World Radio Day 2026; Feruary 13th.

FORUM: “Radio and Artificial intelligence” World Radio Day 2026. AI is transforming our relationship with the radio voice, from real-time transcription and noise reduction to highly realistic synthesized voices. At its best, AI makes radio more accessible, enabling captions for deaf and hard of hearing audiences, voice-controlled radios for people who are blind or visually impaired, and AI translation that brings broadcasts into more languages, helping radio reach everyone, everywhere. This transformation is not about replacing the human voice which remains at the heart of radio. Used responsibly, AI can amplify reach human creativity and inclusion. In line with UNESCO’s ethical framework for artificial intelligence, voice technologies must respect human dignity, people’s consent to be recorded, transparency, and human oversight, and must never be used to deceive or exploit. A voice is more than sound: it is identity, and identity is a human right. Artifical Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a challenge to navigate; it’s a chance to reimagine radio with care, creativity, and connection. It invites us to dream bigger, reach further, and honor listeners’ time, intelligence and expectations. AI can help radio blossom in thoughtful ways:
Ease and Flow, letting technology take care of the routine tasks, such as scheduling, voice-tracking, daily weather or sports updates, administrative chores, so your team can focus on what truly matters: inform, educate, entertain.
Meaningful Growth, understanding your audience more deeply, connecting ads to listener needs, improving revenue.
Listener Empowerment, helping every listener feel included, offering personalized experiences, real-time interaction, and space for under-represented voices that deserve to be heard.
Quality Content, using AI to support fact-checking, source verification, rediscovery of archival richness and increased factuality, while keeping human judgment at the center.

All of this builds something precious: trust.

A Thoughtful Approach to AI.
To make the most of AI, radio broadcasters need more than tools - they need a strategy. That means:

1. Clear, caring policies and internal guardrails for ethical AI use
2. Respect for privacy, intellectual property, data ownership and transparency
3. Careful use of generative audio (like AI music, voice cloning, deepfake audio, etc.)
4. Investment in people; their skills, growth, collaborations
5. Legal and security checks to manage emerging risks, data storage and transfer, liabilities, etc.

Broadcasters must prioritize the quality and diversity of information sources, as they play a critical role in addressing climate-related issues. To all radio professionals and volunteers, everywhere in the world, UNESCO salutes your daily work and your commitment to the future of our planet, our future. Here are the ways to Celebrate this year celebration: 1. Put more emphasis on facts 2. Review your programming strategy 3. Present realities from elsewhere 4. Inform from an intersectional point of view 5. Start an "On the way to COP30" chronicle 6. Give the audience a say 7. Prepare for the storm 8. Raise the safety awareness of environmental journalists 9. Redouble your efforts to combat disinformation 10. Encourage your audience to listen to the radio critically 11. Strengthen staff competencies in relation to climate change issues 12. Set the tone 13. Green your radio; Let’s treat this moment as a transformative opportunity to elevate these and every aspect of radio broadcasting. On the 2026 World Radio Day, UNESCO gives radio stations the resources to build confidence in how AI is used, all while preserving the warmth and reliability that audiences cherish. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #13February, #WorldRadioDay.

EVENTS: On Friday, February 13th, the celebration of World Radio Day 2026 will be dedicated to "Radio and Artificial Intelligence" to support radio stations in their journalistic coverage on this issue. Together, let's prepare the celebration the 15th edition of World Radio Day. The UNESCO and its partners invites the worldwide Radio industry in all its many forms - commercial, public, non-profit – to join in this global celebration of the medium at this special journey. Register to participate!

OPPORTUNITIES: To benefit from the 2026 Opportunities and appear on the UNESCO map please click here. Your radio station will also have the chance to connect with a radio station in another locality or country. Thanks to these collaborations, you will be able to exchange programs, guests, sound archives, and even… consider a longer-term relationship beyond February 13th,. Take advantage of this opportunity! Regularly consult the map to discover new radio stations or partners that could match your search…

PUBLICATION: Research on radio's contemporary and historical subject matter, and the audio media that have challenged radio's traditional use. Explore the Journal of Radio & Audio Media.

STATEMENTS: Read the statement of the Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Radio Day 2026; February 13th.

 GET INVOLVED!

To make it easier for every radio station; We've come up with 13 simple, accessible ideas. Each radio station can choose one or more ideas to mark the day in their own way. These ideas can be implemented in two ways:

• Targeting your listeners: special programmes, reports, debates, street interviews, audio capsules or social media visuals. 
• Targeting your teams (employees, volunteers, interns): internal reflection, training, improving your practices.

1. Augmented Voice

Using AI to elevate the human voice.

AI is transforming our relationship with the radio voice, from real-time transcription and noise reduction to highly realistic synthesized voices At its best, AI makes radio more accessible, enabling captions for deaf and hard of hearing audiences, voice-controlled radios for people who are blind or visually impaired, and AI translation that brings broadcasts into more languages, helping radio reach everyone, everywhere. This transformation is not about replacing the human voice which remains at the heart ofradio. Used responsibly, AI can amplify reach human creativity and inclusion. In line with UNESCO’s ethical framework for artificial intelligence, voice technologies must respect human dignity, people’s consent to be recorded, transparency, and human oversight, and must never be used to deceive or exploit. A voice is more than sound: it is identity, and identity is a human right.

Useful links: Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
Digital Policy, Capacities and Inclusion
Reporting on artificial intelligence: a handbook for journalism educators

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

• For listeners:Can you recognize an AI-generated voice?
• How can AI make radio more accessible for everyone?
• Where should we draw the line between innovation and misuse of voice technology?
• How do we protect voices as part of personal identity in the age of AI?
• Can AI strengthen radio without replacing the human voice?

Potential guests: intellectual property lawyer, text-to-speech specialist

• For the radio teams:Behind the scenes: how AIs clean up interviews
• Testimonial from a journalist using a voice prompter
• Can you automate news flashes? Live test
• Comparison: synthetic voice vs. human voice on the radio

Potential guests: AI technician, journalist testing voice prompter

2. Transparency in the use of on-air voices

Transparency as an ethical imperative.

In the age of AI-generated voices, transparency is no longer optional — it is an ethical requirement. When a voice heard on air is synthesized or generated by artificial intelligence, audiences have the right to know. Clear disclosure helps maintain trust, prevents deception, and respects listeners’ ability to make informed judgments about what they hear. This principle calls for thoughtful disclosure policies, including on-air announcements, credits, or descriptions that clearly indicate when AI is being used. Transparency does not undermine creativity or innovation; on the contrary, it strengthens public confidence and ensures that the use of AI in radio remains responsible, ethical, and aligned with human-centered values.

Useful links:Ethics of Artificial Intelligence - The Recommendation
Letting the sun shine in: transparency and accountability in the digital age
Guidelines for the governance of digital platforms: Safeguarding freedom of expression and access to information through a multi-stakeholder approach

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• How should radio stations disclose the use of AI-generated voices to listeners?
• Does transparency about AI voices strengthen trust or change how audiences perceive content?
• What policies can ensure AI in radio is used ethically without misleading the public?
• Does the audience notice the difference? On-air survey

Potential guests: media sociologist, AI ethicist

For the radio teams:

• Voice AI: copyright, image rights?
• Sticker on visuals using AI

Potential guests: lawyer specialising in digital rights

3. Data protection

When AI and privacy go hand in hand.

Integrating AI tools often involves exporting or analysing content, sometimes via external platforms. But radio manages sensitive data such as voices, testimonials and creations. This idea focuses on the criteria for choosing an AI service: where does the data go? Is it stored? Who has access? Ethical use requires perfect control of data flows.

Useful links:United Nations Digital Library
Data Governance in the Digital Age
Principes mondiaux des Nations Unies pour l’intégrité de l’information
- Recommandations pour une action multipartite

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• Where does your radio station’s audio data go?
• Do guests refuse to be analyzed by an AI?
• AI in management: who has access to confidential content?
• Local radio vs. large AI platforms
• Have you heard of GDPR?
• Street interview: do you know what centralized AI is?

Potential guests: GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) specialist, representative of an AI platform, etc.

For the radio teams:

• How do you choose a ‘clean’ AI tool?
• Potential guests: open source or data security specialists, legal experts

4. Increased accessibility

Radio for everyone, thanks to artificial intelligence.

From live transcription for the hearing impaired and voice synthesis for the visually impaired, to automatic translation for minority languages, AI is making radio more accessible than ever. This idea celebrates AI's ability to open up the airwaves to all audiences, without excluding anyone. It is a technical and ethical challenge, but also democratic progress.

Useful links:Disability equality in the media: Representation, accessibility, management
Indigenous Peoples and the media
Journey through the MILtiverse: Media and Information Literacy toolkit for youth organizations
Multilingualism and Linguistic diversity

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• Demo: the AI that transcribes your show live
• Sign language podcasts: dream or reality?
• Does AI help us to better understand complex subjects?
• Radio for the blind: what tangible benefits can AI bring?
• Feedback from listeners helped by the technology
• Feedback from people with restricted access to radio

Potential guests: representatives of disability advocacy groups, indigenous peoples or minorities, accessibility specialists, etc.

For the radio teams:

No specific sub-theme, but potential workshop to experiment with tools

5. Algorithmic bias

When the machine imposes its stereotypes.

AIs learn from the data they are given. If the data is biased, the results will be too. If AI were used in an uncritical way by radio professionals, it could reproduce and amplify stereotypes, including gender stereotypes. This idea raises concerns about side effects: does AI favour certain voices? Does it suppress certain tones or nuances? Human editorial input remains essential to guarantee diversity.

Useful links: Challenging systematic prejudices: an investigation into bias against women and girls in large language models
Tables rondes ministérielles sur les bonnes pratiques s’agissant de lever les obstacles existants pour réduire la fracture numérique entre les genres et promouvoir l’éducation à l’ère du numérique aux fins de la réalisation de l’égalité des genres

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• Translation AI: what is lost in the meaning of the original text?
• Why do your AI-generated music choices lack surprise?
• Does the algorithm favour certain cultures?
• AI and accents or dialects?

Potential guests: AI researcher, activist defending linguistic minorities, gender equality specialist, etc.

For the radio teams:

• Radio exercise: AI and sound diversity quiz
• What strategies could be put in place to ensure that AI nourishes a wider range of perspectives on air?
• How can AI be used to analyse feedback from listeners and social media in real time, in order to identify and counter violent or discriminatory speech against women and girls?

6. Open source AI

Freedom, transparency, participation.

The world of AI is not just a commercial war between web giants. Numerous free, ethical and community-based AI tools are emerging, often developed by researchers or committed groups. The idea is to promote these open source alternatives, which are more transparent, modular and often more respectful of privacy.

Useful links:AI Tools RADAR

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• What free tools can ethical radio use?
• Live demonstration of open source AI
• Can you create your own radio voice assistant?
• Meeting with developers of free radio solutions

Potential guests: open source developers, members of tech collectives, etc.

For the radio teams:

• Why we should reject ‘black box’ tools
• Risk of damaging journalistic credibility
• Editorial independence and technological dependence?

7. AI Training

Understanding for a better choice.

Adopting AI isn’t about imposing it on others. It's about understanding what it can do, what it can't do, and how to integrate it intelligently and ethically. This idea encourages each radio station to offer awareness-raising sessions, practical training courses or even in-house debates. Because the more the team understands the tool, the better they will use it.

Useful links: Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
User empowerment through media and information literacy responses to the evolution of generative artificial intelligence (GAI)
Artificial intelligence for good

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

• Interview with an AI trainer for journalists
• How to organize an AI test session in your newsroom
• AI: a source of fear or creativity?
• What role for AI in journalism schools?
• Debate between ‘analogue’ and ‘digital’ radio generations
• Brainstorm: “AI scares me when...” Suggested team workshop? facilitator + technician
• Cross-training: veterans/new recruits
• AI for prevention: e.g. to monitor online threats against media professionals

8. Assisted journalism

Can AI really investigate?

AI can make it quicker to verify data, cross-check sources, warn of dubious information, and more. But it can also generate deepfakes and made-up stories. This idea questions the boundary between assistance and manipulation. It's not about rejecting the tool, but establishing safeguards. Augmented journalism is still ethical journalism.

Useful links:AI and the future of journalism: an issue brief for stakeholders

Example of an information integrity challenge:Freedom of expression, artificial intelligence and elections

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• AI that sums up the news: gain or loss?
• Are AIs better at detecting misinformation?
• AI and investigation: useful or dangerous?
• Can we trust a fact-checker AI?
• Test: live interaction with AI?

Potential guests: investigative journalist, fact-checking expert, media AI researcher


For the radio teams:

• List to create: automated verification tools and tools to detect false information
• Thoughts from the editorial team: what should we do with the AI results?
• Sources: reliability and verifiability
• Practical workshop: role-playing with AI and fact-checking
• Digital security tools and AI to sort anonymous contributions received via secure channels
• Setting up protocols: human control + automated tool

9. Editorial suggestions

A tool to assist, not replace the reporter.

Some AI tools can summarize a long article, generate angle ideas or prioritize topics based on current events. AI can also become a strategic tool for reducing informational blind spots in places or contexts where reporting is impossible due to censorship, conflict or lack of access. But the angle, tone, narrative and reporting remain human choices. This idea encourages an active stance: AI suggests, but never decides. The journalist remains the author. AI is a pencil, not a pen. AI is a tool, not a voice.

Useful links:AI and the future of journalism: an issue brief for stakeholders

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• What does AI suggest today? Let’s test it live
• AI and local content: relevant or guesswork?
• Do AIs influence the editorial line?
• Test: AI suggests 3 subjects. How many do I keep?

Potential guests: editorial journalist, editorial innovation manager, specialist in open source intelligence (OSINT)

For the radio teams:

• Create an AI suggestion box for the team?
• Experimentation workshops: writing based on AI suggestions
• Internal discussion: AI and creativity: complement or constraint?
• AI: using data to produce radio surveys; e.g. children's rights under threat
• Use of AI for indirect reporting: satellite imagery, OSINT and others to document ‘silent zones’.

10. Connected listeners

A new form of interaction.

Radio stations can use AI to get to know its audiences better, analysing feedback, answering questions, creating more personalized content, producing and broadcasting dedicated programmes and/or broadcasting programmes about AI-related challenges. From voice chatbots and automated surveys, to intelligent archives, the tools are already available. This idea paves the way for greater interactivity – as long as machines do not replace genuine discussion.

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• AI for managing calls and messages?
• On-air chatbot: friendly or cold?
• Programme personalization: gadget or revolution?
• Should we create programmes dedicated to AI and its challenges?

Potential guests: audience relations specialist, chatbot designer, radio presenter who has experimented with AI on air, journalist networks, media associations, etc.

For the radio teams:

• Automatic listener feedback analysis
• Testing tools for categorising reactions
• Reflection on how personalization affects the editorial line
• Setting up live interactive surveys
• Audience segmentation based on listening habits
• Adapting programme schedules in real time based on detected trends

11. AI sound creation

AI for sound design and creation.

Artificial intelligence is opening up a whole new field of sound creation. Anything from generating a jingle to composing a mood and mixing a voice with background music can now be assisted, or even carried out, by an AI. But the question remains: can an algorithm translate artistic intent? This idea encourages us to experiment with hybrid sound formats and to try out AI-generated sound design, while emphasizing that creative decisions, narrative choices, and artistic direction remain human responsibilities. A new sonic grammar is emerging — one defined by collaboration, suggestion, and thoughtful human engagement.

Useful links:WIPO Conversation on Intellectual Property and Frontier Technologies
Mondiacult - Artificial intelligence and culture
Artificial intelligence and art: a decisive moment?

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• How does the role of sound directors or composers change when AI assists in production?
• How can we balance AI contributions with human creativity and judgment?
• What practices ensure AI use in sound respects human rights and does not replace artistic judgment?
• Differences between human and AI-generated sound identity
• Potential guests: composer, AI sound designer, radio producer, sound artist, art and AI labs

Potential guests: composer, AI sound designer, radio producer, sound artist, art and AI labs

For the radio teams:

• AI as a sound design assistant: comparative test
• Who owns the sound signature? What about copyright?
• Hybrid creation workshop: human voice, AI sound design
• Automatic generation of personalized jingles and sound effects using AI

12. Memory and AI

Radio stations have thousands of hours of archives, often underutilized because they are difficult to index, browse or restore. AI can transform this dormant memory into an active resource, harnessing transcription, keyword searching, automatic summary and thematic upgrading. When direct reporting is impossible, coverage can be enhanced by historical archives. This idea raises the question of what we preserve, what we transmit, and the editorial mission linked to how we use augmented memory.

Useful links:Memory of the World
Managing low-cost digitization projects in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• Testimonial: rebroadcasting or reinterpreting old feature segments
• Memory engine or erasure machine?
• Personalized access to sound archives, on air in real time
• Personalized access to sound archives, via interface
• Participatory features: “Tell us which radio memories you want to listen back to”
• Live voting

Potential guests: radio archivist, documentalist, AI audio engineer, university chairs, specialists in collections of humanity's shared heritage, etc.

For the radio teams:

• How can we use AI to add value to archives?
• AI for summarising and restoring old content
• Voice search engines in older podcasts
• 10 years of podcasts in 10 minutes
• Using archives to hold executives to account
• Instant real-time contextualization during a debate or interview

13. Low-tech and local AI

AI accessible to all radio stations.

Not all radio stations have access to the powerful servers, high-speed connections or premium subscriptions of the big AI platforms. And yet solutions do exist for experimenting with forms of artificial intelligence locally, on modest machines or using open source tools. This idea highlights the technical accessibility of AI and encourages regional, community and independent radio stations to take advantage of these resources, including local transcription, titling AI and thematic clustering. It's a localized, lightweight, controlled AI adapted to the realities of each region.

Sub-themes around this idea for programme content: ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic:

For listeners:

• Listeners meet radio stations testing lightweight open source AIs
• Low-tech AI: a tool for technological independence?
• Participatory workshops to discover local AI
• Comparison between well-equipped and more modest radio stations
• Audience testimonials on the use of AI in regional areas

Potential guests: local radio presenter, developer of open source solutions, representative of a technology NGO, etc.

For the radio teams:

• What AI solutions are available for regional and community radio stations?
• Demonstration of tools that run without an Internet connection
• Can Whisper be deployed locally? Whisper is an open source speech recognition system developed by Open AI, capable of transcribing and translating audio files in a wide range of languages.
• Workshop: installing and testing a local AI on a radio set
• Use of local voices to provide testimonials and verified updates in restricted areas

COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS: Get the campaign visual assets in English and in French!

Poster 2026 World Radio Day 

Poster de la Journée Mondiale de la Radio.

International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Condustive to Terrorism 2026; February 12th.

FORUM:“Preventing Violent Extremism in the Digital Age: Anticipating New and EmergingTechnologies Risks and Opportunities, Safeguarding Human Rights, and EmpoweringFuture Generations” International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Condustive to Terrorism 2026. The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 77/243, designating 12 February as the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive toTerrorism in December 2022. This resolution underscores the importance of raising awareness about the threats linked to violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism and fostering international cooperation in this regard. It reaffirmed that terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group, reflecting commitment to human rights and inclusivity. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the primary responsibility of Member States and their national institutions in countering terrorism, in full compliance with their obligations under international human rights law, while acknowledging the critical role of intergovernmental organizations, civil society, academia, religious leaders, and the media in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #12february, #extremists, #violentextremism, #counterterrorism, #PVEDay.

EVENTS: On February 12th, from 10:00am–11:30am, Conference Room 5 (TBC) at the United Nations Headquarters, New York will be heald the observance of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conduciveto Terrorism 2026  which will provide an opportunity for the international community to come together and reaffirm the importance of prevention.Digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, algorithmic systems, evolving social media ecosystems, and emerging online spaces, is reshaping how communities connect, communicate and form identities. While new and emerging technologies hold tremendous promises for advancing human development and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, they also generate significant risks Terrorist actors have quickly recognized the potential of these technologies and increasingly exploit them to recruit and radicalize, spread harmful narratives, and mobilize for violence1 . New forms of technologically facilitated violent extremism, such as leaderless networks, gamified radicalization to violence , and AI-generated disinformation and misinformation, are creating an increasingly complex prevention landscape. In this rapidly evolving context, the special event to mark the 2026 International Day for the Preventionof Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism will seek to discuss and showcase the solutions, partnerships, and programmatic efforts that are being put in place to translate global commitments into concrete prevention outcomes. Against the backdrop of the UN80 initiative, which underscores the imperative for a more integrated, agile and results-oriented United Nations system, the 2026 observance will also serve as a strategic moment in the lead-up to the 9th Review of the United Nations GlobalCounter-Terrorism Strategy, scheduled for mid-2026. Building on the 8 th review of the Strategy, which expressed concern over the potential use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the need for Governments and the international community to enhance cooperation to prevent and counter terrorism in a coordinated, inclusive, transparent and human rights-based, gender-responsive manner, this year’s observance offers a timely opportunity to deepen this discussion. With the Strategy approaching its twentieth anniversary and the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism having recently marked its tenth anniversary, the International PVE Day will offer an opportunity for Member States and the United Nations system to assess progress, reaffirm collective commitments, and identify priority actions to strengthen prevention efforts and build resilient, peaceful and cohesive societies for present and future generations. Register to participae!

LIVESTREAM:

Special Commemoration Event for International PVE Day – "Preventing Violent Extremism in the Digital Age: Anticipating New and Emerging Technologies Risks and Opportunities, Safeguarding Human Rights, and Empowering Future Generations"

 

 From Principles to Practice: Special Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism

 

Statement of the United Nations Secretary General on the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism 2026; February 12th.

Today, we reaffirm our shared resolve to prevent violent extremism and shield communities from the scourge of terrorism.

Terrorist groups routinely exploit instability, runaway technologies, and socio-economic fragility to target and intimidate vulnerable groups. Young people, including children, are increasingly susceptible to radicalization through online social media platforms and unregulated gaming environments.

Both the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which is marking its twentieth anniversary this year, and the United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which is marking its tenth anniversary, remind us that stronger security measures alone are not enough.

We must get at the source of the problem, through renewed efforts to address grievances and the conditions conducive to terrorism by strengthening education systems, expanding civic space, and fostering dialogue and trust among and within communities.

It also means working with all stakeholders, including the private sector and technology companies, to build guardrails that can prevent violent extremism.

All these efforts must be rooted in human rights and the rule of law, so every person has a voice in shaping their society’s future.

Together, let’s build resilient and inclusive communities where violent extremism finds no foothold, and peace prevails for all.

António Guterres.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026; February 11th.

FORUM: "Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls" International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026. Skill gaps are a key constraint to innovation, hindering productivity growth and economic development. In particular, shortages in the supply of trained professionals in disciplines related to Science, Technology, Engineering, andMathematics (STEM) may weaken the innovation potential of a society. A wide gender gap has persisted over the years at all levels of STEM disciplines throughout the world. Although the participation of women in higher education has increased, they are still underrepresented. Follow the hashtags:#February11 ,#EquityInScience, #ScienceSociety, #Finance4Dev, #GirlsInScience, #WomenInScience.

EVENTS: High-level Events entitled "Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls". The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) celebrates the 11th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly, taking place on February 11th, 2026 in at the ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters in New York. Following the adoption of Resolution A/RES/70/212 on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, RASIT continues to work with UN Member States, InterGovernmental Organizations and the UN and its entities to achieve equality in science, technology, and innovation for socio-economic sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. The 11th IDWGIS is co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Chile, Cyprus, Greece, Kenya, Kuwait, Malta, Moldova, Romania, San Marino, and Viet Nam to the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), UN Women, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation for Africa. The 11th Assembly is aligned with the 2026 ECOSOC and HLPF theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all”. To support achieving the three pillars of sustainable development, namely economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental integrity, the 11th Assembly will bring together women in science and experts from around the world, highlevel government officials, representatives of international organizations and the private sector to discuss the Goals to undergo in-depth review during the HLPF: Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) , and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The 11th IDWGIS is theme “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls”. As societies grapple with widening inequalities, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), social science, STEM and finance emerges as a 4-pillar approach to accelerate inclusive sustainable development: 

• AI offers powerful tools for data analytics, health diagnostics, climate modelling and more, but its benefits risk bypassing women and girls without targeted interventions. 

• Social science insights guide the design of equitable policies, community engagement and behavioral change strategies that ensure STEM and AI innovations reach marginalized groups. 

• STEM disciplines furnish the technical skills required to develop, implement and maintain AI solutions, while fostering gender-balanced research teams.

• Finance mechanisms, impact investing, blended finance and gender-smart funds, unlock capital to scale women-led innovations and sustainably fund STEM education and R&D. 

Synergizing these four domains can dismantle persistent barriers: closing gender gaps in digital skills, catalyzing women-driven startups, informing gender-responsive AI governance, and mobilizing finance that embeds social inclusion as a performance metric.

Get the Concept Note and Watch the livestream!

The objectives of the 11th IDWGIS Assembly are: 

1. Convene experts to showcase best practices at the intersection of AI, social science,STEM and finance for women’s empowerment.

2. Identify policy and regulatory levers to foster gender-equitable AI development and data governance. 

3. Highlight scalable financing models that support women-led STEM  initiatives and AI startups. 

4. Inclusion of women in science and experts with disabilities as agents for change. 

5. Engage youth and community leaders in co-designing inclusive technology roadmaps. 

6. Develop an outcome declaration with actionable recommendations for Member States, UN agencies, academia and the private sector.

 The Assembly’s Thematic Streams: 

• Integrate the SDG targets most relevant to women and science within each goal. 

• Highlight cross-cutting issues such as digital inclusion, climate resilience, and ethics in AI. 

• Add measurable output (i.e., number of participants, case studies, policy commitments) to strengthen accountability. 

• Include gender-disaggregated data in AI and STEM  discussions, aligning with the UN Data Strategy. • Add mention of ethics and data governance (AI bias, algorithmic transparency...) under the regulatory levers’ objective. 

• Link with the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda and the Summit of the Future (2024–2026) outcomes to ensure policy relevance. The Assembly’s Format and Methodology • Plenary opening with high-level remarks

 • Three thematic panels with policymakers, academic, and industry speakers 

• Plenary Closing with Adoption of the “Outcome Declaration on Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance” 

Expected Outcomes of the 11th IDWGIS Assembly 

• Policy brief summarizing evidence, case studies and regulatory recommendations • Financing toolkit for STEM-responsive impact investors and development banks • Introducing RASIT and women-led AI/STEM innovations with scalability assessments • Female Youth manifesto outlining priorities for future research and entrepreneurship support.

High-level Events

LIVESTREAM: 

PART I - Watch the (Part 1) 11th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly!

PART II

World Pulses Day 2026; February 10th.

FORUM: “Pulses of the World: From Modesty to Excellence.“ World Pulses Day 2026. The theme was selected to highlight the required transformation – from humble origins to global recognition for their flavours, nutritional attributes and culinary diversity. Pulses bring diversity to our agrifood systems in multiple ways: on the farm, in our diets and through value-added products. They boost biodiversity on farms by enriching cropping systems with more species. With more than 100 types of pulses available, farmers have many options for crop rotations and/or intercropping. Consumers can enjoy pulses as part of healthy diets. They are an affordable, protein-rich food source (19–25 percent protein), packed with essential minerals, high in fibre, and low in fat. These edible seeds are highly versatile and can be processed into different products, such as flour for making bread and pasta, or even protein drinks. That means they provide a range of income opportunities. From improving human health to strengthening soil ecosystems, pulses merit a central place in modern, healthy, and sustainable diets. This year’s theme aims to challenge misconceptions that overshadow these crops and celebrate their true excellence. FAO is running a global campaign to raise awareness about the economic, social and environmental benefits of pulses. Whether you are a policymaker, farmer, educator or a pulses enthusiast, there is a role for you. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldPulsesDay; #LovePulses; #10February.

EVENTS: The global celebration of World Pulses Day 2026.

On February 10th, 2026, from 11.30–15.00 (UTC + 1) at the Miguel Delibes Cultural Centre in Valladolid, Spain. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will held the global observance of the World Pulses Day in collaboration with other relevant partners to underscore the critical importance of these crops in the quest for global food security and nutrition. FAO, the Kingdom of Spain, The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Castile and León (Castilla y León regional government) are facilitating the event, which will be only the second time that this United Nations-designated observance will be held outside FAO Headquarters – an eloquent testimony to Spain’s strong commitment to sustainable agrifood systems. Register to participate!

Agenda Programme of the hybrid event to mark the World Pulses Day 2026 entitled "Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence.".

11.30–13.00 (UTC + 1) - Scientific and culinary forum | This forum will explore the role of pulses in advancing sustainable agrifood systems and examine approaches to elevating these crops from their modest origins to the realm of gastronomic excellence. Watch the livestream!

14.00–15.00 (UTC + 1) - Opening Ceremony | High level invitees will participate in the official opening of the World Pulses Day 2026. Watch the ceremony!

EXHIBITS: On the occasion of the World Pulses Day 2026, the FAO Museum and Network opens a new exhibition spotlighting a powerful – yet often marginalized – set of crops for healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems. The exhibition, titled “Pulses of the World: From Modesty to Excellence” after the 2026 World Pulses Day theme, will be on display from 10 February to 10 March 2026 in a dedicated space within the museum, welcoming both FAO staff and external visitors. Through an engaging display of a vast array of pulses and their end products from around the world, the exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the diversity and nutritional benefits of these crops and, uniquely, how the environment is enriched when they are cultivated. From traditional ingredients to novel food products to be displayed, it will be evident that pulses are key ingredients for healthy, modern and sustainable diets. Multimedia content complements the physical displays, offering insights into agricultural production systems, culinary traditions, innovative uses, and opportunities along the value chains for improved livelihoods, all of which are bringing pulses back to the heart of agrifood systems and the much-needed transformations. Pulses are a subgroup of legumes, packed with nutrients and harvested for their delicious dried seeds. They include familiar favourites like beans, chickpeas and peas, but there’s a whole world of pulse types to explore! All come with great benefits for food security, nutrition and health as well as ecosystem services. Pulses are more than just nutritious seeds, they also contribute to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly those pertaining to food security and nutrition, health, sustainable consumption and production and climate change. Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016 implemented by FAO, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated February 10th as World Pulses Day (WPD). Since 2019, FAO has led the annual observance of this important Day. Despite their exceptional nutritional values and immense environmental benefits, their per capita consumption has declined in many developed and developing countries. In several societies, particularly in urban areas, pulses are still associated with low-cost diets or rural cuisine. In 2026, the theme "Pulses of the World: From Modesty to Excellence" challenges misconceptions that overshadow the benefits of pulses and celebrates their true excellence and role in modern, healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems. The exhibition is open to the public by reservation via this online FORM.

PUBLICATIONS: Explore the newly published “ A guide to World Pulses Day 2026” for ideas, resources and practical tips tailored for different stakeholders. This comprehensive guide is your go-to resource to learn more about pulses and how you can take part in this global initiative. Get the guide!

Terminology matters: Advancing Science to Define an Optimal Pulse Intake - Confusion around the terms “legumes” and “pulses” has been a long-standing problem among consumers, health professionals, and researchers in the United States. The Food and Agricultural Organization defines pulses as legumes that are harvested solely as dry grain and include beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils. For the first time ever, the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognized and used the terminology “pulses.” Read the full publication!

STATEMENTS: “There is compelling evidence of the contribution of pulses to healthy and sustainable agrifood systems. We invite Member Nations, international and regional organizations, civil society, and all those with an interest in pulses to engage in efforts that support increased production and consumption, so these benefits can be fully realized.” said Yurdi Yasmi, Director of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division.

“We are trying to reverse these trends and in this year’s celebration, we aim to highlight the true value of these crops,” said Yurdi Yasmi, Director of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division, noting that the Day is about boosting the sustainable production and consumption of pulses.

“Pulses are a very important food crops and, in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, we are committed to promoting them,” said María González Corral, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Castile and León.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026; February 6th.

FORUM: "Stepping Towards 2030: No end to FGM without Sustained Commitments and Actions.'' International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026. While significant efforts over recent decades have contributed to progress in addressing female genital mutilation, current trends are insufficient to meet global elimination goals without accelerated action. And the gains made are fragile. Funding cuts, declining investment in health, education and child protection, growing pushback against elimination efforts and increasing medicalization of FGM threaten to slow or reverse progress. Without adequate and predictable financing, community-based programmes risk being scaled back, health and other services weakened and millions more girls placed at risk. As the world approaches 2030, the promise to end female genital mutilation stands at a decisive moment. Gains made over the past decade risk being reversed as global funding and support for gender equality, girls and women’s rights, and ending harmful practices continue to decline. Yet, millions of girls still depend on our collective will to act. Amidst all these challenges, one thing is clear: there can be no end to FGM without sustained commitment and investment. sustained action and investment does not only mean financial resources—it encompasses people’s initiatives, skills and knowledge, assets/equipment, systems, entrepreneurship, technological, informational and influential/ reputational resources. To advance the elimination of FGM, sustained engagement from governments, civil society, communities, philanthropic foundations and the international community is essential. Each act of commitment—whether a policy change, a mentoring initiative, a safe space for dialogue, or a shared story of resilience—represents a step forward towards a world free from FGM. Continued and flexible funding is vital to protect past achievements, sustain momentum, and ensure that national and community actors can continue their work with confidence and stability. On this International Day, partners reaffirm their shared commitment to work with grassroots champions, young leaders, survivors, civil society, governments and partners to accelerate progress towards ending FGM. With four years remaining to meet the 2030 target, sustained action and investment are critical to protect girls and ensure that hard-won progress is not lostFor more than a decade, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme has supported survivors and prioritized investments in survivor-led initiatives. There are now more than 200 million survivors. Share your efforts and stories by tagging #Unite2EndFGM from across social media platforms and affirming the commitments. It is only through concerted efforts that we can make lasting change so that no girl has to live with fear or endure the harmful consequences of FGM. So, let’s Unite to End FGM. Every voice counts! Follow the conversation with the hashtags:#steppingupthepace, #6February, #EndFGM.

EVENTS: On February 6th at 14:00 CET, the WHO will participate in a global advocacy webinar for International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026 entitled "Stepping Towards 2030: No end to FGM without Sustained Commitments and Actions''. The advocacy event hosted by the UNFPA – UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. The observance of the day provides an opportunity to highlight progress and raise awareness to end this harmful practice. From community leaders to health workers and family members, everyone has a role to play. With only 5 years to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, our efforts must be faster and bolder. We must step up the pace 27 times to achieve SDG 5.3 on ending FGM. Keeping this urgency in mind. Register to participate!

Key messages
● Female genital mutilation violates the fundamental rights of girls, including the right to health, life, physical and mental integrity and freedom from torture.
● By strengthening alliances among grassroots activists, communities, governments, organizations and the private sector, we can build a powerful social movement that ends harmful norms, which promote the continuation of the practice.
● Every public declaration, every conversation, and every investment brings us closer to a world free from female genital mutilation, ensuring a safer and brighter future for girls.

Call to action
● Increase investment to ensure no girl is at risk of female genital mutilation: Governments, donors, and the private sector must step up financial investments to scale up of effective interventions.
● Strengthen social movements to eliminate female genital mutilation through partnerships: Expand social movements led by girls, women, survivors, youth, boys and men through strategic coalitions that amplify action to eliminate female genital mutilation.
● Centre the voices and stories of survivors: Place survivors at the heart of advocacy, policymaking, and implementation efforts. Their voices are essential to driving change.
● Advocate for accountability: Ensure countries uphold their commitment to international, regional and national human rights through regular reporting of progress in implementation of policies, strategies and interventions that protect girls at risk and provide necessary care including justice for survivors.
● Engage everyone: Ending female genital mutilation requires the collective efforts of girls, women, survivors, men, boys, youth, traditional and religious leaders, communities, governments, private sector and donors as key allies.

PUBLICATION: New study showing health complications due to FGM.

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the WHO guidelines on the management of health complications from female genital mutilation. That publication’s main purpose was to provide evidence-informed recommendations on managing health complications associated with FGM. The current revised guideline has an expanded scope, providing up-to-date recommendations on FGM prevention as well as clinical management of complications. The process of updating and revising this guideline resulted in eight recommendations relating to training and capacity-building of health workers on FGM prevention and care, including access to capacity-building resources; educational interventions targeting women and girls living with or at risk of FGM as well as men and boys in FGM-affected communities; deinfibulation for women with Type III FGM, including the timing of deinfibulation; mental health interventions for women and girls living with FGM and having symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and surgical and non-surgical sexual health interventions. In addition, three best practice statements are presented on the development and enforcement of laws and policies against FGM, the need for professional codes of conduct for health workers and the importance of counselling and informed consent prior to deinfibulation. Considerations on implementing the recommendations are also discussed. Read the full publication!

CALCULATOR: FGM cost calculator.


Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026; February 6th.

Female genital mutilation violates the universal human rights to life, health and bodily integrity — and causes lasting harm to over 230 million women and girls worldwide.

It is rooted in the same gender bias that restricts girls’ access to education, narrows women’s opportunities for employment, and limits their participation in public life.

The world has committed to ending this dangerous practice by 2030. But in the meantime, 23 million girls remain at risk.

Getting to zero will require sustained political commitment — and sustained investment. Governments, civil society, health workers, and traditional and religious leaders all have a role to play. The United Nations is working on prevention and advocacy, ensuring that survivors have access to care, and empowering women and girls through education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, let us renew our promise to protect the rights of women and girls everywhere, and ensure that they can live free from violence and fear.

Together, we can end this injustice once and for all.

António Guterres.

UNFPA, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Statement on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026.

In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls—many under the age of five—are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation. Currently, more than 230 million girls and women are living with its consequences.

Today, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we reaffirm our commitment to end female genital mutilation for every girl and every woman at risk, and to continue working to ensure those subjected to this harmful practice have access to quality and appropriate services.



Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights and cannot be justified on any grounds. It compromises girls’ and women’s physical and mental health and can lead to serious, lifelong complications, with treatment costs estimated at about USD 1.4 billion every year.

Interventions aimed at ending female genital mutilation over the last three decades are having an impact, with nearly two-thirds of the population in countries where it is prevalent expressing support for its elimination. After decades of slow change, progress against female genital mutilation is accelerating: half of all gains since 1990 were achieved in the past decade reducing the number of girls subjected to FGM from one in two to one in three. We need to build on this momentum and speed up progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending female genital mutilation by 2030.

We know what works. Health education, engaging religious and community leaders, parents and health workers and the use of traditional and social media are effective strategies to end the practice. We must invest in community-led movements—including grassroots and youth networks—and strengthen education through both formal and community-based approaches. We need to amplify prevention messages by involving trusted opinion leaders, including health workers. And we must support survivors by ensuring they have access to comprehensive, context-tailored health care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance.

Every dollar invested in ending female genital mutilation yields a tenfold return. An investment of USD 2.8 billion can prevent 20 million cases and generate USD 28 billion in investment returns.

As we approach 2030, gains achieved over decades are at risk as global investment and support wane. Funding cuts and declining international investment in health, education, and child protection programmes are already constraining efforts to prevent female genital mutilation and support survivors. Further, the growing systematic pushback on efforts to end female genital mutilation, including dangerous arguments that it should be carried out by doctors or health workers to reduce harm, adds more hurdles to elimination efforts. Without adequate and predictable financing, community outreach programmes risk being scaled back, frontline services weakened, and progress reversed—placing millions more girls at risk at a critical moment in the push to meet the 2030 target.

Today we reaffirm our commitment and efforts with local and global public and private partners, including survivors, to end female genital mutilation once and for all.

Joint statement by the UNFPA Executive Director, UNICEF Executive Director, OHCHR High Commissioner, UN Women Executive Director, WHO Director-General, and UNESCO Director-General on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Visual assets in English, French, Arabic.