World Habitat Day 2026; October 5th.

FORUM: "Adequate Housing for All" World Habitat Day 2026. The world is facing a global housing crisis. More than 3 billion people lack access to adequate housing today. Furthermore, more than 1.1 billion people, continue to live in an informal settlement, and hundreds of millions are experiencing homelessness. This crisis is exacerbated by conflicts, disasters, and climate change, with individuals living in informal settlements facing the harshest impacts and having the least ability to recover. Housing is acknowledged as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Other than it being well established as a right that the world is yet to deliver, people facing the challenge of inadequate housing are also deprived of dignity, safety, stability and opportunity. The Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2026 builds on a renewed wave of political commitment to Adequate Housing. At the second session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, 2023 Member States adopted resolution2/7, which focuses on ensuring adequate housing for all, and resolution 2/2, which aims to transform informal settlements and slums. In these resolutions, Member States have urged UN-Habitat to strengthen its efforts in these important areas and UN Habitat launched the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Groupon Adequate Housing for All, as an intergovernmental process to help contribute to solving for this challenge. Further through the Pact for the Future, Member States have also committed to ensuring that everyone has access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing. This year also marks the first Urban October under UN-Habitat’s new Strategic Plan 2026–2029, which places housing, land and basic services at the centre of the organization’s mandate. The Baku Call to Action from the thirteenth World Urban Forum held in May 2026, emphasises the importance of a human rights approach to housing and encourages a shift from diagnosis to action. Housing is essential for achieving the SustainableDevelopment Goals. Making progress on both the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda is closely tied to our ability to provide adequate housing for everyone. World Habitat Day will highlight the importance of adequate housing for thriving communities and the actions needed to make it a reality. This requires targeted efforts for lower-income groups, people experiencing disasters, crisis and homelessness, and those most at risk of displacement. Success depends on how we plan and manage our cities, recognizing the social, economic and ecological functions of land, promoting secure land tenure, preventing urban sprawl, and ensuring housing is located within well-serviced, liveable neighbourhoods. Achieving adequate housing also requires diversifying how housing is produced and delivered, through social, public, rental, cooperative and community-led models alongside market-based solutions. Housing must be environmentally sustainable, climate resilient and culturally appropriate, while prioritizing the upgrading andtransformation of informal settlements to improve conditions for those most in need. Above all, these efforts rely on effective multilevel governance, supported by enabling policies and legislation, robust data, and adequate financing. The Global Observance, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in Muscat, will kick off the Home & Building Expo and Urban October. It will provide a global platform for exchanging experiences, showcasing innovative approaches, and strengthening partnerships that advance the right to adequate housing in practice.  In line with UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and resolution 2/7 on adequate housing for all, the objectives of the World Habitat Day 2026 will: 1. Showcase innovative practices that advance adequate housing for all and recognise outstanding contributions through the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, one of the world’s most prestigious human settlements awards. 2. Reaffirm adequate housing as a human right and a cornerstone for achieving the SustainableDevelopment Goals and the New Urban Agenda. 3. Raise awareness of the drivers contributing to the global housing crisis, including unaffordability,informality, insecure tenure, climate impacts, displacement and inadequate conditions and highlight the ongoing gap between commitment and actual progress. 4. Promote dialogue on inclusive, integrated and holistic housing strategies that reach all households and all forms of tenure, with targeted efforts for those in the most vulnerable situations. 5. Highlight the central role of all levels of governments, effective multilevel governance, national urbanpolicies, housing law, well-planned, well-located compact neighbourhoods, in realising adequatehousing. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldHabitatDay, #UrbanOctober, #urbancrisisresponse, #Right2Housing, #MindtheGap, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #adequatehousing.

EVENTS: On 5 October 2026, the Global Observance of World Habitat Day will be related to "Adequate Housing for All". The global housing crisis whereby an estimated 2.8 billion people face various forms of housing inadequacy, in which close to 1.1 billion reside in slums and informal settlements, calls for urgent and concerted action. World Habitat Day will consider how to realize the ambition of ensuring access to adequate housing for all as a cornerstone for achieving the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda. Register to participate!

AGENDA PROGRAMME OF THE GLOBAL OBSERVANCE OF WORLD HABITAT DAY 2026.

10.30 -11:00 ARRIVAL OF ATTENDEES (All guests to be seated by 11:00)
11:00 - 11:45 NATIONAL OBSERVANCE HIGH-LEVEL OPENING
11:45 - 12:30 GLOBAL OBSERVANCE HIGH-LEVEL OPENING

UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR AWARDS: The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, launched in 1989, recognizes individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to urban development, including improving the quality of urban life for all and ensuring adequate, affordable, and accessible housing.

12:30 - 12:45 SIGNING CEREMONY FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
12:45 - 13:30 INAUGURATION OF THE EXPO
15:00 - 15:15 SCROLL OF HONOUR
15:15 - 16:00 MINISTERIAL SEGMENT
16:00 - 17:15 FLAGSHIP DIALOGUE: ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR ALL
17:15 - 17:30 CLOSING CEREMONY

Related Sites and Documents: Concept note & Agenda programme (pdf).

LIVESTREAM: Watch the World Habitat Day 2026 - "Adequate Housing for All" (Muscat, Oman) (Morning Session)!

ARRIVAL OF ATTENDEES (All guests to be seated by 11:00) 10.30 –11:00 

NATIONAL OBSERVANCE HIGH-LEVEL OPENING 11:00 – 11:45 

GLOBAL OBSERVANCE HIGH-LEVEL OPENING 11:45 – 12:30 

Opening address by master of ceremonies World Habitat Day 2026 video Video message from Nga Kor Ming, President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly and Minister of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia Message from António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, read by Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive-Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Welcome address by Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habita

SIGNING CEREMONY FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS 12:30 – 12:45 

UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR AWARDS

 Introduction by master of ceremonies Award ceremony • Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan, representing the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency, Lahore, Pakistan • Htoo Aung, representing Housing NOW, Bago, Myanmar • Thiago Bauermann Gubert representing Aldeia do Espraiado - Tekoa Ara Hovy: Brazil’s First Indigenous village established by a Brazilian Municipality • Abdelmalek Ghannem, Bizerte, Tunisia • Sadiq Khan, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

INAUGURATION OF THE EXPO 12:45 – 13:30

MINISTERIAL SEGMENT 15:00 – 15:45

FLAGSHIP DIALOGUE: ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR ALL 15:45 – 17:00 

MODERATOR: Rania Hedeya, Director, Regional Office for Arab States, UN-Habitat 

PANELISTS: • Elena Carolina Díaz Galán, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights • Dr Asmus Hammerich, WHO Representative to Oman • Melani Penjani Chirwa, Programmes Coordinator, Slum Dwellers International (SDI) • Rony Lahoud, General Director, Public Corporation for Housing, Lebanon • Sultan Barakat, Professor of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar Foundation) and Honorary Professor, University of York • Partha Mukhopadhyay, Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, India • Wendy Werner, World Bank Group Country Manager for Oman CLOSING CEREMONY 17:00 – 17:20 

Closing session by the master of ceremonies Closing remarks, TBC Closing remarks by Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat Group photo session

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Get the campaign toolkit & other assets!

World Cleanup Day 2026; September 20th.

FORUM: ''From Clean Plates to Clean Cities.'' United Nations World Cleanup Day 2026. This year’s global observance will focus on food waste, one of the largest and most preventable waste streams affecting cities and communities worldwide. It was estimated that1.1B people live in informal settlements, monitored that between 8–10% of global GHG emissions are from food waste, and about 1B+meals are wasted daily Every day, more than 1 billion meals are wasted globally, while millions of people continue to face hunger and lack basic services. Food waste places enormous pressure on waste systems, contributes to climate change, wastes land and water resources, and represents a missed opportunity to build more resilient and equitable systems. During this observance we will focus on the urgent need to: Raise awareness and encourage everyday habits that reduce waste; to Promote responsible production, purchasing and consumption practices; to Strengthen local food recovery, organic waste and circular economy systems; to Advance partnerships and policies that support resilient and resource-efficient cities and to Encourage waste separation, redistribution, composting and recovery of organic waste. What’s your go-to habit for wasting less food at home?.This year, we will Showcase #innovativepolicies, technologies and partnerships that #accelerateaction on #foodwasteprevention, #circulareconomy & #sustainableurbandevelopment.

EVENTS: On Sunday, September 20th, 2026, people around the world unite for World Cleanup Day. It is a global movement that goes beyond cleaning up waste and aims to address the systems that generate it. The global observance of World Cleanup Day 2026 will take place on 20 September 2026. The event will provide a platform for international dialogue, knowledge-sharing and partnership-building to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda —advancing more resource-efficient, resilient and inclusive cities. The city host is the city of📍 Shaoxing, in the Zhejiang Province, in China.

Food waste fuels the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Food loss and waste account for an estimated 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and food waste alone contributes significantly to methane emissions from disposal sites. These impacts are felt most acutely in cities, where inadequate waste management and growing volumes of waste place additional pressure on urban infrastructure and public health. For the more than 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements and slums, the consequences are particularly severe, increasing exposure to pollution, disease, flooding and other climate-related risks. Addressing food waste is therefore not only an environmental imperative but also an important step towards building healthier, more resilient and more equitable cities. By reducing food waste, World Cleanup Day supports progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and more circular and resilient urban food systems. Get the agenda programme!

Statement of the United Nations Under Secretary General Li Shaoxing on World Cleanup Day 2026.

Excellencies, distinguished participants, it is my great honor to address the global observance of the world clean update 2026.

Today we focused on vital road of the cities and citizens in tackling west challenges and advancing the transition towards a circular economy.

I thank the government of China our host city of Shiaoing UN Habitat and all partners for bringing us together around an issue so fundamental to protecting and sustaining our planet's ecosystems.

We meet at a critical moment. With only four years remaining until 2030, the global community faces profound sustainable development challenges. According to the latest 2026 SDG progress report, progress remains deeply uneven across the goals and among countries, severely hampered by compounding shocks, interconnected crisis and escalating conflicts.

In addition, unmet financing targets risk putting many SDGs targets beyond reach. Yet, if there is one lesson from the first decade of implementing the 2030 agenda, it is these challenges are not merely problems to be managed.

They are catalysts to transform. They demand a fundamental transformation which will reshape our societies, our economies and our relationship with the planet. This transformation will not happen in isolation. It requires the underlying commitment, creativity and the leadership of the governments, international organizations, development banks, the private sector, academia, civil society, youth representatives, and many others around the world.

The theme of this year's water cleanup day, from clean plate to clean city, highlights a critical entry point for real progress. Transitioning to a circular society, allows us to build a sustainable model that harmonizes economic growth with environmental stewardship. Excellencies, my department, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is deeply honored to lead and coordinate many of these efforts, working closely with the broader UN system and partners worldwide.

Together, we can forge a future where the resources are valued rather than discarded, where the waste is eliminated by design, and where our economies and ecosystems shrived together.

By leveraging digital innovation, artificial intelligence and a smart urban infrastructure, we can build clean, green and resilient cities. Let elevate the quality of life for all people. Let us act with ambition, solidarity and determination this moment demands. We are working to ensure that the 2030 agenda delivers meaningful lasting change for present and future generations.

Thank you.

United Nations Under Secretary General Li Shaoxing.

Statement by the UN-Habitat Executive Director on World Cleanup Day 2026.

Around 1/3 of all food produced globally is lost or wasted. Food loss and waste account for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, placing immense pressure on [music] our climate, natural resources, and municipal waste systems. As we mark World Cleanup Day 2026, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the city of Shiaoeng for hosting this year's global observance. I commend the leadership in advancing practical solutions, demonstrating how cities can drive innovation, collaboration, and collective action towards more sustainable urban futures.

I also want to recognize the extraordinary World Cleanup Day Movement. Last year alone, around 25 million volunteers in more than 190 countries and territories came together to clean their [music] communities, demonstrating the power of collective action. This year's theme, from clean plates to clean cities, reminds us that the journey to sustainable cities starts at home. The choices we make in our [music] kitchens and communities shape the way our cities function. Young people, community groups, and citizens are leading this transformation through everyday actions that inspire change. At UN Habitat, we see waste as part of a larger urban ecosystem. Waste is reduced when cities are well planned, when essential services are accessible, and when communities are actively engaged. Yet too many people, particularly 1 billion people living in informal settlements and slums, still lack regular waste collection and basic services. Addressing the global housing crisis and improving access to basic services and resilient infrastructure are essential to building cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive cities.

City governments are at the forefront of action. They design [music] and oversee waste management, regulate services, and work directly with communities. National governments play a critical role in [music] creating policies, incentives, and investments needed to scale solutions. Equally important is cooperation across cities and regions.

Networks of cities can accelerate progress by sharing solutions, [music] scaling innovation, and learning from one another. This is why bringing cities together to exchange knowledge, strengthen capacity, and support the development of solutions for waste management and the circular economy [music] is important. We already see inspiring examples. Cities are recovering surplus food, reducing waste, and turning organic waste into compost and energy. Communities, including informal workers, waste pickers, and local entrepreneurs, are leading innovations that create jobs while protecting the environment by keeping materials in use for longer, recovering valuable resources and [music] reducing waste as at its source. The secular economy helps cities cut emissions, strengthen resilience, and create new economic opportunities.


By acting at every level, from households to neighborhoods, cities and national policies, we can turn waste] into opportunity. Let us move from clean plates to clean cities, from awareness to action, embracing circular solutions that value resources rather than discard them. Building communities that are cleaner, healthier, [music] and more resilient for everyone.

UN-Habitat Executive Director.

Happy 9th World Cleanup Day 2026! A message to our global family.

TAKE ACTION: Simple habits to cut food waste at home.

GET INVOLVED!

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Discoverthe posters and toolkits and other assets ob theTrello board!

World Habitat Day 2025; October 6th.

FORUM: "Urban Crisis Response.'' World Habitat Day 2025. An increasing number of people are driven from their homes by crises such as conflict, political instability, climate change and economic hardship. A record 122 million people are forcibly displaced1 . In an increasingly urbanizing world, displacement is becoming an urban phenomenon. Over 60% of internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrants are seeking refuge in cities, putting pressure on local systems. This is accelerating urban growth while changing territories significantly. This makes urban crisis response and urban displacement a timely focus for World Habitat Day. The day will highlight sustainable, scalable, and transformative solutions to urban displacement that help stabilize populations while promoting prosperity and fostering social cohesion for all. It will put the spotlight on the importance of urban and territorial planning, inclusive urban governance and the role of local governments in sustainable solutions for displacement. 

MOVING FROM ACUTE CRISIS RESPONSE TO SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: A humanitarian response that fails to integrate development approaches early, risks prolonging the crisis and aid dependency. There is an urgent need to pivot earlier towards development- and government-led solutions in dealing with displacement situations for more durable outcomes. 

To effectively transition to sustainable urban solutions and promote self-reliance, three approaches are key:

First, inclusive approaches to urban and territorial development with social cohesion at the center are key to addressing the needs of both host communities and the displaced. In line with SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda, inclusive urban planning and urban governance are essential tools to facilitate social cohesion and integration of displacement of affected communities.

 Second, sustainable solutions also need to ensure access to adequate housing, land, and basic services. Displaced populations and host communities, particularly the urban poor, often face acute challenges in access to adequate housing, basic services, and economic opportunities. The ever-worsening global housing crisis exacerbates these challenges, as it strains already limited resources. The influx of more displaced persons strains urban systems even more, and if unplanned, further fuels informal settlements and slums where 1.1 billion people already reside globally. Third, Mayors and local governments have demonstrated over and over again that they can drive solutions, working closely with the displacement of affected communities in all their diversity. Their leadership is key to ensure social cohesion as a prerequisite for inclusive growth and stability. Enhancing multi-level governance, building local governments’ capacity, and ensuring enabling legal and policy instruments, along with comprehensive financing solutions, are critical in achieving long-term solutions for both host and displaced communities and provides them with access to adequate housing. The World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. Follow the converstions with the hashtags:  #WorldHabitatDay, #UrbanOctober, #urbancrisisresponse, #Right2Housing, #MindtheGap, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #adequatehousing.

EVENTS: On October 6th, From the UN-Habitat HQ at UNON, Nairobi; Kenya, the Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2025 will be linked to, urban crisis response. The theme will focus on addressing multiple crises affecting urban areas, including climate and conflicts that are contributing to inequality, and promote existing tools and approaches to effective crisis response. In line with UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029, World Habitat Day will: 1. Share urban and territorial development strategies for durable solutions to displacement. 2. Recognize the central role of local governments in championing solutions and the need for multi-level governance. 3. Highlight social cohesion and inclusive governance as key enablers of urban integration of displaced populations. 4. Consider the critical role of housing, land and basic services for sustainable solutions for displacement. 5. Showcase urban practices that have successfully achieved social cohesion, recovery and integration for displacement of affected communities. Read the Concept Note, Register to participate and Watch the World Habitat Day 2025 livestream!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Habitat Day 2025; October 6th.

In our rapidly urbanising world, cities often shoulder the impacts of today’s crises. Conflict, political instability, and the climate emergency have forced 123 million people from their homes – most seeking safety in cities and towns already under pressure. About one in eight people live in informal settlements, and more than 300 million have no home at all. Health services, water systems, and transport networks are stretched, while the risks of new disasters loom. Yet cities are where solutions can take root and grow. When we plan for inclusion, newcomers help to drive economies, strengthen communities, and enrich culture. On this World Habitat Day, we shine a light on solutions, from better housing, to land rights, to water and sanitation. We recognise the vital leadership of mayors and local governments, and the resilience of urban communities –– especially women and youth. Most of all, we seek to share the innovations that help guarantee access for the most vulnerable –– including people with disabilities, older persons, and children. A city is more than bricks and mortar. It is the promise of home. Together, let’s build stronger cities that ensure safety and belonging for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Message from the UN-Habitat Executive Director on World Habitat Day 2025; October 6th.

Every crisis has a human face. A family forced to flee their home. A child studying in a refugee camp. A community living without water or electricity. Today, crises are unfolding in our cities. Conflict, instability, and climate change are pushing millions into displacement. In 2024, a record 123 million people were forced from their homes – most of them seeking safety in cities that are already under strain. At the same time, nearly 3 billion people suffer from inadequate housing, and more than 1.1 billion live in informal settlements and slums. But crisis does not have to mean despair. At UN-Habitat, we have seen communities rise again when housing, land, and basic services are prioritized. In Iraq, displaced families have regained homes and stability. In Somalia, improved access to land has brought hope to the marginalized. In Lebanon, inclusive upgrading has turned divided neighbourhoods into united communities. These stories remind us that rebuilding homes is about more than bricks and mortar. It is about dignity. It is about hope. On this World Habitat Day, I call on all of us – governments, partners, and communities – to act with urgency. Let us put housing at the heart of crisis response globally. Let us invest in cities as places of safety, opportunity, and resilience for all. In May 2026, at the World Urban Forum in Baku, we will come together under the theme Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities. Let us bring solutions. Let us drive action. Because when we rebuild homes, we rebuild hope.

Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

Opening Statement by Hon. Alice Wahome, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, during the Global Observance of World Habitat Day held on Monday, 6th October 2025 at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

AGENDA PROGRAMME 

Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2025 Monday, 6 October.

HIGH-LEVEL OPENING CEREMONY

 LOCATION Conference Room 4 

09:30 – 10:00 Opening address by Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat Message from Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General read by Mr. Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya Video message from Hon. Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government and President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly Video message by Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP Welcome address by Ag. Secretary Eng. Byron Buyu, Secretary for Urban and Metropolitan Development, Government of Kenya Welcome address by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat World Habitat Day 2025 video.

UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOR AWARDS AND SPECIAL CITATION

 10:00 – 10:30 Introduction by Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat Award ceremony 1. Ms. Jana Haidar representing Public Works Studio - Beirut, Lebanon 2. Mr. José Afonso representing Just a Change - Lisboa, Portugal 3. Mr. Israel Smart - Jos Plateau, Nigeria 4. Ms. Clara Marina - Brugada Molina, Mexico received by Ms. Rocío Lombera 5. Special Citation: Gangwon State (IUTC), Republic of Korea received by H.E. Mr. Kang Hyung-shik, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to Kenya Statements by recipients of UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Awards and Special Citations Closure of the session by Master of Ceremony Group photo.

HIGH-LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION 

10:30 – 12:00 Introduction by Master of Ceremony, Mr. Filiep Decorte, Chief, Programme Development Branch, UN-Habitat Video message from Ms. Paula Betancur, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Video message from Mr. Filipo Grandhi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR Statement by Ms. Maymuchka Lauriston, Head of Office - East Africa Multicountry Office, OHCHR Panelists: 1. Ms. Jana Haidar, Public Works Studio, Lebanon 2. Ms. Beatriz Eraso Puig, Senior Urban Specialist at World Bank, Kenya 3. Ms. Madina Mahboobi, Founder of Vision Development Organization, Afghanistan 4. Mr. Kitoga Amuri Kilonzo, Executive Director of Unity Sending Peace to All Tribes, Kenya Live Questions and Answers segment Wrap up

CLOSING CEREMONY 

12:00 – 12:30 Closing session by the Master of Ceremony, UN-Habitat Closing remarks by Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat Group photo.

Download the agenda programme.

LIVESTREAM: Meetings & Events

World Cleanup Day 2025; September 20th.

FORUM: “Strive for Five!.” World Cleanup Day 2025, the day will focus on the issue of textile and fashion waste, emphasizing its environmental impact and the need for systemic change. World Cleanup Day has always been about uniting communities to safeguard their environment and to heal, both socially and ecologically, through collective action. Poor waste management is intrinsically linked to the triple planetary crisis: pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. Combined, the world is greatly accelerating an accumulation of waste and pollution in all ecosystems and threatening ecosystems' balances and health. Promoting clean-ups in the lead up to and through the international Day is crucial for contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #worldcleanupday, #cleanup, #civicaction, #cleaningupwaste, #againsttrash, #cleanenvironments.

EVENTS: On September 20th to mark the World Cleanup Day 2025 and the 8th annual World Cleanup Day. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) invite all member states, organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector and academia to the world’s largest single-day cleanup event. Please register to the event or direct any inquiries to wastewisecities@un.org.

EARTHDAY.ORG, the global organizer of Earth Day itself, supports Let’s Do It World, the creator and organizer of World Cleanup Day, on their 2025 theme “Strive for Five!.” This is a science-backed approach to environmental transformation that calls for 5% of the global population to participate in cleanups this September, knowing that once this critical threshold is reached, it can trigger sweeping behavioral changes worldwide on plastic pollution.

ACTIVITIES: Millions of people in over 190 countries participate, demonstrating global unity for environmental action. Volunteers, organizations, businesses, and communities will come together to remove litter and mismanaged waste from various environments, including beaches, rivers, and streets.

Join EARTHDAY.ORG and Let’s Do It World this World Cleanup Day on September 20th by finding a cleanup near you on The Global Cleanup Map. No event near you? Create your own cleanup event using our Clean Up Toolkit and do your part in ending plastics by signing EARTHDAY.ORG’s petition for a binding and meaningful Global Plastics Treaty.

International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

FORUM: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond." International Youth Day 2025. The theme places a strong emphasis on the transformative role of young people in the localization of the SDGs, translating the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local realities. This theme recognizes that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development, but are active agents of change, innovation, and leadership. It acknowledges the need for youth inclusion in local governance processes, as their creativity, energy, and community knowledge are essential for addressing the complex and interconnected challenges of our time. Over the past decade, global institutions have increasingly acknowledged that the achievement of the SDGs by 2030 depends on how effectively they are localized—translated into concrete actions at the community level. Recent reports by UN-Habitat and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) revealed that at least 65 per cent of SDG targets relate directly to the mandates of local and regional governments (LRGs). Consequently, there is a growing imperative to empower youth as partners in SDG localization processes, as they are often deeply embedded in their communities and possess unique insights into local development needs. Localizing the SDGs refers to the process of adapting and implementing the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments. This approach is vital to ensure that development is inclusive, participatory, and sustainable. When young people are empowered to engage in this process, they become catalysts for innovation and resilience in their communities. The theme of 2025 IYD is deeply aligned with the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), which sets a policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people. As the WPAY approaches its 30th anniversary, the 2025 IYD theme offers a timely opportunity to renew commitment to its principles, particularly those emphasizing youth agency, youth engagement in decision-making, and sustainable development. Indeed, the WPAY provides a vital framework for guiding and advancing youth contributions to development processes. By aligning SDG localization efforts with the objectives of the WPAY, countries can promote their role as key partners in sustainable development, and ensure their inclusion in designing, implementing and evaluating policies that directly affect their communities. SDG localization supports the WPAY by enabling young people to take ownership of the development agenda, turning the global goals into localized actions that reflect their unique challenges and aspirations.

Building on this foundation, 2025 IYD connects with new global commitments such as the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations, which emphasize the importance of youth in shaping a fairer, more equitable and sustainable world. The Pact calls for “meaningful youth engagement, recognizing young people as agents of change and essential partners in achieving sustainable development”. Similarly, the Declaration affirms “the duty to ensure that the interests and needs of future generations, including today’s children and youth, are reflected in public policy and decision-making at all levels”. Localizing the SDGs through youth-led efforts ground the goals of the Pact and Declaration—making them real in the places young people live and lead. The upcoming Second World Summit on Social Development (Doha, Qatar, November 2025) also presents a key opportunity to spotlight youth-led actions on social development and strengthen their role in shaping inclusive social policies. Local youth actions are not isolated activities; they are integral to broader efforts to achieve national development plans and the SDGs. By highlighting and supporting these initiatives, the international community can help bridge the gap between top-down policy frameworks and bottom-up implementation, thus ensuring that no one is left behind.

The 2025 IYD will serve as a strategic platform to: 1. Recognize youth as key local development partners: • Elevate the visibility of youth-led initiatives and their impact on SDG implementation. • Raise awareness about the WPAY and its role in recognizing the youth as local development partners. • Celebrate young people as innovators, leaders, and mobilizers within their local contexts. 2. Promote policy coherence and institutional support for local youth initiatives: • Encourage governments to integrate youth-led initiatives into local development frameworks and decision-making processes. • Promote the integration of youth development goals within local development strategies, drawing from the WPAY’s framework and the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations • Advocate for inclusive policy environments that facilitate youth participation in governance. 3. Encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration: • Foster partnerships between youth and youth-led organizations, local governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, and UN agencies. • Promote knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving to enhance the effectiveness of local SDG implementation. • Leverage technology and innovation to connect youth across regions and facilitate collaboration. 4. Showcase youth stories and solutions: • Provide platforms for youth to share their personal experiences, insights, and innovations. • Use storytelling as a tool to amplify youth voices and promote peer learning. • Document and disseminate lessons learned from youth-led localization projects.

Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #12August, #InternationalYouthDay, #Youthday, #Greenskills.

EVENTS: On August 12th at 9:00 (EST), The global observance of the International Youth Day 2025 will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted in collaboration with UN-Habitat, a key partner of DESA and a leading advocate for sustainable urban development and SDG localization. The event will bring together youth leaders, policymakers, municipal officials, academics, development practitioners, and UN representatives to explore strategies for enhancing youth engagement in local development. Planned activities include: • Interactive Dialogue: The event will feature an interactive dialogue between youth and other decision-makers. Topics will cover urban planning, climate resilience, social inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation, all through a youth lens. • Youth Innovation Showcase: Youth organizations and social enterprises will have the opportunity to exhibit their work both in the community and at the UN compound. • Commemoration of 2025 IYD which will include youth, UN and government represenatives. The commemoration will be held in person on the UN compound and virtually, ensuring global participation of youth and youth partners. Knowledge products developed include: • Infographics: Visual tools that present data and analysis on the contributions of youth to SDG localization. Designed to inform policy discussions and advocate for greater youth involvement. • Youth storytelling series: A multimedia collection featuring short films, podcasts, and blog posts. These stories will reflect diverse youth experiences in implementing the SDGs at the local level. • Social media engagement package: A ready-to-use digital toolkit that includes infographics, video messages (e.g., from the UN Secretary-General or DESA’s USG), and sample content. Designed for dissemination by youth networks, Member States, and UN agencies to increase outreach and engagement. The Youth Unit Programme encourages youth around the world to organize activities to raise awareness about the situation of youth in their country. Read the concept note and Register to participate!

On August 12th, to mark International Youth Day and as part of the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement Initiative (WYDE), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is hosting an empowerment briefing for Young MPs to access peer-to-peer support, empowerment networks and initiatives. Despite increased acknowledgement from parliaments of the importance of youth participation in political decision-making, the number of sitting Young MPs remains unrepresentative. This webinar entitled ''Youth Political empowerment'' will showcase youth platforms, exchange country-level experiences of youth networks and identify better opportunities for youth to be heard in the political community. Register to attend!

On August 8th 2025, the UNITAR High-level panel discussion to mark the International Youth Day 2025 entitled "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," will highlight the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy. This year's observance, organized in collaboration with UNITAR and AFS Intercultural Programs and the Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN, provides a dynamic platform for young leaders, policymakers, diplomats, innovators, and civil society actors to engage in meaningful conversations on how technology and partnerships can strengthen global cooperation. Open to all through public registration, the event will encourage diverse participation, ensuring that voices from various backgrounds contribute to shaping a more connected and collaborative world. In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, youth are emerging as key drivers of change, harnessing the power of technology and strategic partnerships to address pressing international challenges. By 2030, the youth population is projected to comprise 57 percent of the global demographic, underscoring the urgent need to empower young people with meaningful roles indecision-making and global governance. This demographic shift positions youth not only as beneficiaries of multilateral policies but as essential partners in shaping them. The theme for International Youth Day 2025, "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," highlights the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy. By leveraging digital tools and fostering cross-sector collaborations, youth are not only amplifying their voices but also facilitating inclusive, impactful dialogue across nations, cultures, and institutions. Digital platforms empower young people to transcend national boundaries, enabling real-time collaboration on global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and economic disparity. Through initiatives like virtual hackathons, open-source development, and cross-border social media campaigns, youth are not only raising awareness but also co-creating innovative solutions with youth across continents. Their digital fluency allows them to participate in global dialogues previously limited to diplomats and policymakers, positioning them as active stakeholders in shaping multilateral agendas. Youth-run digital platforms are being used to mediate conflict and promote intercultural understanding in regions of unrest. By embedding technology into the fabric of multilateral cooperation, and by forming dynamic alliances across sectors, the youth are not just participants, they are architects of a more collaborative and innovative global order.

Objectives 1. Highlight and empower the role of youth as active participants and leaders in international decision-making processes. 2. Explore how digital innovation enables youth to transcend geographical boundaries and foster effective diplomatic relations. 3. Encourage collaboration between youth, governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to address global challenges. 4. Create a space where diverse perspectives are shared, promoting equity, mutual understanding, and cooperative action. 5. Motivate participants to develop initiatives and partnerships that continue beyond the event, contributing to long-term global cooperation.

Expected Outcomes 1. Enhanced understanding of how youth-led technological initiatives and partnerships can influence multilateral diplomacy. 2. New connections formed among youth, institutions, and stakeholders, fostering future joint efforts. 3. Encouragement of young participants to take active roles in diplomatic and global governance spaces. 4. Compilation of key discussion points and recommendations to be shared with relevant organizations and participants for continued engagement.

SPEAKERS ● 3:30 - 3:35 pm - Welcome: Yumna Khan, Director of the Youth Assembly and Strategic Youth Initiatives, AFS ● 3:35 - 3:40 pm - Introduction: Daniel Obst, President and CEO, AFS ● 3:40 - 3:50 - Remarks: H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (pending) ● 3:50 - 3:55 pm - Remarks: Mr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs, UN Youth Office (video) ● 3:55 - 4:05 pm - Remarks: Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN ● 4:05 - 4:15 pm - Remarks: Mr. Samim Hamidy, UNITAR ● 4:15 - 4:25 pm - Mr. Eliot Minchenberg, Director, New York Office & Representative to the United Nations, UNESCO (invited) ● 4:25 - 4:30 pm - Youth Remarks: Ms. Daphne Frias, Youth Advocate, Box The Ballot, Forbes 30 under 30 ● 4:30 - 4:35 pm - Remarks: Ms. Azza Karam, Founding President and CEO of Lead Integrity ● 4:35 - 4:45 pm - Remarks: Ms. Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google YOUTH PANEL SPEAKERS 4:45 - 5:55 pm ● Moderator: Ali Mustafa, AFS Intercultural Programs ● Daphne Frias, Youth Advocate, Box The Ballot, Forbes 30 under 30 ● Shah Chowdhury, Co-Founder and President, Footsteps Bangladesh ● Ilan Enverga, Youth Representative on the UNESCO SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee and Founder & CEO of Global Changemaker Schools ● Dana Al Anzy, Qatar Youth Ambassador, AFS International Board of Trustees Member ● Yugratna Shirawastwa, Co-Chair Major Group of Children and Youth. Read the Concept note and Watch the celebration of the International Youth Day 2025!



STATEMENTS:

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

On International Youth Day, we celebrate the determination, creativity and leadership of young people everywhere.
This year's theme – Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond – reminds us that global progress begins in communities. And in every corner of the world young people are leading the way.

They are driving sustainable development, building more inclusive communities, forging peace, and demanding a fairer, greener and more just future.

Young people are bold innovators, resilient organizers, and essential partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

This year also marks a renewed commitment to the World Programme of Action for Youth – a recognition that when young people lead, societies thrive.

To every young person: your voice, ideas and leadership matter.

Let us work together to support youth-led solutions and build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world, from the ground up.

António Guterres,United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

Dear friends, today on International Youth Day, we celebrate young people who are driving change in their communities and advancing sustainable development goals.

This year's the same local youth actions for the SDGs and beyond reminds us that meaningful change starts in our local communities. Over the 65% of the SDG targets are linked to the policies and services delivered by the local and regional governments. Empowering youth where they live is not just beneficial, it is essential. Young people process an intimate understanding of their community's needs and are uniquely equipped to design the solutions that resonate. By empowering young people, we unlocked a powerful and effective force for sustainable development, shifting towards a more inclusive and participatory processes, amplifying diverse voices, building trust and delivering lasting solutions.


Young people are already leading the way, tackling local challenges and demonstrating sustainable development in practice. Young people are also actively engaged in the key UN platforms to advance sustainable development.

At the annual ECOSOC youth forum, the UN's largest intergovernmental gathering with young people, leaders from around the world shared invaluable ground level experiences and shaped global policies.
At the internet governance forum, youth voices have been instrumental in promoting an open and inclusive digital space highlighting the role of a digital technology in achieving sustainable development. Young people also played a critical role at the recent conferences supported by UN DESA including the third UN ocean conference and the fourth international conference on financing for development showing their impact across a wide range of sustainable development issues.

At the UN, we are very much looking forward to having impactful contributions in the process leading up to the second world summit for social development to be held in Doha later this year.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of the world programme of the action for youth, we have a pivotal opportunity to deepen our commitment to ensuring young people are fully included as equal partners, particularly at the local level.
By championing young change makers, let us build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.
Happy International Youth Day.

Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General, UN DESA.

OTHER STATEMENTS:

• Statement by the President of the United Nations General Assembly on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement from the ILO Director General, Gilbert F. Houngbo on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the UNFPA Executive-Director; Dr. Natalia Kanem’ on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the UN-Habitat on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.
• Statement by the ITU on International Youth Day 2025; August 12th.

PUBLICATION: The Youth2030 Phase 2 (2025–2030) presents a comprehensive Strategic Priorities and Results Framework, charting a bold path forward to intensify impact and drive transformative change with and for young people worldwide. Launched in 2018 by the UN Secretary-General, Youth2030 — the UN Youth Strategy — is the umbrella framework guiding the UN system’s work with and for youth. Now, over six years into its implementation, acceleration is needed at all levels to meet the strategy’s goals. The report focuses on accelerating the implementation of Youth2030 at the global, regional, and national levels. Read the full Youth2030 Phase 2 (2025–2030) report!

LIVESTREAM: High-level Event organized bty the UNITAR to mark the International Youth Day 2025; The theme for International Youth Day 2025, "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships," highlights the vital role young people play in redefining multilateral diplomacy.This year's observance, organized in collaboration with UNITAR and AFS Intercultural Programs, provides a dynamic platform for young leaders, policymakers, diplomats, innovators, and civil society actors to engage in meaningful conversations on how technology and partnerships can strengthen global cooperation. Open to all through public registration, the event will encourage diverse participation, ensuring that voices from various backgrounds contribute to shaping a more connected and collaborative world. Get the Concept note!