International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness 2026; March 5th.

 

  FORUM: "Designing a World without Nuclear Weapons" International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness 2026. The observance seeks to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people. Since the founding of the United Nations, the goals of multilateral disarmament and arms limitation have been central to the Organization’s efforts to maintain international peace and security. Weapons of mass destruction, in particular nuclear weapons, continue to be of primary concern, owing to their destructive power and the threat that they pose to humanity. The excessive accumulation in conventional weapons and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons jeopardizes international peace and security and sustainable development, while the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is seriously endangering civilians. New and emerging weapon technologies, such as autonomous weapons, pose a challenge to global security and have received increased attention from the international community in recent years. Why Do You think disarmament is important?; Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #IDDNPA, #Disarmament, #disarmamentawarenessday, #5march, #nonproliferationawarenessday #VCS, #peaceandsecurity.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness 2026; March 5th.

Our dream of peace is in peril.

The threat of nuclear weapons use is the highest in decades. Global tensions are pushing military spending to stratospheric levels. Small arms and light weapons are proliferating. And emerging technologies are making conflicts even deadlier.

We must lower the temperature. On this International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, I urge leaders to step back from the brink. Stop rattling the nuclear saber. Halt the arms races.

It’s time to invest in the architecture of peace, not the tools of war. That means living up to disarmament obligations. Rebuilding trust. And strengthening the systems and tools that prevent the proliferation, testing and use of deadly weapons.

Together, we can prevent catastrophes and ensure a safe and peaceful world for all.

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.

 

EVENTS: Find below the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness 2026 events open to the public, both hybrid and in-person events, along with the way to register.

Interactive Exhibit on Military Expenditure.
Monday, March 2nd, 2026, Starting at 1:30PM CET.

In-person attendance in the Rotunda of the UN Vienna International Centre*

From 2 to 6 March, the Rotunda of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) will host an interactive “ballot-box” installation inviting visitors to cast their vote on global spending priorities. With global military expenditures having reached a record of $2.7 trillion in 2024, this installation creates a space to reflect on how resources are allocated — and how they could be redirected toward sectors such as education, health and climate action. The installation will open on 2 March at 1:30 PM CET with welcoming remarks by the Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan, the Chief of the UNODA Vienna Office and Olamide Samuels (ONN), followed by a performance by the UN Choir and a reception.

Accessing the legacy of the Special Sessions of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament.
Tuesday, 3 March 2026, starting at 9am EST.
Hybrid event with in-person attendance on the 15th Floor of the Secretariat Building, Room 1520**.
Register to participate!

The United Nations General Assembly has held three Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD), which fundamentally shaped the disarmament architecture and the subsequent discussions within it. Despite repeated calls since 1995, including recently in the Pact for the Future, a fourth special session remains elusive. This event examines the lasting impact of these sessions and explores a critical question: can the international community overcome current divisions to convene SSOD-IV?

Implications of the Secretary-General’s Report on Military Expenditure for Asia and the Pacific.
Thursday, 5 March – 10:15am UTC +5:45 (Nepal Time) – Virtual Event
Register to participate!

This virtual briefing will discuss the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on military expenditure, “The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future.” Participants will hear key findings from the report and learn from regional experts about what they mean for peace, security, and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. This briefing is the first session of UNRCPD’s 2026 regional briefing series and is open to a general audience, including academia, think tanks, civil society and youth, and interested members of the public.

More info: https://www.unrcpd.org/iddnpa1

 On Thursday, from 5 March to 3PM EST -  Launch of UNODA Occasional Paper No. 47 – Revisiting Consensus in Multilateral Disarmament Discussions: Trends, Challenges and the Way Forward.

In-Person attendance in the First Floor Reading Room of the Dag Hammarskjöld Library*
Registration to participate!

The Occasional Papers series was developed to give wider dissemination of input from expert panels and seminars, sponsored by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). In this Occasional Paper, Adedeji Ebo (Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs) and Katherine Prizeman (Political Affairs Officer in UNODA's Science, Technology and International Security Unit) explore the role that consensus has played in specific, recent disarmament discussions and offer some recommendations on the way forward.

Read Occasional Paper No. 47 here.

Interactive Exhibit on Military Expenditure – Schwedenplatz, Vienna
Thursday, 5 March – Afternoon
In-person attendance at Schwedenplatz

A second edition of the interactive “ballot-box” installation will take place at Schwedenplatz, in the afternoon, bringing the conversation beyond the United Nations and into the public square. Open to all, the exhibit invites participants to cast their ballots on where global spending priorities should lie.

Other events: We will also be hosting events targeted at the youth:

UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) Meets with Students from Togo

On 5 March, the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) will convene with high school students from the Sacré-Coeur Avépozo Institute to discuss small arms and light weapons and autonomous weapons systems. This represents a key moment to mobilize Togolese youth against illicit arms proliferation and towards a safer future!

Follow along on X @odaunrec!

UN Office for Disarmament Affairs Meets with Students from Hiroshima, Japan

On the sideline of the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, on 6 March, UNODA will convene with high school students from Hiroshima to discuss the Office’s work. Youth lead the way in advancing disarmament and peacebuilding efforts!

*A VIC Grounds Pass is required to attend this event.

**A UNHQ Grounds Pass is required to attend this event

Story from a young peace activist.

Suzuka Nakamura, a Japanese peace activist and third‑generation hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) from Nagasaki, has been advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons since high school. Selected as one of the UN Youth Office's 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2025-2027, she is now determined to create a mobile atomic bomb museum as a new way to bring the urgent call for nuclear disarmament to communities across the world.

World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd.

FORUM: ”Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.” World Wildlife Day 2026. This year’s theme shines a spotlight on the extraordinary plants that have supported human well‑being for centuries. It also invites us all to learn from the communities, experts and knowledge‑holders working to conserve these species and the cultural traditions surrounding them. The year also coincide with the 51st anniversary of the entry into force of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1975. With more than 1 million species now estimated to be threatened with extinction amid the intensifying triple planetary crisis, innovative finance for wildlife conservation has never been more urgent. Over half of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) is dependent on nature, making biodiversity loss an increasing threat to financial stability and livelihoods. Let’s celebrate the incredible diversity of wild fauna and flora that sustains our planet. As the global celebration will invite us to rediscover the richness of medicinal and aromatic plants - plants that represent cultural heritage, and support livelihoods - hold immense value for human and planetary health. The celebration will recognize the traditional knowledge behind their use, the communities conserving these species, and our shared responsibility to ensure their conservation for future generations. Building on a collaborative spirit, the forum will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing solutions and advancing wildlife conversation on how innovative finance can contribute to halting biodiversity loss, raising the interest of private sector stakeholders to invest in wildlife conservation, and creating a sustainable future. Follow the conversations with the hashtags:  #WWD2026, #Medicinalplants, #Aromaticplants #3March, #WorldWildlifeDay, #WWD2026, #wildlifeconservation.

EVENTS: At UNHQ in New York, NY, United States of America. On March 3rd, the World Wildlife Day 2026 will be celebrated under the critical theme of “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”. The event will showcase key global initiatives in wildlife finance. For example, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works to demonstrate how nature-positive economies can work for people and the planet; the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) established by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to help countries achieve the Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; the Green Climate Fund (GCF) which works to increase access to climate finance for biodiversity rich (and other) developing countries; the Biodiversity Credit Alliance which works to facilitate the transition to a nature positive economy; as well as other initiatives.

At UN GENEVA, on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, from 13:30 to 15:30 Central European Time, the World Wildlife Day 2026 Virtual Celebration will take place online. The virtual celebration will shine a spotlight the vital contributions of medicinal and aromatic plants to human health, cultural heritage, livelihoods and ecosystems, while celebrating those who steward them and reflecting on our shared responsibility to conserve these species and the benefits they provide for future generations. This event will feature stories and presentations about the sustainable use and conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants by Member States, scientific experts, high-level officials from international organisations, industry stakeholders, local community leaders and youth network members. The event will be moderated by Ms Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General, CITES. Explore the WWD 2026 panelists!

High-level Opening speakers include:

• Mr Kristopher Blake, Chair, CITES Standing Committee, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• H.E. Mrs Francisca Méndez Escobar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of México to the United Nations at Geneva
• Ms Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP
• Ms Francine Pickup, Deputy Assistant Administrator, UNDP

Musical Performance with Medicinal Plants will be performed by Ms Helen Anahita Wilson, Composer, Sound Artist and Wellcome Trust Research Fellow, King's College London

2026 United Nations Endangered Species Stamps will be launched by the CITES Secretariat and the United Nations Postal Administration.

Lightning Talks on the Trade and Conservation of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants around the World will be moderated by Mr TING Wai Kit, Co-Founder, CITES Global Youth Network and Youth Executive, Mandai Nature.

Speakers include:

• Dr Rita Engel, Horticultural Engineer, Department of Botany in the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest
• Dr Melesse Maryo, Associate Professor, Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority
• Ms Kalpana Sharma Dhakal, Scientific Officer Department of Plant Resources of Nepal
• Dr Tim Synnott, Former Executive Director, Forest Stewardship Council

Statements from the Floor by Member States will be made by:

• H.E. Dr. Linkham Duangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• H.E. Ms Irene Vélez Torres, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia
• H.E. Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia
• Ms Célia de Lavergne, Director of Water and Biodiversity, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France

Jackson Wild 2026 Film Showcase Selections will be revealed by Ms Christie Quinn, Executive Director, Jackson Wild.

Stakeholder Stories from Along the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Value Chain will be moderated by Ms Anastasiya Timoshyna, Director of the European Programme Office, TRAFFIC and Co-Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission Medicinal Plant Specialist Group

Speakers include:

• Ms Emma Willliams, CITES Policy Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, United King of Great Britain and Northern Irelan
• Ms Neida Andi Arimuya, Kichwa Indigenous Spiritual Guide from the Amazonian Ecuador
• His Majesty MVONDO Bruno, the President of African Network of Traditional Leaders for Environmental Conservation and the Sustainable Management of Ecosystems and Forests, Cameroon
• Ms Elisa Aragon, Co-Founder, Nelixia, Paraguay.
• Ms Jamie Horst, Chief Purpose Officer, Traditional Medicinals, United States of America

Ifaw 2026 Youth Art Contest Winners and Finalists will be announced by Mr Azzedine Downes, President and CEO, ifaw

Takeaway Messages will be delivered by:

Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General, IUCN
Mr Richard Scobey, Executive Director, TRAFFIC

Closing.

This virtual event is organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Geneva Environment Network (GEN), Jackson Wild, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw), TRAFFIC and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Medicinal Plant Specialist Group. Register to participate and to get access interpretation in English, French and Spanish and Watch the livestream!

To mark the World Wildlife Day 2026, the CITES Secretariat will leverage the expertise, knowledge, and creativity of key stakeholders through collaborative partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jackson Wild, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw), WILDLABS, the Geneva Environment Network, and other organizations. This event will feature a musical performance with medicinal plants, an expert panel discussion on the 2026 theme, statements from Member States, the announcement of the winner of the International Youth Art Contest, and a trailer premiere of the 2026 Jackson Wild Film Showcase. The World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest and the winners will be presented during the high-level event. Congratulations in advance to the winner of the annual WWD Poster Contest!. On and around March 3rd, many side-events, seminars, workshops and excursions will be held worldwide. For enquiries, please contact wildlifeday@un.org

LIVESTREAM:The United Nations Celebration Event, to be livestreamed on the World Wildlife Day 2016 on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. 

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd.

It is no secret that human activity has pushed millions of animal species to the brink. But we pay far less attention to plants, the planet’s unsung architects.

Across the Earth, flora underpin economies, support human health and sustain almost every other form of life. This is particularly true of medicinal and aromatic plants — the theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day.

Therapeutic species are vital to both traditional and modern medicine, supporting the livelihoods of millions and the well-being of many times more. Plants boost biodiversity, stabilize soils and represent centuries of knowledge and stewardship by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

But today, this living heritage is under threat. The climate crisis, habitat destruction, overharvesting and illegal trade are accelerating the decline of thousands of plants, putting incomes and ecologies at risk.

By strengthening global environmental governance through pacts like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, and the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, we can make our planet safer for all living things.

I urge all countries to become gardeners of the global commons. Together, we can ensure that the ecosystems that have healed humanity for millennia sustain us for generations to come.

 António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

OTHER STATEMENTS : Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World wildlife Day 2026; march 3rd; the Statement by the World Bank Group GWP Enviroment Director, Mme Valerie Hickey on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd, the Statement of the FAO Director-General; Mr Qu Dongyu on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd, the Statement of the BRS Conventions, Executive secretary, Mr Rolph Payet on World Wildwife Day 2026; March 3rd; the Statement of the ITPGR Secretary; Dr Kent Nnadozie on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd; the Statement by the World Heritage Centre, Director, Mr Lazare, Eloundou Assomo for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement of the UNEP Executive-director, Mme Inger Andersen on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd; the Statement by the CITES Secretary-General, Mme Ivonne Higuero for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the UNDP Policy & Programme, Mme. Francine Pickup for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the Secretary-General of the Convention on Wetlands; Mme. Musonda Mumba for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the Executive Director of the Jackson wild, Christie Quinn For World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the IFAW CEO and President, Mr Azzedine Downes for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the Director General of the IUCN, Mme Grethel Aguilar For World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the TRAFFIC Executive Director Richard Scobet on World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the CBD Executive secretary; Mme Astrid Schomaker for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the WWF Biodiversity Lead, Mr. Carlos Drews for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd.

AGENDA PROGRAMME

GET INVOLVED!
As we approach 3 March, there are several ways to take part in this year’s global celebration:

Organise and register your satellite celebration activity or event on the World Wildlife Day website and share with the world how you plan to celebrate in your community.
Download, use and share the Official WWD2026 Poster, designed by the Official Poster Contest Winner Ms Hannah Payet, and promote the theme at your event, with a virtual background, or on social media.
Submit your film to the Jackson Wild Film Showcase, deadline extended to 11 February, to share your powerful stories about wildlife and the people conserving it.
Use the WWD2026 Social Media Kit, which contains ready-made social media assets to support your outreach leading up to or on the Day.

World Hearing Day 2026; March 3rd.

FORUM:“From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children.” World Hearing Day 2026. This year’s theme campaign focuses on two imperatives: (1) Preventing avoidable childhood hearing loss by Ensuring early identification of and care for children with ear or hearing problems. and (2) Schools and communities are natural entry points to reach children, parents, and teachers. By integrating hearing care into school health and child health programmes, we can help children hear, learn, and succeed. Around 90 million children aged 5-19 years, live with hearing loss. Over 60% of childhood hearing loss is preventable through simple, cost-effective public health measures. Among those living with ear diseases or hearing loss, early identification and care are crucial to prevent long-term impacts on development, education, and future opportunities. Integrating systematic screening and early intervention programmes into school health and child health plans can ensure improved outcomes for children living with ear or hearing problems. Globally, over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet. Unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual cost of nearly US$1 trillion globally. Deeply ingrained societal mis-perceptions and stigmatizing mindsets are key factors that limit efforts for preventing and addressing hearing loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual cost of $980 billion each year. This is the cost incurred due to the impact of hearing loss without rehabilitation access, including productivity losses and social exclusion. Empowered individuals can drive change within themselves and in society at large Join Us, Empower yourself and others by taking steps today to ensure good hearing health throughout life. Follow the conservation with the hashtags: #worldhearingday; #hearingcare. #3march.

EVENTS: On March 3rd, to mark the World Hearing Day 2026; The Member States, partners and stakeholders will organize a webinar to raise awareness in communities, in order to address mis-perceptions around ear and hearing problems and ensure accessible ear and hearing care. The event will mark the launch of the WHO-ITU Global standard for safe listening in video game play and sports and the launch of the School module on smart listening, for inclusion into educational programs. It is an opportunity for all of us to make a difference. As stakeholders, partners, and advocates, we can collectively empower ourselves and others. As part of activities promoting World Hearing Day, the World Hearing Forum (WHF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Coalition for Global Hearing Health (CGHH) invite proposals for WHF-CGHH Small Grants for World Hearing Day 2026. Kindly register to participate to events to get global visibility. The event information will be made available to a wider global audience.

EXHIBITS: Changing mindsets is essential to making ear and hearing care accessible.Through this photo exhibition and related stories, the World Health Organization and the World Hearing Forum draws attention to the positive impact of timely identification and management of ear and hearing problems in order to correct existing mis-perceptions and change damaging mindsets.

PUBLICATIONS: This planning guide provides a basic and practical framework for any person or organization interested in observing World Hearing Day to raise awareness and promote ear and hearing care (EHC) at national and community levels across the world. The guide is a resource for those working in the field of ear and hearing care. It has been prepared to provide you with the World Hearing Day branding and key messages and introduce you to the resources for the development of your campaign. Use it to get involved with World Hearing Day and encourage others to join the global campaign. By uniting our efforts, we can help make ear and hearing care a worldwide priority issue. Read the Primary ear and hearing care training manual.

RESEARCH: This paper provides insights into the requirements and expectations of people with hearing loss in engagement with connected devices at home, derived from a questionnaire and a stakeholder workshop, and supported by relevant literature. Whether they like it or not, people with hearing loss may depend on a hearing person or technologies (e.g. hearing aid and voice recognition to text) to communicate and interact with the hearing world. While technology intervention can reduce needs for help from hearing people, it inevitably increases dependency on technologies. This can lead to people with hearing loss feeling out of control, especially when communication technologies do not function as expected, often without any back-up, failsafe or contingency plans. Without reliable technologies – mainstream and/or specialist – to bridge the gap between visual- and voice-based (oral) communications, people with hearing loss are at risk of isolation and exclusion.

Living with Hearing Loss in a Connected Home: White Paper from the UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP)

Induced Hearing Deficit Generates Experimental Paranoia: The development of paranoid reactions was investigated in normal people experiencing a temporary loss of hearing. Research from AAAS Science.

Rescue of autosomal dominant hearing loss by in vivo delivery of mini dCas13X-derived RNA base editor; Research from AAAS Science.

PROJECTS: Overview of Global Projects in Specific regions.

STATEMENTS: "World Hearing Day 2026 is an opportunity for all of us to make a difference. As stakeholders, partners, and advocates, we should collectively act now so no child is left behind due to ear and hearing problems." Read the full Message from the WHO Director-General on World Hearing Day 2026; March 3rd.

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Get the poster in English, in Chinese, in Russian, in French, in Spanish, in Arabic. The action tookit and campaign assets are also available.

World Seagrass Day 2026; March 1st.

FORUM: “From Roots to resilience: Seagrass in action.” World Seagrass Day 2026. Seagrass ecosystems are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, climate change, and natural disasters, putting the marine life that depends on them at risk. In recent years, however, the global movement to conserve these vital ecosystems has gained significant momentum. Seagrasses have been declining globally since the 1930s, with the most recent census estimating that 7% of this key marine habitat is being lost worldwide per year. It was recently noted that 21% of seagrass species are categorized as Near Threatened, Vulnerable and Endangered Species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. The combined pressures of coastal development, pollution, including land-based run-off, climate change, dredging and unregulated fishing and boating activities are key drivers of the degradation of seagrasses and their associated ecosystems. Seagrass improve water quality by filtering, cycling and storing nutrients and pollutants, reducing contamination in seafood.

The benefits from conserving and restoring seagrass meadows can also help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators associated with ten Sustainable Development Goals.

Given the carbon storage and sequestration capacity of seagrass ecosystems, including them in nationally determined contributions (NDCs) can help nations achieve their targets under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Inclusion of seagrass ecosystems in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is also critical for protecting the integrity of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Restoration of seagrasses also provides countries with opportunities to achieve commitments to be made to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #BlueTransformation, #savingseagrass, #Seagrass, #worldSeagrassesDay, #1march.

EVENTS: On March 1st, to mark the World Seagrass Day 2026, a virtual event will be held to find the ways to save seagrass meadows. Register to participate!

EXHIBITS: The IORA Indian Ocean Blue Carbon Hub is holding a photography competition to highlight these extraordinary ecosystems.

PUBLICATIONS: Seagrasses are one of the most widespread coastal habitats on the planet. They provide a range of environmental, economic and social benefits to humans, making them one of the most valuable coastal and marine ecosystems on Earth, but they are under threat.

1. Global Distribution of Seagrasses (Report)
2. Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Framework (Report)
3. Out of the Blue: The Value of Seagrasses to the Environment and to People (Report) provides recommendations to help restore them.
4. A new study maps the spatial distribution and status of seagrass beds along Manora’s coast in Tamil Nadu, a known dugong habitat, using acoustics and ground-truthing techniques, underscoring the potential for seagrass restoration.

Zero Discrimination Day 2026, March 1st.

FORUM: "People first". Zero Discrimination Day 2026. As the world works toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, we cannot succeed if discrimination stands in the way. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how we can all become informed and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change.  This year, UNAIDS shines a light on the persistent discrimination faced by people living with and at risk of HIV, discrimination that undermines access to health services, violates rights, and holds back progress toward ending AIDS by 2030. This year's Zero Discrimination Day highlights the need to put people first. The evidence is clear: HIV‑related stigma and discrimination put lives at risk. Based on data from more than 30,000 people living with HIV across 25 countries, stigma and discrimination remain pervasive barriers to health access, dignity, and human rights. According to the People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 Global Report, nearly one in four report being stigmatized by others, including in healthcare settings, where discrimination undermines trust and access to life‑saving services. In addition, 85% of people living with HIV feel internalized stigma, and many change their behaviour— hiding their HIV status, or interrupting HIV treatment—because of fear of rejection and judgment. These findings confirm that HIV‑related stigma is not a side issue; it is a barrier to ending AIDS by 2030.

NUMBERS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

• 1 in 4 have faced discrimination when seeking non-HIV health care: Healthcare facilities—places meant to heal—become sources of fear and rejection.
• 24% have experienced community discrimination in the past year: Verbal harassment, and exclusion from family and community activities remain commonplace.
• 38% feel ashamed of being HIV-positive: Internal stigma keeps people isolated and prevents them from seeking the support they need.
• 85% experience some form of internalized stigma: From hiding their status to feeling worthless, the psychological burden is immense.

For women and girls living with and affected by HIV, gender inequalities intersect with HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Reproductive coercion, mistreatment and abuse is a persistent and widespread manifestation of stigma and discrimination that occurs along the continuum of healthcare services. A review of data collected from 26,502 women living with HIV from 23 countries, which recently completed the Stigma Index 2.0, revealed that in every single country, women living with HIV have reported experiencing some form of coercion within the last 12 months. Intersectional stigma and discrimination also impacts their experience of other services, as well as community and domestic life and their access to justice and redress. Additionally, HIV-related stigma and discrimination combine with gender norms and inequalities to place a heavy burden of unrecognized and unpaid care on women and girls.

Discrimination continues to:

• Prevent people from testing for HIV
• Stop people from seeking HIV prevention services including medicine to prevent HIV
• Stop people from accessing treatment
• Drive people away from health services
• Deny people their fundamental human rights
• Fuel the AIDS epidemic

EVENT:  On March 1st; Zero Discrimination Day 2026, we celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life with dignity. The UNAIDS calls on governments, health care providers, employers, communities and individuals to listen to the voices of people living with and affected by HIV and act on the evidence, so no one feels “less than” because of their HIV status; health systems become spaces where people can seek testing, treatment, and care without discrimination.

The  UNAIDS invites everyone to:

​Sustain the gains: Protect and scale what works: by safeguarding funding for HIV, human rights; institutionalizing stigma-free practices in health systems, education, and workplaces; reforming and repealing discriminatory laws and policies; and defending hard-won community leadership, legal protections, and U=U progress.

Stand with communities: Support, fund and partner with community‑led organizations that lead advocacy efforts and provide trusted, stigma‑free services.

Register to participate!

ACTIONS: 

WHAT MUST CHANGE?

1. Remove discriminatory laws

• Countries must examine their policies and laws and eliminate those that discriminate, criminalize and harm people living with and risk of HIV—including laws that criminalize sex work, drug use, same-sex relationships, and HIV non-disclosure—that stand in the way of accessing health services.

2. Protect rights to access health care

• Ensure confidentiality
• Ensure training for health workers and implement zero-tolerance policies for discrimination
• End mandatory HIV testing
• Provide quality, compassionate care for all

3. Address stigma in communitiesChallenge myths and misinformation about HIV

• Promote U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)
• Support community education and awareness
• Build empathy and understanding

4. Support community-led responsesFund organizations led by people living with HIV

• Ensure meaningful participation in policy decisions
• Strengthen peer support networks
• Protect the rights of communities to lead HIV responses

​Share the facts: Use social media, workplaces, and schools to spread messages that HIV is a health condition, not a moral failing, and that people living with HIV can live long, healthy, dignified lives.

International Mother Language Day 2026; February 21st.

FORUM: "Youth voices on multilingual education." International Mother Language Day 2026. Young people are not only inheritors of linguistic diversity: they are key actors in its future. Ensuring that youth can access education, information and digital spaces in their own languages is essential for inclusion, equity and sustainable development. The theme emphasizes that language is more than a means of communication: it is central to identity, learning, well-being and participation in society. The celebration underscores the importance of education systems that recognize and value every learner’s language to support inclusion and learning outcomes.The 2026 edition will also highlight the growing digital dimension of multilingualism. Online content remains heavily concentrated in a limited number of languages, while AI systems rely primarily on dominant-language data. UNESCO continues to advance multilingualism in cyberspace through global policy frameworks, partnerships and initiatives supporting Indigenous and underrepresented languages. In February, UNESCO will celebrate the 26th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, reaffirming the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism in fostering dignity, peace, and understanding. This milestone highlights decades of efforts to preserve mother tongues, safeguard cultural heritage, and improve education. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #IMLD2026, #MotherLanguageDay, #mothertongue; #21February, #Multilingualeducation, #LanguagesMatter.

EVENT: On February 21st; The symposium to mark the 26th edition and the International Mother Language Day 2026 will take place from 17:00 pm to 18:30 pm in Room I at UNESCO House (Fontenoy). This year’s edition will highlight the vital role of youth in shaping multilingual education. Language is more than a communication tool. It is key to identity, learning, well-being and social participation and reaffirms the need for education systems that value every learner’s language to foster inclusion and improve outcomes. UNESCO places youth at the heart of this global conversation under the theme “Youth voices on multilingual education.”. The program of the 2026 celebration, organised by the Permanent Delegation of Bangladesh, will feature a high-level panel discussion with opening remarks by H.E. Khondker M. Talha, President of the General Conference, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Bangladesh to UNESCO, and H.E. Nasser Hamad Hinzab, President of the Executive Board, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Qatar to UNESCO, followed by an address by UNESCO Director-General Prof. Khaled El-Enany. A keynote address by Prof. Damián Blasi on “The future of mother languages in the AI era” will explore how artificial intelligence can either reinforce linguistic inequalities or help revitalize underrepresented languages. A ministerial panel discussion moderated by UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini will examine the role of language in peacebuilding and sustainable development. The evening will conclude with cultural performances (from 7pm to 8:30pm) organized by the Permanent Delegation of Bangladesh, featuring contributions from Member States and celebrating the richness of the world’s linguistic heritage while reaffirming the value of every language. The event is by invitation only. Register to participate!

ACTIVITIES: On February 13th; Ahead of International Mother Language Day, the UNESCO is organizing an online Campus event. Students aged 13–18 can participate, engage via chat, and exchange with international experts and peers from all regions. The activity offers a space for young people to share experiences and identify concrete actions to promote linguistic diversity in their schools and communities. The celebration of the International Decade on Indigenous Languages (2022 – 2032) is emphasizing the role of languages in achieving global development goals.

 Statement of the Director-General of the UNESCO on the International Mother Language Day 2026; February 21st.

Young people are the main guardians of the world’s linguistic diversity. They are the inheritors of nearly 7,000 spoken or signed languages – and of the responsibility to keep them alive and pass them on. Still, young people need to be introduced to linguistic diversity, and this begins at an early age, through education. This is why UNESCO’s theme for the celebration of this year’s International Mother Language Day, initiated by Bangladesh, is youth voices on multilingual education. The research on the subject is clear. As indicated in our recent report Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education, learning in one’s mother tongue promotes academic success, builds self-confidence and strengthens the predisposition to learning new languages. Yet 40% of the world’s children learn in a language which is not the one they speak at home. In light of this observation, UNESCO is pleased to be collaborating with Cameroon on the integration of more than 200 local languages into school and literacy programmes as international languages are also gradually being introduced. Likewise, within the framework of our collaboration with Mozambique, one in four schools now offers multilingual education, thanks to teacher training. Beyond its proven cognitive benefits, linguistic diversity is also a cultural and ecological matter, since each language carries with it a way of thinking, communicating and being in the world. Our Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity thus ensures the preservation of several types of oral expression on every continent: from the pasillo of Ecuador to the Mongolian Tuuli and to the Xeer Ciise in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. That is also why, as the lead agency for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), UNESCO provides more than 30 countries with support in this field: from the preservation of Mayan languages in Latin America to the preservation of the languages of the Hadzabe in the United Republic of Tanzania and the preservation of the languages of the Ju/’hoansi San in Namibia. Preserving linguistic diversity is ultimately also a digital issue. With most of online content produced in a dozen or so languages, linguistic exclusion becomes a form of digital exclusion. However, digital technology can also become a tool for transmission, and UNESCO is taking action in this area. For example, with Malaysia, it has helped young people to enrich Wiktionary by adding nearly 3,000 words from 25 endangered Indigenous languages. It has also launched the English–Kiswahili AI Dictionary in order to make artificial intelligence more accessible by providing clear definitions in Kiswahili of key terms related to AI. Finally, the UNESCO World Atlas of Languages enables greater knowledge of all endangered languages. On this International Mother Language Day, UNESCO is calling for investment in language transmission by placing young people at the heart of the solutions involved. Because linguistic diversity is a pillar of peace, dignity and inclusion. And no voice should be missing from the story of our humanity.

 Mr Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO.

PUBLICATION: Languages matter: global guidance on multilingual education published by UNESCO.

World Day of Social Justice 2026, February 20th.

FORUM: "Renewed commitment to Social Development and Social Justice." World Day of Social Justice 2026. The celebration of this day is of particular relevance as it takes place in the aftermath of the Second World Summit for Social Development and the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration. Building on the 2025 theme of strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future, the 2026 commemoration seeks to build on the momentum generated by the World Social Summit and the 64th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) for advancing social development and social justice through effective policy coordination, equity and inclusion. In 2025, the ILO launched a new report on The State of Social Justice: A work in progress showing major gains in education, poverty reduction and productivity over the past three decades, while entrenched inequalities, fragile trust in institutions and slow progress in key areas continued to hold back social justice worldwide. Key achievements since the first World Social Summit in 1995 include halving the rate of child labour among 5- to 14-year-olds from 20 to 10 per cent, reducing extreme poverty from 39 to 10 per cent, raising primary school completion rates by 10 percentage points, and achieving social protection coverage for over half of the world’s population. At the same time, stark deficits remain. Informality has fallen by only two percentage points in two decades and still affects 58 per cent of workers; the gender labour force participation gap has narrowed by just three percentage points since 2005 and remains at 24 per cent; and trust in institutions has been declining worldwide since 1982. The report stresses the need to place social justice at the core of policymaking – from finance and industry to health and climate – and to strengthen cooperation among governments, international institutions and social partners to deliver coherent responses to global challenges. The findings of the United Nations World Social Report 2025 echoes this call asserting the need for a new global policy consensus to accelerate social progress, anchored in equity, economic security for all, and solidarity. At the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, Member States of the United Nations demonstrated the political will to deliver social justice and advance social development as a shared global responsibility. The Doha Political Declaration, adopted at the Summit, reaffirms and renews the commitments made in the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration, centring poverty eradication, employment, and social inclusion, as the three critical and interrelated pillars of social development. At the same time, the Doha outcome acknowledges today’s global realities and their impact on social development, from the climate crisis and digital transformation to demographic change. The Doha Political Declaration asserts the need for macroeconomic policies that generate decent jobs and living wages, supported by stronger labour institutions and universal social protection for all, and underlines the need for fair and inclusive transitions in the digital and green economies, and greater investment in the care sector to create quality jobs to meet growing demand for care services. It urges stronger action to promote gender equality, expand opportunities for young people, and help workers and enterprises move from the informal to the formal economy. And, in reaffirming the global commitment to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, it acknowledges the work of the Global Coalition for Social Justice.In outlining the process of follow-up, the Doha Political Declaration reaffirms the Commission for Social Development as the primary platform for and review of the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome of the Doha Summit. In the first session of the Commission following the Summit, Member States considered the theme, “Advancing Social Development and Social Justice through Coordinated, Equitable and Inclusive Policies”, taking first steps to articulate the policy guidance needed for Doha implementation. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #20February, #SocialJusticeDay.

EVENTS: At UNHQ New York; On February 20th, from 01:15 PM. -02:30 PM. (EST); Conference Room 6; The 2026 World Day of Social Justice, convened by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Division for Inclusive Social Development at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), Within this context, this year’s World Day will focus on “Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice”. It aims to build on the momentum generated by the Second World Summit for Social Development and the first follow-up session of the Commission for Social Development to advance social justice for all. The event will provide an opportunity to examine how the renewed focus of the multilateral system on social development and social justice can be leveraged to strengthen the social dimension of sustainable development, accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promote social justice for all through concrete and actionable outcomes. Guided by the Doha Political Declaration and the deliberations and outcomes of CSocD64, the event will foster forward-looking dialogue on how progress in advancing social justice can be sustained and further strengthened, while addressing persistent and emerging challenges. Particular emphasis will be placed on multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing shared goals and priorities, and how existing initiatives, such as the Global Coalition for Social Justice, Doha Solutions Platform, and other initiatives showcasing relevant policy and partnerships, can generate political commitments, mobilize investments and deliver concrete action. Register to participate, get the concept note and watch the livestream!

On February 20th 2026; From 15:00 - 16:00 GMT+1 at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the event entitled ''From Doha commitment to action for social justice'' will advocate for sustained engagement by governments, social partners, and key stakeholders to advance the commitments outlined in the Political Declaration and through the implementation of the Coalition’s Key Interventions. Watch the event!

Agenda Programme

Opening session

Annalena Baerbock; President, 80th Session of the General Assembly, United Nations (UN).

Keynote intervention: Growth, innovation and social justice by Philippe Aghion; Nobel Laureate in Economics 2025.

Panel discussion: Operationalizing the Doha Declaration through collaboration and collective action

Colin Jordan; Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Barbados.
Christine Nkulikiyinka; Minister of Public Service and Labour, Rwanda.
Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman; President, Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).
Luc Triangle; General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
Gilbert F. Houngbo; Chair of the Panel discussion and Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO).

Closing remarks

Li Junhua; Secretary-General of the Second World Summit on Social Development and Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations (UN).

INITIATIVES: "Bridging Gaps and Building Alliances". A ground-breaking initiative will be launched to help intensifying collective efforts to urgently address social justice deficits and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Decent Work Agenda. In support of the Global Coalition for Social Justice.

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Day of Social Justice 2026; February 20th and the Statement of the ILO Director General on World Day of Social Justice 2026; February 20th.

LIVESTREAM: At UNHQ; The celebration of the World Day of Social Justice, 20 February, is a global reminder of The urgent need to build fairer, inclusive, and sustainable societies. The 2026 observance is of particular significance as it follows the Second World Summit on Social Development, held in Doha in November 2025. In this context this 60-minute online event seeks to carry forward the momentum generated by the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration by reaffirming social justice as a shared global priority. The event will provide a timely opportunity to underscore the urgency of translating political commitments into meaningful action. Serving as a moment of reflection and a call to action, the event will advocate for sustained engagement by governments, social partners, and key stakeholders to advance the commitments outlined in the Political Declaration and through the implementation of the Coalition's Key Interventions. Watch rom Doha commitments to action for Social Justice!

Agencies, Funds & Programmes