FORUM: "Multilateralism is part of the United Nations' DNA" International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2026. Today, we live in a multilateral world. But what does that mean? Answering this question involves looking at the meaning of multilateralism, understanding its nature and its place in the workings of the international system. Multilateralism has achieved tangible results that have led to major advances. One of the most visible developments in multilateral diplomacy is undoubtedly represented by the increase in the number of Member States: from 51 in 1945, to 193 today. In addition to this horizontal expansion, the multilateral framework has also expanded vertically, including new actors, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private actors and other international organizations. Today, more than 1,000 NGOs and international organizations have observer status at the United Nations.Commitment to multilateralism and international peace and security was reaffirmed by most world leaders. Important international agreements have also been concluded to limit arms control and to promote and strengthen human rights. The international cooperation within the multilateral framework of the United Nations is saving lives every day. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalDayforMultilateralismandDiplomacyforPeace; #24April; #MultilateralismDay; #DiplomacyDay.
EVENTS: On April 24th, to mark the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2026, a high-level panel discussion will be held address global challenges, to showcase the advantages of multilateralism and diplomacy for peace and to reflect onthe values of multilateralism and diplomacy in today’s interconnected world.In the last 80 years, global cooperation in the
United Nations framework has been through
ups and downs, being constantly influenced by
various global challenges. The United Nations is a
reflection of its Member States and is as efficient, or
ineffective, as its Member States make it.The world has become progressively more politically
fragmented and at the same time interconnected.
The process of globalization – in particular the
technological advances in communication and
transport – shrank the world. It created new
opportunities, but also increased inequalities
between developed and developing countries as
well as within countries.
Multilateral cooperation has had to evolve over
the years with changing circumstances, but its
significance in addressing global challenges has only
increased dramatically with the passage of time. Register to participate!
EVENTS: April 23rd marks World Book and Copyright Day 2026. For Africa, the occasion highlights the journey of its literature, the struggles of its authors, and the continent's growing contribution to global storytelling.During the day, we will explore the status of books in Africa in a digital era that has largely re-written information consumption. We also share a selection of African books worth reading. Watch the documentary entitled'' Turning pages in a digital age.''
Every year, as part of celebrations for World Book and Copyright Day, a World Book Capital is selected by UNESCO and international organizations representing the major sectors of the book industry – publishers, booksellers and libraries. Selected cities promote books and reading for all age groups and across all of society, in the host country and beyond. To date, UNESCO has designated 26 World Book Capitals, from Madrid, Spain, in 2001, to Rabat, Morocco, in 2026.
In a recent statement, UNESCO highlighted Rabat's commitment to fostering the book industry and encouraging reading through its 54 publishing houses; it also hosts Africa's third-largest international book fair. Rabat aims to come up with various initiatives to improve access to books, bolster the local publishing sector, and advance literacy among all age groups and demographics, both nationally and internationally.
The statement added that the celebrations are set to commence on April 23, 2026, coinciding with the World Book and Copyright Day. As Rabat Opens Book Capital Year, Minister Says Books Shape Society Morocco’s Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation said the launch of the new Rabat book fair edition comes at a defining cultural moment, as the capital begins its year as UNESCO’s “World Book Capital 2026.”.
“The book is the basis, the source and the starting point of science and knowledge,” the minister told Morocco World News (MWN), arguing that books shape students’ scientific, critical, and analytical thinking while also supporting “psychological balance, intellectual balance and social balance.” He said Rabat fully deserves the international recognition, describing the Moroccan capital as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world and stressing that the title should serve as more than a symbolic distinction. The minister also said promoting books cannot remain the job of schools alone. He called on families, universities, civil society groups, and Moroccans at large to help build a stronger culture of reading and writing from an early age, saying that preserving Morocco’s identity and civilization depends on giving books the place they deserve.
Throughout the year, the city will host a wide range of cultural programs, public readings, and community-driven initiatives aimed at making literature more accessible to all.
World Book and Copyright Day invites us to return to something both simple and essential. The role of books in how we think, learn, and imagine the world. Even as our daily lives become increasingly digital, books remain a unique space of depth and continuity. They slow us down in a useful way. They allow ideas to unfold over time rather than in fragments. Whether in print or digital form, they remain one of the most powerful tools for education, cultural memory, and critical reflection. The digital age has of course transformed how we access knowledge. Information is now immediate, abundant, and global. This brings enormous opportunities. More voices can be published, more readers can be reached, and knowledge can circulate more freely than ever before. But it also brings challenges. Attention is more fragmented. Information can be more volatile. And not all content carries the same level of verification or depth. In this context, books continue to offer a reference point, a space where ideas are structured, curated, and often more carefully developed. Rather than seeing books and digital media as opposites, it is perhaps more useful to see them as complimentary. Digital platforms can expand access to reading, especially in places where physical books are less available. At the same time, the book form, whether printed or electronic,still provides a discipline of thought that remains vital in an age of rapid consumption. This is why initiatives such as the world book capital are so meaningful. Each year, UNESCO designates a city for its commitment to books and reading and for its efforts to strengthen the entire ecosystem that supports them from authors and publishers to libraries and readers. This year, the world book capital is Rabbat in Morocco. It is a city with a rich intellectual tradition and a vibrant cultural life and its designation reflects a broader commitment to literacy, creativity, and dialogue.
In celebrating World Book and Copyright Day, we are not only celebrating books as objects. We are celebrating the ecosystems they sustain and the ways in which they continue to anchor reflection, imagination, and shared understanding even in a deeply digital world.
Director of the UNESCO Office in the Caribbean.
At UNOV; To celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day 2026, the IAEA, UNOV, and CTBTO will jointly host a variety of in-person and virtual events on April 23rd. See below for the agenda or to register to attend. We look forward to your participation!
Schedule of World Book and Copyright Week 2026; Tuesday April 23rd.
09:30 – 10:30 (Meeting Point A04 Elevators) Tour - IAEA Archives.
Tour - IAEA Archives The IAEA Archives are a pillar of the IAEA’s institutional memory, spanning over 70 years and comprising over 10,000 shelf metres of hard-copy records and 10 terabytes of data. These walking tours are an opportunity to look behind the scenes to:
Experience the size and composition of the IAEA Archives; Interact with some of the treasures in our holdings and be inspired by the Agency's history; View the Reading Room and an archival repository, and learn about challenges in preservation and access management; and Hear how the Department of Management oversees the IAEA Archives.
The tour can accommodate 15 participants. Meeting point : A04 Elevators. Click here to register
10:30 – 11:00 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library & Online) From metadata to full text: how INIS delivers nuclear knowledge worldwide Olga Vakula – INIS
How do you access hard-to-find nuclear research from around the world? Discover how INIS connects users to nuclear knowledge, providing extensive metadata and helping locate full texts through international collaboration with Member States and partner libraries. Click here to register.
12:00 – 13:00 (F0146 - IAEA Lise Meitner Library) Tour and Meet & Greet
Come along for a tour of the IAEA Lise Meitner Library and discover the space, the history and facts that might surprise you. The reading rooms and library are open to anyone in the VIC, join the tour to discover your next favourite place in the building!
11:30 – 14:00 (A Building, Cafeteria) Meet & Greet Information Professionals from IAEA & UNOV & CTBTO.
Get to know your librarians from the VBOs in the cafeteria and publishers from the IAEA on the ground floor of the A building. In addition to providing information on our services, there will also be an opportunity to view a few special items from our collections.
World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year on April 23rd. Come hear about the meaning of this day for VBO libraries, archives, and publishing units. We will be joined by IAEA DDG-NE, M. M. Chudakov and DDG-MT, M. Doane and UNESCO representative Ms Klara Koštal, Head of Department: Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
14:30 – 15:15 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library) Talk: Future Needs Wisdom: a personal view on the future of research under the spell of AI. Prof. Helga Nowotny will share her thoughts and insights on Artificial Intelligence, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on Women in STEM. A discussion moderated by Brain Bales (IAEA INIS) and Anastasia Lazykina, (IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme). Click here to register
15:15 – 15:45 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library) Closing - World Book & Copyright Day.
After the talk with Prof. Helga Nowotny, there will be a small reception to celebrate and close the World Book and Copyright Day festivities. Please join us for some light refreshments.
FORUM: Shakespeare’s literature is more than mere words on a page. It is a mirror held up to the values and aspirations of our shared humanity, echoing the very essence of the United Nations. It resonates across languages and cultures. Shakespeare can connect us all: therefore, the excerpts will be performed through a multilingual and multicultural lens - featuring performances in some of the UN's official languages. The English Language Day at the UN is celebrated annually on April 23rd, the date traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare. As well as being the most famous playwright, who wrote in English, Shakespeare also had a huge impact on modern-day English. Today, every one in four people in the world uses English. At the United Nations, English is one of the six official languages of the Organization. As we embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of Shakespeare’s timeless wisdom, the performances in “Shakespeare at the UN” aims to spark reflection, healing, and a renewed commitment to the noble ideals that bind us together as nations under the banner of the United Nations. Founded at the United Nations Headquarters by Brenda Vongova, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the United Nations through the universal language of motion pictures. Follow the conversation with the hashtags, #EnglishLanguageDay; #23April; #WilliamShakespeare.
EVENT:On April 23rd, 2026, in commemoration of the English Language Day 2026 at the United Nations, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council will present the 3rd Annual “Shakespeare at the UN”– an exploration of how the timeless works of Shakespeare, in reflecting the human experience, can resonate with the core values of the UN, such as promoting understanding of humanity and strengthening global connections.On this occasion, opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Mr. Archie Young CMG, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations & Ambassador to the UN General Assembly. The programme brings together the UN’s core pillars — including Human Rights and Peace & Security — illuminated through carefully chosen Shakespeare works. Under Human Rights, Shakespeare’s Globe — led by its Artistic Director Michelle Terry — presents Shylock’s landmark speech from The Merchant of Venice (Act III, Scene 1), a profound meditation on human dignity and the universal demand to be seen as fully human — performed by the late Adrian Schiller, one of Britain's most distinguished classical stage actors. Under Peace and Security, performers from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama — led by its Principal and CEO, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE - bring monologues from Henry V (Chinese), Titus Andronicus (French), Macbeth (English), and Richard II (Spanish and Sign Language), reflecting on conflict, leadership, and the cost of war. We will also present performances delivered by Japanese actors Yamato Kochi and Maimi, Ukrainian actor Petro Ninovskyi, and the brilliant Richard Keith, the BA in Acting Course Leader at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). The programme will also feature reflections by Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company, with closing remarks by Professor Michael Dobson, Director of The Shakespeare Institute.
Brenda Vongova, President of the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
H.E. Mr. Archie Young CMG, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations & Ambassador to the UN General Assembly
Remarks by Tamara Harvey & Daniel Evans; Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company
Remarks by Michelle Terry; Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe
The Merchant of Venice, (Act III, Scene 1) - Shylock’s “Hath not a Jew eyes?...” speech, by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Adrian Schiller. Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE; Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London
Henry V, Act I, Scene 1 ("The courses of his youth promised it not…”), by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Qipeng Wang (in Chinese)
Titus Andronicus, Act I, Scene 1 ("Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror…”), by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Solenn Mara-Lewis (in French)
Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5 ("The raven himself is hoarse…”), by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Nina Fog
Richard II, Act III, Scene 2 ("For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground…”), by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Juan José Galeano Pareja (in Spanish Spoken & Sign Language)
Sonnet 29 - "When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes", by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Brenda Vongova
Romeo & Juliet Act 1, Scene 1, Prince Escalus’s (“Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace…”), Excerpt, by William Shakespeare ~Performed by Richard Keith
Henry VI, Part 3 (Act II, Scene 5), “This battle fares like to the morning's war…”, by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Yamato Kochi (in Japanese)
Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene 3, (“Heaven is here, where Juliet lives…”), by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Maimi (in Japanese)
Henry VI, Part 1 (Act IV, Scene 1) – "Come hither, you that would be combatants…”, by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Petro Ninovskyi
Professor Michael Dobson; Director of The Shakespeare Institute
SPECIAL THANKS
UN Department of Global Communications Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Shakespeare Globe
Michelle Terry, Artistic Director
Royal Shakespeare Company
Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Director
Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, Principal and CEO
Ricky Zalman, Alumni Engagement Officer
Nadia Fulgoni, Head of Marketing & Communications
Hala Kabalan, Marketing & Communications Officer
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
Richard Keith, BA in Acting Course Leader
Shakespeare Institute
Professor Michael Dobson, Director of The Shakespeare Institute
Artwork in the Poster: Illustration of William Shakespeare reciting his play Hamlet to his family. His wife, Anne Hathaway, is sitting in the chair on the right; his son Hamnet is behind him on the left; his two daughters Susanna and Judith are on the right and left of him. By Perine, George Edward, 1837-1885, printmaker - engraved for the Eclectic by Perine & Giles.
Opening and Closing Music: UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director ELFRIDA ANDREE (1841 - 1929) Piano Quartet in A Minor: I. Allegro molto moderato Hana Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano) Zefu Chenk: Video Editor, UN Movie Society
FORUM: The date of April 23rd, commemorates the anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1616), one of the most influential figures in Spanish literature and author of Don Quixote, a foundational work of modern literature. The date is also symbolically significant as it coincides with the death of William Shakespeare, which is why the United Nations observes both Spanish Language Day and English Language Day on the same date. Spanish Language Day was formally established in 2010 as part of the UN initiative to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity across the organization. Sigue las conversaciones con los hashtags: #idomaespañol, #23deAbril, #DíadelIdomaEspañol ,#Latinoamérica.
FORUM: "Our Power, Our Planet" International Mother Earth Day 2026. This year’s theme is reflecting a fundamental truth: environmental progress doesn’t depend on any single administration or election. It’s sustained by daily actions of communities, educators, workers, and families protecting where they live and work. At a moment of heightened uncertainty and environmental stress, one conclusion is clear and broadly shared: progress in protecting our land, air, and water is real,
resilient, and ongoing. The theme reflects a fundamental truth that transcends political cycles. Environmental stewardship has never depended on a single administration, institution, or election. It is sustained by the daily decisions of people who understand that protecting the places where they live and work is both a responsibility and a long-term investment. Earth Day 2026 affirms that the capacity to address environmental challenges is firmly established. Progress is happening across communities through local leadership, pragmatic solutions, and cross-sector collaboration. The campaign focuses on community-led action for climate resilience, clean energy, and protecting public health. Events, including beach cleanups and park restoration, are occurring throughout April, with major activities slated for Earth Week. Our Power, Our Planet is not a political statement. It is a commitment to stewardship, resilience, and shared accountability — a call for every individual, community, and
Across the United States, cities are driving real climate progress at the local level, expanding clean energy, strengthening infrastructure, and advancing public health and environmental justice. At a time when federal climate funding is being rolled back or restructured, municipal leaders are adapting in real time by reprioritizing investments, leveraging public-private partnerships, and identifying innovative financing pathways to sustain progress and protect community outcomes. This Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG and Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) convene three municipal leaders turning climate commitments into measurable, community-focused outcomes. The panel explores how cities deliver fiscally responsible solutions, leverage partnerships, and build resilience through local policy, financing, and collaboration. From its origins in 1970 as a mass civic movement, Earth Day’s legacy continues today in cities, where local leaders drive practical, accountable climate action. Across the United States, cities are proving that meaningful climate and environmental progress can begin at the local level. Municipal leaders are achieving outcomes that improve daily life for residents, from expanding clean energy and strengthening resilient infrastructure to protecting public health and advancing environmental justice.
With over 10,000 events, the 2026 Event Map shows the community power taking place across the globe. Join us for Earth Day 2026 activities on Saturday, April 18th, and continue the momentum through Earth Day on April 22nd -- and beyond..
Mother Earth has given us everything. We have repaid her with reckless destruction – polluting her air, poisoning her waters, destabilizing her climate, and pushing countless species to the brink.
She is sounding the alarm – through fire, flood, drought, deadly heat, and rising sea levels. Yet our response is falling dangerously short.
We have the solutions. In most of the world, renewable energy is now the cheapest source of electricity. Climate action is creating jobs, strengthening economies, and saving lives. But we are moving too slowly. We must break our dependence on fossil fuels, protect and restore nature at scale, and deliver climate justice for those who did least to cause this crisis yet suffer the most.
Around the world, young activists, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, and civil society are already leading the way. Their power is our power. Governments and business must match that courage with urgent action – for our planet, for all who depend on her, and for every generation to come.
António Guterres; Secretary-General of the United Nations.
TAKE ACTION: Progress does not happen in silence. It happens when people show up.
Environmental progress is built through everyday action—from communities protecting ecosystems to innovators advancing solutions. Clean air, safe water, and climate resilience aren’t optional—they’re essential. For Earth Day 2026, we’re mobilizing at scale. Every action counts. Every voice matters.
Pillar One: Resilience and Institutional Continuity
The work continues regardless of federal policy
Environmental action is local and decentralized — policy shifts happen in your
town, not just Washington
Progress is already operational, not aspirational — solar programs, efficiency
investments, ecosystem restoration exist and are working
Economics, education, and conservation outlast political cycles — these don't disappear with an administration change
Pillar Two: Shared Interests and Interconnected Outcomes
Human health — asthma, lead, climate-driven illness affect real families
Economic security — farmers, fishers, firefighters all depend on a healthy
environment
Spiritual & moral values — stewardship of the Earth isn't political, it's biblical
Global ecosystems — what happens over there affects what happens here
Quality of life — can my kids fish in the local stream? Can they breathe clean air?
GET INVOLVED!
Every individual has the power to create change. Join community cleanups, tree plantings, or peaceful demonstrations. Contact elected officials. Teach others. Make sustainable choices daily. When individuals act, communities form. When communities speak up, leaders listen. Discover 50 ways to take action.50 Day Tips
COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Access free toolkits to plan your Earth Day 2026 event: Community Cleanup Kit, Peaceful Demonstration Guide, Tree Planting Organizer, Town Hall Planning Guide, Voter Registration Drive Kit, Teach-In Curriculum, and Faith Gathering Resources. Each includes step-by-step planning guides, promotional templates, safety guidelines, and talking points. Access everything at The Earth Hub.How to plan my events (resource page) Earth Hub.
FORUM: Language Days at the United Nations seek to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization. The date for the Chinese day was selected from Guyu ("Rain of Millet"), which is the 6th of 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendars, to pay tribute to Cangjie. Cangjie is a very important figure in ancient China, claimed to be an official historian of the Yellow Emperor and the inventor of Chinese characters. Legend has it that he had four eyes and four pupils, and that when he invented the characters, the deities and ghosts cried and the sky rained millet. From then on, Chinese people celebrate the day Guyu in honour of Cangjie. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around April 20. Chinese was established as an official language of the United Nations in 1946. However, in early years, Chinese was not commonly used in the work of the United Nations. The situation was improved after restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971. In 1973, the General Assembly included Chinese as a working language, which was followed by the Security Council in 1974. More and more UN offices and staff members work with Chinese language. Follow the conversations with the hashtags:#learnChinese, #chineselanguageday, #20April, #Chineselanguage.
EVENTS: On April 20th 2026, from 18:00pm to 20:30pm, New York time at the Curved Wall in the United Nations Headquaters, the 2026 observance of the United Nations Chinese Language Day and the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Chinese Translation Service will be held.
On Monday, a special celebration commemorating both the Chinese Language Day and the 80th anniversary of the Chinese Language Service will be held at the United Nations Headquarters. The celebration, jointly organized by the Chinese Book Club at the UN, the Chinese Translation Service, and the Chinese Language Teaching Unit, will be held in the Delegates Entrance Hall. Activities will include guided exhibition tours, cultural performances, and interactive experiences showcasing elements of China's intangible cultural heritage.
The celebration aims to promote the richness of the Chinese language and culture, while highlighting the contributions of Chinese language professionals within the UN system.
The UN has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. To highlight linguistic and cultural diversity and promote the equal use of these languages, the UN Department of Global Communications launched UN Language Days in 2010. It designated April 20 — coinciding with Grain Rain in the traditional Chinese calendar — as Chinese Language Day, in honor of Cangjie, the "ancestor of Chinese characters."
In addition, special lectures and cultural experience activities will be held at the UN on April 21 to further promote exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese language and the world's diverse cultures, the UN's official website announced.
In recent days, various locations around the world have held vibrant celebrations to mark this year's UN Chinese Language Day. According to the Xinhua News Agency, in Warsaw, Poland, nearly 200 Chinese and Polish students gathered at SWPS University for performances and exchanges under the theme of cultural exchange between China and the West. In Sofia, Bulgaria, the Confucius Institute organized a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center on Saturday local time.
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Lusaka, Zambia, universities and Confucius Institutes also presented songs, dances, and cultural performances to highlight the growing global appeal of the Chinese language. Similar events in Nairobi, Kenya, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, emphasized dialogue among civilizations and the role of Chinese in sparking colorful dreams.
Earlier, a celebration titled Chinese Language Shining Civilizations was held at the UN headquarters in New York to mark the UN Chinese Language Day. At the end of its report, the UN noted that in today's world, where globalization and digitalization are deeply intertwined, Chinese is continuously gaining new vitality.
At the intersection of technological empowerment and cultural heritage, the Chinese language not only connects the past with the future, but also facilitates communication among civilizations and contributes to a new chapter of multilateralism, the report said.
Wang Deyan, director of the Chinese Language Department at the School of Liberal Arts and Law of North China University of Technology, expressed support. He told the Global Times on Sunday that the widespread global celebrations of UN Chinese Language Day highlight the status of Chinese as an official global language and reflect the growing influence of the Chinese language and culture.
Wang further noted that the Chinese Language Day is not only a celebration of language and culture, but also an important example of China promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, participating in global cultural governance, and contributing to a more just and inclusive international order. Amid profound global changes unseen in a century, cultural connection through language is more enduring than confrontation and division.
"At a time when global trust and understanding deficits are intensifying, language and culture serve as the most accessible and non-confrontational means of communication. Chinese cultural elements such as calligraphy, intangible cultural heritage, and creative products going global are not merely displays, but a subtle way of conveying Chinese values and wisdom, presenting a multidimensional and authentic image of China, easing misunderstandings, and bringing a sense of inclusiveness to a tense international climate," Wang said.
From another perspective, the global discourse system has long been imbalanced. Through language promotion, the Chinese Language Day also shares traditional concepts such as harmony, coexistence, and the pursuit of common good, offering an alternative perspective in global cultural discourse and helping foster a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive cultural landscape in line with the vision of a shared future for humanity, said the expert.
This year’s theme is “Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World”, which highlights the role of multilingualism in strengthening global cooperation and empowering the next generation. The Fluent Futures Forum will bring together speakers from across the United Nations system, academia, and global media. They will discuss how learning Chinese supports youth engagement, leadership development, and intercultural communication. The programme includes a keynote address by the UN Youth Office, alongside talks on Chinese as a “bridge language” for UN 2.0, youth career pathways, AI and language learning, and SDG-driven curriculum design. Speakers include a prominent French media personality working in Chinese-language broadcasting, a senior UNFPA staff member engaged in Chinese-language study, and a Malagasy scholar currently pursuing her PhD in China. Join us in celebrating UN Chinese Language Day and reaffirming the United Nations commitment to linguistic diversity and an inclusive global dialogue. The Fluent Futures Forum is organized by the Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) in the Capacity Development and Operational Training Services (CDOTS) within the Office of Support Operations (OSO) of the Department of Operational Support (DOS).
On April 14th, 2026 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) in Kenya, the celebration of the U.N. Chinese Language Day 2026 was held. Related Sites and Documents: website & Programme
