Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Nelson Mandela International Day 2026; July 18th.
Today, we honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela — a towering figure of peace, reconciliation, justice, and human rights.
This year’s theme reminds us that Madiba was also a clear-eyed champion of poverty eradication and equality.
He knew that ending poverty is not an act of charity.
It’s an act of justice.
And a duty that belongs to us all.
We live in a world where inequality is becoming entrenched.
Where wealth accrues disproportionally for a lucky few — while many struggle to afford basic needs like food, water, shelter and education.
And where years of poverty-fighting progress have been stalled by conflict, economic shocks and climate disasters.
Like Madiba, we can all play a part in building fair economies and inclusive societies.
By investing in decent work, universal health coverage, quality education and social protection systems.
By scaling-up financing and reforming the international financial architecture, so developing countries get the funds and debt relief they need.
And by building economies rooted in renewable energy — for people and planet.
I have always been inspired by Madiba’s life and belief that when people stand together, nothing is impossible.
The future is in our hands.
Today and every day, let’s carry forward Mandela’s vision of a just, inclusive, equal and peaceful world.
António Guterres.
EVENTS: Register to participate!
The UN Movie Society of the Staff Recreation Council presents a special conversation with lead actor Keenan Arrison on THE HEART IS A MUSCLE — South Africa's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, and winner of the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
- Get the Poster >> and Watch the livestream on UN WebTV >> or on the YouTube (Premiere) >>
Get the Card and Poster >>
Watch the livestrem on UN WebTV >> or via the YouTube (Premiere) >>
Informal Plenary Meeting & Events: Nelson Mandela International Day is marked by the United Nations General Assembly with an informal plenary meeting on July 20, an annual NYC volunteer event in honour of Mandela in multiple locations, as well as other events as detailed in the 2026 Commemorations. Explore the 2026 Nelson Mandela International Day Commemoration events >>
On July 20h, 2026 at UN Headquarters; The United Nations General Assembly marks Nelson Mandela International Day with an informal plenary meeting under the theme: “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”
The Speakers are:
Multimedia: Watch the event on UN WebTV.
Public Service Activity: Volunteering around New York City
Volunteering for #MandelaDay: This year, the UN has organized multiple volunteering opportunities for UN colleagues to give back to their local communities around New York City.
The Speakers are:
- Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly
- Mr. Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Ms. Ana María Archila, Commissioner at the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
- Ms. Redi Tlhabi, International broadcaster, author, moderator and producer
Multimedia: Watch the event on UN WebTV.
Volunteering for #MandelaDay: This year, the UN has organized multiple volunteering opportunities for UN colleagues to give back to their local communities around New York City.
Volunteers will help conduct a variety of activities at The Bowery Mission, Refettorio Harlem, Community Help in Park Slope (CHiPS), and Encore Community Services to help people in need. participants will assist in serving breakfast and lunch to people living with food insecurity, preparing care kits and prepackaged meals, delivering meals to homebound older adults, and assisting with an ice-cream social. Each year, individuals around the world are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time on this day to community service – in honor of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela devoted to public service and the pursuit of social justice. This year, we reflect and act under the theme: “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.” The UN is also cross promoting this event and encouraging colleagues to undertake additional service projects through the ActNow campaign app.
Organizers: The volunteer activity is a collaboration co-organized by the UN Department for Global Communications, the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs, the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN.
Virtual Public Service Activity
Take the ActNow x Mandela Day challenge – to limit global warming and take care of our planet. ActNow is the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability. Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet. By changing our habits and making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we can tackle the climate emergency and build a more sustainable world. As Nelson Mandela said, "We must never forget that it is our duty to protect this environment." Download the app and join the challenge (or team)! >>
Choose your own adventure on the interactive website, which is designed to introduce you to Nelson Mandela’s life through ten defining moments in his journey. Rather than presenting Mandela’s history as a timeline, this experience invites all to make choices at Mandela’s key pressure points: from student activism and the Defiance Campaign to Robben Island, negotiations, reconciliation, and his global legacy. After each decision, you will learn about Mandela’s true journey and see how closely your choices align with his historical path through a live “Mandela Accuracy” tracker. The experience combines storytelling, animation, visual design, and a live leaderboard to make Mandela’s legacy more engaging and accessible, especially for audiences who may not already know the history in depth. It aims to help understand not only what Mandela achieved, but the difficult choices, values, and sacrifices that shaped his long walk toward justice, equality, and human dignity. Start your long walk to freedom >>
EXHIBIT: Building on the Legacy of Nelson Mandela >>
Booklets: Thando and Fredy’s big adventure with Nelson Mandela
Connecting Madiba’s values to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, this booklet is about the small but powerful things you can do every day to help create a kinder, fairer, and more caring world. Thando and Fredy’s big adventure with Nelson Mandela >>
Nelson Mandela SDGs Business Booklet.
This special edition serves as a tribute to Madiba, honoring his enduring legacy of leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice. Nelson Mandela SDGs business booklet >>
"Mandela Day: Free at Last"
"Mandela Day: Free at Last" is the soundtrack to the year Mandela walked free. It moves from the songs topping the charts the week of his release in February 1990, through the protest anthems that helped get him out, to the music of freedom and homecoming. Out now on major streaming platforms – click the links below to listen now! Spotify >> or on Apple Music >>
