World Post Day 2025; October 9th.

FORUM: "#PostForPeople: Local Service. Global Reach." World Post Day 2025. This year campaign focus on the Post as a vital public service rooted in communities & driven by people. From rural villages to urban centres, we honour the Post for People. Follow the Conversations with the hashtags: #Postforpeople,#WorldPostDay, #Postalservices, #9October, #globalreach.

EVENTS: On October 9th,The UPU_UN and its partners will celebrate the World Post Day 2025 under the theme #PostForPeople: Local Service. Global Reach. The panel discussions will highlight the power of the Post to connect people and communities both locally and globally. Register to participate!

Statement of the UPU Director General on World Post Day 2025.

This World Post Day, we celebrate the vital role of the postal sector as a lifeline, bringing essential services to everyone, everywhere. The postal network is among the largest and farthest-reaching service infrastructures in the world. With more than 600,000 post offices, it provides communities everywhere with reliable access to communication, commercial, financial and social services. From the most remote areas to the busiest cities, the postal network is a bridge, connecting people to the wider world. The recently adopted UPU Strategy aligns closely with this year’s theme, “#PostforPeople: Local Service. Global Reach.” It envisions the UPU as a driving force in building an interconnected, inclusive and sustainable society, supported by a seamless and innovative postal network that is capable of delivering high-quality, modern services to people around the world. Through this year’s theme, we also want to celebrate the women and men who make this extraordinary universal service possible – the 4.6 million postal workers across 192 member countries, whose dedication enables the postal network to continue to serve billions of people every day. We applaud all those workers who innovate at headquarters, who process millions of parcels at sorting centres, and who deliver by foot, bicycle or vehicle every single day. On this World Post Day, I urge us all to work together in ensuring that the Post continues to offer quality services to everyone, everywhere, connecting local communities to the world. Let us unite to make the postal network more accessible, more reliable and more inclusive than ever.

Happy World Post Day.

UPU Director General.

COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS: Postal communications teams and anyone interested in joining the campaign and amplifying it are encouraged to download and use these official materials. To access the board, click here. In celebration of this year's World Post Day; Several Posters are available in the following languages. Get the Poster in English, in French, in Arabic, in Portuguese, in Russian, in Spanish and in Chinese; The Social Media Kit and the Social Media Campaign!

World Habitat Day 2025; October 6th.

FORUM: "Urban Crisis Response.'' World Habitat Day 2025. An increasing number of people are driven from their homes by crises such as conflict, political instability, climate change and economic hardship. A record 122 million people are forcibly displaced1 . In an increasingly urbanizing world, displacement is becoming an urban phenomenon. Over 60% of internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrants are seeking refuge in cities, putting pressure on local systems. This is accelerating urban growth while changing territories significantly. This makes urban crisis response and urban displacement a timely focus for World Habitat Day. The day will highlight sustainable, scalable, and transformative solutions to urban displacement that help stabilize populations while promoting prosperity and fostering social cohesion for all. It will put the spotlight on the importance of urban and territorial planning, inclusive urban governance and the role of local governments in sustainable solutions for displacement. 

MOVING FROM ACUTE CRISIS RESPONSE TO SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: A humanitarian response that fails to integrate development approaches early, risks prolonging the crisis and aid dependency. There is an urgent need to pivot earlier towards development- and government-led solutions in dealing with displacement situations for more durable outcomes. 

To effectively transition to sustainable urban solutions and promote self-reliance, three approaches are key:

First, inclusive approaches to urban and territorial development with social cohesion at the center are key to addressing the needs of both host communities and the displaced. In line with SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda, inclusive urban planning and urban governance are essential tools to facilitate social cohesion and integration of displacement of affected communities.

 Second, sustainable solutions also need to ensure access to adequate housing, land, and basic services. Displaced populations and host communities, particularly the urban poor, often face acute challenges in access to adequate housing, basic services, and economic opportunities. The ever-worsening global housing crisis exacerbates these challenges, as it strains already limited resources. The influx of more displaced persons strains urban systems even more, and if unplanned, further fuels informal settlements and slums where 1.1 billion people already reside globally. Third, Mayors and local governments have demonstrated over and over again that they can drive solutions, working closely with the displacement of affected communities in all their diversity. Their leadership is key to ensure social cohesion as a prerequisite for inclusive growth and stability. Enhancing multi-level governance, building local governments’ capacity, and ensuring enabling legal and policy instruments, along with comprehensive financing solutions, are critical in achieving long-term solutions for both host and displaced communities and provides them with access to adequate housing. The World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. Follow the converstions with the hashtags:  #WorldHabitatDay, #UrbanOctober, #urbancrisisresponse, #Right2Housing, #MindtheGap, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #adequatehousing.

EVENTS: On October 6th, From the UN-Habitat HQ at UNON, Nairobi; Kenya, the Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2025 will be linked to, urban crisis response. The theme will focus on addressing multiple crises affecting urban areas, including climate and conflicts that are contributing to inequality, and promote existing tools and approaches to effective crisis response. In line with UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029, World Habitat Day will: 1. Share urban and territorial development strategies for durable solutions to displacement. 2. Recognize the central role of local governments in championing solutions and the need for multi-level governance. 3. Highlight social cohesion and inclusive governance as key enablers of urban integration of displaced populations. 4. Consider the critical role of housing, land and basic services for sustainable solutions for displacement. 5. Showcase urban practices that have successfully achieved social cohesion, recovery and integration for displacement of affected communities. Read the Concept Note, Register to participate and Watch the World Habitat Day 2025 livestream!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Habitat Day 2025; October 6th.

In our rapidly urbanising world, cities often shoulder the impacts of today’s crises. Conflict, political instability, and the climate emergency have forced 123 million people from their homes – most seeking safety in cities and towns already under pressure. About one in eight people live in informal settlements, and more than 300 million have no home at all. Health services, water systems, and transport networks are stretched, while the risks of new disasters loom. Yet cities are where solutions can take root and grow. When we plan for inclusion, newcomers help to drive economies, strengthen communities, and enrich culture. On this World Habitat Day, we shine a light on solutions, from better housing, to land rights, to water and sanitation. We recognise the vital leadership of mayors and local governments, and the resilience of urban communities –– especially women and youth. Most of all, we seek to share the innovations that help guarantee access for the most vulnerable –– including people with disabilities, older persons, and children. A city is more than bricks and mortar. It is the promise of home. Together, let’s build stronger cities that ensure safety and belonging for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Message from the UN-Habitat Executive Director on World Habitat Day 2025; October 6th.

Every crisis has a human face. A family forced to flee their home. A child studying in a refugee camp. A community living without water or electricity. Today, crises are unfolding in our cities. Conflict, instability, and climate change are pushing millions into displacement. In 2024, a record 123 million people were forced from their homes – most of them seeking safety in cities that are already under strain. At the same time, nearly 3 billion people suffer from inadequate housing, and more than 1.1 billion live in informal settlements and slums. But crisis does not have to mean despair. At UN-Habitat, we have seen communities rise again when housing, land, and basic services are prioritized. In Iraq, displaced families have regained homes and stability. In Somalia, improved access to land has brought hope to the marginalized. In Lebanon, inclusive upgrading has turned divided neighbourhoods into united communities. These stories remind us that rebuilding homes is about more than bricks and mortar. It is about dignity. It is about hope. On this World Habitat Day, I call on all of us – governments, partners, and communities – to act with urgency. Let us put housing at the heart of crisis response globally. Let us invest in cities as places of safety, opportunity, and resilience for all. In May 2026, at the World Urban Forum in Baku, we will come together under the theme Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities. Let us bring solutions. Let us drive action. Because when we rebuild homes, we rebuild hope.

Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

Opening Statement by Hon. Alice Wahome, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, during the Global Observance of World Habitat Day held on Monday, 6th October 2025 at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

AGENDA PROGRAMME 

Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2025 Monday, 6 October.

HIGH-LEVEL OPENING CEREMONY

 LOCATION Conference Room 4 

09:30 – 10:00 Opening address by Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat Message from Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General read by Mr. Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya Video message from Hon. Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government and President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly Video message by Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP Welcome address by Ag. Secretary Eng. Byron Buyu, Secretary for Urban and Metropolitan Development, Government of Kenya Welcome address by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat World Habitat Day 2025 video.

UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOR AWARDS AND SPECIAL CITATION

 10:00 – 10:30 Introduction by Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat Award ceremony 1. Ms. Jana Haidar representing Public Works Studio - Beirut, Lebanon 2. Mr. José Afonso representing Just a Change - Lisboa, Portugal 3. Mr. Israel Smart - Jos Plateau, Nigeria 4. Ms. Clara Marina - Brugada Molina, Mexico received by Ms. Rocío Lombera 5. Special Citation: Gangwon State (IUTC), Republic of Korea received by H.E. Mr. Kang Hyung-shik, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to Kenya Statements by recipients of UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Awards and Special Citations Closure of the session by Master of Ceremony Group photo.

HIGH-LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION 

10:30 – 12:00 Introduction by Master of Ceremony, Mr. Filiep Decorte, Chief, Programme Development Branch, UN-Habitat Video message from Ms. Paula Betancur, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Video message from Mr. Filipo Grandhi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR Statement by Ms. Maymuchka Lauriston, Head of Office - East Africa Multicountry Office, OHCHR Panelists: 1. Ms. Jana Haidar, Public Works Studio, Lebanon 2. Ms. Beatriz Eraso Puig, Senior Urban Specialist at World Bank, Kenya 3. Ms. Madina Mahboobi, Founder of Vision Development Organization, Afghanistan 4. Mr. Kitoga Amuri Kilonzo, Executive Director of Unity Sending Peace to All Tribes, Kenya Live Questions and Answers segment Wrap up

CLOSING CEREMONY 

12:00 – 12:30 Closing session by the Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat Closing remarks by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat Group photo.

Download the agenda programme.

LIVESTREAM: Meetings & Events

World Teachers’ Day 2025; October 5th.

FORUM:“Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession.” World Teachers’ Day 2025. Teachers play vital roles in education systems, driving learning, inclusion, and innovation in schools and societies. Yet many work without collaborative structures to support their pedagogy, agency, professionalism or well-being. In many systems, the profession remains marked by isolation, fragmented structures and limited opportunities to build networks with peers, mentors and school leaders, affecting both educational quality and teacher retention. This year celebrations will centre on the theme “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession,” highlighting the transformative potential of collaboration for teachers, schools and education systems. Reframing teaching as inherently collaborative – supported by policies, practices, and environments that value mutual support, shared expertise, and joint responsibility – is essential to strengthen teaching, learning, and teachers’ professional fulfilment. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Teachers, #WorldTeachersDay, #5October, #valuingteachervoices, #teaching, #teachingasacollaborativeprofession, #teachthem.

EVENTS: 2025 celebrations.

A global celebration will take place in the framework of the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The programme will open with statements from high-level representatives of the co-convening partners – UNESCO, UNICEF, the International Labour Organization, and Education International – followed by a ministerial panel, moderated by the African Union, on the topic “From isolation to collective strength: Reenvisioning the teaching profession through the lens of collaboration.”Get more information on the Global event which was Organized on 3 October during the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
   Read the concept note and Register to participate!

 

Other celebrations will take place around the world to support teachers.

Joint Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General, International Labour Organization, Ms Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF, Mr David Edwards, General Secretary, Education International on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day 2025.


Teachers are the backbone of quality education: they drive learning and inclusion in schools, and in doing so, strengthen the very social fabric of our societies. Yet, the profession is currently facing an unprecedented crisis – one requiring political mobilization at the highest level, as recently emphasized at the World Summit on Teachers, organized by UNESCO and the Government of Chile. The Global Report on Teachers warns that an additional 44 million teachers are needed worldwide if we are to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030. In just seven years, the number of teachers leaving the profession has doubled – further exacerbating the widespread shortage. This crisis is compounded by teachers’ working conditions. Teachers all too often experience professional isolation, with few opportunities for continued development, peer learning and the cooperation needed to ensure effective teaching practices. Reversing current trends in teacher attrition and recruitment demands not only increased investment, but also policies that foster collaborative working environments throughout teachers’ careers. This year’s World Teachers’ Day, held under the theme ‘Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession’, reminds us of the fundamentally collective and relational nature of education. It calls for teacher collaboration – in the classroom, in the digital sphere and in decision-making spaces – in order to strengthen motivation and resilience within this essential profession, and enhance the quality of education for millions of students. This mindset shift involves three key components. Firstly, rooting the profession in collaboration starts from the earliest days of a teacher’s career. Shaping a professional identity grounded in cooperation, rather than isolation, requires peer learning, co-teaching and mentoring to be placed at the heart of their initial and continued training. This is why UNESCO has supported the training of over 1.4 million teachers worldwide since 2018, providing them with opportunities to strengthen their skills alongside experts and peers. Secondly, while no technology can ever replace the humanity of teachers, collaborative digital tools are bringing opportunities for educators to work together across distances and disciplines like never before. Teachers must understand how to leverage technology to effectively enhance connection, dialogue and cooperation, with peers and students alike. Thirdly, we must also strengthen collaboration in educational decision-making, by recognizing the critical role of teachers when it comes to policy design and school leadership. Through social dialogue, teachers can meaningfully contribute to shaping reforms that reflect classroom realities. Meanwhile, their involvement in decision-making – from the policy to the school level – can improve school climate, trust and well-being for both staff and students. On this World Teachers’ Day, UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF and Education International call on governments, partners and the international community to make a collective commitment to ensuring that collaboration is recognized as a norm within the teaching profession – because it is only through effective cooperation at all levels that we can build truly inclusive, equitable and resilient education systems worldwide.

 Download the complete message: English - Français - Español - Русский - العربية - 中文

PUBLICATIONS: 2025 Factsheet.

PRESS RELEASES:World Teachers’ Day 2025: Collaboration is key to making teachers thrive.

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Get the poster in Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish and Social media pack!

International Day of Non-Violence 2025; October 2nd.

FORUM: "156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi." International Day of Non-Violence 2025.  Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #2october, #NonViolenceDay, #Ghandhi.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary General on International Day of Non-Violence 2025; October 2nd.

On this International Day of Non-Violence, we honour the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, and his unwavering commitment to peace, truth and dignity for all.

Gandhi not only spoke of these ideals – he lived them. And in this time of rising tensions and deepening divisions, his message carries renewed urgency.

We are witnessing a troubling erosion of our shared humanity. Violence is displacing dialogue. Civilians are bearing the brunt of conflict. International law is being flouted. Human rights are being trampled. And the foundations of peace are under strain.

Gandhi understood that non-violence is not a weapon of the weak, it is the strength of the courageous. It is the power to resist injustice without hatred; confront oppression without cruelty; and build peace through dignity, not domination.

In these dangerous and divided times, let us find the strength to follow his lead, end the suffering, advance diplomacy, heal divisions, and create a just, sustainable and peaceful world for all.

António Guterres.

EVENT: The date of 2 October was marked as the International Day of Non-Violence by General Assembly Resolution ARES/61/271 of 15 June 2007. Cosponsored by 140 countries the resolution established the commemoration of the International Day as an occasion to "disseminate the message of non- violence, including through education and public awareness". A high-level event will mark the observance. Register to participate!

Watch the commemoration of International Day of Non-Violence!

International Day of Older Persons 2025; October 1st.

FORUM: “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights.” International Day of Older Persons 2025. The 2025 observancce will serve as a platform for older persons to share aspirations, advocate for their well-being, and call for the full enjoyment of their human rights. This year’s commemoration focuses on recognizing and supporting the transformative role that older persons play in driving action at both local and global levels, drawing on their expertise in health equity, financial well-being, community resilience, and human rights advocacy. The Political Declaration and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002, remain the cornerstone of international efforts to promote the well-being and human rights of older persons. The Declaration articulates the global commitment to building a society for all ages, while MIPAA translates that vision into action through its three priority directions: older persons and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. This year’s theme, “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”, echoes these principles by highlighting the agency and contributions of older persons in building resilient and equitable societies. This momentum is also reflected in recent international developments. In April 2025, eighty-one Member States in the Human Rights Council cosponsored the adoption, by consensus, of resolution 58/13, “Open-ended intergovernmental working group for the elaboration of a legally binding instrument on the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons.” This landmark step was supported by many members of the national human rights institutions and nongovernmental organizations. The Working Group, once established, will contribute significantly to “the objective of promoting, protecting and ensuring the full enjoyment of the human rights by older persons.” In line with MIPAA’s call to mainstream ageing into development agendas, today’s demographic shifts demand renewed policy attention. The world’s population is not only growing older but #OlderPersonsDay 1 October Older Voices Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights doing so at an unprecedented pace and scale. The number of people aged 60 years or over has more than doubled, from around 541 million in 1995 to 1.2 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050. This transformation is most pronounced in developing countries, which will account for the majority of older persons within the next 30 years. Global life expectancy has reached 73.5 years in 2025, an increase of 8.6 years since 1995. The number of persons aged 80 years or over is growing even faster and is projected to surpass the number of infants by the mid2030s. 1 These demographic shifts demonstrate that older persons represent a significant and growing segment of society, whose equal recognition and integration into policy and legislative planning are essential. 

Considering the far-reaching implications that population ageing trends will have on the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of development, achieving social development in an ageing world requires policy choices that incorporate age-responsive strategies, inclusive economic opportunities, equitable access to healthcare and social protection, and the empowerment of older persons to participate fully in all aspects of society without discrimination, grounded in the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.

2 Equally essential is the full realization of the human rights for older persons, which are essential to ensure their dignity and well-being in an ageing world.

3 In this context, the 2025 United Nations International Day of Older Persons aims to elevate the voices of older persons as experts, advocates, and change-makers, ensuring their perspectives remain central to policies, programmes, and legislation at the national, regional, and international levels across all sectors.

 By drawing on the insights and lived experiences of leaders from diverse regions, the event will underscore the essential role of older persons in building resilient and equitable societies.

Objectives: 

The 2025 commemoration of #OlderPersonsDay in New York aims to: 

• Raise awareness of the evolving demographic landscape and the rights of older persons by highlighting the significant growth of the global population aged 60 and over, particularly in developing regions. This awareness is essential to recognizing older persons as key contributors to economic and social development and to support the design of innovative policy solutions that respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid population ageing, ensuring that no one is left behind.

• Promote inclusive social and economic opportunities for older persons by showcasing initiatives that enable their full participation in society. Highlighting these initiatives helps to focus efforts on creating equitable pathways for older persons to engage in community life, access education and employment, and benefit from sustainable social protection systems that uphold their dignity, rights, and aspirations.

• Advance discussions on the human rights of older persons and the elimination of discrimination by drawing on experiences from diverse regions. These reflections should highlight how age-related discrimination may be compounded by other forms of inequality, and emphasize the need to strengthen legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms that protect the rights of older persons in all aspects of life. 

• Encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration to foster supportive environments for older persons, highlighting the roles of families, communities, and institutions. Such collaboration, bringing together Governments, civil society, the private sector, and older persons themselves, is essential to building age-inclusive societies, with a focus on intergenerational solidarity and community-based approaches that enhance resilience and empower older persons to lead fulfilling lives. 

EVENT: The International Day of Older Persons 2025 High-Level Event in New York is sponsored by The Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations. Organized by the NGO Committee on Ageing in New York and the United Nations DESA Programme on Ageing, the event will include a keynote address followed by a moderated, interactive panel discussion. Register to participate and  Get the agenda programme!

 For further information, please contact ageing@un.org

LIVESTREAM: The 2025 United Nations International Day of Older Persons aims to elevate the voices of older persons as experts, advocates, and change-makers, ensuring their perspectives remain central to policies, programmes, and legislation at the national, regional, and international levels across all sectors. Co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Argentina, the NGO Committee on Ageing and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Related Documents: Event Site& Concept Note.

Watch 35th UN International Day of Older Persons Celebration!

High-level Events

 

International Translation Day 2025; September 30th.

FORUM: "Translation, shaping a future you can trust." International Translation Day 2025. In turbulent times, where peace often hangs in the balance and global communications and relations are infiltrated by a lack of trust, the ITD 2025 theme will highlight the important role of human trust. Specifically, the role of translators, interpreters and terminologists in ensuring trustworthy communication, building dialogue and trust between parties and providing oversight to AI-generated text and machine translation. “AI and the Trust Equation: Rethinking Education and Training in the Age of Intelligent Systems” How do we ensure translators, interpreters and terminologists are not just surviving the AI shift — they’re actively shaping a trustworthy future for the profession. In its Resolution for 2025 as International Year of Peace and Trust, the United Nations General Assembly further recognised the need to prevent and resolve conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. While the interpreters in global negotiations may not be visible, we know that such high-stakes conversations could not happen without them and could certainly not be entrusted to technology. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Translation, #InternationalTranslationDay; #30September, #languageprofessionals, #translators.

EVENT: International Translation Day 2025 Webinar.

On Monday, September 29, 2025 starting at 2pm Paris (UTC+2); 8am New York; 8pm Beijing; 10pm Sydney, a webinar will be organized by the External Relations Standing Committee of FIT. Join us online via ZOOM to mark the International Translation Day 2025, featuring a panel discussion and Q&A. This webinar will explore the effects of AI on training for the profession, and how educators can equip the next generation of translators and interpreters to master AI tools, uphold professional ethics, and remain essential voices in shaping a multilingual, trustworthy future.

Panelists

• Ms. Mariachiara Russo, Professor of Spanish Linguistics and Interpretation at the Department of Interpreting and Translation (DIT) of the University of Bologna at Forlì, Rector’s Delegate for Multilingualism. Mariachiara Russo
• Mr. Juan Carlos Jiménez Marín, Director General for DG Logistics and interpretation for Conferences in the European Parliament. Juan Carlos Jiménez Marín
• Mr. Phillip Bimstein, alternative classical composer, ex-mayor, punk rocker, Professor in the University of Utah’s Honors College. Phillip Bimstein
• Ms. Irene A. Zhang, Professor, Dean, Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translati on, Shanghai International Studies University. Irene A. Zhang

To participate Register Now.

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: As it has each year, for over 35 years, FIT Council encourages members to use our annual theme as the basis for their ITD celebrations.

The poster is available for download under Creative Commons licence.
Share or print the poster for use in your ITD celebrations.
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International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2025; September 29th.

FORUM:"Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For our planet." International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2025. Decreasing food loss and waste is, in fact, enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – within SDG 12, which seeks to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, Target 12.3 aims to “halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains” by 2030. The world’s population, currently at 8.2 billion, is expected to grow to close to 9.7 billion people by 2050 (UNDESA, 2024). Ensuring a food secure world – where current and future populations have access to sufficient nutritious food – crucially requires new ways of working, and concerted efforts to improve the sustainability and resilience of agrifood systems globally. Reducing food loss and waste (FLW) helps to protect natural resources and biodiversity, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and maximize the use of food produced. It is therefore central to securing efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, and to improving food security, nutrition and health. Embracing innovation and fostering circular economy approaches in agrifood systems to prevent, reduce, reuse and repurpose FLW also serves to create new job opportunities, improve livelihoods and generate financial benefits for a range of stakeholders. Now is the time for everyone – from producers, investors, businesses and supply chain stakeholders to consumers of all ages, as well as academia and research, civil society, and the private and public sectors – to take urgent action to expand and strengthen efforts both individually and collectively, to reduce food loss and waste towards ensuring a food secure world – now and in the future.  Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #FoodLoss; #FoodWaste; #FLWday.

EVENT: On September 29th, starting at 13:30 hrs CEST; a virtual event to mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste will be convened by the FAO and the UNEP; This event will bring together diverse voices in the region to promote a message of unity around the transformation of food systems, moving towards a more sustainable and resilient future. TheSixth observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is calling for the expansion and strengthening of stakeholder efforts to reduce food loss and waste, as a critical element of securing a sustainable food future for all. It's time to get involved and take action. To join the IDAFLW global virtual event Register to participate!

KEY MESSAGES

■ Reducing FLW is crucial in maximizing the use of food produced, fighting food insecurity, enabling healthy diets, reducing GHG emissions, preserving biodiversity, and promoting resource efficiency towards ensuring a more sustainable, equitable and food secure world. ■ Sound data and evidence are critical to informing policy development and investments that support context-appropriate actions and innovations to reduce FLW. ■ Empowering consumers through education and awareness-raising campaigns is essential for changing behaviours towards reducing household food waste. Food businesses can play a role in this regard. ■ Both individual consumer action and cross-food chain collaboration, supported by enabling policies, are necessary to effectively tackle the complex challenge of reducing FLW. ■ Now is the time for everyone to take urgent action to expand and strengthen efforts to reduce FLW to ensure a food secure world, both now and in the future. 

Watch the Global virtual event!

PUBLICATION: Download the Get Involved Guide of the 6th observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Inform, engage, educate!

Get involved in the campaign by sharing our free material on digital channels and spread the word!

Let's get in touch contact us on Food-Loss-Waste-Day@fao.org.