2026 International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda; April 7th.

Statement of the U.N. Secretary General on the 2026 Commemoration of the International day of reflexion the 1994 Genocide against the Tsutis in Rwanda.

Thirty-two years ago, Rwanda endured one of the darkest chapters in human history. In just 100 days, more than a million people were murdered – primarily Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide. Entire families were brutally erased.


On the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, we mourn the victims and honour their stolen dignity. We pay tribute to the survivors, whose resilience shows the strength of the human spirit. And we recall, with humility and shame, the international community’s failure to heed warnings and take immediate lifesaving action.


It’s not enough to remember the dead. We must learn from past failures and protect the living – by rejecting hatred, inflammatory rhetoric and incitement to violence; by investing in the social fabric to deepen community resilience; and by strengthening institutions that help prevent mass atrocities. I call on all countries to become parties to the Genocide Convention without delay – and to implement it fully.

The United Nations stands with the people of Rwanda. And we stand with all those, everywhere, who refuse to surrender our future to fear, division, or silence.


Let this day reaffirm our commitment to remember, to listen, and to act. With history as our guide, and the prevention of genocide as our goal.

U.N. Secretary General.

On April 9th at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV); Starting at 14:45 PM GMT, The Commemorative ceremony to mark the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Watch the UNOV Celebration of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda!

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Meetings & Events

On April 7th, Starting at 09:00 AM GMT; The Director-General of UNON in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission will be leading to mark the 32nd Anniversary of International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Watch the 32nd Anniversary of The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda!

01:55:29 - Meetings & Events.

On April 7th; Starting at 16:00 PM EST; The Memorial Ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations.

Watch the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda - Annual Commemoration!

On Tuesday, 7 April 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EDT in the General Assembly Hall, United Nations Headquarters. 2026 marks the 32nd anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, one of the darkest chapters in human history. More than one million people - overwhelmingly Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide - were systematically killed in less than three months. On this Day, we honour those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering of those who survived. The Department of Global Communications in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations, will hold a ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications will host the proceedings. Speakers will include the Chef de Cabinet, the President of the General Assembly, a representative of the African Union and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Rwanda. The commemoration will also feature remarks by the President of Ibuka USA, testimony of a genocide survivor, the lighting of memorial candles and musical elements.

Related Sites and Documents: Website & Programme (pdf), 01:25:32 High-level Events

On April 7th, starting at 16:00 PM EST, the United Nations Office at Geneva will commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. The United Nations Office at Geneva will commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. 7 April marks the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government. Within just over 100 days, more than 1 million Tutsi were systematically murdered. Moderate Hutu and others who opposed the massacres were also killed during this period.

Related Sites and Documents: More Information.

Watch the Kwibuka 32 - Commemoration at the UN in Geneva!

01:20:15 Meetings & Events

World Health Day 2026; April 7th.

FORUM: "Together for Health. Stand with Science." World Health Day 2026. In a world facing complex health threats, WHO calls on everyone to stand with science – by engaging with evidence, facts, and science-based guidance to protect health. Science serves everyone, everywhere. The WHO and its partners work around the clock to generate scientific knowledge on key health priorities from healthy diets to water, sanitation, vaccines and medicines, infections, chronic conditions and mental health; sharing evidence, strengthening countries’ research capacities and systems for more equitable access to health care. Be part of this work, contributing with experiences from you and your community’s perspective, to ensure science-led public health benefits more people to guide future health policies. Our health has improved substantially over the past 100 years – thanks to scientific innovations. The future will be shaped based on how we develop and practice science-led approaches for the health of all – not only humans, but also animals, plants, ecosystems and the entire planet – through the One Health approach. Follow the conversation with the hashtags #Worldhealthday, #Health, #Together4health, #standwithscience, #sdg3.

EVENTS: This World Health Day 2026, the G7 Presidency of France will host the International One Health Summit. Bringing together Heads of State, global leaders, scientists and community representatives, the Summit will showcase how science and political commitment can drive a new way forward for safeguarding the health of the planet.

Science powers health – One Health.

From 5 – 7 April 2026; The One Health Summit plowing by a "one health" intervention will be held in Lyon, France. Progress in public health is built on global solidarity and collaboration. WHO’s ability to connect science with real-life practice in communities and countries around the world is powered through its network of 800 collaborating centres. They are national institutions working in specialized fields such as radiation, influenza, nursing, bioethics, and occupational health, among many others.

The organizers' call on everyone to stand up and speak for science sharing their experiences of how facts, evidence and science-based interventions improve their health and the health of their loved ones.

Stand with science – WHO and its collaborating centres in over 80 countries.

From 7 to 9 April 2026 will be held the Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres entitled '' Collaborating for a healthier future.'' The Forum will highlight how its unique and powerful scientific network drives health impact that touches every person’s life.

Learn how to attend the International One Health Summit and the Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres.

PUBLICATIONS: Creating Healthy Lives— The Future of Medical Innovation. Published by the WIPO. Medical innovations are critical for closing the gaps in global healthcare provision. These innovations are happening across multiple dimensions. The key questions addressed in this edition of the GII include: 

• What is the potential impact of medical innovation on society and economic growth, and what obstacles must be overcome to reach that potential? 

• How is the global landscape for research and development (R&D) and medical innovation changing?

• What health challenges do future innovations need to address and what types of breakthroughs are on the horizon? 

• What are the main opportunities and obstacles to future medical innovation and what role might new policies play?

 Five key messages emerge: 

1. High quality and affordable healthcare for all is important for sustainable economic growth and the overall quality of life of citizens. While significant progress has been achieved across many dimensions over the last decades, significant gaps in access to quality healthcare for large parts of the global population remain. 

2. Medical innovations are critical for closing the gaps in global healthcare provision. These innovations are happening across multiple dimensions, including core sciences, drug development, care delivery, and organizational and business models. In particular, medical technology related innovations are blossoming, with medical technology patents more numerous and growing at a faster path than pharmaceutical patents for the last decade. However, some challenges need to be overcome—notably, a decline in pharmaceutical R&D productivity and a prolonged process for deploying health innovations due to complex health ecosystems. 

3. The convergence of digital and biological technologies is disrupting healthcare and increasing the importance of data integration and management across the healthcare ecosystem. New digital health strategies need to focus on creating data infrastructure and processes for efficient and safe data collection, management, and sharing. 

4. Emerging markets have a unique opportunity to leverage medical innovations and invest in new healthcare delivery models to close the healthcare gap with more developed markets. Caution should be taken to ensure that new health innovations, and their related costs, do not exacerbate the health gap between the rich and poor. 

5. To maximize the potential for future health innovation, it is important to encourage collaboration across key actors, increase funding from public and private sources, establish and maintain a skilled health workforce, and carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of medical innovations.

GET INVOLVED!

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2026; April 6th.

FORUM:  “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers". International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2026. The United Nations will mark the IDSDP on April 6th, reaffirming the transformative role of sport in promoting social inclusion, health, equality and sustainable development worldwide. This year’s observance will be held under the theme: “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers". The theme underscores the critical role of sport as a universal language that transcends borders, cultures and socio-economic barriers. It highlights how inclusive access to sport can empower individuals and communities, particularly those in vulnerable situations, including persons with disabilities, women and girls, youth, and marginalized populations. Sport continues to serve as a powerful tool for fostering social cohesion, promoting tolerance, and combating discrimination. Across diverse contexts, from schools and communities to elite competitions, sport creates opportunities to build confidence, develop life skills, and strengthen community bonds. In line with global commitments to “leave no one behind,” this year’s Day calls for renewed efforts to ensure equitable access to safe, inclusive and accessible sporting environments for all. This includes addressing structural barriers, investing in community-based programmes, and promoting inclusive policies that enable participation regardless of age, gender, ability or background. Follow the conversations with the hashtags;: #6April, #Sport4SDGs, #SportForAll, #IDSDP2025, #sport4SocialInclusion, #SportDay, #EveryoneIncluded.

EVENTS: On April 6th. The observance of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2026 will highlight the importance of integrating sport into broader development strategies, including education, health, and social protection systems. Governments, civil society, the private sector and the United Nations system are encouraged to scale up partnerships and initiatives that harness sport as a driver of sustainable development. Building on recent global commitments, including those emerging from the Second World Summit for Social Development, the 2026 observance emphasizes the need to translate policy commitments into concrete actions that deliver measurable impact on the ground. Register to participate!

On and around April 6th, stakeholders around the world are invited to organize events, campaigns and activities that celebrate the unifying power of sport and promote its role in advancing peace and development. From grassroots initiatives to high-level dialogues, the Day provides an opportunity to showcase good practices and inspire collective action. As the international community accelerates efforts toward the 2030 Agenda, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace serves as a timely reminder: sport is not only a game, it is a catalyst for inclusion, equality and lasting social change.

On April 8th, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EST, at United Nations Headquarters, conference room II, a side-event entitled ''Sports for Peace and Development: Leveraging Sport for Youth Empowerment and Prevention of Violent Extremism'' will be held. This event will examine how sports development initiatives can be leveraged more systematically as part of broader strategies for youth empowerment, prevention of violence and extremism, and the promotion of inclusive and peaceful societies. It will provide a platform for Member States and stakeholders to exchange experiences, highlight best practices, and explore opportunities for strengthened partnerships. Read the concept note!

LIVESTREAM : Across many regions, young people living in conditions of poverty, marginalization, an limited access to education and employment remain particularly vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist groups and involvement in crime and violence. These structural conditions, compounded by social exclusion and lack of opportunity, create environments where youth may be drawn toward destructive pathways, with implications for peace, stability, and sustainable development. In this context, sport has emerged as a practical and effective tool for prevention. There is increasing recognition within the United Nations system of the role of sport in advancing peace and security objectives, including in preventing violent extremism and promoting social cohesion. Well-designed sports programs can strengthen community resilience, support youth engagement, and contribute to addressing root causes of instability. 01:26:28

International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2026; April 4th.

Press Conference with the UNMAS representatives on International Mine Awareness Day 2026 and UNMAS work going on in Ukraine and Afghanistan and beyond.

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Press Conference by Kazumi Ogawa, Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Paul Heslop, UNMAS Special Adviser to the Resident Coordinator and United Nations Country Team in Ukraine (both in-person) and Nick Pond, Chief of Mine Action Section for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) (virtual from Kabul), on the International Mine Awareness Day 2026 and the work going on in Ukraine and Afghanistan and beyond.

 

World Autism Awareness Day 2026; April 2nd.

FORUM: "Autism and Humanity, Every Life has value." World Autism Awareness Day 2026. Globally, 1 in 127 people is diagnosed with autism, a lifelong neuro-developmental condition affecting social interaction, communication and behaviour. Autism is among the top 10 brain health conditions contributing to health loss globally. Despite international human rights conventions, autistic people still face stigma, discrimination and barriers to participation. Access to timely, quality health care and support services remains limited, driving inequalities across the life course. Addressing these challenges requires sustained action and greater investment in inclusive policies and services that uphold the rights of autistic people. Evidence shows that early identification, inclusive education and nurturing care in families and communities can significantly improve health, well-being and participation. This year’s discussion explores the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that advance health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, economic opportunity, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, and strong institutions.

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


This World Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate the inherent dignity and worth of all autistic people.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities makes it clear that all of us, regardless of neurodiversity or other differences, are members of the human family, entitled to enjoy the entire range of human rights. Yet in turbulent times, harmful stigmas are resurfacing and eroding the progress we have made towards inclusion and equality.

Like anyone else, autistic people should be able to shape their own lives — and help to shape our shared future. They bring talents, perspectives and contributions that make the world a better place.

Through equal education, fair employment, and accessible health systems, we can ensure that autistic people have the opportunities they deserve to participate and thrive.

Embracing diversity strengthens us all. Today and every day, let us reaffirm our common humanity and renew our commitment to a more inclusive world for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

EVENTS: On the occasion on World Autism Day 2026, the WHO joins families and communities worldwide in recognizing the dignity and worth of all autistic people and advocating for policies that promote neuroinclusive environments in health, education, workplaces, sports and other sectors.

On April 27th, 2026; a webinar will be held to mark the launch of a new WHO caregiver well-being training for children with developmental delays and neuro-developmental conditions, which highlights practical approaches to supporting caregivers and strengthening inclusive care.

WHO’s efforts focus on increasing government commitment to improve quality of life for autistic people and strengthen data informed decision making; providing guidance on inclusive policies and action plans within broader health, mental health, brain health and disability frameworks;, and strengthening community-based services. 

CAMPAIGN:Let's promote inclusive environments and provide support for autistic people and their caregivers.

LIVESTREAM: The 2026 observance of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) highlights and affirms the dignity and worth of all autistic people as part of our shared human future. At a time when misinformation and regressive rhetoric about the lives of autistic people is resurfacing, this year’s virtual event is a call to action to move beyond limiting narratives and to recognize the inherent dignity, equal rights, and unconditional worth of every autistic person. Grounded in the principles of human rights and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this vision sees the inclusion of neurodiversity as crucial to sustainable development. When societies embrace neurodiversity, they strengthen creativity, resilience, and innovation, laying the foundation for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.  The 2026 WAAD event is organized by the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications.

(Part 1) World Autism Awareness Day 2026: “Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value”.

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Speakers 

• Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications 
• Charlotte Valuer, founder and CEO, Institute of Neurodiversity ION

(Part 2) World Autism Awareness Day 2026: “Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value”.

REFRAMING THE NARRATIVE: FROM CURE TO SHARED FUTURE

Keynote: Brian Bird (Europe) 

Panel Moderator: Charlotte Valuer (Europe)

 Dr. Clarisse Fortes (Latin America) 

Shaheda Moosa (Africa) 

Sudhansu Grover (Asia) 

Keynote: Fatima de Kwant (Europe) WAAD CHINA 

Keynote: Damien Green (Asia)

(Part 3) World Autism Awareness Day 2026: “Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value”.
GLOBAL YOUTH VOICES 

Keynote: Hari Srinivasan (North America/Asia)

Panel Moderator: 

Charlotte Valeur (Europe)

Ayanwole Boluwatife Joshua (Africa) 

Vincent Obisie-Orlu (Africa) 

Hector Mendonça Ishikawa (North America) 

Martin Cortes Araneda (Latin America) 

CLOSING REMARKS Charlotte Valeur (Europe)

International Day of Zero Waste 2026; March 30th.

FORUM: “Food Waste.” International Day of Zero Waste 2026. This year’s observance focuses on food waste, a critical yet preventable driver of environmental harm. The world is wasting food at an alarming scale, undermining food security and slowing progress toward a zero-waste, circular future. In 2022 alone, approximately 1 billion tonnes of food, nearly one-fifth of all food available to consumers, was wasted. Food loss and waste represent a major climate and environmental threat. They account for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, nearly five times the emissions from the aviation sector, and up to 14 per cent of global methane emissions. Tackling food waste is among the most cost-effective and readily achievable climate solutions, aligned with zero-waste approaches that prioritize prevention, resource efficiency and systemic change. Governments, businesses, and individuals must embrace zero waste to overcome the waste pollution crisis. UNEP and UN-Habitat call on stakeholders – including governments, civil society, businesses, academia, communities, women and youth – to participate in national, subnational, regional and local zero-waste initiatives. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #sdg12, #zerowasteDay, #30March.

Message from the UN Secretary-General on Zero Waste Day 2026.

Message by the UN Environment Programme Executive Director on Zero Waste Day 2026.

Message of UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach on International Day of Zero Waste 2026.

EVENTS: On March 27th, 2026 Starting at 15:00 PM. EST, For this year's International Day of Zero Waste, the High level event focus is on food – what we eat, what we waste, and how we can move towards a more circular future. The New York Observance of the International Day of Zero Waste 2026, facilitated in-person, serves as a platform to underscore the critical importance of collective action in driving forward zero-waste initiatives, to Increase knowledge about the potential of zero-waste solutions to promote sustainability and equity. With young entrepreneurs and communities' initiatives to Promoting zero-waste initiatives through this international day can help advance all the goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including Sustainable Development Goal 11 and Sustainable Development Goal 12. These goals address all forms of waste, including food loss and waste, natural resource extraction and electronic waste. Get the Concept note and register to participate!

Worldwide observance of the International Day of Zero Waste 2026. To celebrate the Fourth 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!

On March 26th, 2026 at the Consulate of Switzerland in Osaka, Japan, from 18:00 - 20:00 EST. Youth workshop: Less Waste, More Life; Organizers: UNEP, Swissnex. This interactive workshop invites young people to explore food waste not as an individual failure, but as a shared challenge shaped by culture, daily practices, and system design. Through reflection and dialogue, participants will identify small, realistic changes in their everyday routines that can help reduce food waste while enhancing quality of life. Register here

On March 27th at UN Headquarters, New York, from 15:00 - 18:00 EST; The Zero Food Waste Challenge: Breakthroughs and Innovative Approaches; Organizers: UNEP, UN-Habitat, Republic of Türkiye, Zero Waste Foundation. The UNEP and UN-Habitat, in partnership with the Republic of Türkiye and the Zero Waste Foundation, will convene a high-level event at United Nations Headquarters to discuss breakthroughs, innovative strategies and approaches to zero waste in food value chains. Stakeholders from across the value chain will share concrete approaches, strategies, technologies, trends, gaps and opportunities to significantly reduce food waste and loss. Watch live

On March 30th, 2026 at Room V, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland from 14:30 - 15:30 CET. Towards Zero Food Waste Through Multi-stakeholder Action. Organizers: UNEP, UN-Habitat, Geneva Environment Network, Türkiye. To mark the 2026 edition of the International Day of Zero Waste, leading voices from Geneva and beyond will join this panel to highlight progress in advancing the zero-waste agenda, with a focus on key initiatives to reduce food waste. As a major global hub for the governance of hazardous substances, Geneva is home to a wide range of international, intergovernmental, non-governmental, and private sector organizations working towards achieving zero waste, including in the food sector. Register here

On March 30th, 2026; Virtual event from 13:30 - 15:00 CET. Mobilizing Tourism to Halve Food Waste through Recipe of Change. Organizers: UNEP, UN Tourism. The High-level Global Roundtable, co-organized by UNEP and UN Tourism, will convene key tourism stakeholders to accelerate sector-wide action on food waste reduction and circularity. It will bring together policymakers and leading businesses to exchange practical solutions and align efforts towards their implementation through the Recipe of Change initiative. Recipe of Change offers a structured framework to support tourism stakeholders in translating global ambitions on food waste into measurable and reportable action. Through the initiative, partners assess and monitor food waste in their operations, implement operational and behaviour-focused solutions to prevent waste, and track progress over time to inform global monitoring and collective learning. Register here

On March 30th, 2026, Virtual event from 13:00 - 14:15 UTC. Zero Waste Starts on Your Plate: Beating Pollution of Food Waste led by Youth. Organizers: Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP, Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to UN-Habitat, Food and Agriculture Organization - Office of Sustainable Development Goals, UNEP One Planet Network. In the lead-up to the 2026 International Day of Zero Waste, the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP will convene a virtual event to foster dialogue, bridge perspectives, and take stock of key actions needed to advance the zero-waste agenda. Bringing together youth, experts, and stakeholders, the event will focus on promoting solutions to food waste and sustainable consumption, while strengthening youth engagement in global environmental governance. Aligned with the priorities of the United Nations Environment Programme, it will also serve as a platform to consolidate youth-driven recommendations and accelerate collective action in support of the International Day of Zero Waste 2026. Register here

On March 30th, 2026, virtual event from 12:00 - 13:00 CEST. Unlocking Climate and Investment Opportunities: Environmentally Sound Management of Food Waste; Organizers: Household Waste Partnership (HWP) of the Basel Convention, French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP), International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Secretariat of the Basel Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions. Food and organic waste represent one of the fastest and most cost-effective opportunities for climate action available today. When mismanaged, they are a major source of methane. When managed well, they present a powerful opportunity for climate mitigation, public health benefits and sustainable investment, thus the webinar will explore how the environmentally sound management (ESM) of household waste, in particular food and other organic waste, can contribute to global climate goals. Register here.

On March30th, 2026 at the Zero Waste Foundation Headquarters, Istanbul, Türkiye from 11:00 - 13:00;Zero waste starts on your plate. Organizers: UNEP, UN-Habitat, UNDP, Zero Waste Foundation and Co-organized by UNEP, UNDP, UN-Habitat and the Zero Waste Foundation, the Istanbul Commemoration of the 2026 International Zero Waste Day, under the theme “Zero waste starts on your plate,” will bring together high-level representatives from governments, international organizations and key stakeholders to accelerate action on food waste prevention and advance sustainable consumption and production.

On March30th, 2026| Sanya, Hainan / Qingdao, Shandong / Nanchang Jiangxi, China, Offline | Online | from 08:30 - 18:30 CST. Mobilizing Urban Action for Global Goals Towards Zero Food Waste. Organizers: UNEP, UN-Habitat, Basel Convention Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific, Department of Ecology and Environment of Hainan Province. This event brings together international experts and city representatives to explore critical issues and innovative solutions in global solid waste management, with a special focus on advancing zero-waste city construction, food waste reduction, and international cooperation toward sustainable urban action. Register here.

On March31st, 2026 at the UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenyavfrom 12:00 - 14:00 EAT. TheSecond Life Table: A Communal Experience on Waste and Possibility; Organizers: UNEP, UN-Habitat, Republic of Türkiye. This event is a dynamic, cocktail-style installation that blends visual art, live culinary demonstration, and social interaction. Guests are invited to move through the space, engaging with the installation and each other throughout the two-hour activation, which opens with a panel discussion. At its core, the experience features a live cooking challenge where chefs transform commonly discarded ingredients and imperfect produce—sourced from Farm to Feed—into creative dishes, highlighting both household food waste and often-overlooked losses at the producer level. Through layered encounters of conversation, visual storytelling, and shared food, the event fosters reflection and dialogue on more sustainable food systems. Register here

Run your own physical and virtual events in the days surrounding Zero Waste Day to complement the theme. From March 1st to April 5th, you can organize your own event and have it to be featured on Zero Waste Day's global map. This could include everything from seminars and webinars discussing global waste issues, to repair workshops and cafés, clothing swaps, sustainable fashion showcases and exhibitions, clean ups and more. You can also visit the map to see other events you could attend yourself too! Register your event here and Explore the Zero Waste Day event map.

LIVESTREAM: International Day of Zero Waste 2026 High-level Event. For this year, the focus is on food – what we eat, what we waste, and how we can move towards a more circular future.

 

International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2026; March 25th.

FORUM: "Justice in Action: Confronting History, Advancing Dignity, Empowering Futures" International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade 2026. 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 year’s theme, Justice in Action, calls on the global community to confront this history with honesty and to acknowledge its enduring impact. Advancing dignity requires transforming the systems that perpetuate discrimination and ensuring that the rights of Afro‑descendant communities are protected and upheld. Empowering futures requires expanding opportunities, strengthening participation, and supporting measures that promote repair, inclusion and justice. By translating remembrance into action, we can help build a world where every person can live in equality, dignity and hope. Follow the conversation with the hashtags #Rememberslavery!

EVENTS: On Wednesday, 25 March 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, we will commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2026 at United Nations HQ. The General Assembly will convene its annual plenary meeting wit the President of the 80th Session of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock; the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres, a keynote address from Barbados Poet Laureate Ms. Esther Phillips; Toronto's first Youth Poet Laureate Ms. Shahaddah Jack; regional groups and representatives of Member States. The commemoration is a time for reflection. This year marks the 219th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and the 25th 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. Register to participate and watch the livestream!

Statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 March 2026). 

"Today we commemorate the victims of a staggering crime: Millions of people stolen from their families and communities in Africa. Trafficked across the Atlantic. And — if they survived the journey — enslaved in the Americas. Millions more were born into bondage, brutally exploited for their labour, and denied their basic humanity. We honour their quiet resilience and courageous acts of open resistance. This global order prevailed for over 400 years — and haunts our world even now. In systems and institutions shaped and enriched by chattel slavery. In social and economic inequalities rooted in past injustices. And in biases that permeate our culture and impact us all. On this International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, we are called to confront these legacies. By rejecting the false narrative of racial difference and the ugly lie of white supremacy. By dismantling racism — online, in the media, in schools, at work, in politics, and within ourselves. And by working for truth, justice, and repair. I welcome the initial steps by some governments to address the consequences of slavery. But far bolder actions — by many more Member States — are needed. Including commitments to respect African countries’ ownership of their own resources. And steps to ensure their equal participation and influence in the global financial architecture and the UN Security Council. Together, let us commit to a world where all people live and thrive in dignity"

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

PLENARY MEETINGS: At UNHQ, On Tuesday, 24 March 2026 at 15:00 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. The High-Level Special Event on Reparatory Justice for the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and the Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans. The participantswill discuss reparatory justice for the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans. Watch the livestream!

At UNHQ, On Tuesday, 24 March 2026 starting at 16:00 PM EST. at UNHQ, a Press briefing by AU / Africa Group, led by the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the U.N. was organized on the proposed resolution to be tabled and considered in the GA on Wednesday, 25th March during the GA commemorative event marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2026. Watch the press briefing!

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!

PRESS CONFERENCE: Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity.

Ahead of landmark UN Resolution on the enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity, Ghanaian Ambassador Samuel Yao Kumah said the resolution “does not rank suffering, nor does it attempt to create a legal hierarchy of crimes against humanity.” Speaking on behalf of the African Group at the United Nations, Kumah told reporters in New York that the initiative “did not arise suddenly, nor is it the undertaking of a single mission,” but instead “is the result of a clear continental mandate, grounded in decision, taken at the highest political level of Africa's multilateral institution, the African Union.” He noted that during the 2025 General Assembly general debate, the President of Ghana, John Mahama “announced the country's intention to lead the tabling of a draft resolution on the declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialised Chattel Enslavement of Africans as Gravest Crime Against Humanity.” The resolution, Kumah said, “advances a simple but profound proposition. That trafficking and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans was a world breaking event. The moment when humanity itself was reorganised into a global hierarchy of race, labour, property and capital and helped construct the global economic and racial order whose legacies continue to shape our world today. “ He acknowledged “the concern has been raised that describing the trafficking and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity creates a hierarchy among historical atrocities” and said, “the interpretation is misplaced,” as “every atrocity, genocide, apartheid, colonial violence and other crimes recognised under international law remains unequivocally condemned,” and the resolution “simply identifies the historical mechanism that fundamentally restructured the world.” The Ambassador said, “supporting this resolution is not an act of accusation, it is an act of recognition. It is an affirmation that the international community possesses the moral confidence to name historical realities and learn from them.” He said, “the trafficking and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans shaped the world we have inherited. Acknowledging this truth honours not only the memory of those who suffered, but also the universal principles of dignity, equality and justice upon which this organisation was founded.” Earlier today, Secretary-General António Guterres addressed a General Assembly event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and said that many of the solutions to confront racial discrimination are being weakened as some governments dismantle anti-racist policies and practices and leaders try to rewrite history.

LIVESTREAM: High-Level Special Event on Reparatory Justice for the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and the Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans
High-level special event, taking place a day before the annual commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, to discuss reparatory justice for the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans

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Meetings & Events

General Assembly: 75th plenary meeting, 80th session - International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Commemorative meeting of the General Assembly to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Held pursuant to General Assembly resolution A/RES/73/345 of 16 September 2019. 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 80th Session of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock; the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres; a keynote speaker and a youth speaker; regional groups and representatives of Member States.