World Refugee Day 2026; June 20th.

FORUM: "Until Everyone is Safe" World Refugee Day 2026. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), informed that the date of June 20 is dedicated to stand with refugees and people forced to flee. There would be events around the world. UNHCR's new initiative "Until Everyone is Safe" asked for the defense of the fundamental right to seek safety, and it was important to remember that protection saved lives. The initiative spoke to younger generations driven by a desire for social justice and solidarity while also facing uncertainty and socio-economic pressures. It invited them to see asylum not as a distant, abstract issue, but as a collective safety net – one that protected the most vulnerable today and could protect any of us tomorrow. "Until Everyone is Safe" challenged stereotypes about refugees and emphasizes that the right to seek safety was a lifeline that went beyond merely escaping war or violence. It complemented the High Commissioner's recently outlined goal of reducing by more than half, over the next decade, the number of refugees in long-term displacement reliant on humanitarian assistance. To achieve this, it would be essential to expand opportunities for voluntary return and resettlement, as well as access to jobs, healthcare and education, and support for local integration – enabling refugees to move beyond survival and rebuild their lives in dignity. This year, solidarity was more important than ever as the right to seek asylum was under growing pressure around the world. UNHCR called on all to defend this lifeline and keep the promise of safety alive. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #20june, #solidaritywithrefugees, #campaign, #worldrefugeeday.

EVENTS: On June 20th; The observance of World Refugee Day 2026 will be a moment to show solidarity with refugees, honoring their stories and showing unwavering support to their plight. Read the concept Note and Register to participate!

At UNHQ New York; The global ceremony of World Refugee Day 2026 will honor refugees and observe a minute of silence.

Around the globe: Find out how countries around the globe celebrate the day by selecting a country: World Refugee Day 2026 events in Australia and New Zealand – World Refugee 2026 events in Japan – World Refugee Day 2026 events in Thailand – World Refugee 2026 in Hong Kong – World Refugee Day 2026 events in Philippines – World Refugee Day 2026 events in Serbia – World Refugee Day 2026 events in Netherlands – World Refugee Day 2026 events in Iran – World Refugee Day 2026 events in Brazil – World Refugee Day 2026 events in Austria. This year, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency will launched a special campaign to create a global movement of solidarity with refugees. To participate Explore the list of worldwide events!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Refugee Day 2026.


As divisions deepen across our world, new and protracted conflicts are compelling millions of women, children and men to seek safety far from home.

These turbulent times must be a moment for renewed solidarity and robust action to protect people displaced by conflict or persecution. That includes upholding the Refugee Convention, which has saved millions of lives since its adoption 75 years ago in the aftermath of the Second World War.

On World Refugee Day, we call for stronger support for all those forced to flee, as well as the countries and communities hosting them. By upholding international refugee law. Safeguarding the right to seek asylum. Forging solutions that enable refugees to live in safety and dignity, with real opportunities for self-reliance. And redoubling efforts towards peace.

Let us be inspired by the generosity of communities in developing countries, which host nearly three-quarters of the world’s refugees.

Together, we can protect the rights of all people forced to flee, now and for generations to come.

António Guterres, Secretary-General.

 

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

This year, World Refugee Day focuses on the right to seek safety as a common safeguard for all of us.

The right to seek safety was made for you and me. 75 years ago, after the Second World War, the world made a promise: people forced to flee have the right to seek safety and protection. It was never meant for a few. It was meant for all of us.

No one is safe until the most vulnerable among us are. When people are forced to flee their homes, we all have a role to play. Ensuring protection for refugees strengthens communities, promotes stability, and saves lives.

This World Refugee Day, help keep the promise of safety alive. Stand with refugees. Until everyone is safe, we show up. Until everyone is safe, the work is not done. Get the poster!

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2026; June 19th.

FORUM: ''Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Against Children: Safeguarding Futures and Empowering Caregivers.'' International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2026. Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against children constitutes one of the most serious and pervasive violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. It is also one of the six grave violations against children as identified by the UN Security Council (S/RES/1261,1999). In situations of armed conflict and political instability across the globe, girls and boys are acutely vulnerable to sexual violence perpetrated by state and non-State actors, including armed forces, militias, groups designated as terrorist by the United Nations, and other parties to conflict. These crimes include rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, trafficking, sexual exploitation, enforced nudity, sexualized torture, and other forms of sexual violence, inflicting profound physical and psychological harm, disrupting development and education, and often triggering lifelong trauma. CRSV is neither accidental nor incidental. It is frequently employed deliberately as a tactic of war, terror, repression, and control. Sexual violence is used to destroy families, fracture communities, and destabilize social cohesion, with effects that reverberate across generations. Children are targeted to punish communities, extract information, force displacement, generate revenue through trafficking and exploitation, or incentivize recruitment within armed groups. The use of sexual violence against children thus serves strategic, political, military, and economic objectives within many conflicts, a trend underscored by the dramatic 35 percent increase in reported cases of CRSV against children in 2024-2025. The impact of CRSV on children is profound and long-lasting. They may face immediate physical and psychological harm, including severe injuries, trauma, unwanted pregnancies, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, and risk of death. Over the longer term, children experience stigmatization, social exclusion, disruption of education, loss of family support, and heightened vulnerability to re-recruitment, re-victimization, or exploitation. These harms extend beyond the individual child to their caregivers - most often women, who may be themselves survivors of violence including CRSV – and who shoulder the increased burden of care in the face of ruptured healthcare systems, shattered civilian infrastructure, and the targeting of, or denial of access to, frontline humanitarian actors and their services. As formal services collapse or become inaccessible, caregivers are forced to absorb responsibilities that should be met by functioning systems and institutions. This crushing care burden exposes countless conflict-affected women to additional economic hardship, psychological strain, and social isolation, while simultaneously weakening community resilience. Restoring and enhancing systems of care - including healthcare, psychosocial support, and community-based protection - is therefore essential not only for child survivors, but also for the empowerment and wellbeing of caregivers and affected communities, who play a central role in recovery, reintegration and long-term healing. Despite the existence of a strong normative and legal framework - including multiple UN Security Council resolutions on conflict-related sexual violence and children and armed conflict - CRSV against children remains significantly under-reported and under-addressed. Structural barriers such as insecurity, lack of access to services, fear of retaliation, stigma, and distrust in institutions prevent children and their caregivers from seeking help. Boys, adolescents, and children subjected to sexualized torture in detention face particular invisibility, as harmful stereotypes often deny or minimize their victimization.

Impunity remains a central driver of these crimes, with perpetrators facing few, if any, consequences, while survivors continue to bear the brunt of suffering, stigma and shame. Weak justice systems and peace processes that marginalize or silence survivors further entrench cycles of violence. When sexual violence against children is not confronted directly and early, it undermines prospects for sustainable peace, reconciliation, the restoration of social cohesion, and recovery. Empowering women, caregivers, and affected communities through meaningful participation, equitable resourcing, and the rebuilding of formal systems of care, is indispensable to breaking these cycles and ensuring that responses to CRSV are sustainable, survivor-centered, and transformative. The resilience of survivors, caregivers, and communities shows that change is possible. By restoring systems of care and ensuring caregivers and affected communities are empowered to lead the response, we can build pathways to healing, justice, and a safer future for every child. In line with General Assembly Resolution 69/293 of 2015, an event will be held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. This International Day is commemorated every year, on or around 19 June, which marks the date of the unanimous adoption of the first Security Council resolution to recognize conflict-related sexual violence as a tactic of war and a threat to international peace and security (S/RES/1820 of 2008). The purpose of this event is to stand in solidarity with child survivors - and all survivors of conflict-related sexual violence - to spark hope as we raise our voices to say: “End Rape In War”. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EndRapeInWar, #19June, #SexualViolence, #campaign.

            

EVENT: On Friday, June 19th, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at UNHQ Conference Room 11, a high-level Event to commemorate the 12th official observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict will be held co-hosted by the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Office of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, and the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations. 

The event will begin with opening remarks by the three co-hosts followed by video remarks from the SRSG on Violence Against Children. A social worker specialised in CRSV against children will be speaking virtually, representing Resilience Integration and Sustainable Empowerment (RISE), a women-led, community-based NGO in Somalia. H.R.H the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, in her capacity as a Global Champion in the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, will deliver a video statement. Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)’s Representative to the US Government will then deliver remarks. A representative from UNICEF, an active member of the UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict network, chaired by the SRSG-SVC, will present the coordinated work of the United Nations system in “delivering as one” in the fight against CRSV. This will be followed by a statement from the Executive Director of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. Before opening the floor, a short video testimony from a grandmother - the primary caregiver of a child survivor of CRSV in South Sudan - will be presented. To conclude, representatives of Member States, Regional Groups, and Civil Society will be invited to make brief interventions from the floor. 

Opening Segment: Moderator: Global Security Reporter - RTÉ, Ms. Yvonne Murray 

1. Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, H.E. Francisco Fabián Tropepi

2. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten 

3. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Vanessa Frazier Special Guests: Moderator: Global Security Reporter - RTÉ, Ms. Yvonne Murray 1. Video statement from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid

 2. Live statement from a social worker at the NGO Resilience Integration and Sustainable Empowerment (RISE) in Somalia 3. Video statement from Her Royal Highness Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, and Global Champion in the Fight against Sexual Violence in Conflict 

4. Statement from MSF’s Representative to the US Government, Ms. Ella Watson-Stryker 5. Statement from a representative from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), on behalf of the UN Action network 6. Statement from the Executive Director of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Ms. Kaavya Asoka 7. Video statement from a grandmother of a child survivor of CRSV in South Sudan 8. Interventions from Member States and Regional Groups, including co-sponsors of General Assembly Resolution 69/293 Moderator closes the event. 

Expected outcomes: 

1. Statements by the panelists, Member States, and senior United Nations officials, as informed by the perspectives of survivors and civil society representatives, will enhance understanding of patterns, drivers, and impacts of CRSV on children and the impact on their caretakers.

 2. Member States will reiterate their commitment to addressing CRSV, including through adequate, flexible, and sustainable resourcing to the Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Multi-Partner Trust Fund (CRSV MPTF), and reinforce their commitment to child-centered prevention, assistance and accountability, as well as highlighting good practices in prevention, accountability, child-sensitive justice, and holistic, survivor-centered services to address harms and safeguard futures by empowering and building the capacity of caregivers and institutions - according to national capabilities. 3. Enhanced media coverage globally, including the promotion of key messages on social media (#EndRapeinWar), and a dedicated microsite hosted by the United Nations Department of Global Communications featuring the Secretary-General’s annual message and other relevant resources https://tinyurl.com/5a2ykwy

3 Focal point for the event: Géraldine Boezio, Public Information Officer, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC): geraldine.boezio@un.org.

Register to participate and watch the Live webcast!

International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2026; June 18th.

FORUM:"The power of partnerships in countering speech"  UN International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2026. On 21 July 2021, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/309 on “Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech.” This resolution, that was presented to Member States by the Kingdom of Morocco, and which builds up on the first-ever resolution on hate speech A/RES/73/328, marked an important milestone in advancing global efforts to address and counter hate speech in all its forms and manifestations, including in the digital context. The resolution proclaims 18 June as the ‘International Day for Countering Hate Speech to be observed annually. The first International Day was marked in 2022. In follow up to resolution A/RES/73/328, at the initiative of the Kingdom of Morocco, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/318 in 2023 which acknowledges the negative impact of hate speech on human rights, peace and inclusion. The resolution further calls on all key actors and relevant stakeholders, particularly Member States, to increase their efforts to counter discrimination and hate speech. Within the UN system, tackling hate speech remains a key priority through the implementation of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. Subsequently, General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/316 adopted in June 2025 “encourages Member States to consider […] initiatives that identify areas for practical action in all sectors and levels of society for the promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation” as a tool to counter hate speech. The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech underscores the importance of partnerships in the fight against hate speech. Indeed, as hate speech affects the whole society, a whole-of-society approach is necessary to address this phenomenon. Relatedly, the UN Strategy stresses the need to raise awareness about respect for human rights, non-discrimination, coexistence, acceptance and respect for diversity and understanding of other cultures and religions, as well as the promotion of intercultural, interfaith and interreligious dialogue. It urges for the use of advocacy to highlight hate speech trends of concern as well as to express sympathy and support to targeted individuals or groups. This is most resonant in the current context of rising conflicts globally, both in their frequency and intensity as well as in the ways in which hate speech is used to fuel them. Unlike any other time in our history, we are witnessing these conflicts and trends in real-time, livestreamed across different platforms – the average. individual, and society as a whole, have never had access to more information than today, but they have also never been more saturated with it. Whilst increased access to information should lead to more awareness and action, the speed with which new and emerging technologies are disseminating them, coupled with the proliferation and virality of hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, have led to a concerning decrease in empathy for their tragic consequences. To protect all those at risk of hate speech, which can lead to incitement to violence, and to prevent hate speech becoming a normalized tool of power and influence, there is an urgent need to further strengthen practical approaches and tools, and scalable strategies to break the cycles of hate, elevate empathy, and acceptance , and respect for diversity as critical pillars in any society and reinforce the foundations of dialogue and understanding as instrumental to building peaceful and just societies. These practical approaches entail policies, new technologies and innovative partnerships to advance and sustain efforts to not only address the root causes of hate speech but also mitigate its impact on societies and communities and to counter it. They consider the intersection of education, media, digital literacy, monitoring, data collection and identification of access points for interventions. In the current international landscape, partnerships also remain essential in designing and implementing these practical tools and approaches for countering hate speech and other noxious narratives and contribute to a healthy information ecosystem. Follow the conversation with the #HateSpeech, #18june, #NotoHate, #hatred, #hate, #CounteringHateSpeech. #Thepowerofpartnerships

EVENT: On June 18th, from 10:00 - 12:00 EDT in the Conference Room 4 at the United Nations, New York, a High-level event to mark the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech focused on partnerships and coalition building, with emphasis on practical approaches and tools for countering hate speech.This year marks the 5th International Day for Countering Hate Speech. To commemorate it, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco, jointly with the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, is organizing the annual High-Level Event. The objective are to - Showcase the work of various actors in countering hate speech. - To Stress the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in combating hateful narratives and to Discuss good practices and lessons learned in countering hate speech. Read the concept note, Register to participate and Watch the international Day for Countering Hate Speech 2026 "The power of partnerships in countering speech".

PROVISIONAL AGENDA. From10.00 – 10:40 AM – Opening and high-level segment • Annalena Barboek, President of the General Assembly TBC • Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General TBC• Amb. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations (confirmed) • USG Chaloka Beyani, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (confirmed) • USG Moratinos, High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations • Melissa Fleming, USG, Department of Global Communications. From 10.40- 11.30: Practical approaches to protecting our shared humanity from hate speech • Mr. Tristan Harris, Center for Humane Technology, CEO and Founder (TBC) • Maria Ressa, Independent International Scientific Panel on AI Chair (TBC) • Ahmed Shaheed, Professor of International Human Rights Law in the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex • One religious actor from the UN Muli-faith Advisory Council. From 11:30- 12.30: Member States’ Statements from the floor Moderated by: KoM PR; Starting at 12:30 Closing remarks by Kingdom of Morocco and SA OSAPOG

Livestream time: 02:43:29.
Meetings & Events

World Day Against Child Labour 2026; June 12th.

FORUM "Red Card to Child Labour: From Marrakesh to action " World Day Against Child Labour 2026. This year's observance comes at a decisive moment, following the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakech, which reaffirmed the need to accelerate progress and turn commitments into concrete results. Under the slogan “Red card to child labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults”, the campaign calls for stronger action on quality education, social protection, decent work, stronger laws and enforcement, and other measures that address the root causes of child labour. Despite progress, 138 million children remain in child labour worldwide, including nearly 54 million in hazardous work. On this World Day Against Child Labour, raise the Red card to child labour and help turn the Marrakech commitments into real change for children, families and communities everywhere. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WDACL, #SocialJustice, #WorldChildLabourDay; #Childlabourer, #12June, #EndChildLabour, #RedcardtoChildLabour.

Statement of Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on World Day Against Child Labour 2026; June 12th.

Today, nearly 138 million children remain in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous work.

This is unacceptable – we must accelerate action.

Marrakech Global Framework for Action against Child Labour gives us a roadmap grounded in decent work for parents, universal quality education, social protection and stronger laws and institutions.

For the first time, it includes clear indicators of progress and a built-in accountability mechanism to track implementation and to keep child labour high on the global agenda beyond 2030.

This year's theme – "Red Card to Child Labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults" – reminds us that every child has the right to learn, to play and to grow up protected and safe.

Together, let us act with urgency and determination to end child labour.

EVENT: This event commemorates the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour. Opened by the ILO Director-General, this year's High-level event provides an opportunity for tripartite constituents to showcase country experiences and perspectives on follow up to the Marrakesh Global Framework for Action against Child Labour. This Framework, adopted at the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, hosted by the Government of Morocco, provides a roadmap committing governments, employers and workers to accelerated, transformative action against child labour. The event celebrates the Red Card to Child Labour campaign, with attendees raising Red cards as a stand against child labour. Register to participate and Watch the livestream!

Interpretation available: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, Russian.

Opening remarks 

Gilbert F. Houngbo; Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Younes Sekkouri; Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Morocco

Panelists

Nomakhosazana Meth; Minister of Employment and Labour, South Africa
Jordania Ureña Lora; Deputy General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Jacqueline Mugo; President, International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
Tomás Alejandro Flores Noriega; Vice-Minister of Labour and Promotion of Employment, Peru

Speakers

Fillemon Wise Immanuel; Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Namibia
Marath Baruch Bolaños López; Secretary of Labour and Social Welfare, Mexico
Tanzila Narbaeva
Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Head of the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, Uzbekistan
Mohammed Alobaidli; Director-General, Golf Cooperation Council Executive Bureau of Labour and Social Development Council
Wisdom
Child labour survivor and fashion designer from Ghana

Moderator

Sophy Fisher; Communications Consultant.

GET INVOLVED!

Show your support for the global fight against child labour with the “Red card to child labour” campaign.

The red cards are available in more than 15 languages and can be freely browsed, downloaded, printed and used to help raise awareness and promote action everywhere. 

Explore the campaign resources and join the movement to help end child labour:

Learn more about the Red Card to Child Labour campaign

Explore the social media wall

International Day of Play 2026; June 11th.

FORUM: "It's time to play." International Day of Play 2026. Play is essential to healthy childhood development and well-being . It supports children in building social and emotional skills, strengthening creativity and problem solving, developing resilience and forming meaningful connections . However , children today are experiencing a growing play deficit. Globally, time and access to play are shrinking due to increased scheduling pressures, reduced safe public space, economic strain on families, and evolving social and digital environments. Despite its importance, many of our public environments are not designed to support free and unstructured play. This limits opportunities for children to explore, connect and grow in ways that shape lifelong well-being. This global observance recognizes the critical role of play in supporting children’s health, learning and development, and calls on governments, institutions and communities to prioritize play in everyday life. The celebration has the potential to be a powerful and unique moment to advance Article 31 of the Convention o n the Rights of the Child and ensure every child enjoys the ir right to play. The international day can make a difference by galvanizing national and local governments, the private sector and global civil society annually . It creates a unifying moment to elevate the importance of play as central to children’s learning and contributing to the well -being and positive mental health of parents, caregivers and children. A moment for all of us to celebrate play and to call on governments and other stakeholders to ensure that every child can enjoy their right to play. Play is not just fun - it is essential for children’s learning, wellbeing, creativity and emotional development. Every child deserves safe spaces to play, caring adults to play with them and opportunities to learn through joyful experiences. Let’s protect every child’s right to play. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #11June,  #InternationalDayofPlay,#Righttoplay, #Chooseplayeveryday, #LearningThroughPlay, #players.

EVENTS: On Thursday, June 11th an High-level event will be held at the United Nations Headquarters to mark the Intenational Day of Play 2026.

This high-level event brings together children, Member States, and partners to champion every child's right to play and drive global commitments. The International Day of Play (IDOP) is a global observance dedicated to championing every child's right to play. At UN Headquarters, the 2026 High-Level Event will convene children, Member States, UN agencies, civil society, and private sector partners to highlight leadership, showcase commitments, and advance action to protect and promote play worldwide. The event will feature high-level remarks, child-led segments, the launch of a global data report on play and statement of commitments from Member States. With a focus on safe and healthy play spaces, alongside other accelerators such as playful parenting and learning through play, IDOP 2026 will reinforce the importance of play as essential to children's development and well-being. We would be grateful for UN WebTV's support in livestreaming the event and capturing it for wider global dissemination. Please find attached a thumbnail/graphic, and also the concept note and draft agenda. Do let us know if any additional information is required. Many thanks in advance for your support. Get the  Concept Note & Agenda and  Register to participate!

LIVESTREAM: Watch the International Day of Play 2026 High-Level Event!

SHORT E-COURSE: Play Matters: Advocating for a World of Play.

Promote a deeper understanding of the role of play in childhood and adolescence, exploring its impact on various aspects of development.

Play Matters

Play serves a physiologic function in human growth. Play helps kids learn how to navigate the world. Children acquire language and learning skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving abilities through play. Early play-based learning lays the groundwork for all subsequent learning. In addition to being the cornerstones of attachment, belonging, mental health, growth mindset, collaborative ability, and the complete spectrum of 21st century skills, free play is also essential in the context of positive parenting and high-quality pre-school education. Play is an investment that we cannot afford to overlook. UNICEF aims to develop an online advocacy course to educate civil society organizations, parents/caregivers, educators, policymakers, and other advocacy networks, about the importance of play in childhood and early adolescence. This course will equip participants with evidence-based strategies to foster positive developmental outcomes, and advocate for play as a fundamental right for all children.

 Learning objectives: The main objective of this online course is to promote a deeper understanding of the role of play in childhood and adolescence, exploring its impact on various aspects of development, and how to champion play as a right for every child.

 Audience

Parents, caregivers, and family networks of kids 0-13 years
Early childhood educators
Teachers and school administrators
Childcare providers
Health practitioners
Community leaders and policymakers
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on child development and rights
Youth advocates
 Length: 8 modules with an average of 5-minute videos. It should take you about 50 minutes to complete this self-paced course.
 Methodology: This course is composed of an introduction, 8 modules (comprised of a short video and a quiz) and a conclusion.
 Structure: This course consists of the following sections: a course landing page, a course information page, followed by modules 1-8, and lastly a summary page. Each module consists of a module video, a Playback Quiz, a “Let’s Play!” activity and lastly a further reading section.
 Contact details: Content issues and questions: Oluwatosin Akingbulu (oakingbulu@unicef.org) and Victor Arkoh Acquaah (vacquaah@unicef.org); Course and learner management: Oluwatosin Akingbulu (oakingbulu@unicef.org); Additional course managers: Benjamin Perks (bperks@unicef.org), Radhika Mitter (rmitter@unicef.org).

This activity or course is open to self-enrolment: START LEARNING

PUBLICATION: A guide for Cities and Municipalities.

The International Day of Play is an opportunity to build on, connect and elevate these existing efforts – and to make them visible. 

The global play movement 

A network of organizations – including UN agencies, NGOs and the private sector – committed to driving a global play movement for children everywhere for generations to come. This movement has developed three accelerators for play : 1. Universal access to evidence -based parenting programs from childhood to early adolescence (playful parenting) 2. Universal access to early childhood education (learning through play) 3. Safe and environmentally healthy play spaces for every child and early adolescent (space to play) . All three outcomes are universal – applicable from humanitarian settings to high -income country contexts – do -able, evidence -backed and aim to be the most impactful ways to advance the right to play for every child. They are linked to the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and are inclusive of all children who experience barriers to play through discrimination and exclusion, including girls and children with disabilities. Based on th ese three accelerators, the global call to action for national and local governments, businesses and other stakeholders is: 1. Scale up services, including parenting programmes, that promote play and attachment 2. Enable access to pre -school and learning through play for every 3 - to 6 -year -old 3. Ensure every child has access to safe, inclusive, and well -maintained play areas. This global call to action is supported by a growing list of organizations from around the world.

Why cities matter?

Cities shape the spaces, policies and programmes that influence how families live, gather and play every day. Urban environments increasingly present barriers to play: Traffic hazards, air pollution, the privati zation of public space and the densification of cities have all contributed to a significant reduction in children's access to free, unstructured play. Cities are uniquely placed to reverse this trend , and to create environments where children can thrive.

Municipal leadership has the power to: • Strengthen family -centered community design • Expand access to safe and inclusive play spaces • Support holistic child well -being • Engage children and youth as partners in shaping play initiatives, not only beneficiaries • Elevate play as a shared community value Many cities are already investing in play through parks, playgrounds, early childhood programmes and public space design. In particular, cities participating in the UNICEF -led Child Friendly Cities Initiative, active in around 35 countries, can have a driving role in promoting the right to play nationally and globally, ensuring all children in their cities can enjoy their right to play.

Promoting the right to play in 2026

To promote the right to play for all children, cities and municipalities worldwide are encouraged to celebrate the International Day of Play and champion playful experiences as central to community well -being. The theme for 2026 is “Protect play, protect childhood” . It is a reminder for all of us – governments, businesses, schools and families – that happy and healthy childhoods are built on play.

Ways your city can participate

Cities are encouraged to enable play initiatives around International Day of Play. These initiatives aim to prioritize children’s play in residential streets or public spaces close to home, helping make children’s right to play accessible, visible and actionable. Cities may choose one or more approaches based on local capacity and priorities:

1. Citywide celebration with local government or city leaders.

Host a central public event that bring s together families, community organizations and local partners. Examples include temporarily closing a main street or public square for children’s play, turning a park or central plaza into a Play Zone, or hosting a high profile “International Day of Play” event with officials joining children in play activities.

2. Micro -activations across neighbourhoods.

Encourage multiple small -scale play activities across parks, libraries, community centr es and public spaces ; Encourage local communities to reclaim the streets for play by designating a safe street or another public space for children’s play on 11 June. “Play Streets” or “Play Zones” can be organized by local communities and adapted to local contexts and regulations. They are low -cost, highly visible and foster community connection around children’s right to play. Many cities already have permitting systems or community frameworks – such as block parties, neighbourhood events or public space use regulations – that can be adapted to support Play Streets. Cities are encouraged to identify and leverage these existing mechanisms to reduce barriers for local organizers.

3. School and youth engagement.

Partner with schools and other youth -serving institutions to integrate play -based learning and celebration into classrooms and programmes

4. Public awareness and storytelling.

Cities can help elevate the importance of play by sharing local activities and stories through their communications channels, including social media. Highlighting how communities are celebrating can help build momentum and inspire others. Where appropriate, cities may use #InternationalDayofPlay to connect with broader efforts and amplify local impact. Cities can also choose to tag partners . More broadly , the International Day of Play is an occasion to connect and spotlight existing play initiatives across the city, building public awareness of the breadth of the city's commitment to children's right to play. When orga nizing such spaces and events , cities and municipalities should ensure that children and young people have a meaningful role in shaping how they come to life. When children help design and lead play activations, in particular in their own neighborhoods, they become agents of change – and play becomes not just an activity, but an expression of their rights and their voice in the city . Cities and municipalities are invited to leverage their play commitments throughout the year – not only on 11 June. Play initiatives can be connected to the local development plan, other local milestones, awareness days and community events across the calendar. By marking International Day of Play, cities: • Demonstrate visible leadership in child well -being and community health • Join a growing global community of cities and municipalities championing children's right to play • Strengthen community connection and civic pride • Elevate children ’s play as a model for joyful and resilient communities • Get access to participation resources and communications support

Spotlight: International Day of Play in action

 In Boston, United States , the city marked the inaugural International Day of Play in 2024 with a citywide celebration, engaging thousands of children through cross -sector partnerships. The day was filled with sports, biking, board games, bubbles, face painting, arts and crafts, dance and music, and many other play experiences. In 2025, neighbourhood -based activations expanded access to play across communities. In the Netherlands , many of UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities celebrated International Day of Play in 2025 with an emphasis on play outdoors. In Gooise Meren, the mayor joined children for outdoor play. In Diemen, children played street football. In Eemsdelta, young children e xplored chalk -drawing and outdoor games in a rural courtyard. In Hellendoorn, a play kit was donated to a local school. In Den Haag, groups of children headed outside with balls and backpacks. On the island of Sint Eustatius, a play station was set up outd oors. On the island of Saba, children gathered outside kindergartens with scavenger hunt materials and bingo cards.

How to get started?

 Participating cities are invited to visit www.InternationalDayofPlay.org for more information. The landing page is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish and includes : • The 2026 theme and global call to action. • Key messages about the importance of play. • Free and fun play activities for all the family . • Ways to get involved and support every child’s right to play. • Inspiring examples of how International Day of Play has been celebrated around the world. Cities and municipalities that part icipate in the UNICEF-led Child Friendly Cities Initiative may contact their UNICEF national office for more information. If you are interested in learning more about the initiative, please visit: www.childfriendlycities.org This guide was developed by the LEGO Group and UNICEF, 2026. UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations 2026; June 10th.

FORUM: "Exploring New Pathways for Dialogue Among Civilizations And Jointly Writing New Chapters for Global Governance" International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations 2026. On 7 June 2024, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution A/RES/78/286, with co-sponsorship by over 80 member states, declaring June 10th as International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. It invites all Member States and organizations of the UN system, as well as other international and regional organizations and other relevant stakeholders to commemorate the International Day, to raise awareness of the value of the diversity of civilizations and promote dialogue, mutual respect, tolerance and global solidarity. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, marked by a growing array of crises and challenges. Deficits in global governance are deepening. Misunderstanding and mistrust increasingly turn differences into disputes. In the absence of constructive, good-faith dialogue, consensus remains elusive while risks of conflicts heightened. Against this backdrop, dialogue among civilizations has assumed unprecedented importance. The International Day offers a timely and valuable opportunity to promote mutual understanding, strengthen mutual trust, and highlight the indispensable role of such dialogue in making global governance more just and equitable. Last June, the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations has brought together hundreds of participants in constructive, inspiring interactions. This year, as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, it is important to build on the strong momentum of dialogue, as part of our collective efforts to reaffirm the common values of humanity and provide greater stability and certainty to a rapidly-changing world. In order to implement Resolution A/RES/78/286, the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations, in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will organize this high-level event, co-sponsored by other member states to commemorate the International Day. The event will focus on how exchanges and mutual learning among diverse civilizations can foster stronger drivers for improving global governance. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #10June, #DialogueamongCivilizations, #mutualunderstanding, #civilizationalvalue.

EVENT: On Wednesday, June 10th, from 15:30pm to 17:00pm in the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber at the UNHQ will be held a High level thematic event to mark the International Day for Dialogue among Civilization 2026 entitled "Exploring New Pathways for Dialogue Among Civilizations And Jointly Writing New Chapters for Global Governance". The event aims to provide a platform for all stakeholders, including Member States, international organizations, the private sector, academics and civil society, to share their perspectives on how dialogue among civilizations can contribute to mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual trust, which will lay the groundwork for cooperation in making the global governance system more just and equitable. Get the agenda programme, Register to participate and Watch the High-level Event on International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations!

Moderator: H.E. Mr. Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Opening dance performance Opening Statements ⚫ Pre-recorded address by H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China ⚫ Written message by H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, delivered by H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations ⚫ Message from the PGA delivered by Ms. Sofia Borges, Chef de Cabinet for H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly ⚫ Remarks by H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for UNAOC Special Address ⚫ Address by H.E. Mr. Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia Remarks by High-Level Representatives of Co-Sponsors ⚫ Remarks by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations ⚫ Remarks by H.E. Mr. Tesfaye Yilma Sabo, Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations ⚫ Remarks by H.E. Mrs. Aglaia Balta, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations ⚫ Remarks by H.E. Mr. Umar Hadi, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations ⚫ Remarks by H.E. Mr. Lukman Abdulraheem Al Faily, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations ⚫ Remarks by H.E. Mr. Héctor Vasconcelos, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations ⚫ Remarks by Mr. Eliot Minchenberg, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in New York and UNESCO Representative to the United Nations Panel Discussion ⚫ Remarks by Mr. Lyu Yonglong, Chair Professor, Xiamen University, and Member of International Resource Panel of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP/IRP) ⚫ Interventions from the floor Closing Segment 

The meeting will be broadcasted in English-Spanish and simultaneous interpretation will be provided throughout the event. Additional Chinese-English simultaneous interpretation will be provided for H.E. Wang Yi’s video address.

Meetings & Events

Duration of the event: 02:18:59.

The United Nation Office at Nairobi (UNON) in conjunction with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kenya hosts a commemoration of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, observed annually on June 10th, to promote mutual understanding, respect for diversity, dialogue and cooperation among civilizations.

Watch the Commemoration of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations at UNON!

World Oceans Day 2026; June 8th.

FORUM: “REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean” World Oceans Day 2026. Reimagining a better future is the first step to building it. For too long, we have treated the ocean as something vast, distant, and separate from us. We created that distance ourselves. The ocean has always flowed through us, in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the climate that makes our lives possible. Now we are being called to reimagine that relationship. For the first time in a generation, humanity has chosen to govern a significant part of our shared ocean together. The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement is not the end of negotiation but the beginning of a transformation that no treaty alone can complete. ‘Reimagine‘ asks us to close that distance together. To move from passive inheritors of the ocean’s generosity to active guardians of its future. To govern not just beyond our borders but beyond our blind spots, beyond the habits of taking, operating in silos, and the belief that the way things have been is the way they must remain. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WOD2026, #WorldOceansDay, #8june, #ReimagineourrelationshipwiththeOcean, #Oceans, #campaign, #awarenessraising, #advocacy, #BBNJagreement.

Statement of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on World Oceans Day, 8 June 2026.

In these turbulent times, the ocean reminds us that we are bound together. It shapes our climate, sustains ecosystems and economies, and feeds billions. But the ocean is in deep trouble – and we are pushing it past its limits. The Third World Ocean Assessment, launched today, documents a deepening crisis driven by climate change, overfishing, biodiversity loss and marine pollution. We cannot keep treating the ocean as limitless. We must build a new relationship with the ocean: Grounded in science. Framed by international law. And built on shared responsibility – across nations, sectors, and generations – to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The success of the Third Ocean Conference last year and the entry into force of the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction this year show that multilateral action is possible – and necessary. On World Ocean Day, let us act with the ambition and resolve this moment demands.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

EVENTS: On Monday, June 8th, the event to mark the UN World Oceans Day 2026 will be hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with Oceanic Global. Register to participate!

Jun 05 - World Oceans Day Festival - scheduled - Sea Cliff Puerto Vallarta+ Google Map.
Jun 05 - Common Waters: One Ocean Many Voices - scheduled - Arch Enemy Arts+ Google Map.
Jun 05 ( World Oceans Day Argentina – Festival 2026 - scheduled - Buenos Aires Planetarium+ Google Map
Jun 08 - World Ocean Day for Schools - scheduled
Jun 08 - Blue Carbon-New FDI Channel - scheduled - virtual+ Google Map
Jun 08 - Launch of Music Celebrating World Oceans Day 2026- scheduled - virtual+ Google Map
Jun 08 - World Oceans Day – Together for Our Blue Planet - scheduled - Street Ilioara, nr 16, Bucharest, Romania+ Google Map
Jun 08 -The ocean is closer than you think - scheduled - Kiln, Portland+ Google Map
Jun 08 - Sustainable Fishing Means Co-Management That Works: Nigeria Community Action Plan to National Enforcement - scheduled - Akungba Akoko+ Google Map.
Jun 08 - Gulf Bank Beach Clean-up - scheduled - Kuwait Towers+ Google Map.
Jun 08 - World Oceans Day 2026 I Reimagining our relationship with the ocean - scheduled - Centro Cultural de España, Costa Rica+ Google Map.
Jun 10 - The Ocean Gala onboard Peace Boat – June 10 - scheduled - Peace Boat – MV Pacific World ship+ Google Map.
Jun 11 - World Ocean Day 2026: Makatumbe Island Cleanup - scheduled - Makatumbe Island Marine Reserve+ Google Map.
Jun 13 - World Oceans Day - scheduled - Marine Environmental Education Center+ Google Map
Jun 17 - Skarks and Ocean - scheduled Paris+ Google Map.
Jun 18 - Blue Innovation Reception for the Nature Pledge in Panama on Peace Boat - scheduled
Peace Boat – MV Pacific World ship+ Google Map.
Jul 03 - The Future of the Oceans and Seas – Conference on International Ocean Governance - scheduled Representation of the State of Bremen to the Federal Government+ Google Map.

PUBLICATION: WOD2026 Discussion Guide.

This Discussion Guide is designed to support global communities, organizations, and leaders in engaging with United Nations World Oceans Day 2026 (8 June) through meaningful, inclusive, and action-oriented dialogue. It is intended for a wide range of participants - from youth and educators, to scientists and storytellers, to business leaders, policymakers, and local communities - anyone interested in shaping the future of our ocean. In 2026, we are called to reimagine our relationship with the ocean. For too long, the ocean has been treated as distant - vast, separate, and inexhaustible. Yet it has always been intimately connected to our lives: in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the systems that sustain us. To reimagine is to close the distance we have created. It asks us to move: ● From passive inheritors → to active guardians ● From fragmented efforts → to collective stewardship ● From stagnant systems → to transformed possibilities This moment - marked by global cooperation through frameworks such as the BBNJ Agreement - is not the conclusion of progress, but the beginning of a deeper transformation that must be carried forward by all of us. 

Who This Guide Is For?

This guide is designed to be adaptable across contexts and audiences. It can be used to support:

 ● Youth & Educators Classroom discussions, student-led forums, and educational programming that foster early connection, curiosity, and responsibility.

● Scientists & Researchers Conversations that bridge research with real-world application, public understanding, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

 ● Policymakers & Government Leaders Dialogues that explore governance, shared responsibility, and implementation of global frameworks such as the BBNJ Agreement.

 ● Businesses & Industry Leaders Internal workshops or public-facing panels to rethink operational models, supply chains, and corporate responsibility in relation to ocean health.

 ● Community Leaders & NGOs Local gatherings, grassroots activations, and community-based discussions that center lived experience and collective action. 

● Cultural Voices (Artists, Creators, Storytellers) Creative explorations that reimagine how we communicate, experience, and emotionally connect to the ocean.

 ● Ocean Advocates & the General Public Open conversations, events, and social activations that invite broader participation in shaping a shared future. 

How It Can Be Used?

This Discussion Guide is designed to be integrated into: 

● Event Programming ● Content Creation ● Panel discussions and roundtables ● Community forums and workshops ● Classroom sessions and youth activations ● Corporate or organizational strategy sessions ● Creative and cultural activations.

Each section invites participants to: Reflect → Challenge → Reimagine → Act.

Objectives 

● To inspire a renewed understanding of our interdependence with the ocean ● To challenge existing systems, assumptions, and boundaries ● To create space for new ways of thinking, relating, and acting ● To catalyze collective, cross-sector action rooted in shared responsibility.

1. Reimagining Our Individual Relationship with the Ocean.

 Where does the ocean live in your life? We often think of the ocean as a place. Reimagining begins when we recognize it as a presence within and around us. 

Discussion Prompts: ● Where do you feel the ocean’s presence in your daily life - even far from the coast? ● When did you first feel a genuine connection to the ocean? What created it? ● Where in your life do you recognize a sense of distance from the ocean? ● What would it mean to move beyond that distance into a more connected relationship? ● What is one belief or habit you would be willing to leave behind to step into that new relationship?

2. Reimagining Community & Shared Responsibility.

 What does a new relationship look like - together? A shared ocean requires a shared way forward. Discussion Prompts: ● What does the practice of unity around the ocean look like in your community or organization, where does it exist and where is it missing? ● How does your community currently treat what belongs to everyone - and therefore to no one? ● Whose voices are missing from ocean conversations, and how does that shape outcomes? ● What would your community need to leave behind to move from passive awareness to active stewardship? ● How can communities better reflect the interconnected nature of the ocean in their decisions?

3. Reimagining Systems & Governance.

What does it mean to govern beyond borders - and beyond blind spots? We are entering a new era of shared ocean governance - but systems must evolve alongside intention. Discussion Prompts: ● In your field, what would it look like to go beyond what has previously seemed possible? ● What are the blind spots in how your institution or sector relates to the ocean? ● Where is the gap between individual willingness to act and institutional commitments? ● What is the greatest barrier to transforming our relationship with the ocean at a systems level? ● How can global frameworks (such as the BBNJ Agreement) translate into real, local impact

4. Reimagining Innovation & Solutions.

What becomes possible when we think beyond existing systems? Innovation is not only about technology - it is about rethinking what is possible. Discussion Prompts: ● What solutions already exist that we are not scaling or supporting enough? ● What would innovation look like if it prioritized regeneration over extraction? ● How can organizations foster creativity by challenging existing assumptions? ● What new models - economic, environmental, or social - could redefine success in ocean sustainability? ● Where can bold, unconventional thinking unlock new pathways forward?

5. Reimagining Access & Connection 

How do we bring the ocean closer to everyone? Connection drives care. Care drives action. Discussion Prompts: ● How can we make the ocean more tangible for those who have never experienced it directly? ● What barriers - geographic, economic, cultural - limit connection to the ocean? ● How can education, media, and experiences close this gap? ● What role do art, culture, and storytelling play in making the ocean accessible to all? ● How do we ensure that access leads to sustainability - not over exploitation?

6. Reimagining Collective Action 

What becomes possible when we act as one? The future of the ocean will not be shaped by isolated efforts - but by aligned action. Discussion Prompts: ● If we succeed, what does a thriving ocean look like in one generation? ● What decision can you or your organization make today that future generations will recognize as a turning point? ● What is your role in bridging the gap between the ocean we have and the ocean we need? ● What does “acting as one” look like in practice over the next 12 months? ● How can we sustain momentum beyond World Oceans Day?

7. Reimagining the Integration of Indigenous, Traditional and Local community Knowledge & Stewardship.

What can we relearn to move forward? Long before modern systems of governance and science, communities around the world lived in deep relationship with the ocean - guided by knowledge systems rooted in observation, respect, and reciprocity. To reimagine our future, we must also reconnect with what has long been known. Discussion Prompts: ● What Indigenous, Traditional and Local community Knowledge systems already embody a more connected relationship with the ocean? ● Where have modern systems created distance from these ways of knowing - and what has been lost as a result? ● What would it look like to center Indigenous, Traditional and Local community Knowledge alongside scientific knowledge in ocean decision-making? ● How can we ensure that the integration of Indigenous, Traditional and Local community Knowledge is respectful, equitable, and led by the communities it belongs to? ● What practices, values, or perspectives could we restore or relearn to guide a more regenerative relationship with the ocean?

8. Reimagining the Blue Economy What does prosperity look like in balance with the ocean?

 The ocean is a source of livelihoods, innovation, and economic growth. Yet too often, economic systems have prioritized over-extraction over regeneration. To reimagine the blue economy is to ask: what if economic success was defined by the health of the ocean itself? Discussion Prompts: ● What would a truly sustainable and regenerative blue economy look like in your region or industry? ● Where do current economic systems create harm to ocean ecosystems - and why do those systems persist? ● What existing models or solutions demonstrate that economic growth and ocean health can coexist? ● How can businesses and industries transition from overly extractive practices to regenerative ones? ● What decisions can be made today to ensure that ocean-based economies support both people and planet, for generations to come?

9. Reimagining Youth Advocacy & Leadership

 What becomes possible when the next generation leads? Young people are not only future leaders - they are already shaping the present through advocacy, innovation, and action. To reimagine our relationship with the ocean is to expand who leads - and who is heard. Discussion Prompts: ● How are young people currently influencing ocean action in your community or field? ● What barriers prevent youth from meaningfully participating in decision-making - and how can they be removed? ● What would it look like to design systems that effectively engage youth leadership, not just youth participation? ● How can intergenerational collaboration strengthen ocean solutions? ● How can current leaders support, resource, and amplify youth-led initiatives?

10. Reimagining Intergovernmental Collaboration

 What does it mean to act beyond borders - together? The ocean connects all nations, yet governance has often been fragmented across borders and sectors. Today, global cooperation - for example through the BBNJ Agreement - signals a shift toward collective action. To reimagine collaboration is to move beyond coordination toward true collective stewardship. Discussion Prompts: ● What does effective intergovernmental collaboration look like in practice for ocean sustainability? ● Where have international efforts succeeded - and where have they fallen short? ● How can countries move beyond sectorial approaches to prioritize the health of our shared ocean? ● How can global agreements translate into meaningful action at regional, national, and local levels?

CALL TO ACTION: Closing Reflection A shared ocean. A shared future. A shared way forward. Invite participants to complete the following: ● My new relationship with the ocean looks like: ● One action I'm taking towards a new future: Engage with UN World Oceans Day Post a photo and tag @UNWorldOceansDay on Instagram of your in-person, hybrid, or virtual event that integrated the Reimagine Discussion Guide. Let us know how the discussions progressed. Share any revelations or reimagined actions that came from it. Reimagining a better future is the first step to building it. It’s time to act as one.

MARKETING ASSETS: Find a selection of photos, social posts with suggested captions, and additional posts launching June 8. Tag @unworldoceansday on Instagram to amplify your posts. Download Shareable Assets

LIVESTREAM: Watch WOD 2026 Conferences, Webinars and Workshops!