Our planet is under strain like never before: Temperatures are rising, biodiversity is collapsing, and nearly every person on Earth breathes unsafe air.
Yet there is hope.
Now is the time to invest in resilience, commit to justice, and remember what we are fighting for.
Sustainability is the bedrock on which all our other ambitions rest. Peace, prosperity, equality — none of these exist without a planet to exist on.
Now is the time for courage and creativity.
We must rapidly scale solutions on a range of challenges — from water management and climate resilience, to mining metals and the environmental footprint of Artificial Intelligence.
With the tide turning in favor of renewables, and the help of the next generation, transformation is within reach. We must transform broken systems, unite policy with science, and share solutions with all.
Now is the time set humanity on a path to protect our only home, for generations to come.
FORUM: “Innovative Pathways for Arabic: Policies and Practices for a More Inclusive Linguistic Future." Arabic Language Day 2025. The 2025 edition of World Arabic Language Day explores how innovation and inclusion can shape the future of the Arabic language. The celebrations will spotlight how education, media, technology, and public policy are driving more accessible, dynamic, and socially responsive uses of Arabic. Closely aligned with UNESCO’s MOST Programme, the theme reflects a commitment to inclusive, evidence-based approaches to social development. In an era of rapid digital transformation, this year’s focus on initiatives that expand Arabic’s presence across education systems, digital platforms, and public discourse, especially in multilingual or under-resourced communities. By showcasing forward-looking and cross-sector practices, the 2025 celebrations aim to promote linguistic equity, empower diverse communities, and ensure Arabic remains a vibrant, adaptable language rooted in its rich cultural heritage. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #ArabicLanguageDay, #18December, #Arabiclanguage, #Multilingualism.
With the recommendations of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and in celebration of Sharjah being chosen as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World for the year 1998, the Emirate of Sharjah proposed the establishment of the Sharjah Award for Arab Culture to UNESCO. The award aims to recognize the efforts of cultural figures, both men and women, as well as institutions or groups that contribute through their intellectual, artistic, or promotional works to the development and dissemination of Arab culture worldwide. Nominations for the award are proposed to the Director-General by the governments of member states of UNESCO and relevant non-governmental organizations that have official relations with UNESCO.
Terms and conditions of participation
The nomination for the award must be accompanied by a written recommendation, including:
Description of the nominee's works.
Summary of the results achieved by their works.
Statement of the nominee's contribution to the development or better dissemination of Arab culture.
Nomination files are submitted to the jury members, who discuss the entire set of nominations. Based on this, two winners are selected and proposed to the Director-General of UNESCO.
Selection Criteria:
Innovation
Contribution to research and promotion of societal values and aspirations, especially in the fields of women and youth.
Contribution to the development of cultural heritage.
Highlighting unity in the creative diversity of humanity.
Contribution to dialogue between cultures and civilizations.
The nominee's place and uniqueness of their vision regarding others.
Respect for others in their differences.
Necessary attachments
Nominees can be individuals, groups, or institutions that have contributed to the development, dissemination, and promotion of Arab culture worldwide, as well as the preservation of intangible Arab cultural heritage.
Additional notes
Selection of Winners:The winners are selected by the Director-General of UNESCO based on proposals submitted by the jury committee.
Awards The award is valued at $60,000 USD and is awarded annually by the Government of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), with equal distribution between winners from an Arab country and a non-Arab country.
This year’s theme highlights how human mobility drives growth, enriches societies, and helps communities connect, adapt, and support one another. This year observance gives us a special opportunity to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of millions of migrants around the world. It's also a day for us to highlight the increasingly complex environment in which migration occurs. Migration is a defining force of our century. Remittances to low- and middle-income countries are projected to reach a record USD 685 billion, and migrants are central to addressing labour shortages, driving innovation, and supporting demographic stability. Yet these contributions can only be maximized when migration is safe, orderly, and responsibly governed. Well-managed migration is a strategic asset: it strengthens resilience, fuels prosperity, and supports social cohesion. From documentation and skills recognition to integration and dignified return, effective systems ensure migrants can find stability, support their families, and build new futures, while helping communities adapt and thrive. Conflicts, climate-related disasters and economic pressures continue to drive millions of people from their homes in search of safety or simply opportunity. This past year, we saw record levels of internal displacement, rising humanitarian needs across ongoing and new crises, and, tragically, the highest-ever death toll of migrants in transit. Yet, alongside these challenges, are stories of resilience, progress and hope. Where safe and well-managed migration holds extraordinary potential. Migrants play critical roles in labour markets, filling skills gaps, driving innovation and entrepreneurship, and addressing demographic challenges in aging societies. Migrants boost economic growth and provide a lifeline to families and communities back home, driving development. The evidence is overwhelming that when migration is managed safely and strategically, it can be a powerful force for good. By supporting regular pathways for migration, we can enable opportunities for migrants, better protect their rights, and contribute to greater prosperity in the countries migrants come from and those that host them. Together, one step at a time, we can continue building a world where migration is safe, orderly, and beneficial – for everyone. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalMigrantsDay, #18December, #MigrantsDay, #safeMigration, #RegularMigration, #OrderlyMigration.
EVENTS: On December 18th, the UN Migration, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and the specialized agencies will host a webinar to mark the day from the IOM Headquarter in Switzerland. Migration continues to shape economies, communities, and global development. On this International Migrants Day 2025, the International Organization for Migration calls for smarter policies, stronger cooperation, and a renewed commitment to making migration work for all. Because every migrant’s journey is a story of resilience and possibility, and because when migration is managed well, each personal story becomes part of a larger one that enriches cultures, strengthens development, and benefits us all. “My Great Story” is not only a migrant’s story—it is our shared story of building a fairer, more sustainable future through mobility. Register to participate!
Migration is a powerful driver of progress — lifting economies, connecting cultures, and benefiting countries of origin and destination alike.
Yet when migration is poorly governed or misrepresented, it can fuel hate and division, endangering the lives of people seeking safety and opportunity.
Since 2014, nearly 70,000 migrants have died or gone missing along land and sea routes, with the true number likely far higher. Borders are tightening, smugglers and traffickers are thriving, and women and children are among the most at risk.
Seven years ago, the international community adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration — an effort to maximize migration’s benefits while managing its challenges.
We can and must harness the power of migration to advance sustainable development and build more resilient societies. This starts with challenging the narratives that dehumanize migrants, and replacing them with stories of solidarity.
On this International Migrants Day, let us stand together for the rights of every migrant, and make migration dignified and safe for all.
Today, on International Migrants Day, we celebrate migration as a powerful story of resilience, connection, and shared progress. The theme — “My Great Story: Cultures and Development” — recognizes the profound ways in which human mobility shapes our world: enriching societies, sparking innovation, and advancing sustainable development when grounded in dignity and rights.
Migration has always been a force that binds the world together. Across borders and generations, the movement of people has driven cultural exchange, strengthened communities, and energized economies.
At the heart of this story are women.
Whether migrating themselves, supporting loved ones from afar, or adapting to the changes migration brings to their households, women play a vital and often invisible role. Their earnings sustain families. Their care work supports entire communities. Their leadership helps societies adapt and flourish.
Yet for too many migrant women and girls, the journey is marked by risk — not opportunity. Unsafe working conditions, discrimination, violence, and lack of legal protection continue to threaten their rights and safety. Even as they send life-changing remittances home, these contributions often come at great personal cost.
UN Women is working in partnership with governments, civil society, and migrant-led organizations around the world to uphold the rights and dignity of migrant women and girls — and to ensure their voices lead the conversation.
In Ethiopia, for example, a young woman from Tigray who survived exploitation as a domestic worker abroad returned home and began to rebuild her life. With support from UN Women’s partner, Agar Ethiopia, she accessed shelter, health care, legal aid, psychosocial support, and vocational training. Her journey toward justice and recovery shows what’s possible when services are survivor-centred and gender-responsive.
This is what it means to protect rights and unlock potential.
As we mark this day, UN Women honours the strength, leadership, and courage of migrant women and girls everywhere. Their stories are stories of hope, transformation, and global connection. Their contributions are essential — to families, communities, and the shared future we are building together.
Today we're celebrating something that touches all of us every single day, often without us even realizing it. Migration. It's in the food we share, the music that moves us. The ideas powering our businesses, our sports, our technology. People on the move shape our world quietly, beautifully, and far too often without recognition. So this year's theme, my great story, reminds us that behind every journey is a story of strength, of someone who is seeking opportunity, building a better life, supporting loved ones, or using their talent to create something new. Migration is not simply about moving from one place to another. It is fundamentally about contribution. When migration is safe and well-governed, everyone benefits. Workers fill essential roles. Students learn and innovate. Families find stability. Communities grow stronger. And achieving this means investing in systems that help people access documents, education, services, decent work for decent pay, and when they choose a dignified return home. But no country can do this alone. We need partnerships across governments, communities, the private sector, and migrants themselves. Today we celebrate migrants as builders of progress and bridges between cultures. Their stories are not stories of crisis. They are stories of possibility. So let's honor these stories. Let's work together to make sure that every person on the move can live, contribute, and thrive with dignity.
I'm America Ferrer and this is my great story. I like to think of my story as a migration story, but it's not just mine. It's a story shared by millions of people who have left home. Sometimes because they had no choice and sometimes because they saw a chance. People who took risks in the hope of a better, safer, more hopeful future. For my family, that meant leaving Honduras and starting over in a place that promised opportunity, but demanded courage and hard work in return. My mother worked tirelessly so my siblings and I could grow up believing that anything was possible. I carry their journey and their sacrifices with me today. Every challenge, every audition, every achievement felt like part of a larger path, one built on courage, determination, and hope. And today when I look back from my humble beginnings to realizing my wildest dreams, I am reminded just how beautiful our stories are. Stories of overcoming hardship, beginning again, building homes and communities, and contributing even when the odds are against us. These are the stories that connect us, inspire us, and remind us that migration is at its core a human story and one that will always live close to my heart. This is my great story. What's yours?
Through his encounters with migrants across the globe, IOM Global Goodwill Ambassador Dimash Qudaibergen shares how their strength, hope and resilience shaped his passion to stand with them and uplift their voices.
FORUM: “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!” International Universal Health Coverage Day 2025. The theme focuses on the lived experience behind these statistics, reminding government decision-makers that unaffordable health costs are making our communities poorer and sicker and holding us back on all of the Sustainable Development Goals. On UHC Day, WHO calls for urgent action to implement financial protection measures and eliminate out-of-pocket expenses. Despite numerous high-level political commitments to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, more than half of the world’s population still lacks access to essential health services. One in four people face financial hardship when paying for health care out of their own pockets-often at the expense of basic needs such as food, education or housing. Health for all is a prerequisite for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Healthier populations foster communities that are more resilient, productive, peaceful and prosperous. When people delay or forgo health care due to costs, they risk worsening health outcomes and longer-term health and financial burden. Conversely, when governments prioritize to ensure people have access to affordable health care, they lay the groundwork for sustainable progress across all sectors. This UHC Day, let’s share the stories behind the data to remind leaders that these aren’t just statistics, but human lives we’re talking about, Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Timeforaction, #Healthexpenditure, #InvestinHealth, #healthForAll, #UHC, #12December, #UHCday, #UniversalHealthCoverage.
EVENTS: On December 12th, the Universal Health Coverage Day 2025 shines a spotlight on the devastating human impact of unaffordable health costs. More than half the world’s population still lacks access to essential health services. And a quarter of them face financial hardship when paying for health care out of their own pockets, often at the expense of food, education or housing. These numbers can be hard to grasp, but we must not forget that there are real people behind them. Register to participate!
In 2025, the power of impartiality within the UN context is highlighted by the International Year of Peace and Trust, emphasizing fair dialogue, upholding international law impartially (not equally in violations), and maintaining credibility in peacekeeping, all while tackling new threats like tech weaponization and climate change through "A New Agenda for Peace" and initiatives like the Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial focused on tech & training for unbiased action.
Key Aspects of Impartiality in 2025:
Foundation for Peace: The observance of the year 2025 as International Year of Peace and Trust emphasizes inclusive dialogue and trust-building among nations, requiring impartial mediation. Not Neutrality: UN peacekeeping is impartial to conflict parties (treating them fairly) but not neutral to violations; it must uphold international law, penalizing infractions without condoning them. Credibility: Rigorous impartiality is vital for the UN's legitimacy, even if it risks misinterpretation or retaliation, ensuring parties consent to its presence. Adapting to New Threats: "A New Agenda for Peace" addresses modern challenges (tech, inequality, climate) demanding impartial responses that don't favor any single agenda. Concrete Actions: The 2025 Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin focused on emerging tech and training to improve impartial operations and accountability.
In essence, impartiality in 2025 means being a fair, consistent arbiter, holding all parties accountable to law and principle, especially as global challenges escalate.
FORUM: “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond” International Mountain Day 2025. The theme will highlight the importance of glacier preservation for agriculture, water security and the livelihoods of vulnerable mountain communities. Glaciers, vast reserves of ice and snow found across the planet, are far more than frozen landscapes - they are lifelines for ecosystems and communities. Yet, these critical components of the Earth's systems are undergoing rapid and alarming transformations with profound consequences for us all. Glaciers and ice sheets hold around 70 percent of the world's freshwater. Their accelerated melting represents not only an environmental crisis, but a humanitarian one, threatening agriculture, clean energy, water security and billions of peoples’ lives. Their retreat, driven by rising global temperatures, is a stark indicator of the climate crisis. Melting glaciers and thawing permafrost increase risks such as floods, glacier lake outburst floods, landslides or enhanced erosion and sediment, endangering downstream populations and critical infrastructure. Economically, sectors like agriculture, hydropower, mountain tourism and transportation feel the strain of glacier changes. For many Indigenous Peoples, glaciers are sacred, and their disappearance signifies a loss of identity and connection to nature. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to raise awareness on the vital role glaciers, snow and ice play in the climate system and water cycle, as well as the far-reaching impacts of rapid glacial melt. It aims to promote global collaboration, strengthen scientific research, and promote policies and actions to protect glaciers and cryospheric systems. Follow the conversations with the hashtags:#MountainDay, #ReadingMountains, #11December,#MountainsMatter, #mountainecosystem, #ecosystemservice, #InternationalMountainDay.
EVENTS: On thursday,December 11th, 2025, from 11.00 - 16.30 CET at the Atrium, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy;Join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at aneventin the FAO atrium to celebrate International Mountain Day 2025. Theeventwill feature prominent speakers and a dynamic set of activities that bring together global leaders, experts, mountain community representatives and change makers. Register to participate!
Glaciers matter for food, water and livelihoods in mountains and beyond,
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat will host a high-level event on 11 December at FAO’s Sheikh Zayed Centre from 10.00-11.35 (CET). It will also be webcast in all 6 UN languages.
The programme opens with a video message from FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, followed by statements from distinguished speakers and mountain champions, the Mountain Future Award ceremony and a mountain youth panel discussion.
From 11.35 to 15.00 (CET), the celebration continues in FAO’s Atrium with the “From glaciers to cones” tasting experience, where visitors can enjoy artisanal ice cream and mountain products from Slow Food producers in Italy.
The Atrium will also host the interactive exhibition “On the Trail of the Glaciers” from 8 to 19 December. On display will be a striking visual exploration of glacier retreat around the world through comparative photographs and videos taken across time.
Provisional programme - Sheikh Zayed Centre
High-level segment Zhimin Wu, Director, Forestry Division, FAO (moderator) High-level statementsQU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO (video message) H.E. Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on mountain regions development H.E. Krisztina Bende, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Swiss Confederation to FAO Filippo Lonardo, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Italy to FAO José Eduardo González Mantilla, Deputy Permanent Representative of Peru to the International Organizations based in Rome Mountain Future Award 2025 ceremony
Giorgio Grussu, Project Coordinator, Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS), FAO (moderator) H.E. Jonibek Hikmat, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations (TBC), presents the award to the three winners together with the sponsors Forte di Bard, Slow Food Italia and Sapienza University of Rome – Polo Museale H.E. Taalai Bazarbaev, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to FAO, presents special award prize Mountain Youth voices: Stories from the Glaciers Stefania Corrado, Communication and Advocacy Specialist, MPS, FAO (moderator) Panel discussion featuring Mountain Youth Hub representatives:Jigchen Norbu, Bhutan Sambat Ranabhat, Nepal Mari Khruleva, Russian Federation Closing remarksLudovica Tancredi Martinelli, Chair of the Mountain Partnership Steering Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy
Exhibition and ice cream tasting, FAO Atrium
11.35–15.00: From glaciers to cones - An opportunity to taste artisanal ice cream crafted with glacier and mountain water-fed ingredients by Slow Food producers in Italy, as well as high-value mountain products. 8-19 December: "On the Trail of the Glaciers" exhibition; This interactive exhibition will display a striking visual exploration of glacier retreat around the world through large-scale comparison photos.
As we dedicate IMD 2025 to glaciers, it is our shared responsibility to preserve these ancient ice formations, which are a crucial testimony of the Earth's history, the source of life for billions, and sacred places for many cultures. While “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond” is the proposed theme, countries, communities and organizations can celebrate IMD 2025 in ways that resonate most with their challenges and priorities choosing a different theme as appropriate.
Mountain future Award 2025: If you have a brilliant idea for a transformative project on glaciers, sustainable mountain economies & livelihoods; Apply for the 2025 Mountain Future Award - winners receive a cash prize to support implementation.
Glaciers are more than frozen landscapes — they are lifelines. Mountain glaciers and other cryosphere components are crucial for agricultural production, livelihoods and water and food security with about 70 percent of the Earth’s freshwater existing as glaciers and ice caps. Climate change is a major driver of cryosphere change, including the melting of glaciers. Mountain water flows are therefore becoming more uncertain and variable, affecting the quantity, timing and quality of water for agriculture. When managed sustainably, mountain agriculture is not a driver of degradation but a solution, one that restores degraded ecosystems safeguards soil and water, enhances biodiversity and strengthens the resilience of mountain communities This brief, published by the Mountain Partnership on International Mountain Day, is a contribution to the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 and it provides an opportunity to Raise awareness about the vital role of glaciers and other cryospherecomponents both within mountain settings anddownstream, and offers several considerations for policymakers and practitioners.
Mountains are home to a variety of ecosystems that provide vital services directly to 1.1 billion people and billions of others living in connected lowland areas. Half of humanity depends on mountains for the provision of freshwater alone. Mountain ecosystems cool local temperatures, increase water retention, provide carbon storage, and reduce the risk of erosion and landslides. Mountain forests, wetlands and grasslands also host and support half the world’s biodiversity hotspots. But the world’s mountain ecosystems are under attack due to their particular sensitivity to the planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and pollution and waste. Evidence shows that mountain ecosystems are affected at a faster rate than many other terrestrial habitats. This publication, jointly developed by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Environment Programme, analyses several mountain ecosystem restoration projects and recommends how the UN Decade’s Ten Principles for Ecosystem Restoration can be applied to mountain ecosystems. Mountain restoration success stories from initiatives that have been selected or shortlisted as the UN Decade’s World Restoration Flagships are also highlighted.
Women play a key role in environmental protection and social and economic development in mountain areas. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity and keepers of traditional knowledge. Empowering rural women is crucial to eradicating hunger and poverty. Yet, due to discriminatory social norms, rural women still face more barriers than men in terms of access to strategic resources and the opportunity to raise their voices, which limits their potential as economic agents and resilience-builders. This publication highlights the stories and voices of mountain women, with a focus on rural areas and mountain tourism, and outlines a path forward to promote their empowerment and help them to realize their potential as agents of sustainable mountain development. It includes on-the-ground interviews with mountain women in eight countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal and the United Republic of Tanzania) and the results of a global survey. This study is published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, together with the Feminist Hiking Collective – a non-profit organization and transnational hub for feminist hikers, and a member of the Mountain Partnership.
TAKE ACTION:
Stay tuned for resources in all six UN languages that can be shared widely across your networks.
Join the conversation on social media using the #MountainsMatter hashtag.
Pass on key messages or take a photo of your favourite mountain and share it with us and your friends.
Organize or participate in activities that celebrate mountains and glaciers, including virtual presentations and events, photo competitions, art exhibitions and hikes.
FORUM: "Our Everyday Essentials" Human Rights Day 2025. The theme seeks to reaffirm the enduring relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and its core values — equality, justice, freedom, and dignity — reminding us that human rights remain a steadfast promise for society. The campaign highlights two interconnected aspects of human rights: the extraordinary nature of their founding as one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges, and their everyday, essential presence woven into our lives. The abstract becomes real when we realize that everyday actions — spending time with family, reading the news, walking freely, drinking clean water, or enjoying a meal — are made possible by human rights in practice. These essentials are enshrined in the UDHR: the right to an adequate standard of living (Article 25), which guarantees food, basic needs, and a healthy environment; the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19), which ensures access to information; the right to education (Article 26), which enables understanding and informed decisions; and the right to rest and leisure (Article 24), which allows time for well-being and connection with others. Yet, these simple acts are not possible everywhere. By bridging the gap between the principles of human rights and daily experiences, Our Everyday Essentials campaign seeks to raise awareness, inspire confidence, and encourage collective action. Beyond inviting reflection, the campaign provides a space for people to share what they consider essential in their daily lives, transforming the concept of connection into a concrete reality. Participants are invited to share what matters most in their daily lives. Together, these personal experiences form a rich mosaic of voices and perspectives. Human rights shape our everyday lives — from safety and dignity to freedom and equality, today we call for action to protect these universal values. Together, we can stand up for what is essential to us all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #HumanRightsDay, #10December, #HumanRights, #Oureverydayrights, #oureverydayessentials.
Nearly eighty years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights defined what every person needs to survive and thrive. It was a philosophical and political breakthrough — and it has been the bedrock of our global community ever since.
Human rights — civil, political, economic, social and cultural — are inalienable, indivisible and interdependent. But recent years have brought a shrinking of civic space. We have grave violations that signal a flagrant disregard for rights, and a callous indifference to human suffering.
Together, we have the power to confront these injustices: by protecting the institutions that make human rights a lived reality.
Every day, the United Nations helps people around the world realize their most basic rights. Together with civil society and governments, we deliver food and provide shelter; support education and elections; clear mines; defend the environment; empower women; and strive for peace.
But we cannot do it alone. This work depends on all people, everywhere, taking a stand. When we protect the most vulnerable, when we refuse to look away, when we speak up for the institutions that speak up for us, we keep human rights alive.
Our rights should never take second place to profit or power. Let us unite to protect them, for the dignity and freedom of all.
“Human rights are our compass in turbulent times — guiding and steadying us through uncertainty,” said UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, marking the launch of the 2025 Human Rights Day campaign, celebrated on December 10.
In 2025, the very foundations of human rights have been put to the test.
“Inequalities are rising, conflicts are raging, the climate emergency is mounting, and some are creating and trying to deepen divisions within societies and between countries. But we must not give up,” said Türk in his video message marking the 80th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.
“We need more solidarity and more human rights to address the current challenges. It is crucial to keep advocating for our fundamental rights,” he said.
The collection of testimonies, messages, and images gathered under the umbrella of “Everyday Essentials” not only illustrates the impact of rights in action but also fosters meaningful connections among people across the globe. Human rights are a shared responsibility, upheld not only through laws and policies but also through the everyday choices we make and the actions we take. Türk underlined the enduring value of human rights in a context of escalating uncertainty, issuing a call for empowerment.
“The world is facing wars, mass displacement, escalating hatred, and growing inequalities,” said Türk. “Yet compassion — expressed through inclusive policies and acts of solidarity — can transform lives and bridge divisions. Human rights are a shared project. Our strength lies in standing together.”
As Türk stated, while urging full-scale financial, political, and strategic support, human rights are a powerful force for good — the thread that binds people together in times of instability.
“We need to build on this energy, at a time when disquiet, disenfranchisement, disillusionment, and disarray are spreading across the world.”
FORUM:"Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity.'' International Anti-Corruption Day 2025. To effectively promote a culture of integrity across the public and private sectors and build a generation that stands up to corruption, education is key. It teaches values of transparency, accountability and integrity from an early age. By promoting integrity and ethical behaviour within their social circles and challenging small-scale corruption at the community level, it's time develop innovative solutions to address corruption on a global scale. Let's leverage technologies such as blockchain, AI, online platforms, social media and innovative apps to enhance transparency, increase access to information and create tools that facilitate anonymous reporting of corrupt practices.Building a just world and a sustainable planet is only possible if corruption doesn’t stand in the way. United, we can combat corruption. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #9December, #UnitedAgainstCorruption, #IACD2025 .
