International Day of Light 2026; May 16th.

FORUM: ''Light for a sustainable future.'' International Day of Light 2026. Today, we will commemorate the anniversary of physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman's first successful operation of the laser in 1960. The celebration provides also an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education, and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications, and energy. The broad theme of light will allow many different sectors of society worldwide to participate in activities that demonstrates how science, technology, art and culture can help achieve the goals of UNESCO – education, equality, and peace. The major goals are to Improve the public understanding of how light and light-based technologies touch the daily lives of everybody, and are central to the future development of the global society; To Build worldwide educational capacity through activities targeted on science for young people, addressing issues of gender balance, and focusing especially on developing countries and emerging economies; To Highlight and explain the intimate link between light and art and culture, enhancing the role of optical technology to preserve cultural heritage; To Enhance international cooperation by acting as a central information resource for activities coordinated by learned societies, NGOs, government agencies, educational establishments, industry, and other partners; To Emphasize the importance of basic research in the fundamental science of light, the need for investment in light-based technology to develop new applications, and the global necessity to promote careers in science and engineering in these fields. To Promote the importance of lighting technology and the need for access to light and energy infrastructure in sustainable development, and for improving quality of life in the developing world; and To Raise awareness that technologies and design can play an important role in the achievement of greater energy efficiency, in particular by limiting energy waste, and in the reduction of light pollution, which is key to the preservation of dark skies. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #lightday2026, #Photonics, #LightbasedTechnologies, #Light, #16May, #InternationalDayofLight.

EVENTS: On May 16th, we will celebrate the ninth celebration of the UNESCO International Day of Light 2026, one of the most anticipated science events on the global calendar of United Nations observances. Since its inception in 2018, over 3200 activities and events have taken place in more than 100 countries, reaching and inspiring millions worldwide. We would like to thank you all for the hard work that has made the International Day of Light such a success. As you will see from our global calendar, activities are being organised worldwide for 2026, and we look forward to some fantastic celebrations. Indeed, some have already taken place! One of the unique features of the International Day of Light is its ability to bring together diverse communities, and this is reflected in the tremendous range of topics that will be celebrated, including science and technology, lighting and lighting quality, astronomy, education, and more! In addition, 16 May is also the United Nations International Day of Living Together in Peace, and we encourage organisers of events on 16 May to consider including broader discussions of this theme as well, perhaps linking with the cultural association of light as a symbol of inclusion and hope. If you haven’t planned any activities yet, remember that the International Day of Light celebrations do not all need to take place on 16 May itself. While many will naturally be organised around that date and during the week that follows, events at any time of the year can receive an association with the International Day of Light. Please register your events as soon as you can, and remember that we have simplified our registration form in case you are organising multiple events. As usual, the website contains useful information about all aspects of event organisation. Also, feel free to review past events for inspiration as well. Many people find this extremely useful as a way to get started. We appreciate just how much work and commitment go into organising such events, so don't hesitate to let us know if you wish us to highlight your plans via our newsletter. This can be a great way to give you some well-deserved recognition! And if you may be involved in organising a technical or science-themed conference this year, why not think about including a special session related to outreach, education, or training? Our experience is that such sessions are very enthusiastically attended and provide a great forum for meeting new collaborators. And once again, we acknowledge the continued commitment and support from the Steering Committee and other partners. Information about our partnership and how to get involved and how to Register to participate!

CIE Webinar for the International Day of Light.

The CIE invites you to join its upcoming special webinar entitled Lighting the Way: Finding Balance Between Safety, Beauty, and the Night Sky on the topic of light pollution, in celebration of the International Day of Light 2026 (16 May). The webinar will take place on Friday, May 15, 2026 from 15:00 - 16:30 CEST.  This webinar will bring together various perspectives on current practice and emerging priorities in light pollution, highlighting developments in policy, regulation, scientific research, and municipal and regional initiatives. The session will provide an opportunity to hear different viewpoints, learn what is happening in practice, and reflect on how these developments relate to existing CIE work and relevant CIE publications. It will also facilitate exchange between experts to support CIE’s guidance, recommendations, and potential future publications, while identifying topics and gaps that may benefit from further attention in current and future CIE activities. By linking real-world practice with CIE outputs, the session aims to inform and guide ongoing and future CIE work in this area. CIE President Dr. Jennifer Veitch will open the webinar with an introduction to CIE's work on this topic. This will be followed by contributions from invited experts, and the webinar will conclude with a 30-minute discussion and Q&A session joined by outdoor lighting expert(s) from CIE Division 4: Transportation and Exterior Applications. The webinar will feature CIE experts Prof. Matej Kobav (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; CIE NC Slovenia), presenting Slovenia’s light pollution regulation and its effects in practice; Prof. Carolin Liedtke (Hamburg University of Applied Sciences – HAW Hamburg, Germany; CIE NC Germany), presenting the DARKER SKY project within the EU Interreg North Sea Region Programme; as well as updates from the Horizon Europe project PLAN-B, which investigates light pollution and its effects on terrestrial biodiversity, jointly presented by project experts Prof. Karolina Zielińska-Dąbkowska (Gdansk University of Technology, Poland) and Prof. Mike Wood (University of Salford, UK). The perspectives presented will also be reflected on by Prof. Steve Fotios (Associate Director of CIE Division 4), opening the discussion for audience interaction.

This webinar is part of the CIE project “Understanding Science – Understanding Light”, which aims to make scientific knowledge on light accessible and relevant to the public. Learn more about the speakers and the topics they will present here. REGISTER HERE or Contact Seda Gasparyan; Communications Officer, International Commission on Illumination; Email: seda.gasparyan@cie.co.at

International Day of Light at the Multimedia University of Kenya

The Multimedia University of Kenya Optical Society will be holding a celebration of the International Day of Light (IDL) on 29th May 2026. Building on the tremendous success of their event for IDL 2025 - which drew 320 attendees, 4 companies, 7 universities, and 4 high schools - this year’s planned event will be even larger. Activities will include hands-on optics demonstrations, Internet of Things (IoT) competitions, lab tours at the National Institute of Optics and Lasers (NIOL), and industry exhibitions.

Officially founded and registered in October 2023, the Multimedia University of Kenya Optical Society is anchored in Kenya’s first BSc in Applied Optics and Lasers, which was launched in 2016. In just three years, the society has grown into a recognised student chapter under Optica (since February 2024) and SPIE (since March 2025). A major highlight of IDL 2026 will be the official launch of the Women’s Chapter, a dedicated initiative to bridge gender gaps in STEM through mentorship and targeted outreach to girls’ schools. This launch reaffirms the Chapter's commitment to inclusivity and scientific leadership in East Africa.

Contact: Kipkemoi Elvis Samuel; President, Multimedia University of Kenya Optical Society
Laboratory Technologist, National Institute for Optics and Lasers; Email: ekipkemoi@mmu.ac.ke

Illuminating Impact Symposium with Unite to Light

Unite to Light is a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit organisation that provides solar-powered lighting and charging solutions to people around the world living without access to electricity. Indeed, over 700 million people still live without reliable access to electricity, yet it is widely known that access to clean, affordable light and energy is critical to improving health, education, and prosperity. Since its founding in 2010, Unite to Light and its partners have distributed over 275,000 solar lights and chargers to more than 80 countries, aiming to address key needs in education, maternal and child health, disaster response, and homelessness support.

For the International Day of Light 2026, Unite to Light will host the Illuminating Impact: Thought Leadership Summit on May 15 at the Direct Relief Headquarters in Santa Barbara, focusing on discussing aspects of innovation, collaboration, and leadership at the intersection of light, sustainability, and global impact. The summit will convene climate and clean energy leaders, global health and education experts, philanthropists and impact investors, and local government and business leaders, creating a unique platform for cross-sector dialogue and partnership. Registration for in-person and online attendance is at this link.

Contact Kate Stevens; Unite to Light; Email: kate@unitetolight.org

Who will be The Daylight Award 2026 laureates?

As The Daylight Award approaches its 2026 announcement, anticipation is building around the new laureates who will join a distinguished group of previous recipients in the categories of Daylight Research and Daylight in Architecture. Awarded biennially, The Daylight Award honours individuals whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of daylight and its impact on life on Earth. Previous laureates, from pioneering researchers to visionary architects, have contributed to shaping a growing, interdisciplinary dialogue that connects science, design, and the built environment. The laureates will be revealed on Saturday, 16 May 2026, marking the UNESCO International Day of Light. The official award ceremony will take place in Copenhagen on 27 May 2026 and will be livestreamed globally, offering audiences the opportunity to experience the laureates’ lectures and join the ongoing conversation on the role of daylight in our lives. Who will shape the next chapter of The Daylight Award story?; Mark the date and follow the announcement at thedaylightaward.com

Contact Jadrana Curkovic; The Daylight Award Communication; Email: jadrana@thedaylightaward.com

A Libyan National Node for the International Day of Light.

We are very pleased to highlight the newly established Libya National Node, led by the Research Center of Optical Fibers and Lasers at the College of Electrical and Electronics Technology (CEET) in Benghazi. In recent years, researchers within CEET have organised a range of workshops and hands-on sessions for both students and professionals, including collaborations with the Man-Made River Project that was built to transport groundwater from underground aquifers in the Sahara Desert to coastal cities where the majority of the population is concentrated. Building on this momentum, a 20-hour postgraduate training course on optical fibre networks will run throughout April 2026, with field training and visits to optical fibre deployments in Benghazi planned for May. More general outreach activities aimed at young students and the general public have focused on simpler experiments illustrating the basic properties of light, and also describing the rich heritage of Arabic contributions to optical science through pioneers such as Ibn Al-Haytham. These initiatives reflect the national commitment to strengthen optics and photonics capacity in Libya, and align with the global mission of the International Day of Light to promote education, and the longer-term goals of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development.

Contact Dr. Mohamed Elgaud; Director of the Center of Research and Technical Studies; Coordinator of the Research Center of Optical Fibers and Lasers, CEET; Email: elgaud@ceet.edu.ly

Lighting the Sound in Albany, Australia.

Running for nine nights over three weekends in March 2026, the coastline and sky of the portside city of Albany/Kinjarling in Western Australia were transformed by Lighting the Sound, a dramatic and immersive large-scale light-art installation. Designed and implemented by Finnish light artist Kari Kola together with arts and cultural organisation FORM, the work was co-designed with Menang Elders and the Albany community. Lighting the Sound embodies the Menang-first approach and principles of reconciliation central to the Albany 2026 vision. Rooted in the wisdom of the Menang (or Bloodroot) plant, from which the region’s First Nations people take their name, this initiative celebrates tens of thousands of years of unbroken connection and creates the opportunity for Menang people to tell their story. The visual language of the work drew from the bloodroot plant - its vivid pigments, earthy hues, and elemental strength. These natural colours formed the basis of the installation that drew an audience of 10's of thousands into stillness, reflection, and awe.

Contact Kari Kola; Email: kari@karikola.com

Celebrating 200 years of Photography.

It was around 1826-1827 that the French inventor Nicéphore Niépce captured what is generally considered to be the first surviving photograph, le Point de vue du Gras, a view from a window of a country estate in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes. The image was created by a process that Niépce had invented around 1822, using a camera obscura to project an image onto a pewter plate thinly coated with bitumen. The bitumen hardened in areas strongly exposed to light, but remained soluble in areas more weakly illuminated, such that it could be washed away to reveal an image. Photography has since revolutionised virtually every area of society - in science and technology, art, culture, education, family life, politics, and more. By giving us the ability to freeze moments in time, photography has fundamentally transformed how we document and share our human experience.

Throughout 2026 and 2027, a number of celebrations of the photography bicentenary will take place, including a major national initiative in France coordinated by the French Ministry of Culture. Of course, this is also an opportunity for the International Day of Light community to engage, since many partners already include photography and photography competitions in their activities. For example, events in 2026 could launch local campaigns encouraging students to explore photography, perhaps leading to exhibitions to take place for the International Day of Light in 2027. And from an educational and scientific perspective, photography reveals the universe on every scale, whether it be everyday natural phenomena or the remarkable techniques of astrophotography and microscopy. There are several possibilities of wonderful events to organise, so if you are planning something, please let us know.

Contact International Day of Light with the Email: contact@lightday.org

Physics Without Frontiers in Pakistan

Physics Without Frontiers (PWF) is a capacity-building program run by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) that supports physics education and research in developing and under-resourced regions by connecting local teachers and students with the international scientific community. Through building local groups trained in particular areas of physics, the programme supports schools and universities and helps communities to organise public outreach events. For the International Day of Light 2026, the Active Learning in Optics (ALO) group at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan, held a PWF activity at the Women University Mardan from March 30 - April 1, bringing together students, researchers, and international experts to promote advanced learning in optics and photonics amongst women in the region. Topics covered quantum mechanics, statistical physics, and quantum optics and in addition, two Salam Centennial Lectures were given as part of the celebrations at ICTP, recognising the centennial of Abdus Salam who would have turned 100 on 29 January 2026.

Contact: Imrana Ashraf at the Active Learning in Optics at Quaid-i-Azam University; Email: iashraf@ictp.it.

We encourage you to visit the social media and the official channels: IDLOfficial on X/Twitter, InternationalDayOfLight on Instagram, InternationalDayOfLight on Facebook, International Day Of Light on LinkedIn, and @idlofficial.bsky.social on Bluesky for further contents.

The IDL2026 Newsletter Archive

• 20 April 2026: April Newsletter
• 23 March 2026: March Newsletter
• 28 January 2026: January-February Newsletter
• 12 November 2025: November Newsletter

World Press Freedom Day 2026; May 3rd.

FORUM: “Shaping a Future at Peace” World Press Freedom Day 2026. By fostering access to reliable information, accountability, dialogue, and trust, press freedom and independent journalism are key to peace, economic recovery, sustainable development, and human rights. According to UNESCO’s World Trends Report 2022–2025, press freedom has experienced its steepest decline since 2012. This decline is comparable to that seen during the most unstable periods of the 20th century – the two world wars and the Cold War. Information manipulation, including the use of AI by malicious actors, is weakening trust and national security. At the same time, independent media face growing economic fragility. Self-censorship has grown by more than 60%, driven by fear of reprisals, online harassment, judicial intimidation, and economic pressure. The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2026 offers a critical moment to reaffirm freedom of expression and to align journalism, technology (including AI), and human rights actors around practical ways to strengthen information ecosystems for the future. Hosted in Lusaka, Zambia, the WPFD 2026 brings together press freedom advocates and digital rights communities at a time when the boundaries between journalism, technology, civic space, and human rights are increasingly intertwined. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WPFD2026, #ai, #WorldPressFreedomDay, #freedomofexpression, #PressFreedom, #journalism, #3may, #ShapingaFutureatPeace.

Shaping a Future at Peace, Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Press Freedom Day 2026; May 3rd.

People often say that in war, truth is the first casualty.

But far too frequently, the first casualties are the journalists who risk everything to report that truth – not only in war, but wherever those in power fear scrutiny.

Across the globe, media workers risk censorship, surveillance, legal harassment – and even death.

Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed – often deliberately targeted – in war zones.

Eighty-five percent of the crimes committed against journalists go uninvestigated and unpunished: an unacceptable level of impunity.

Economic pressures, new technologies, and active manipulation are also putting press freedom under unprecedented strain.

When access to reliable information erodes, mistrust takes root.

When public debate is distorted, social cohesion weakens.

And when journalism is undermined, crises become far more difficult to prevent and resolve.

All freedom depends on press freedom.

Without it, there can be no human rights, no sustainable development – and no peace.

On this World Press Freedom Day, let us protect the rights of journalists, and build a world where the truth – and truth-tellers – are safe.

António Guterres,

Message from Volker Türk, High commissioner on Human Rights on behalf the World Press Freedom Day 2026.

What would a world without a free press look like? It would be a world of indifference where violence is met with silence. A world of manipulation where truth is negotiable and traded like a commodity. A world where people would be unable to differentiate fact from fiction. A free press is the oxygen of a free and open society. It informs public debate and can build trust, underpinning social cohesion, resilience, and security. Today, we pay tribute to the courageous reporters and photographers who document horrific atrocities, expose corruption, and scrutinize business operations. By uncovering truth, and making space for diverse perspectives, they promote transparent, inclusive, and democratic governance. By sounding the alarm on abuses, they advance accountability and strengthen prevention efforts. Despite all this, journalism today has become an insecure and at times dangerous profession. Media workers are being bombed in their cars, abducted from their offices, silenced behind bars, and dismissed from their jobs. This year alone, at least 14 journalists have been killed. Over the past 20 years, only around 1 in 10 killings has led to full accountability. Covering armed conflict poses the highest risk. Israel's war in Gaza has become a death trap for the media. My my Office has verified the killing of nearly 300 journalists since October 2023, with many more injured. So far in 2026, Lebanon is the deadliest country for media workers. Local reporters are often the only people conveying the dreadful reality of war. They themselves may be hungry, frightened, and stripped of Sudan, I met journalists who had faced extreme violence, brutality, and even famine. All while trying to continue their essential work. Even away from the front lines, virtually no country is truly safe for those who speak truth to power. Investigating corruption, environmental harm, or organized crime carries grave risks for journalists, their sources, and sometimes their families, as I recently saw in Mexico.
I'm deeply concerned that media workers are the primary targets of growing transnational repression and surveillance, most recently seen in attacks against Iranian journalists abroad. Laws on defamation, on disinformation, on cyber crime and terrorism are increasingly used to shield the powerful from scrutiny. Legal cases focused on deterrence rather than justice, turn courts into tools of intimidation, costing journalists and media companies millions and sending a chilling signal far beyond the newsroom. Today, some 330 journalists and media workers are detained. My office has recorded a further 500 citizenVjournalists and human rights bloggers behind bars. Online harassment and bullying of the press risk creating a disinformation society in which the media is forced to obscure facts and deny science to operate in safety. These attacks disproportionately target women. Threearters of women journalists have faced online abuse including smear campaigns and sexual violence. Efforts to silence independent reporting have become disturbingly creative from restricting access to imposing internet shutdowns and news blackouts. In some cases, an unholy alliance between political, corporate, and media power is damaging democracy and polarizing societies. Economic pressure is reaching record levels. In nearly a third of countries, funding cuts and media concentration are forcing local news outlets to close, denying people a voice. Layoffs are sometimes used strategically to suppress critical coverage and reinforce political agendas. And yet, journalists are undeterred, reporting in the harshest conditions, even from hospital beds and wheelchairs. They believe that truth is stronger than bullets and it's worth fighting for and they are right. But they cannot fight alone. They need our support and urgent protection. States need to end the persecution of the press, lift arbitrary restrictions, repeal abusive laws and align legal frameworks with international rights standards. They need to prevent attacks against journalists and media workers sand protect them from surveillance. that includes those working outside their country. I urge states to investigate all violations and to hold perpetrators to account. States also need to guarantee a free and open media landscape through effective regulation. Technology companies need to take meaningful action against online abuse and disinformation. Upholding the highest standards of independence, transparency, and integrity preserves the essential role of media organizations as guardians of public trust. My office will continue to monitor and report on violations against journalists and media workers, advocate for their safety, and support national protection mechanisms. When attacks on the media are normalized, freedom itself begins to decay, and with it the foundations of peace, security, and sustainable development. Together, let's ensure that those who stand for truth do not stand alone.

Volker Türk.

EVENTS: On 4-5 May in Lusaka, Zambia. The World Press Freedom Day 2026 conference “Shaping a Future at Peace” will be held. The conference will offer a critical moment to reaffirm freedom of expression both as a normative and empirical lever for shaping the future of information societies. On May 5, several side events will take place, including the African Media Convention (organized by TAEF) and the Academic Conference (University of Zambia). For more information contact wpfd@unesco.org, Register to participate!

AGENDA PROGRAMME

May 4th, 2026 "Shaping a Future at Peace, Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security" - DAY I - Mulungushi Building - Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

7:30 - 9:15 - Badge pick-up Mulungushi Building Main Auditorium
9:15 - 9:25 - Artistic performanceAfrica Dance Factory
9:25 - 9:30 - Opening Masters of Ceremony: Ms. Jacqueline Chishimba
Mr. Franklyn Tembo Jr.
9:30 - 9:45 - Set the scene Ms. Mwiza Zulu, Artist, Activist and Content Creator
09:45 - 10:00 - Testimonial Mr. Mohamed Zakaria photojournalist and filmmaker known for courageous documentation of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s ongoing civil war
10:00 - 10:30 - Opening addressesMs Mariya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General Communication and Information, UNESCO

H.E. Mr Takehiro Kano, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO and Chair of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
Hon. Mr Cornelius Mweetwa, MP, Minister of Information and Media, Republic of Zambia
10:30- 10:40 - Lightning Talk Prof Chaloka Beyani, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Advisor to the Secretary -General on the Prevention of Genocide

10:40 - 10:05 - Coffee Break

11:05- 11:35 - Launch of the Southern Africa Press Freedom Report

Report launch and discussion: 

Mr Tabani Moyo, Executive Director. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Discussion of the Report:

Mr Morden Mayembe Director for Press and Media Development in the Zambia Ministry of Information and Media,
Mr Bongani Mkhaliphi, Government of Eswatini,
Mr Cosmas Chitauro – Government of Zimbabwe
Ms Susan Makore, Managing Director of the Global Women in News Team, World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)

MODERATOR : Mr Al Amin Yussuf, CI Regional adviser for Southern Africa, UNESCO

11:50 - 12:35 - PLENARY I - Press Freedom, Peace, Security and Economic Development

This panel examines the importance of journalism in conflict, crisis, recovery, and peacebuilding contexts, including “zones of silence,” journalist safety, and the fight against impunity, recognizing that protecting journalists is inseparable from protecting societies’ right to information.H.E. Mr Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Ambassador of Cameroon to Ethiopia and Djibouti, Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Mr Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director, Africa Freedom of Information
Dr Phathiswa Magopeni Tshangana, Executive Director, Press Council of South Africa & Chairperson of NIMCA
Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Reader in Global Journalism and Media, University of Liverpool
Mr Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for Africa, World Bank video

Moderator: Ms. Misako Ito, Regional Adviser for Communication and Information in Africa, UNESCO

Q&A

12:35 - 14:00 - Lunch Break

14:00 - 14:40 - PLENARY II - Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Integrity

This panel analyzes how digital platforms, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and new information actors reshape freedom of expression, media independence, and public trust and how governance frameworks grounded in human rights can respond to these transformations.

Dr Tabani Moyo, Regional Director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), member of the African Union’s Working Group on Artificial Intelligence
Ms Tracy Manners, Deputy Vice President, Director of Global Affairs, Meta Oversight Board
Ms Juliet Nanfuka, Researcher, Technology, Society & Power CIPESA

Moderator: Ms. Teldah Mawarire, Media & digital expert

Q&A

14:40 - 15:30 - PLENARY III - Media Viability, Pluralism and Inclusion

This panel explores pathways to viable, independent, and diverse media ecosystems, including support to local and community media, gender equality, inclusion of marginalized voices, and policies that strengthen long-term resilience.

Dr Joe Ageyo, Editor in Chief, Nation Media Group
Ms Susan Makore, Managing Director of the Global Women in News Team, World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
H.E. Ms Karolina Stasiak, Ambassador of the European Union to Zambia and COMESA
H.E. Mr Takehiro Kano, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO and Chair of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)

Moderator: Mr. Carlos Van Meek, Deputy Executive Director of Editorial, Digital Division, Al Jazeera

Q&A

15:30 - 15:45 - Coffee Break

17:45 - 18:00 - Closing Ceremony

This segment provides an opportunity to reflect on the key outcomes and messages from the conference. It will highlight the main takeaways and reinforce commitments to advancing press freedom. The session is also designed to set the stage for continued action beyond the event.Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, MP, Minister of Information and Media, Government of Zambia
Ms. Mariya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General Communication and Information, UNESCO

May 5th, 2026 - The Side events organized by World Press Freedom Day partners will take place in the Mulungushi Wing within the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. Registration for the World Press Freedom Day conference on 4 May grants you access to side events on May 5. However, please note that you will need to pick up your badge on May 4 from 07:00-09:15

9:00 - 16:00 - African Media Convention TAEF will take place int the main auditorium.

Hosted by the AMC Steering Committee, chaired by Mr. Churchill Otieno, President of The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF), in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union Commission (AUC), the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), the M20 and other partners. Contact: izak.minnaar@gmail.com


9:00 - 16:00 - Academic Conference of the University of Zambia will take place in Room 3

The Academic Conference on the Safety of Journalists brings together scholars, policymakers, journalists, and civil society actors to examine current challenges and emerging research related to journalist safety worldwide. The conference provides a platform to share academic insights, policy perspectives, and practical approaches to strengthening protection mechanisms, combating impunity, and advancing media freedom. Contact: Vera.Slavtcheva-Petkova@liverpool.ac.uk or  brenda.bukowa@unza.ac.zm 

9:00 - 11:00 - Supporting Economic Journalism: Understanding the IMF and Its Resources for Journalists IMF will take place in Room 1

This is a closed‑door side event that will offer a practical opportunity to engage directly with locally based and international journalists and media practitioners. Through a presentation by the IMF Resident Representative in Zambia, complemented by a session from an IMF communications focal point on the organization's communications tools and key data access points, the event would help journalists better understand and use IMF analysis, data, and policy messaging in their reporting. By demystifying IMF tools and strengthening journalists’ access to reliable economic information, the Fund would support informed public debate and higher‑quality economic reporting, in line with its mandate and the objectives of World Press Freedom Day. Please RSVP for this closed-door side event here: Fill out form or Contact: Rabner@imf.org; akanyegirire@imf.org


11:30 - 13:00 - Gender, Safety and Press Freedom: What’s at StakeWAN-IFRA Women in News, UNESCO

This panel will examine gender equality as a core press freedom and safety issue, bringing together perspectives from research, funding, lived experience, and policy. It comes at a critical moment, as media organisations worldwide continue to confront persistent challenges around harassment, safety, and equal participation in the newsroom. The discussion also reflects upcoming research by WAN-IFRA Women in News (WIN) in partnership with BBC Media Action, and City St George's, University of London, which explores prevalence, reporting mechanisms, and actions taken following reporting. It also aligns with UNESCO’s World Trends Report and its ongoing work on online harassment.

Contact: farah.wael@womeninnews.org


14:00 - 16:00 - Stakeholder Validation Workshop of the Africa Media and Information Literacy Framework. UNESCO and the African Union

Following recommendations from the 3rd Africa Media Convention and the Africa AI Strategy, the African Union Commission commissioned the development of the Africa Media and Information Literacy Framework with UNESCO’s support. Led by MIL expert Wallace Gichunge, the draft Framework was developed throughout 2025 and is now under review by UNESCO and the AU, ahead of ministerial consideration in 2026. The session will focus on validation, collaboration, action planning and raising awareness of the importance of MIL across the continent. Contact: wgichunge@gmail.com

WEBINAR: Launch of the new report Freedom in the World 2026.

 On March 19, 2026, the Freedom House hosted its launch event for Freedom in the World 2026: The Growing Shadow of Autocracy, Freedom House's flagship report that has been tracking global trends in political rights and civil liberties annually since 1973. The report’s authors presented key findings on the global state of democracy and freedom in 2025 and provided an analysis of major trends impacting fundamental rights over the last two decades. An expert panel discussion examined the implications of the report’s findings for the international system and the threat posed by emboldened autocrats. Speakers include: Thomas Carothers, Harvey V. Fineberg Chair for Democracy Studies; Director, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Jamie Fly, Chief Executive Officer, Freedom House Yana Gorokhovskaia, Research Director, Strategy and Design, Freedom House; Co-author of Freedom in the World Cathryn Grothe, Senior Research Analyst, Democracy Studies, Freedom House; Co-author of Freedom in the World Matthew Kaminski, Editorial Chair, Middle East Broadcasting Networks and Founding Editor, POLITICO Europe Amy Slipowitz, Research Manager, Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners, Freedom House; Co-author of Freedom in the World Maya Tudor, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government and Fellow, St Hilda's College, University of OxfordOn World Press Freedom Day, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warns of escalating attacks on journalists worldwide — killings, arbitrary detention, surveillance, and mounting economic pressure. An urgent call to States, tech companies, and society to protect those who speak truth to power.

Celebrations around the World.

These events are independently organized and the content of these is the responsibility of the organizer. The views and opinions expressed in the events are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of UNESCO. Explore the World Press Freedom Day 2026 commemorations all around the world. The list of events is updated regularly. 

• Afghanistan
• Austria
• Australia
• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• France
• Greece
• Iceland
• Jamaica
• Madagascar
• Mexico
• Mongolia
• Nepal
• Sudan
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan

Register to participate; For further inquiry contact wpfd@unesco.org for more information.

International Jazz Day 2026; April 30th.

FORUM: ''The power of jazz in fostering intercultural dialogue, unity and artistic exchange.'' International Jazz Day 2026. Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, the International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every 30 April. The celebration highlights the power of jazz and its role in promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity and respect for human dignity. International Jazz Day has become a global movement reaching more than 2 billion people annually on all continents through education programmes, performances, community outreach, radio, television and streaming, along with electronic, print and social media. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is the lead nonprofit organization charged with planning, promoting and producing International Jazz Day each year. UNESCO appointed Herbie Hancock as Goodwill Ambassador in 2011 for his commitment to intercultural dialogue.Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #Jazzday, #InternationalJazzDay, #30April, #Jazzmusic, #jazzists, #jazz, #concerts, #musician, artistic exchange. .

STATEMENTS:  “Each year on 30 April, this global observance reminds us that jazz is a universal language that transcends borders, generations, and cultures. It invites us to listen deeply, respect each voice, and create together in harmony. It shows us how when different rhythms, perspectives, and traditions come together, something profoundly beautiful can emerge,” said Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO. “I am thrilled to celebrate unity through music on the 15th anniversary of International Jazz Day. What we have created together with UNESCO is truly extraordinary. Bringing this global celebration to Chicago— the city where I was born and first discovered the magic of jazz—makes this moment especially meaningful, as audiences in more than 190 countries come together,” said Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue. 

 

EVENTS: A global celebration of jazz is coming to Chicago!

In Chicago Illlinois; As the Global Host City for International Jazz Day 2026, the city will mark the initiative’s 15th anniversary with a month-long lineup of performances, educational programs and community events presented by the Chicago Jazz Alliance in partnership with UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. The event’s lineup, announced today by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, includes musicians Gregory Porter (United States of America), James Morrison (Australia), Tiger Okoshi (Japan), Mandisi Dyantyis (South Africa), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Mino Cinélu (Martinique, France) and many more. The All-Star Global Concert in Chicago will be streamed to millions live worldwide, free of charge, in 4K on YouTube at yt.be/jazzday, where viewers can already sign up for notifications, as well as via UNESCO, UNTV, jazzday.com, Facebook, and other international media partners. Watch the livestream!

 
Other celebrations: Honoring the city’s illustrious jazz heritage—where legends such as Louis Armstrong, King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton shaped the evolution of the music—Chicago is hosting a series of performances, educational programmes and community initiatives from 1 April to 3 May. These initiatives are designed to showcase jazz’s enduring ability, throughout history and today, to inspire a shared sense of humanity through culture. Highlights of the Chicago programme include a performance by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra at Unity Temple on 28 April, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed architectural landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The programme will feature Usonian Structures, composed by saxophonist and arranger Andy Farber—the work is inspired by Wright’s organic and functional design philosophy. A special screening of Birdman, the Academy Award–winning film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and featuring a celebrated jazz score by Antonio Sánchez, will also be presented live in concert on 27 April by the composer, highlighting the connection between jazz and cinematic storytelling. 

The Events will take place around the world through organizing partners in over 190 countries and all 50 U.S. states. United, the International Jazz Day Global Airline Partner, headquartered in Chicago is providing air transportation and additional support for artists and educators. Major programmes within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network expand the global footprint of International Jazz Day—with U.S. member cities such as Kansas City and the newly designated New Orleans—fostering international cultural exchange and promoting creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development. Most events are free and open to the public. Additional programs will be streamed throughout the day on 30 April.A full week of featured events from April 25–May 2 will spotlight the musicians, neighborhoods and institutions that keep jazz thriving across Chicago, all leading up to the International Jazz Day Global All-Star Concert on April 30th. 

International Jazz Day 2026 to celebrate 15th anniversary with All-Star Global Concert live from Chicago

 

On Mat 3rd, 2026, ‘In the Key of Peace’: UNESCO, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and C asean to host International Jazz Day 2026 Celebration in Bangkok. The evening features the award-winning Horwang School Big Band, the multinational C asean Consonant, and Bangkok Big Band, with special appearances by Koh Mr. Saxman and Sax Pack Girl. Join us for a celebration of music and the art of listening across different cultures. Learn more

On April 30th 2026, In Samoa, UNESCO supports the celebration of International Jazz Day 2026 in Samoa with Samoana Jazz Rising, a vibrant and dynamic event to be held at the Tiapapata Art Centre in Apia. Free and open to the public, the celebration invites communities across Samoa to join a global movement highlighting the power of jazz.

This year’s celebration is particularly significant, marking the 15th anniversary of International Jazz Day and the centenary of jazz icon Miles Davis. In Samoa, Samoana Jazz Rising, organized in collaboration with members of the Samoana Jazz and Arts Festival community, will bring together musicians from Samoa, American Samoa, and across the Pacific. The event offers a dynamic platform for musical exchange, creativity, and community participation. The programme will feature a diverse lineup of artists, including Stuart Wallace, Michael Tamanikaiyaroi and the Sinalei Strings Band. The event offers a dynamic platform for musical exchange, creativity, and community participation. The celebration begins with an interactive educational exchange session—an open and inclusive space welcoming young learners, as well as emerging and established musicians of all backgrounds and disciplines, to explore jazz through an open jam and collaborative learning. This session offers a unique opportunity for participants to experience jazz as a living, evolving art form. The evening continues with a concert showcasing local and regional talent, highlighting the richness of jazz in the Pacific and blending global influences with local cultural expressions. Samoa has a longstanding connection to jazz, dating back to the early twentieth century and reflected in pioneering artists such as Mavis Rivers, the “Queen of Jazz of the Pacific.” Through initiatives such as Samoana Jazz Rising, UNESCO continues to support spaces that nurture talent, celebrate cultural diversity, and strengthen connections between global and local musical traditions. Registrations are strongly encouraged, as spaces are limited. Please register here: SAMOA JAZZ RISING 30 APRIL 2026 REGISTRATION. For more information, please contact Ms Sara Garcia de Ugarte, Culture Programme Specialist, UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States (s.ugarte@unesco.org)

Story:

1. UNESCO International Jazz Day highlights the power of creativity to unlock sustainable urban future.
2. César López, Cuban musician: “Jazz has created an exquisite cultural exchange”

LIVESTREAM: ALL STAR GLOBAL CONCERT FROM CHICAGO.

World Book and Copyright Day 2026, April 23rd.

FORUM: "The power of books." World Book and Copyright Day 2026. The Activities will include readings of books and plays; the distribution of bookmarks; the announcement of the winners of literary competitions. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #reading, #WorldBookDay, #CopyrightDay, #WorldBookCapitalCity #23april, #WorldBookandCopyrightDay.

EVENTS: April 23rd marks World Book and Copyright Day 2026. For Africa, the occasion highlights the journey of its literature, the struggles of its authors, and the continent's growing contribution to global storytelling.During the day, we will explore the status of books in Africa in a digital era that has largely re-written information consumption. We also share a selection of African books worth reading. Watch the documentary entitled'' Turning pages in a digital age.''

Every year, as part of celebrations for World Book and Copyright Day, a World Book Capital is selected by UNESCO and international organizations representing the major sectors of the book industry – publishers, booksellers and libraries. Selected cities promote books and reading for all age groups and across all of society, in the host country and beyond. To date, UNESCO has designated 26 World Book Capitals, from Madrid, Spain, in 2001, to Rabat, Morocco, in 2026.

In a recent statement, UNESCO highlighted Rabat's commitment to fostering the book industry and encouraging reading through its 54 publishing houses; it also hosts Africa's third-largest international book fair. Rabat aims to come up with various initiatives to improve access to books, bolster the local publishing sector, and advance literacy among all age groups and demographics, both nationally and internationally.

The statement added that the celebrations are set to commence on April 23, 2026, coinciding with the World Book and Copyright Day.  As Rabat Opens Book Capital Year, Minister Says Books Shape Society Morocco’s Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation said the launch of the new Rabat book fair edition comes at a defining cultural moment, as the capital begins its year as UNESCO’s “World Book Capital 2026.”.

“The book is the basis, the source and the starting point of science and knowledge,” the minister told Morocco World News (MWN), arguing that books shape students’ scientific, critical, and analytical thinking while also supporting “psychological balance, intellectual balance and social balance.”
He said Rabat fully deserves the international recognition, describing the Moroccan capital as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world and stressing that the title should serve as more than a symbolic distinction.
The minister also said promoting books cannot remain the job of schools alone. He called on families, universities, civil society groups, and Moroccans at large to help build a stronger culture of reading and writing from an early age, saying that preserving Morocco’s identity and civilization depends on giving books the place they deserve.

Throughout the year, the city will host a wide range of cultural programs, public readings, and community-driven initiatives aimed at making literature more accessible to all.

Statement of the Director of the UNESCO Office in the Caribbean on World Book and Copyright Day 2026, April 23rd.

World Book and Copyright Day invites us to return to something both simple and essential. The role of books in how we think, learn, and imagine the world. Even as our daily lives become increasingly digital, books remain a unique space of depth and continuity. They slow us down in a useful way. They allow ideas to unfold over time rather than in fragments. Whether in print or digital form, they remain one of the most powerful tools for education, cultural memory, and critical reflection. The digital age has of course transformed how we access knowledge. Information is now immediate, abundant, and global. This brings enormous opportunities. More voices can be published, more readers can be reached, and knowledge can circulate more freely than ever before. But it also brings challenges. Attention is more fragmented. Information can be more volatile. And not all content carries the same level of verification or depth.
In this context, books continue to offer a reference point, a space where ideas are structured, curated, and often more carefully developed. Rather than seeing books and digital media as opposites, it is perhaps more useful to see them as complimentary. Digital platforms can expand access to reading, especially in places where physical books are less available. At the same time, the book form, whether printed or electronic,still provides a discipline of thought that remains vital in an age of rapid consumption. This is why initiatives such as the world book capital are so meaningful.
Each year, UNESCO designates a city for its commitment to books and reading and for its efforts to strengthen the entire ecosystem that supports them from authors and publishers to libraries and readers.
This year, the world book capital is Rabbat in Morocco. It is a city with a rich intellectual tradition and a vibrant cultural life and its designation reflects a broader commitment to literacy, creativity, and dialogue.

In celebrating World Book and Copyright Day, we are not only celebrating books as objects. We are celebrating the ecosystems they sustain and the ways in which they continue to anchor reflection, imagination, and shared understanding even in a deeply digital world.

Director of the UNESCO Office in the Caribbean.

At UNOV; To celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day 2026, the IAEA, UNOV, and CTBTO will jointly host a variety of in-person and virtual events on April 23rd. See below for the agenda or to register to attend. We look forward to your participation! 

23 April 2026 --- 09:30 – 10:30 Tour IAEA Archives IAEA Meeting Point A04 Elevators.
10:30 – 11:00 Presentation From metadata to full text: how INIS delivers nuclear knowledge worldwide Ms Olga Vakula (IAEA) F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library & Online

11:15 – 12:00 Daughters’ day event.
Chinese calligraphy workshop (only for registered daughters) IAEA F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
11:30 – 14:00 Event Meet and Greet IAEA Publishing Section and Archives, UNOV, CTBTO libraries IAEA, CTBTO, UNOV A Building ground floor & Cafeteria
12:00 – 13:00 Event Library Tour & Meet and Greet the Library and INIS Teams IAEA F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
14:00 – 14:30 Opening Remarks  IAEA DDG-NE and DDG-MT
UNESCO Representative Ms Klara Koštal, Head of Department: Diversity of Cultural Expressions  F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
14:30 – 15:15 Talk Future Needs Wisdom: a personal view on the future of research under the spell of AI Prof. Helga Nowotny F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
15:15 – 15:45 Closing World Book and Copyright Day Remarks followed by light refreshments IAEA F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library

Schedule of World Book and Copyright Week 2026; Tuesday April 23rd.

09:30 – 10:30 (Meeting Point A04 Elevators)
Tour - IAEA Archives.

Tour - IAEA Archives The IAEA Archives are a pillar of the IAEA’s institutional memory, spanning over 70 years and comprising over 10,000 shelf metres of hard-copy records and 10 terabytes of data. These walking tours are an opportunity to look behind the scenes to:

Experience the size and composition of the IAEA Archives;
Interact with some of the treasures in our holdings and be inspired by the Agency's history;
View the Reading Room and an archival repository, and learn about challenges in preservation and access management; and Hear how the Department of Management oversees the IAEA Archives.

The tour can accommodate 15 participants. Meeting point : A04 Elevators. Click here to register

10:30 – 11:00 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library & Online)
From metadata to full text: how INIS delivers nuclear knowledge worldwide
Olga Vakula – INIS

How do you access hard-to-find nuclear research from around the world? Discover how INIS connects users to nuclear knowledge, providing extensive metadata and helping locate full texts through international collaboration with Member States and partner libraries. Click here to register.

12:00 – 13:00 (F0146 - IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Tour and Meet & Greet

Come along for a tour of the IAEA Lise Meitner Library and discover the space, the history and facts that might surprise you. The reading rooms and library are open to anyone in the VIC, join the tour to discover your next favourite place in the building!

The tour can accommodate 15 participants. Click here to register (for the tour only)

11:30 – 14:00 (A Building, Cafeteria)
Meet & Greet Information Professionals from IAEA & UNOV & CTBTO.

Get to know your librarians from the VBOs in the cafeteria and publishers from the IAEA on the ground floor of the A building. In addition to providing information on our services, there will also be an opportunity to view a few special items from our collections.

14:00 – 14:30 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Welcome Remarks.

World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year on April 23rd. Come hear about the meaning of this day for VBO libraries, archives, and publishing units. We will be joined by IAEA DDG-NE, M. M. Chudakov and DDG-MT, M. Doane and UNESCO representative Ms Klara Koštal, Head of Department: Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

14:30 – 15:15 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Talk: Future Needs Wisdom: a personal view on the future of research under the spell of AI.
Prof. Helga Nowotny will share her thoughts and insights on Artificial Intelligence, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on Women in STEM. A discussion moderated by Brain Bales (IAEA INIS) and Anastasia Lazykina, (IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme). Click here to register

15:15 – 15:45 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Closing - World Book & Copyright Day.

After the talk with Prof. Helga Nowotny, there will be a small reception to celebrate and close the World Book and Copyright Day festivities. Please join us for some light refreshments.

For more information please contact us!, Click here to play the wordle of the day! and See the World Book Day EUREST menu on April 23rd 2026 here!