of Education 2025 will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education and lifelong learning today, innovate teaching and learning practices, and accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4. However, rapid technological developments inevitably bring multiple risks and challenges, which have so far outpaced policy debates and regulatory frameworks. Current policies on AI and lifelong learning often adopt an instrumental and technologically deterministic approach, prioritising efficiency over human development and agency. The participants will explore how education can help people understand and steer Artificial Intelligence to better ensure that they retain control over this new class of technology and are able to direct it towards desired objectives that respect human rights and advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Get the UNESCO’s concept note for the 2025 celebration, the agenda programme and watch the event!

Artificial Intelligence and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation.
24 January 2025: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm CET
Location:UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France, Room I
Arrangement type: In-Person and livestream
Concept note
Contact: X.Zheng M.Pagano
REGISTER

WEBINAR: On January 24th, 2025 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm, a seminar and training entitled ‘Lifelong learning in the age of AI’ will be held online. The webinar will bring together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to revisit the idea of lifelong learning in the age of emerging technologies, with thematic focus on lifelong learning as a concept, workplace learning, digital competencies of adult educators, and bridging the grey digital divide. The Objectives of the event is to Discuss current trends, in policy, research, and innovative practices in emerging technologies such as AI and its relation to lifelong learning and the concept of agency; To Highlight the role of adult learning and education, in fostering digital competencies with a focus on adult educators and bridging the grey digital divide and to Engage educators and participants in interactive discussions and activities to foster a deeper understanding of AI and emerging technologies in adult education settings. The webinar is open to all interested stakeholders. Please register to participate!

“Artificial Intelligence and Education: Challenges and Opportunities”
24 January 2025: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST

Location: Trusteeship Chamber, UNHQ, New York, United States of America
Arrangement type: In person
Contact: ELISABETTA.CAPORASO
Good schools need good school leaders

Leadership is essential for quality education, seen as the second most important factor influencing learning outcomes. Effective leadership occurs at various levels, including within schools and in government.

PUBLICATION: The latest edition of the examines the Global Education Monitoring Report requirements for good educational leadership, highlighting how they differ across countries and change over time. It explores the visions driving leadership, practices that lead to improved education outcomes, and the impact of external social, cultural, and governance factors on effective leadership.

LIVESTREAM: Under the theme of International Day of Education 2025, "Preserving human agency in a world of automation", UNESCO is organizing a global event in New York to spotlight the dynamic interplay between AI and education.

How AI technologies are revolutionizing teaching and learning practices, while education, in turn, serves as a guiding force to ensure that AI is ethical, inclusive, and aligned with human values?

More particularly, the event aims to:

• Encourage reimagining education in an age of AI and welcome new and improved possibilities for teaching, learning, school environments, curriculum, educational organization and assessment.
• Promote critical AI literacies by discussing how educators and learners can be empowered with the competencies needed to understand, assess and influence AI technologies, in line with the guidance contained in the UNESCO AI Competency Frameworks for Teachers and Students.
• Advocate for a human-centered approach to AI integration in education, i.e. an approach that prioritizes human control, transparency, and accountability in AI design and deployment, while ensuring it serves to expand human capabilities, uphold human dignity and agency, and promote justice and sustainability throughout its entire life cycle.
• Ensure that AI complements, rather than replaces, the essential human elements of learning, including the cultivation of in-person relationships and emotional intelligence

World Braille Day 2025; January 4th.

FORUM: "Honoring the Louis Braille Legacy." World Braille Day 2025. 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. 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 Saturday, January 4th, for World Braille Day 2025; 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.

PUBLICATION: World Braille usage: a survey of efforts towards uniformity of Braille notation.

WEBINARS: Saturday is World Braille Day, an opportunity to celebrate the power of Braille in transforming lives.

Braille empowers blind and partially-sighted people to fully realize their human rights, offering access to education, employment and independence. As an essential means of communication, Braille breaks down barriers, fostering inclusion and equality —and plays a vital role in achieving the #GlobalGoals for a fairer, more accessible world.