International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism 2026; August 21st.

FORUM: "Healing through Memory." International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism 2026. The General Assembly, in its resolution 72/165 (2017), proclaimed August 21st as International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The focus of the International Day is to honour, remember, and pay tribute to the victims of terrorism by standing in solidarity and promoting and protecting their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Selected in consultation with the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN), this year’s theme recognises that acts of remembrance and memorialisation are not merely about looking back, but are essential for the dignity, recognition and long-term healing of survivors. By preserving stories and fostering empathy, collective memory can strengthen social cohesion and contribute to the prevention of future violence. To achieve this, commemorations must be respectful, victim-centred, and trauma-informed, ensuring they honor survivors without causing further harm. The International Day serves both as a tribute and a call to action. It honours the courage, resilience and leadership of victims and survivors while encouraging Member States, international organizations, civil society, educators, media professionals, and technology companies to promote responsible approaches to remembrance that uphold victims' rights and contribute to healing and prevention. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism, #UNCCT, #VictimsofTerrorism, #21August, #HealingthroughMemory.

EVENT: On Friday; August 21st, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. EDT to mark the ninth International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, the United Nations will host a high-level virtual event under the theme "Healing through Memory." The event will feature keynote remarks from Secretary-General António Guterres and opening remarks from the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Alexandre Zouev. It will also include reflections from victims and survivors of terrorism on the role of remembrance in healing and recovery, and a Global Minute of Silence to honour victims and survivors worldwide. The event will also mark the launch of a new victim-led initiative by members of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN). Developed by victims and survivors worldwide, this project examines online harms experienced by victims of terrorism and presents recommendations for technology platforms to promote more victim-centred and trauma-informed digital spaces that prevent re-traumatisation. The event will be broadcast live and on-demand on UN WebTV. Stay tuned to Watch the livestream!

Agenda Programme of the High-Level Commemorative Event 

21 August 2026 

10.00- 11.15 am EDT (New York time)
10:00 a.m. - Welcome remarks and moderation of event

• H.E. Mr. Lukman Al Faily, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism

10:03 a.m. - Keynote remarks

Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
10:05 a.m. - Opening remarks

• Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism,United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)

10:10 a.m. - Victims’ Voices - “Healing through Memory”
Four victims of terrorism share reflections on remembrance, memorialization, and the role of
memory in healing and recovery

1. Mr. Joseph Pfiefer (USA)
2. Ms. Saynab Warsame (Somalia)
3. Ms. Rachel Goldberg-Polin (Israel/USA)
4. Ms. Yassmine Bouzidi (Morocco)

10:25 a.m. - Global Minute of Silence
10:26 a.m. - Statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism

• H.E. Ms. Ana Jiménez de la Hoz, Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism

10:30 a.m. End of High-Level Segment
10:30 a.m. Launch of "Building a Safer Internet for Victims of Terrorism”

Panel discussion on VoTAN’s recommendations for addressing online harms affecting victims and
survivors of terrorism
Moderator: Ms. Sian Hutchinson, Officer-in-Charge, Preventing and Countering Violent
Extremism Section, UNOCT

• Ms. Odette Chesnot (Victims of Terrorism Associations Network)
• Ms. Maysoon Salama (Victims of Terrorism Associations Network)
• Ms. Naureen Chowdhury Fink (Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism)
• Ms. Emily Knowles (UNOCT/UNCCT Victims of Terrorism Programme)

11.10 a.m. - VoTAN video: “Healing Through Memory”

Featuring reflections from VoTAN members on the role of memory and remembrance in healing and recovery

11:15 a.m. Music performed by the UN Chamber Music Society

Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622, II. Adagio, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Media and Communications: Victims of terrorism, victims' associations, Member States, civil society organizations and United Nations partners are encouraged to create social media content to commemorate the International Day on their platforms, using the hashtag #UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism. A Trello board with communications assets will be provided by UNOCT. Communication activities will promote respectful, victim-centred, trauma-informed and responsible remembrance while highlighting the importance of preserving victims' stories and experiences for future generations. More information about the International Day will be available on the dedicated page on the UNOCT website and on the main UN Observances page. For more information, please contact Ms. Laurence Gerard, Public Information Officer, at gerardl@un.org.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2026, August 21st.

Today, we pay tribute to the victims and survivors of terrorism. We honour their courage; amplify their voices; and reaffirm our commitment to their dignity and rights. This year’s theme, “Healing through Memory”, reminds us that remembrance is a pathway to recovery and renewal.

But how we remember matters. Victims’ stories must never be exploited or used to sow more hate, including on digital platforms. When we commemorate responsibly, we protect victims from further trauma and counter the harmful narratives terrorism seeks to spread.

Instead of letting terror divide us, we can and must stay united. Today and every day, let us stand in solidarity with victims and survivors. And build a future free from violence and fear.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’.

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Digital assets and other campaign tools are available on the Trello board.

Useful Resources: Press release & Media Advisory

LIVESTREAM: The Observance of the ninth International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.

Partnerships: The UNOCT/UNCCT Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme leads the organization of all commemorative activities for International Day, in collaboration with the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, and in partnership with the United Nations Department of Global Communications and the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Group on Promoting and Protecting Human Rights and the Rule of Law while Countering Terrorism and Supporting Victims of Terrorism