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.

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

02:53:27


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.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2026; March 25th.

FORUM: “The safety of everyone who works with the United Nations is our top priority.” International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2026. During this day, we invite you to draw attention to the risks faced by United Nations staff and peacekeepers and their colleagues in the non-governmental community and the press. Join the conversation by following the hashtags #25march; #UNStaffDay.

EVENTS: On Wednesday, March 25th, a webinar to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2026 will be held at UNHQ. On this International Day, let us stand in solidarity with all detained colleagues and pledge to protect all United Nations personnel as they work to advance peace and human rights, protect the planet and build a better future for all. The observance is organized by the Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service and the United Nations Staff Union. Register to participate!

STATEMENTS: “Today is a solemn reminder of the grave risks facing our staff members as they carry out their vital work under the United Nations flag.” Read the full Statement from the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members 2026; March 25th.

EXHIBITS: Explore the virtual exhibit of the UN Staff at work.

World Tuberculosis Day 2026; March 24th.

FORUM: "Yes! We Can End TB: Led by countries. Powered by people" World Tuberculosis Day 2026. The theme is a bold call to action and a message of hope, affirming that it is possible to get back on track and turn the tide on the TB epidemic, even in a challenging global environment. With decisive country leadership, increased domestic and international investment, rapid uptake of new WHO recommendations and innovations, accelerated action, and strong multi-sectoral collaboration, ending TB is not just aspirational - it is achievable. WHO is calling for urgent action to: accelerate the roll out of diagnostic technologies that can be used near the point-of-care and other innovations as part of a comprehensive testing network; To strengthen people‑centred TB care with meaningful community leadership and continuous engagement; To build resilient health systems to safeguard health security; To tackle the social and economic drivers of TB through multisectoral action; and To protect essential TB services amid global crises and funding constraints. While new diagnostic tools represent a critical step forward, ending TB will require sustained investment in research and innovation. Global funding for TB research remains far below the estimated annual need of around US$ 5 billion, leaving major gaps in the development of new diagnostics, medicines and vaccines needed to end the epidemic. WHO is working with partners to accelerate progress through initiatives such as the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, launched to fast-track the development and equitable access to new TB vaccines by aligning governments, researchers, funders and industry around shared priorities and coordinated investment. As countries mark World TB Day 2026, The WHO urges governments and partners to prioritize TB as a central pillar of health security and universal health coverage. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WorldTBDay, #24March, #YesWecanEndTB, #Tuberculosis.

EVENTS: On Monday; March 24th; The World Health Organization (WHO) will commemorate the World Tuberculosis Day 2026 to urge countries to ramp up progress; Under the theme ''Yes! We Can End TB! Led by countries. Powered by people'' the campaign highlights a rallying cry for urgency, and accountability and hope. This year is critical, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment to end TB. On the occasion on World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, March 24th, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for an urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain tuberculosis (TB) care and support services for people in need across regions and countries. TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for over 1 million deaths annually bringing devastating impacts on families and communities. The Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000. However, the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding happening now are threatening to reverse these gains. Rising drug resistance especially across Europe and the ongoing conflicts across the Middle-East, Africa and Eastern Europe, are further exacerbating the situation for the most vulnerable. Register to participate!

ONLINE TALK SHOW: On March 18th, 2026; From 13:30 to 16:00 CET; an Online Talk Show entitled ‘‘Yes we can end TB.’’ was held. Watch the talk show!

WEBINAR: A joint webinar of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), dedicated to World Tuberculosis Day 2026. Campaign theme: “Yes! We Can End TB!: Led by countries, powered by people!” The event presented key findings, trends, and epidemiological signals based on data from the joint report “Tuberculosis surveillance and monitoring in Europe 2026”. It also highlighted the high burden of MDR/RR‑TB, gaps in treatment, and the scale-up of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Get the agenda programme and Watch the livestream!

A

RESEARCH: A New Tuberculosis Strategy Shows Promise from Science | AAAS. Now a group in the Republic of Korea reports what they believe could be a potent new method of fighting TB: a combination of cheap drugs and a DNA vaccine. Learn more.

PUBLICATIONS: Funding: threat to global TB efforts - Early reports to WHO reveal that severe disruptions in the TB response are seen across several of the highest-burden countries following the funding cuts. Countries in the WHO African Region are experiencing the greatest impact, followed by countries in the WHO South-East Asian and Western Pacific Regions. Twenty seven countries are facing crippling breakdowns in their TB response, with devastating consequences, such as: Human resource shortages undermining service delivery; Diagnostic services severely disrupted, delaying detection and treatment; Data and surveillance systems collapsing, compromising disease tracking and management; Community engagement efforts, including active case finding, screening, and contact tracing, deteriorating, leading to delayed diagnoses and increased transmission risks. Nine countries report failing TB drug procurement and supply chains, jeopardizing treatment continuity and patient outcomes. The 2025 funding cuts further exacerbate an already existing underfunding for global TB response. In 2023, only 26% of the US$ 22 billion annually needed for TB prevention and care was available, leaving a massive shortfall. TB research is in crisis, receiving just one-fifth of the US$ 5 billion annual target in 2022 – severely delaying advancements in diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. WHO is leading efforts to accelerate TB vaccine development through the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, but progress remains at risk without urgent financial commitments.
New guidance on TB and lung health: As one of the solutions to combating growing resource constraints, WHO is driving the integration of TB and lung health within primary healthcare as a sustainable solution. New technical guidance released by WHO outlines critical actions across the care continuum, focusing on prevention, early detection of TB and comorbidities, optimized management at first contact and improved patient follow-up. The guidance also promotes better use of existing health systems, addressing shared risk factors such as overcrowding, tobacco, undernutrition and environmental pollutants. By tackling TB determinants alongside communicable and non-communicable diseases, lung conditions, and disabilities through a unified strategy, WHO aims to reinforce the global response and drive lasting improvements in health outcomes. On World TB Day, WHO calls on everyone: individuals, communities, societies, donors and governments, to do their part to end TB. Without concerted action from all stakeholders, the TB response will be decimated, reversing decades of progress, putting millions of lives at risk and threatening health security. TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for over 1 million deaths annually bringing devastating impacts on families and communities.

STATEMENTS:

Statement by Dr. Tedros; Director of the World Health Organization on behalf the World TB Day 2026; March 24th.


Statement delivered by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for Europe on World TB Day 2026.


Statement delivered by Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's department for HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and STIs on World TB Day 2026.


Statement delivered by Hon. Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, South Africa on World TB Day 2026.

International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2026; March 24th.

FORUM: "Advancing the Rights of the victims." International Day for the Right to the truth concerning the gross human rights violations 2026. The United Nations welcomes this recognition of the unique suffering of victims of human rights violations, not only at the time of abuse, but long after as they seek truth, acknowledgement, and justice. During the day, Participants will be able to debate on the topic ’’What amounts to ‘a serious violation of international human rights law’?’’. On this commemorative day and every day, we emphasize the right to truth and pay tribute to those who devote their lives to the human rights of all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #RighttotheTruthDay. #Humanrightsviolations, #RighttotheTruthDay #24March, #paytritute, #minuteofsilence

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

On March 24th, the commemorative ceremony will be observed worldwide. The organizers, panelists and participants will have the opportunity to reinforce the commitments to end the cycle of impunity and the possibility to learn how to fight for the respect of human rights for all. The OHCHR upholds this commitment to the right to truth every day, and urge the international community to add their powerful voice to advocate for justice and reparations for victims and to bring perpetrators to justice. Join us for the commemoration of the International Day for the Rights to the truth concerning the Gross Human Rights Violations 2026 at UNHQ in New york and at UN Geneva!

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

Reporting under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: Training Guide (Part I – Manual)

Reporting under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: Training Guide (Part II – Training package)

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

Statement delivered by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances 2026; March 24th.

“In a context marked by the dangerous denial and manipulation of information concerning gross human rights violations, the manufacture of popular support, the elusion of responsibility and the erosion of victims’ rights, it is essential to reaffirm the inalienable right to know the truth, a pillar of transitional justice processes and a vital guarantee of non-recurrence,” said the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances today.


“Exacerbated by new technologies, instances of glorification, revisionism and negationism of gross human rights violations are on the rise in all parts of the world, with detrimental impacts on rigorous truth-telling, and therefore on democracy and peace,” the experts warned.

“The comprehensive truth about gross human rights violations, including accurate accounts about the circumstances and responsibilities involved and the harm endured is an imprescriptible right of victims and an indispensable tool for societies to reckon with a violent past, heal and prevent future violations,” they stressed.

Commemorating the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, the experts expressed their support for the dignity and courage of survivors and families of victims who are pursuing their quest for truth and justice.

“In recent months, some political leaders, with the support of powerful corporate actors using AI-driven personalisation processes, have distorted facts, manipulated opinion, incited hatred and retraumatized victims, particularly women and historically marginalized groups. These phenomena not only undermine the prospects for peace and democracy in post-conflict and post-authoritarian settings, but pose new risks to societies that have long overcome such situations”.

The experts recalled that under international law, States are under an obligation to investigate, disclose relevant information to families of victims, including, in cases of enforced disappearance, unveiling the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared persons, and inform present and future generations. Truth-telling about such violations should be grounded on accurate accounts, especially those stemming from official transitional justice process, and must be aimed at preserving the collective memory from extinction and at guarding against the development of revisionist and negationist arguments.

Noting the vital role played by national and international accountability and truth-seeking mechanisms working to uncover the truth, they expressed alarm at the recent acts of intimidation and sanctions directed against their members, such as International Criminal Court Prosecutor and Judges, and called for their robust protection.

“Law professionals are at the very heart of the right to know the truth. Their contribution is essential to establish facts, ensure accountability, reparations, and guarantee non-recurrence. They must receive unconditional support against any form of intimidation, reprisals or punishment related to their professional duties,” the experts underscored.

In the second semester of 2026, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Bernard Duhaime, will present a report on “the challenges of denial, negationism and revisionism of serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law in transitional justice contexts”, and another on “New Technology and Transitional Justice”, to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, respectively. As regards the Working Group, which has already produced a report on New technologies and Enforced Disappearances in 2023, it will present a thematic report on Enforced Disappearances and Memorialization to the Human Rights Council in September 2026.


The experts:Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence
Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grażyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez and Mohamed Al Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances

Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organisation, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.


Special Rapporteur on the promotion of Truth; Justice; Reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence & 
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances;

For inquiries and media requests, please contact: hrc-sr-truth@un.org.
Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on X: @UN_SPExperts.

World Meteorological Day 2026; March 23rd.

 FORUM: "Observing today; Protecting tomorrow." World Meteorological Day 2026. This year, we are highlighting the vital role that young people and communities play as resilience builders. Around the world, individuals and organizations contribute every day to Earth observations, from monitoring weather and water to supporting climate awareness and early warnings. We also highlight the work of observation stations from different countries. Why do we need observations?; How does the observing system work?; Closing the gap in observations; Protecting Tomorrow; What’s the weather going to be? It’s most asked questions. We take it for granted that we can find the answer in a matter of seconds at the touch of a mobile phone screen or flick of the television switch. But behind each forecast are millions of observations, crunched through thousands of processors in the extraordinary and unique global network coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Wherever you may be – on land, at sea or in the air – the forecasts you are using are reliant on the free and open exchange of observational data orchestrated by WMO. From satellites orbiting Earth, to weather balloons released into the atmosphere, to ocean buoys and ships riding the waves, to remote stations, meteorological observations underpin everything from our daily routines to multi-billion dollar decisions. The immense and often invisible observing and prediction system coordinated by WMO's the backbone of our economies. It is the central nervous system for early warnings, which have saved many millions of lives. This World Meteorological Day therefore celebrates the work of the WMO community in observing our Earth to protect communities today and build resilience for tomorrow. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WorldMetDay, #Meteorology, #climateresilience, #weather, #Meteo, #observingtodayprotectingtomorrow, #23March, #Youth, #Communities, #resiliencebuilders

EVENTS: On March 23rd, the celebration of the World Meteorological Day 2026 will be held under the theme "Observing today; Protecting tomorrow. On this occasion, we’re bringing you the WMO Global State Of Climate 2025, featuring a new indicator; 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡’𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. Learn more about the Main ceremony, Register to participate and Stay tuned!

"Observing today; Protecting tomorrow." 

 Main ceremony at WMO headquarters, Salle Obasi, 15:00 CET.

WMO invites diplomatic representatives, staff, partners, United Nations agencies, students and other guests to join the official ceremony. It will be livestreamed in six UN official languages to allow maximum engagement with WMO Members and the staff of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services.

Moderator: Nandita Surendran, Chief of WMO Global Communications Observing Today

Makoto Suwa, Astronaut, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency [video message]

Keynote presentation from Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, WMO

Abdulla Al Mandous, President, WMO [video message]
Argentine observing station Esperanza, Antarctica, on the importance of observations in remote Polar regions [live video link up]
Alexia Barrier, round-the-world ocean racer and advocate; Martin Kramp, OceanOPS Technical Coordinator, WMO [live video link up]
Launch of WMO State of the Global Climate 2025 report

Video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Setting the scene by Claire Ransom, Associate Scientific Officer, WMO
Presentation of key findings by Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, WMO
Protecting Tomorrow

Theo Wellington, Youth Coordinator, WMO
Video from Regional Youth focal points, WMO
Questions and statements from the floor

17:00 - Reception hosted by WMO Staff Association

EXHIBITS: Observing the Future.
An interactive exhibition led by the WMO Youth team.

Organized in collaboration with Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), this exhibition aims to connect participants with observation stations from diverse regions.

Station displays: Visuals highlighting the work of observation stations from different countries.
Station connections: QR codes enable short, pre-recorded video exchanges.
Station ambassadors: On-site ambassadors facilitate engagement and discussion.

ACTIVITIES: Join the WMD 2026 activities!

Ghana: The Ghana Meteorological Awareness Month; Ghana celebrates this year's Meteorological Awareness Month with the theme, “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow.” Learn more

Pakistan: Agrometeorology without borders: Dr. Adnan Arshad, from Pakistan, with his PhD student Eltayyab al Hasaan, from Sudan, researching grassland restoration and improving production by using advanced meteorology equipment to train youth to help us observe today and protect tomorrow.

Concerning car traffic and circulation: There is a lot of traffic with smoke from cars in Cantt (Lahore, Pakistan). It's a problem that affects school timings and people's health. 

Our research applies a "Rain to Drain" approach, following rainfall from the moment it lands through each stage of the drainage process. This requires a network of hyperlocal weather stations to capture rainfall data at the street scale, soil moisture probes placed through the depth of the rain gardens to record infiltration and storage behaviour, and flow monitors in the sewer network to detect surcharge events. Access to this data is not limited to researchers. Along Broadway, lecterns and posters give residents and visitors a way to see results for themselves. Co-designed with Western Primary School, they make SuDS visible in the street rather than hidden infrastructure. The posters are also interactive, providing both access to live data and opportunities for residents to contribute observations through PuddleWatch, a tool that records when and where water appears. Dr. Adnan Arshad and his team, in collaboration with PODA-Pakistan and the Pakistan Meteorological Department, are building the technical capacity of rural youth engaged in agriculture. The initiative involves installing mobile automatic weather stations at multiple locations to collect site-specific data and provide real-time updates. This enables young farmers to make informed decisions for planning their field operations and management practices - especially critical in the rainfed region of Punjab, Pakistan, where rainfall is the sole source of water for agriculture.

United Kingdom: This image shows How the Water Flows, a collaborative mural created as part of the Water Data for People project and now on display at Wybers Wood School in Grimsby. Designed around the school’s SuDS planter, the mural animates this everyday feature, using it as a focal point to bring together ideas about weather, water, and the local environment. It emerged through a series of workshops and creative sessions involving pupils, researchers, teachers, and artist Emma Garness, who worked together to explore local hydrology, drainage, and environmental change.
Led by the University of Hull, Water Data for People uses creative methods to help communities engage with local hydrological data and consider how it can shape future places and decisions. The project builds on the DIG Surface Water Resilience Project, a partnership between North East Lincolnshire Council, City of Doncaster Council, Anglian Water, and Yorkshire Water. Both projects are funded by Defra through the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, managed by the Environment Agency. Reflecting the ideas and experiences of the pupils, the mural shows how knowledge of rainfall, flooding, water use, and environmental processes connects directly to everyday life and to the spaces around the school. Guided by Garness’s distinctive approach to environmental themes and community identity, these insights were brought together in a vibrant piece of visual storytelling.

SPAIN: Understanding the weather, the CLIMATE and ACTING on it. - Students from the Antonio Machado Primary School are making a meteorological observation at the weather station developed as part of an educational project that received an award on the European Union's Climate Education Day in October 2025.

KENYA: Analysis of Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS) and Urban Flash Flood Vulnerability: A Case Study of the March 2026 Nairobi Precipitation Event. A multi-spectral satellite RGB composite image showing significant convective activity over the Kenyan highlands and the central Rift Valley. Convective Intensity: The bright, textured blue and white bubbles scattered across the centre of the map represent cumulonimbus clouds - the primary drivers of heavy localized rainfall. Nairobi Impact: Nairobi is situated in the central region currently obscured by dense cloud cover. The presence of these deep convective cells suggests high potential for intense, short-duration downpours. In an urban environment like Nairobi, this type of concentrated rainfall often leads to rapid flash flooding due to saturated soils and strained drainage infrastructure. Moisture Influx: The brownish-orange background indicates the warmer land surface, while the varying shades of blue/cyan highlight moisture-rich air masses moving across the region, creating the "perfect storm" for the flooding events seen in early March 2026.

SWITZERLAND: Appreciation of the Night falls, Lausane, Switzerland.

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

On this World Meteorological Day, we are reminded that foresight saves lives. Climate chaos is rewriting the rules of weather, with record heat, longer droughts, rising seas and ever more frequent and extreme disasters. Accurate, trusted science is our first line of defence. The World Meteorological Organization and national services help keep us safe by weaving a global web of data, from land, sea, air and space – turning measurements into forecasts, and forecasts into early warnings. Yet the global observing system is under strain, with critical gaps, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States. This year’s theme, Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow, is a call to action. Governments, development banks and the private sector must scale up support for our global observing backbone, from surface stations to satellites, and ensure data is shared openly and equitably. And we must accelerate Early Warnings for All so that, by 2027, every person is protected by life-saving alerts. Investing in observation pays many times over – strengthening peace, security, resilience and sustainable development. By observing today, we can protect tomorrow – for people, for planet, for prosperity, and for generations to come.

United Nations Secretary-General.

 Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General of the WMO on the World Meteorological Day 2026; March 23rd.

Dear members, colleagues, friends, happy World Meteorological Day. There are many UN International Days. So why does this one matter?, It's because today we celebrate the WMO community and its role in saving lives and serving society. Let's take a closer look. One of the most frequently asked questions is what's the weather going to be. People take it for granted that we can find the answer on their mobile phones and televisions.Behind each forecast are millions of observations which are processed in a unique international network coordinated by the WMO. WMO global observing system underpins decisions worth billions from aviation routing to flat protection from energy planning to health management from crop planting to infrastructure investments. It generates forecast and early warnings that save many thousands of lives. So I am delighted that the theme of the this year world meteorological day is observing today protecting tomorrow because when we observe today we don't just predict the weather we protect tomorrow's people tomorrow's planet. And that is why the young people of today are so important because they are the guardians of the future. We need your energy, your innovation, your skills. Colleagues and friends, we live in an era of great technological advances, but we must level the playing field and ensure that nobody is left behind. We must close the gaps in data and observations and we must remember that artificial intelligence depends on human intelligence. On this World Meteorological Day, I would therefore like to pay tribute to the many thousands of humans in the WMO community, the observers in remote and lonely locations, the meteorologist who release weather balloons twice a day every day, the hydrologist who monitored rivers at dawn, the forecasters who stay awake through the night. The oceanographers who brave the waves. The engineers who repair stations after a storm. The satellite technicians who maintain our eyes in the sky. The climatologists who help us understand the past and prepare for the future. The computer processors who crunch and share the data. We are more than just weather forecasters. Together we provide a global public service for the global public good. Together we are observing today and protecting tomorrow. I thank you all and once again I wish you a happy world meteorological day.

Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the WMO.

PUBLICATION: Launch of the  State of the Global Climate 2025.

The WMO’s State of the Global Climate report 2025 confirms that 2015-2025 are the hottest 11-years on record, and that 2025 was the second or third hottest year on record, at about 1.43 °C above the 1850-1900 average. Extreme events around the world, including intense heat, heavy rainfall and tropical cyclones, caused disruption and devastation and highlighted the vulnerability of our inter-connected economies and societies. The ocean continues to warm and absorb carbon dioxide. It has been absorbing the equivalent of about eighteen times the annual human energy use each year for the past two decades. Annual sea ice extent in the Arctic was at or near a record low, Antarctic sea ice extent was the third lowest on record, and glacier melt continued unabated, according to the report. For the first time, the report includes the Earth’s energy imbalance as one of the key climate indicators. The  report confirms that the years 2015-2025 was the hottest according to 11 years on record; The Earth’s energy imbalance is highest in sixty five-year record; The oceans has been absorbing about eighteen times the annual human energy use each year for the past two decades; The current Extreme weather impacts millions and costs billions; Get the Full Report; Read the Press Release and latest information on Extreme Weather!

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Join the campaign 2026 "Observing today; Protecting tomorrow.". The Campaign Assets, Posters, videos, and other outreach materials for World Meteorological Day can be downloaded in high-resolution format from our Trello Board. Additional resources will be made available. Poster in Arabic, in Chinese, in Russian, In French, in English, In Spanish.

 LIVESTREAM: Presentation of the Report entitled the State of the Global Climate 2025. The WMO uses datasets developed and maintained by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and the United Kingdom’s Met Office Hadley Centre and the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit in the United Kingdom. It also uses reanalysis datasets from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts and its Copernicus Climate Change Service, and the Japan Meteorological Agency. This method combines millions of meteorological and marine observations, including from satellites, with models to produce a complete reanalysis of the atmosphere. The combination of observations with models makes it possible to estimate temperatures at any time and in any place across the globe, even in data-sparse areas such as the polar regions. Internationally recognized datasets are used for all other key climate indicators. Full details are available in the State of the Global Climate report .

Videos by NASA, UNEP, WMO
Data Visualization