Wednesday, 2 April 2025

World Autism Awareness Day 2025; April 2nd.



FORUM: "Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" World Autism Awareness Day 2025. The observance highlights the intersection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts, showcasing how inclusive policies and practices can drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Join us for a timely discussion on ways to ensure equitable access to essential technologies for individuals on the autism spectrum. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #EveryoneIncluded, #2April, #worldAutismAwarenessDay, #WAAD, #autismspectrum.




EVENTS: On Wednesday, April 2nd from 10:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. EDT, the international community will gather to commemorate the World Autism Awareness Day 2025, under the theme "Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)",. Bringing together global experts, policymakers, and autistic voices, the event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, addressing areas such as inclusive healthcare, education, employment, and urban development. This year’s discussion will explore the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that promote accessibility, equality, and innovation across multiple sectors. Discussions focus on inclusive healthcare, quality education, workplace accessibility, reducing inequalities, and designing autism-friendly cities and communities. The 2025 WAAD event is organized by the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications. ION is a neuro minority-founded and led global membership organization headquartered in Switzerland, with a presence in 40 countries worldwide. As the largest, most globally represented neurodiversity initiative, ION works to empower neuro-minorities, advocate for equal opportunities, and promote acceptance and education. By fostering dialogue and collaboration across multiple sectors, World Autism Awareness Day 2025 will reinforce the need for sustained efforts to eliminate barriers, promote inclusive policies, and recognize the contributions of autistic individuals to society and the achievement of the SDGs. Register to participate!



Sunday, 30 March 2025

International Day of Zero Waste 2025, March 30th.



FORUM: “Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles.” International Day of Zero Waste 2025. This year, for the first time, the day will be observed to shed light on the environmental and social challenges caused by the sector's linear business model, which drives overproduction and overconsumption. The textile sector embodies the whole waste agenda - from the importance of bolstering waste management globally to the need to reduce waste generation and promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. Every year the textile sector is estimated to be responsible for 2-8% of global GHG emissions, the use of 215 trillion litres of water (the equivalent of 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools), and 9% of annual microplastic pollution to oceans. These staggering figures highlight the unsustainable practices driving the industry, where every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or sent to landfills around the world, causing significant environmental, economic and social impacts, especially in the global south. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #sdg12, #zerowasteDay, #30March.

March 30th.




EVENTS: The New York Observance of Zero Waste 2025, facilitated in-person, serves as a platform to underscore the critical importance of collective action in driving forward zero-waste initiatives, with a focus on fashion and textile waste.


Get the Concept note!




Worldwide observance of the International Day of Zero Waste 2025. To celebrate the third annual International Day of Zero Waste, offices and partners from around the world are invited to organize activities and events, including creative exhibits, panel discussions, social media campaigns, training sessions and waste collection drives. Explore the list of upcoming worldwide activities, conferences and workshops and the events maps!



The following flagship events will be organized by UNEP, UN-Habitat, and partners.

25 March | Room XXIII, Palais des Nations, Geneva | 1515-1630 hrs CET
International Day of Zero Waste Celebration in Geneva.


To celebrate the 2025 edition of International Day of Zero Waste, leading voices from Geneva and beyond joining the panel of this event will highlight steps taken to move forward the zero-waste agenda and key initiatives to reduce the waste impact from the fashion and textile sector, promoting sustainability and circularity.

– 27 March | UN Office at Nairobi | 1700-1830 hrs EAT
International Day of Zero Waste 2025 Observance in Nairobi.



– 27 March | UN General Assembly Hall, New York | 1500-1800 EDT
International Day of Zero Waste 2025 Commemoration at United Nations Headquarters in New York


28-29 March | EDHEC Business School, Paris.

International Day of Zero Waste 2025 Youth-led Paris Hackathon.

– 30-31 March | Zhejiang and Jiangxi Provinces & Online | 0900-1840 hrs GMT+8

International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Innovative Solutions for Achieving Zero Waste in China and Beyond.

– 4 April | Global Youth Webinar


Africa, Europe, Asia: 1300-1430 hrs (GMT+3)
Latin America and the Caribbeans: 0900-1030 hrs (GMT-5)

This Global Youth Webinar will bring together youth participants from diverse backgrounds, fostering cross-regional collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas. By leveraging digital platforms, UNEP aims to ensure inclusive participation, enabling young changemakers from all corners of the world to contribute to the zero-waste movement and drive impactful change within the fashion industry.


PUBLICATIONS: Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 - In response to Resolution 2/7 from the second session (UNEP/EA.2/RES.7) of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and reaffirmed in Resolution 4/7 from its fourth session (UNEP/EA.4/RES.7). Jointly published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 report provides an update on global waste generation and the cost of waste and its management. Municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. Only 62 percent of this waste is managed in controlled facilities. Some 2.7 billion people lack access to solid waste collection. Download the report.


STATEMENTS: Read the statement of the United Nations Secretary-general on behalf the International Day of Zero waste 2025

Mr. President, Madame First Lady, Excellencies, Dear Friends,

The waste crisis is an issue that goes to the heart of how we produce, and how we consume.

And one that requires action at every level – local, national, and global.

This year’s International Day focuses on fashion and textiles.

And rightly so.

Unless we accelerate action, dressing to kill could kill the planet.

Textile production often uses thousands of chemicals – many of them harmful to people and the environment.

It devours resources like land and water – putting pressure on ecosystems.

And it belches out greenhouse gases – inflaming the climate crisis.

Clothes are being produced and discarded at a staggering rate – driven by business models that prioritize newness, speed, and disposability.

Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or sent to landfill.

Excellencies, Dear Friends,

Fashion is just the tip of a toxic iceberg.

Waste is an issue in every sector.

Every year, humanity produces over two billion tonnes of garbage.

If you pack all that into shipping containers stacked end to end, they would stretch to the moon and back.

Here on Earth, toxin-filled waste is seeping into our soil, our water, and our air. And ultimately into us.

As usual, the poorest pay the highest price.

More than one billion people live in slums and informal urban settlements, where waste management is non-existent and disease runs rampant.

The rich world is flooding the Global South with garbage, from obsolete computers to single-use plastic and more.

Many nations do not have the infrastructure to process even a fraction of what is dumped on their shores.

As a result, materials that could be recycled are burned or sent to landfill.

And waste pickers are exposed to toxic chemicals as they sift through potentially hazardous materials, including broken electronics, in appalling conditions.

Excellencies, Dear Friends,

We need a different approach: one that delivers on the commitment in the Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable production and consumption.

And there are signs of hope.

Change is possible. And it presents exciting opportunities.

In fashion, for example, designers are experimenting with recycled materials.

Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability.

In many countries, resale markets are booming.

And important initiatives are bringing together large and small businesses, industry associations, civil society and many others to drive sustainability across the sector.

They include the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, and the Fashion Pact.

We must celebrate the power of these innovations to transform the industry.

But we need more.

And we need change in every sector.

I welcome the work of the Chair and the First Lady and members of the United Nations Advisory Board on Zero Waste to raise awareness, and help meet the SDGs.

The fight against waste requires us all.

Governments must act:

Through policies, regulations and subsidies:

That promote sustainability, and zero waste initiatives…

That encourage businesses to adopt positive practices…

That provide decent jobs…

And that empower everyone – not just the wealthy – to afford products that last.

The current negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution – due in August this year – are a key opportunity for governments to drive progress.

I urge them to take it…

And to translate any treaty into action to support consumers to make environmentally friendly choices, and into a clear roadmap across industries.

Addressing plastic pollution must be at the core of corporate responsibility.

There is no space for greenwashing.

Businesses must increase circularity, waste reduction and resource efficiency across their supply chains.

We need accountability for corporate sustainability commitments.

We need transparency for customers.

And we need consumers to use their purchasing power to encourage change:

Reducing excessive consumption, valuing products that last, and embracing exchanges and resales.

And we need young people and civil society to keep using their voices and power to demand change through advocacy.

Excellencies, Dear Friends,

We must build on progress, to end the waste practices wasting our planet.

On this International Day, let us commit to do our part to clean up our act, and build a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.

And I thank you.

United Nations Secretary-General.





Reports
Livestream:




Documents 

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025; March 25th.

I Shall never Forgot that



FORUM: "Acknowledge the past. Repair the present. Build a future of dignity and justice." International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025. The transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans was one of the most horrific crimes in human history, brutally dehumanizing more than 15 million men, women and children over 400 years. It robbed individuals of their lives and liberty, and in the centuries that followed, systems of exclusion and discrimination stripped communities of their ability to thrive and prosper. The fallacy of white supremacy was justified by – and entrenched in – institutions, cultures, and legal systems. Acknowledging the painful legacy of the trade in enslaved Africans is essential to repairing these broken systems. Born out of past harms and crimes against humanity, systemic racism and structural injustices must be transformed to heal the wounds of enslavement and build a future of dignity and justice for Afro-descendant communities across the globe. The transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans represents one of the most horrific and traumatizing eras in human history. This racialized system of enslavement abducted, trafficked, and brutally dehumanized Africans and their descendants over centuries, leaving a pernicious legacy of racism grounded in the false narrative of white supremacy. A critical way to counter racism with justice is to acknowledge the fundamental dignity, equality, and rights of people of African descent within communities, institutions, policies, laws and governing bodies. Recognizing the egregious history and legacies of enslavement, let’s continue enhance efforts to address racism, intolerance, bigotry and hatred, to advance the cause of global freedom. Follow the conversation with the hashtags #Rememberslavery!




EVENTS: On March 25th, we will commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025;The commemoration is a time for reflection. This year marks the 218th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and the 24th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). It’s a time to reflect on a shameful era. On a brutal system of human trafficking which was built on the myth of white supremacy. Today we remember those who suffered and resisted oppression and we honor them by fighting for equality and justice.

PLENARY MEETING: At UNHQ, On Tuesday, 25 March 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, the General Assembly will convene its annual plenary meeting to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Speakers will include the President of the 79th Session of the General Assembly, His Excellency Philemon Yang; the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres; keynote speaker and Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature Mr. Wole Soyinka; youth speaker and former United States Youth Poet Laureate Ms. Salome Agbaroji; and representatives of Member States and regional groups. Watch live or on demand on UN WebTV. See the 2025 Calendar of Events.




EXHIBIT: From 7 March to 25 April 2025. “The Stories of Us” Sculpture Exhibition at United Nations Headquarters.

The United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, in collaboration with the Stories of Us arts, a non-profit organization, are displaying a sculpture exhibition featuring artists from across the African diaspora. It features five large-scale “talking drums” by the artists Alanis Forde, Francks Deceus, Láolú, Leasho Johnson, and Marryam Moma. The exhibition honours the resistance of enslaved Africans and the powerful voices of their descendants, whose leadership and cultural innovations enrich our societies today. The sculpture exhibition runs in the United Nations Visitors’ Lobby through 11 April and then moves to the United Nations Visitors Plaza, where it will serve as the backdrop for the many dynamic music, dance; Link to highlights video.

From 14-17 April, 2025, at the “Palais des Nations’’ in Geneva, Switzerland ,a series of high-level events are scheduled to observe the annual Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) announced that the fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent will take place. All stakeholders advancing the rights of people of African descent are welcome to participate in the sessions of the Permanent Forum. Member States, United Nations specialized agencies and bodies, national human rights institutions, equality bodies, civil society representatives, and organizations of people of African descent are especially invited to attend and contribute to the discussions. Get the Concept note (English | Français | Español | Português), the Provisional agenda, the Programme of work (draft)and the Modalities of participation (English | Français | Español | Português); All interested participants are required to register by 11:59 PM (Central European Time) on Friday 4 April 2025. Register to participate!

Gorée Island



PUBLICATIONS: The American Anti-Slavery Society was an abolitionist organization that played a crucial role in spreading abolitionism in the North before the Civil War. In December 1833, delegates from state and local abolition societies gathered in Philadelphia to found an agency to promote a national approach to ending slavery. William Lloyd Garrison, Theodore D. Weld, and the Tappan brothers, Lewis and Arthur, were among the leading figures in this venture. Central to its mission was the doctrine of "immediate emancipation," as opposed to the gradualism espoused by some anti-slavery societies. Looking to spread its ideas across the nation, the society subsidized the printing and distribution of abolitionist tracts, pamphlets, and broadsides, and created a network of agents to carry the message throughout the United States. Read the full publication!

Washington at the Plow: The Founding Farmer and the Question of Slavery. A fresh, original look at George Washington as an innovative land manager whose singular passion for farming would unexpectedly lead him to reject slavery. Get the book!

Slavery at the Home of George Washington. This highly-readable selection of articles focuses on Washington's changing attitudes toward the institution of slavery, and his everyday relationships with the slaves who shared his Mount Vernon estate. Get the book!

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon. At the time of George Washington's death in 1799, more than 300 enslaved men, women, and children lived on his Mount Vernon plantation. Lives Bound Together provides fresh research on this important topic. Read the book!

The Quanders - Since 1684, an Enduring African American Legacy. The Quanders – Since 1684: An Enduring African America Legacy introduces stories that constitute the Quander family legacy as one of the oldest consistently documented African American families in the United States. Read the book!

STATEMENTS: Listen the full Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General, on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025. March 25th.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2025; March 25th.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2025



FORUM: “The safety of everyone who works with the United Nations is our top priority.International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2025. During this day, we invite you to draw attention to the risks faced by United Nations staff and peacekeepers and their colleagues in the non-governmental community and the press. Join the conversation by following the hashtags #25march; #UNStaffDay.

EVENTS: On March 25th, a webinar to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2025 will be held at UNHQ. On this International Day, let us stand in solidarity with all detained colleagues and pledge to protect all United Nations personnel as they work to advance peace and human rights, protect the planet and build a better future for all. The observance is organized by the Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service and the United Nations Staff Union. Register to participate!

STATEMENTS: “Today is a solemn reminder of the grave risks facing our staff members as they carry out their vital work under the United Nations flag.” Read the full Statement from the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2025; March 25th.

Monday, 24 March 2025

International Day for the Right to the truth concerning the gross human rights violations 2025; March 24th.

Right to the truth



FORUM
: "Advancing the Rights of the victims." International Day for the Right to the truth concerning the gross human rights violations 2025. The United Nations welcomes this recognition of the unique suffering of victims of human rights violations, not only at the time of abuse, but long after as they seek truth, acknowledgement, and justice. During the day, Participants will be able to debate on the topic ’’What amounts to ‘a serious violation of international human rights law’?’’. On this commemorative day and every day, we emphasize the right to truth and pay tribute to those who devote their lives to the human rights of all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #24March, #Dignityforvictims, #Humanrightsviolations, #RighttotheTruthDay.

EVENTS: A minute of silence to pay tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980.

On March 24th, the International Day will be observed worldwide. The organizers, panelists and participants will have the opportunity to reinforce the commitments to end the cycle of impunity and the possibility to learn how to fight for the respect of human rights for all. The OHCHR upholds this commitment to the right to truth every day, and urge the international community to add their powerful voice to advocate for justice and reparations for victims and to bring perpetrators to justice. Join us for the commemoration of the International Day for the Rights to the truth concerning the Gross Human Rights Violations 2025 at UNHQ in New york and Geneva!

Professional Training series: The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance is the first universally legally binding human rights instrument concerning enforced disappearance. It outlines States parties’ obligations vis-à-vis this phenomenon as well as the victims’ fundamental rights. Ten years after the adoption of the Convention, there is still work to do to eradicate and prevent enforced disappearances in all parts of the world.


STATEMENTS: Statement from the U.N. Secretary-General on the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2025; March 24th.

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Bernard Duhaime on the observance of the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2025; March 24th.

“Recent events marked by the end of repression or conflict in some countries demonstrate that in the face of systematic abuse, the quest of victims and their families for truth and justice will always prevail,” Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, said today. Commemorating the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, Duhaime expressed his recognition and support for the courage, resilience and dignity of victims. “I stand in solidarity with victims of gross human rights violations and call on States to put in place the mechanisms and procedures that can enable them to know about the violations they or their relatives have endured,” Duhaime said. The expert highlighted that Truth commissions play a pivotal role in uncovering the facts, providing a platform for victims’ voices, and fostering accountability. “By investigating, transmitting clear and accurate accounts of past violations and preserving a historical record of atrocities, truth commissions contribute to achieving justice, providing reparation to victims, and preventing future violations,” Duhaime added. Noting that members and staff of truth commissions are subject to criminalization, intimidation or threats to their life, health or safety, in various parts of the world, the expert called on States to take more robust measures to protect them, including by affording them the necessary privileges and immunities associated to their roles. “At the time when human rights are being sidelined and multilateralism increasingly being challenged, clear, full and strong support to the work of national and international truth and accountability mechanisms becomes ever more critical,” Duhaime added. The UN expert also expressed deep concern over the growing global challenges of negationism, revisionism and politicization with regard to gross violations of human rights. “Instances of weaponization of truth by political or sectarian interests that seek to rekindle violence or obtain political gain are sadly becoming common place. Denial of past grievances constitutes an active human rights violation and a strong indicator of future violence. Responses must be rights-based, address the dissemination of false information and promote the work of national or international accountability and truth-seeking mechanisms”, the UN expert concluded. 


 Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index.

World Tuberculosis Day 2025, March 24th.

FORUM: "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver." World Tuberculosis Day 2025. This year’s theme is a bold call for hope, urgency, and accountability.TB continues to devastate millions globally, inflicting severe health, social, and economic consequences.

Commit: World leaders at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting pledged to accelerate efforts to end TB. Now, we need real action: rapid implementation of WHO guidance and policies, strengthened national strategies, and full funding.

Invest: TB cannot be defeated without proper financing. We need a bold, diversified approach to fund innovation, to close gaps in access to TB prevention, treatment and care, as well as to advance research and innovation.

Deliver: Turning commitments into action means scaling up proven WHO-recommended interventions: early detection, diagnosis, preventive treatment, and high-quality TB care, particularly for drug-resistant TB. Success depends on community leadership, civil society action, and cross-sector collaboration.



EVENT; From 13:30 to 16:00 CET; Online Talk Show: Act now. Invest now. Deliver now. Together, yes we can end TB. Register to Participate!



The WHO calls for urgent action to address worldwide disruptions in tuberculosis services putting millions of lives at risk.

Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver



On the occasion on World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, March 24th, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for an urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain tuberculosis (TB) care and support services for people in need across regions and countries. TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for over 1 million deaths annually bringing devastating impacts on families and communities.

Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000. However, the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding happening now are threatening to reverse these gains. Rising drug resistance especially across Europe and the ongoing conflicts across the Middle-East, Africa and Eastern Europe, are further exacerbating the situation for the most vulnerable.

Under the theme ''Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver'' the World Tuberculosis Day 2025 campaign highlights a rallying cry for urgency, and accountability and hope. “The huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years are now at risk as cuts to funding start to disrupt access to services for prevention, screening, and treatment for people with TB,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we cannot give up on the concrete commitments that world leaders made at the UN General Assembly just 18 months ago to accelerate work to end TB. WHO is committed to working with all donors, partners and affected countries to mitigate the impact of funding cuts and find innovative solutions.”

Funding: threat to global TB efforts

Early reports to WHO reveal that severe disruptions in the TB response are seen across several of the highest-burden countries following the funding cuts. Countries in the WHO African Region are experiencing the greatest impact, followed by countries in the WHO South-East Asian and Western Pacific Regions. Twenty seven countries are facing crippling breakdowns in their TB response, with devastating consequences, such as:
  • Human resource shortages undermining service delivery;
  • Diagnostic services severely disrupted, delaying detection and treatment;
  • Data and surveillance systems collapsing, compromising disease tracking and management;
  • Community engagement efforts, including active case finding, screening, and contact tracing, deteriorating, leading to delayed diagnoses and increased transmission risks.

Nine countries report failing TB drug procurement and supply chains, jeopardizing treatment continuity and patient outcomes.

The 2025 funding cuts further exacerbate an already existing underfunding for global TB response. In 2023, only 26% of the US$ 22 billion annually needed for TB prevention and care was available, leaving a massive shortfall. TB research is in crisis, receiving just one-fifth of the US$ 5 billion annual target in 2022 – severely delaying advancements in diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. WHO is leading efforts to accelerate TB vaccine development through the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, but progress remains at risk without urgent financial commitments.
Joint statement with civil society

In response to the urgent challenges threatening TB services worldwide, WHO’s Director-General and Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis have issued a decisive statement. The joint statement released this week, demands immediate, coordinated efforts from governments, global health leaders, donors, and policymakers to prevent further disruptions. The statement outlines five critical priorities:
  • Addressing TB service disruptions urgently, ensuring responses match the crisis's scale;
  • Securing sustainable domestic funding, guaranteeing uninterrupted and equitable access to TB prevention and care;
  • Safeguarding essential TB services, including access to life-saving drugs, diagnostics, treatment and social protections, alongside cross-sector collaboration;
  • Establishing or revitalizing national collaboration platforms, fostering alliances among civil society, NGOs, donors, and professional societies to tackle challenges;
  • Enhancing monitoring and early warning systems to assess real-time impact and detect disruptions early.

“This urgent call is timely and underscores the necessity of swift, decisive action to sustain global TB progress and prevent setbacks that could cost lives,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Programme on TB and Lung Health. “Investing in ending TB is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity – every dollar spent on prevention and treatment yields an estimated US$ 43 in economic returns.”

New guidance on TB and lung health

As one of the solutions to combating growing resource constraints, WHO is driving the integration of TB and lung health within primary healthcare as a sustainable solution. New technical guidance released by WHO outlines critical actions across the care continuum, focusing on prevention, early detection of TB and comorbidities, optimized management at first contact and improved patient follow-up. The guidance also promotes better use of existing health systems, addressing shared risk factors such as overcrowding, tobacco, undernutrition and environmental pollutants.

By tackling TB determinants alongside communicable and non-communicable diseases, lung conditions, and disabilities through a unified strategy, WHO aims to reinforce the global response and drive lasting improvements in health outcomes. On World TB Day, WHO calls on everyone: individuals, communities, societies, donors and governments, to do their part to end TB. Without concerted action from all stakeholders, the TB response will be decimated, reversing decades of progress, putting millions of lives at risk and threatening health security.

TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for over 1 million deaths annually bringing devastating impacts on families and communities.



ACTIVITIES: Global #EndTBRun Challenge.

From 24 February to 31 March 2025. Join the Global #EndTBRun Challenge.

 


PUBLICATIONWorld TB Day 2025: Advocacy and communication toolkit.
This toolkit contains materials and resources which can be used in the lead-up to and during World TB Day 2025 to support your activities and outreach.




Sunday, 23 March 2025

World Meteorological Day 2025, March 23rd.

FORUM: "Closing the Early Warning Gap Together." World Meteorological Day 2025. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #closingtheearlywarninggapTogether, #worldmetday, #23march, #metrorologists, #climatologists, #hydrologists, #meteorology.


World Meteorological Day 2025







EVENT:  On March 24th, from 15:00 - 17:00, at WMO Headquarters will be held a ceremony to mark the World Meteorological Day 2025

Celebrations of the World Meteorological Day will take place worldwide, with events organized by NMHSs on the theme “Closing the early warning gap together”. Halfway through the Early Warnings for All Initiative called by UNSG at World Meteorological Day 2022 and launched at COP28, WMO looks into the global collaboration to achieve the initiative by 2027. Three main channels of collaboration are scaling-up collaboration in the delivery of the pillar 2 of the EW4All (Detection, observations, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of hazards):

  • Innovating together - Together to scale-up technologies
  • Standing together -Together to foster collaboration in countries
  • Investing together - Together to mobilize and share resources

The ceremony will be live-illustrated by Carlotta Cataldi, visual harvester. The World Meteorological Day ceremony will unfold as follows:

Panel part 1 - Official addresses: "Together to foster collaboration among countries"

Where are the gaps and how can we foster collaboration among countries? How does it all start to implement early warnings and how can countries learn from each other? How to implement road maps without overlapping with other actors involved?

  • Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO – Welcome address
  • H.E. Mr Juerg Lauber, Permanent representative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
  • H.E. Mr Mxolisi Nkosi, Permanent representative of South Africa to the United Nations Office at Geneva, on bringing countries together for G20
  • H.E. Mr Tovar da Silva Nunes, Permanent representative of Brazil to the United Nations Office at Geneva, on bringing countries together for COP30

Panel part 2 - Innovating together - Together to scale-up technologies

What are the gaps and how can we close them by scaling-up technologies together? How can we improve observations, satellites and scale-up AI and machine learning for better forecasts? How does it all start to implement early warnings and how can countries learn from each other? How to implement road maps without overlapping with other actors involved?

Speakers: 
Ms Maureen Ahiataku, Principal Meteorologist at Ghana Meteorological Agency. Ghana just validated their EW4All roadmap and implemented CAP Alerts. The story of a new narrative around collaborating to close the early warning gap.
  • Mr Florian Pappenberger, ECMWF Deputy Director-General & Director of Forecasts on how technology and AI improves weather prediction.
  • Ms Soma Sen Roy, Meteorologist at the National Weather Forecasting Centre of India Meteorological Department, to talk about recent innovations for closing the early warning gap in India and the region.
  • Ms Thelma Cinco – Chief of climatology and hydrometeorology at PAGASA (Philippines), and MIBFEWS project leader, on improving the understanding of impact in the last mile.

Panel part 3 - Investing together – Together to mobilize and share resources

Why investing in early warnings and how much does it cost to close the early warning gap? What is the interest of businesses to invest in early warnings? How can we scale-up South-South cooperation?
Speakers:

  • Mr Yi Wang, Director of World Meteorological Center Beijing Operation Office, on South-South financial support.
  • Ms Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director of the Santiago Network Secretariat. WMO recently joined the Santiago Network, on the importance of networks to close the early warning gap.
  • Mr Niels Holm-Nielsen, Global Technical Lead for Resilience and Disaster Risk Management, World Bank, on financial contribution to close the early warning gap.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Meteorological Day 2025, March 23rd.

The dark predictions of meteorologists are coming to pass. Our climate is going up in flames. Every one of the last ten years has been the hottest in recorded history. Ocean heat is breaking records. And every country is feeling the effects – whether scorched by fires, swept by floods, or pummelled by unprecedented storms.

The theme of this year’s World Meteorological Day – Closing the Early Warning Gap Together – reminds us that, in this new climate reality, early warning systems are not luxuries. They are necessities and sound investments – providing an almost ten-fold return. Yet, almost half the world’s countries still lack access to these life-saving systems. It is disgraceful that, in a digital age, lives and livelihoods are being lost because people have no access to effective early warning systems.

The United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative aims for everyone, everywhere to be protected by an alert system by 2027. The world must come together, and urgently scale-up action and investment, to realize this goal.

We need high-level political support for the Initiative within countries, a boost in technology support, greater collaboration between governments, businesses and communities, and a major effort to scale-up finance. Increasing the lending capacity of the Multilateral Development Banks is key. The Pact for the Future agreed last year made important strides forward, it must be delivered in full. So must the COP29 finance outcome.

At the same time, we must intensify our efforts to tackle the climate crisis at source – through rapid and deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions – to prevent it getting unimaginably worse. This year all countries must honour the promise to deliver new national climate action plans that align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

In an era of climate disaster, every person on Earth must be protected by an early warning system as a matter of justice. Together, let’s deliver.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement by Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of WMO, on the occasion of World Meteorological Day 2025, March 23rd.


On World Meteorological Day, March 23, 2022, the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres announced a landmark commitment:

“The United Nations will take the lead in new actions to ensure that everyone on the planet is protected by early warning systems within the next five years.”
Early Warnings For All seeks to reach everyone with early warning systems by the end of 2027.

We are now at the halfway point and much progress has been made. As of end of 2024, 108 countries report having some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems. This is more than double the 52 countries in 2015.
However much remains to be done.

Today, I emphasize three critical gaps that we must continue to must be address through strengthened collective efforts.

1. Bridging the Capacity Gap Among WMO Members

There are still significant capacity gaps among WMO Members. On behalf of the World Meteorological Organization, I call upon global stakeholders—including the UN, international and regional development agencies, and national governments—to work together by providing the necessary resources and support to help these vulnerable nations establish effective early warning systems as soon as possible.

2. Closing the Technical and Collaboration Gap Within WMO

The rapid advancement of technologies such as artificial intelligence is transforming meteorological forecasting and disaster monitoring. Leading global centers, such as ECMWF, and several NMHSs have already integrated AI into their operational systems. However, disparities remain among WMO Members technical capacity to take advantages of these rapid and exciting advancements.

I urge all WMO constituent bodies—particularly the Technical Commissions, Research Board, and Regional Associations—to work together to bridge these collaboration and technical gaps. By embracing emerging technologies like AI, we can develop new standards, guidelines, and best practices that will empower all Members, especially those most vulnerable, to enhance disaster monitoring, early warning, and forecasting, particularly for extreme weather events.

In this regard, I also call for strengthened strategic guidance, progress oversight, and high-level coordination from Congress and the Executive Council to ensure WMO’s strongest contribution to the UN Early Warnings for All initiative.

3. Strengthening Collaboration Across the Four Pillars of Early Warning Systems

The Early Warnings for All initiative is built upon four foundational pillars:Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management – jointly led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and WMO.
Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis, and Forecasting – led by WMO.
Warning Dissemination and Communication – led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Preparedness and Response Capabilities – led by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Numerous other UN and international organizations also play a crucial role in the development of early warning systems. The Early Warnings for All initiative is a groundbreaking effort that not only advances technical early warning capabilities but also fosters stronger cooperation across these four pillars. The goal is to create a fully integrated UN value chain together—saving lives and mitigating economic losses.

At the national level, it is equally important to close collaboration gaps among government agencies. True disaster risk reduction and prevention can only be achieved through well-coordinated, multi-sectoral early warning systems. I urge WMO and its Members to proactively engage with relevant UN organizations, international partners, and national agencies to develop comprehensive and effective early warning systems. Furthermore, NMHSs should actively promote the significant economic and social benefits of early warning systems to their governments and the public.

Conclusion

Early Warnings for All make economic sense. On a global scale, every US$ 1 invested in early warnings is estimated to result in US$ 9 in net economic benefits. In some regions it’s even higher.

I sincerely encourage all WMO Members to intensify their efforts and achieve significant progress in Closing the Early Warning Gap Together. Through enhanced collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can build a safer and more resilient world for all.

President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).