Africa Day 2024; May 25th.

FORUM: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa. Africa Day 2024. Education is the foundation for individual success and a prosperous Africa. We call upon all stakeholders across all sectors to join us in this transformative journey. Join us in celebrating Africa Day and shaping the future of education in Africa! In line with the AU theme of the year "Education Fit for the 21st Century," engage in discussions, share your ideas, and help us transform education across all our social media platform. Here's how you can participate: Share your thoughts and ideas on how education can be transformed to meet the needs of the 21st century; To Highlight educational initiatives and programs that are making a difference in your community or country. To Discuss the importance of education in driving socio-economic development and creating opportunities for all Africans. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: 25May, #AfricaDay, #YearofEducation, #Agenda2063.

EVENTS: Celebrations at the United Nations. The theme for Africa Day 2024 will focus on women in agriculture. The objectives are to Explore the intersection between women's rights and agriculture; to Showcase the potential and promise of Africa, and highlight the positive narrative of the continent; To Recognize developments and advancements in Africa from 1963 to the present; To Inspire and empower women in leadership in agriculture, as well as related sectors; To Bring attention to and popularize the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal 2 (Zero Hunger), the goal 5 (Gender Equality) and the goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), in tandem with Africa Agenda 2063; To Create and formulate solutions, initiatives and opportunities for achieving a better, more equitable world, where no one is left behind. On Saturday 25th May 2024; starting at 17:00hrs (GMT+3) at Adwa Victory Memorial, Addis Ababa; The Maisha Dance festival entitled "The Power of Art to Unite," will celebrate the vibrant cultures of Africa and the European Union through the universal language of dance. This event is a unique opportunity to honor Africa Day and highlight the shared values of unity, diversity, and cultural exchange. Read the festival information! On February 17, 2024, the UNESCO was invited to the official launch of the AU's 2024 theme in Addis Ababa, during the Heads of State and Government Summit.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the occasion of Africa Day 2024, May 25th.

On Africa Day, we celebrate this dynamic and diverse continent and the contributions of Africans to our world. The continent’s young and growing population, its rich natural resources, its breathtaking beauty and cultural diversity give it outsize potential.

Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, along with Africa’s growing voice, including leadership in renewable energy, can help realize that potential.


But a bright future for Africa’s 1.2 billion people means addressing the challenges blocking Africa’s progress — from the effects of climate change to deadly conflicts and unconstitutional changes of government, to hunger, poverty, inequality and crushing debt burdens.

We need to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals. This will require, among other actions, that we reform the international financial architecture so developing countries can access the resources they will need to invest in the future of their people — including strengthening education systems, this year’s African Union theme.

We must work side by side with Africa to build green economies anchored in renewable energy, and ensure that the continent’s critical mineral resources benefit Africans first and foremost.

We must strengthen our collaboration to safeguard human rights, counter terrorism and violent extremism, and — finally — silence the guns across Africa. The UN Security Council’s recent resolution to support African-led peace operations is an important step.

Throughout, Africa must have a seat at every multilateral forum — including the UN Security Council, the international financial system, and other global norm-setting structures. September’s Summit of the Future in New York will be a moment to create momentum and progress.

On Africa Day, let’s renew our pledge to stand with all Africans in their quest to lead their continent — and our world — into a peaceful and prosperous future for all.

UN Secretary-General.

LIVESTREAM: Celebration of Africa Day 2024 at UNHQ

Celebrating Innovation, Development, and Culture in Africa.
The UNESCO #AfricaWeek returns in 2024 with a rich and varied program under the theme "Education for Innovation, Development, and Culture in Africa."
African Union & UNESCO on Africa Day 2024.

This annual #event celebrates the cultural diversity of the #Africancontinent and will highlight the importance of education for sustainable development and innovation.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Opening Ceremony ( by invitation only)

The week will kick off on Wednesday, May 22, with a grand opening ceremony in Room I.
will be welcomed from 9:30 AM with African musical ambiance, followed by the arrival of VIPs at 10:10 AM. Introductory remarks will start at 10:40 AM, followed by the screening of a video related to this year's theme. Remarks will include those from the President of the Organizing Committee, the President of the Africa Group, and the Director-General of UNESCO or their representative.

Performances and Exhibitions:The morning will continue with artistic performances at 11:20 AM, followed by the opening of exhibitions and craft stalls, accompanied by a musical interlude in the Pas Perdus, Miro, and Ségur halls.

- Exhibitions, Craft Stalls, Book Fair - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM in the Miro Room, Pas Perdus Hall, and Ségur Hall.
AfriKids Session: The afternoon will be dedicated to children with the "AfriKids" session from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Actes Room. This session will include various activities:
- Calligraphy & Creative Painting Workshop
- Special session of African storytelling readings
- Children's/Doll fashion show
- Live Chat & Arts Animations

Live chat: discussions on "Learning for Sustainable Peace: The Role of Culture and Education "- 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM in the Ségur Hall
Live art: musical performances
Dikanza do Semba - 4:45 PM to 5:00 PM in the Ségur Hall
Fashion Show: A fashion show is scheduled from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM in Room I, showcasing the richness of African fabrics and styles. Eleven countries will participate: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Togo

Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 

Exhibitions and Book Fair: Exhibitions, book fair, and arts and crafts stalls will continue from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Conferences: A conference/panel on the theme "How does education contribute to promoting African culture in its diversity?" will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room IV.
Eminent researchers and personalities will offer their thoughts on the contribution of education to strengthening cultural diversity in Africa. These interventions will be followed by discussions with the public.
Speakers: Professor Dr. KHALED EL-ENANY (EGYPT):
Sub-theme: "Raising young people's awareness of cultural heritage: Egyptian strategies and Egyptian initiatives & quot.
- Dr. SAO OUSMANE (MAURITANIA): University Researcher
Sub-theme: "The importance of cultural diversity in schools: Why and how?
- Dr. AHMED SKOUNTI (MOROCCO): Professor of Anthropology,Cultural Heritage Expert at the Institut National des Sciences de l'Archéologie et du Patrimoine (INSAP),
Rabat: 'Education and Cultural Heritage in Africa: Introductory considerations'.
- Ms AMINATA TRAORE (MALI): Professor of economics and management, President of the association Les Enfants du Djoliba

 'Library is an inclusive space that can become a powerful cultural vector for local communities, especially children.
- Dr. Safiatou DIALLO (GUINEA): Senior Researcher in the UNDP social cohesion project, Founder and President of the Center d'Innovation et de Recherche pour le Développement (CIRD) in Conakry. "How education contributes to the promotion of African African culture in all its diversity".
Moderator: Prof. Cyril MUSILA, Deputy Permanent Delegate of the Democratic Republic of Congo to UNESCO.
Live art: musical performances
- 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the Ségur Hall
- 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM with DJ Amapiano France in the Ségur Hall
Live chat: discussions "New pathways in artificial intelligence for African youth and development" - 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Ségur Hall.

Reception-Cocktail: A tasting lunch of typical African dishes will be held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM on the Piazza.
Cinema Theme: "Education for Innovation, Development, and Culture in Africa. Film Screenings of African films will take place from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Cinema Room and Room IV.

Maison de l'UNESCO

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024; May 17th.

FORUM: ‘‘Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development.’’ World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024. Building a sustainable future demands innovative thinking and action, especially in the digital world. The celebration of WTISD 2024 is a chance to explore how digital innovation can help connect everyone and unlock sustainable prosperity for all. Innovative tech can help tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, from fighting climate change to eliminating hunger and poverty. In fact, digital technologies can help achieve 70% of targets under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Yet glaring digital gaps hinder innovation in many parts of the world. The lack of policies, investment, and digital skills leaves many countries struggling to keep up in the fast-changing digital landscape. What will the future of digital innovation look like and what role do all of us play? Be part and follow the conversations with the hashtags #DigitalInclusion, #EveryoneIncluded, #wtisd, #17May, #InformationSocietyDay, #TelecommunicationDay, #InnovateForProsperity.

EVENTS: ITU’s 159th anniversary. The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024 will be observed on May 17th at ITU in Geneva. As we commemorate ITU's 159th anniversary, we also celebrate the boundless potential of digital innovation for prosperity. Our hour-long event will bring together digital experts and innovators on a global journey, exploring digital hubs around the world where innovation thrives. Register to participate to the event; Step into the future with us on WTISD on 17 May 2024, broadcasting live from the ITU TV studio in Geneva.

Ask an ITU Innovation expert; If you have questions about the challenges hindering global innovation? Curious about actionable solutions to overcome these hurdles? Join the ITU Live Q&A on May 10th to learn from ITU Digital Innovation Ecosystem Expert, Mohamed Ba. RSVP

COURSES & TRAININGS: Prepare for future financial services priorities; Investigate the future of FinTech and learn to think strategically about problems faced by real businesses. Apply now!. Share how your digital innovation is helping to build a better future. Submit your innovation story!

STATEMENTS: Read the ITU Secretary-General statement on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024, May 17th and the United Nations Secretary-General statement on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024, May 17th.

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Save the date and join us in the journey to #InnovateForProsperity!

World Tourism Day 2023; September 27th.

FORUM: "Tourism and Green Investments.'' World Tourism Day 2023. The UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development. This year we will highlight the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.

Key topics to be addressed 

•How can governments promote international and private investments; and how can they improve regulations and incentives concerning human capital development? •What steps can the private sector take to address the emerging investment needs of the tourism sector vis-a-vis education? •How to motivate policymakers and investors to support increased investment in greening the tourism sector •How to accelerate climate innovation; how to invest in new technologies, business models, and practices to facilitate the emergence of new climate solutions •What are the financial investment mechanisms and instruments available to support innovation, technology and entrepreneurship? •How to promote ease of doing business, how to better develop investment policies and how to embrace new innovative financial mechanisms and solutions to address emerging and complex challenges •How to close the financing gender gap and accelerate access to capital in both domestic and international markets for women entrepreneurs.

 Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #27September, #WorldTourismDay, #GreenInvestments, #WTD2023.

EVENTS: The celebration of World Tourism Day 2023 will be a call to action to the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy. This year the country host is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ; The World Tourism Day 2023 will be observed on September 27th and September 28th in Riyadh with the theme “Tourism and Green Investments.”. Green investing consists of investment activities that focus on companies or projects committed to the conservation of natural resources. The WTD2023 observance on September 27th will start at 10:00 AM with a Presentation of UNWTO’s Global Tourism Investment Framework. The Panel Discussions will include the following subjects: THE POWER OF TOURISM: BUILDING BRIDGES., INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE: IS TOURISM GETTING THE RIGHT TALENT?, INVESTING IN OUR DESTINATIONS: THE POTENTIAL OF THE UNDISCOVERED, INVESTING IN OUR PLANET: FLYING TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, INVESTING IN OUR PROSPERITY: BRIDGING THE INNOVATION GAP, INVESTING IN OUR PROSPERITY: POWERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP, followed by two plenary sessions on September 28th at10:00 AM: “Public Sector Session: A Sustainable Future for Travel & Tourism.” and the ”Public-Private Sector Session: A Seamless End-to-End Travel Experience”.

COMPETIONS: From 16:00 to 16:45 will be held the ‘‘WOMEN IN TECH START-UP COMPETITION FINAL’’, an AWARD CEREMONY and an “HANDING OUT TROPHIES”.

Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres on World Tourism Day 2023.

Tourism is a powerful force for progress and mutual understanding. But in order to deliver its full benefits, this force must be protected and nurtured.


Today, the climate emergency is threatening many travel destinations and the very survival of communities and economies that depend on tourism. And many developing countries that are severely affected by a changing climate are also facing a growing investment deficit and a cost-of-living crisis.


On this World Tourism Day, we recognize the vital need for green investments to build a tourism sector that delivers for people and planet.


Governments and businesses must invest in sustainable and resilient tourism practices. Private actors must adopt zero-emission pathways, lower their energy consumption and leverage renewable forms of energy. And everyone must protect the biodiversity and ecological balance of all destinations.


Targeted investments can deliver jobs and support local businesses and industries while mitigating the environmental impacts of tourism, empowering communities, promoting their cultures, and contributing to essential social protection systems.


So let us all do more to harness the full potential of sustainable tourism. Because investing in sustainable tourism is investing in a better future for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from the UNWTO Secretary-General, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili on World Tourism Day 2023; September 27th.

Dear Friends,

It is a true pleasure to greet you on this World Tourism Day.

This is a chance to reflect on the importance of our sector.

Tourism is a pillar of our economies. It plays a central role in our societies and in our individual lives.

And it offers solutions to some of our biggest challenges – including the climate emergency and the urgent need to shift to more sustainable economies.

The power of tourism is enormous. But it is not a force that can be taken for granted.

Instead, it must be supported, above all with investment.

This World Tourism Day we recognize the theme of Tourism and Green Investments.

The theme could not be more timely.

2023 was the hottest year on record. And extreme weather events like heat waves could become the new normal.

Tourism needs to adapt. For this, we need to rethink how our sector is financed.

We need to make it easier for investors of all kinds to support tourism projects with the potential to make a difference.

Looking further ahead, we need investments that can empower tourism to build a better and fairer future for all.

Once again, I wish you all a peaceful and inspiring World Tourism Day.

UNWTO Secretary-General.

Concept Note - World Tourism Day 2023

Agenda Programme of the World Tourism Day 2023.

27 - 28 September | Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

General Information Note - World Tourism Day 2023.

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS

Celebrate World Tourism Day 2023 by joining the photo filter campaign/

World Creativity and Innovation Day 2023; April 21st.

FORUM: Fostering Creativity and Innovation. World Creativity and Innovation Day 2023.

The day will provide an opportunity to embrace the idea that innovation is essential for harnessing the economic potential of each country and that, innovation, creativity, and mass entrepreneurship can provide new momentum for economic growth and job creation. As a result, expanding opportunities for everyone, including women and youth. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #Innovations, #Creativethinking, #Creativeeconomies, #21April, #Culturalindustries.

The objectives of the day are to: Celebrate innovation and creativity.

• Highlight the importance of supporting the cultural and creative industries. 
• Promote the role of Cultural and Creative industries to be part of economic growth strategies.
• Provide enriching, entertaining, and educational opportunity for creatives.
• Develop Partnerships that will accelerate the growth of Cultural and Creative Industries.

EVENTS: World Creativity and Innovation Day 2023.World Creativity and Innovation Day brings together communities, artists, academics, fashion and arts lovers to celebrate the influence of Cultural and Creative industries on social cohesion and to learn about the impact of creativity and innovation on the country economic growth.

• Creative Economy Programme

ABOUT THE DAY: The concept of creativity is open to interpretation from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social, and sustainable development. The World Creativity and Innovation Day (#WCID) 21 April, was established by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 71/284 of 27 April 2017, to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation in problem solving with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals 2030.



In the Preamble of this Resolution, the United Nations General Assembly:

Underlines the need to focus on the importance of micro -, small and medium-sized enterprises in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular in promoting innovation, creativity and decent work for all,
Acknowledges that innovation is essential for harnessing the economic potential of each nation and the importance of supporting mass entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, which create new momentum for economic growth and job creation and expand opportunities for all, including women and youth,

The Year 2021 was declared by the African Union, the AU Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for building the African we Want. This is in resonance with Aspiration 5 of Agenda 2063 that envisions “An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics”. This is also to recognize the importance role of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in achieving the Agenda 2063 objectives of regional integration, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.

Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly through its Resolution A/C.2/74/L.16/Rev.1, declared the Year 2021, the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development to recognize the need to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and provide opportunities, benefits and empowerment for all and respect for all human rights and to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in diversifying production and exports, including in new sustainable growth areas, including creative industries.