New Year Address to the Nation.

Citizens of Russia, friends,

We are bidding farewell to 2023. Very soon it will become part of history and we will have to move forward, create the future.

We have worked very hard and accomplished a lot over the past year. We were proud of our common achievements and happy about our successes. And we were firm, protecting the national interests, our freedom and security, and our values which continue to provide us with an unshakeable foundation.

And the main thing which has united us is the destiny of the Motherland. There is a deep understanding of the utmost importance of the historic period which Russia is going through, those large-scale objectives which society is facing and the colossal responsibility for the Motherland which every one of us feels.

We are acutely and clearly aware of how much depends on us during this period, on our positive attitude, and our aspiration to support each other in word and deed.

Work for the collective good has united society. We are united in our thoughts, tasks and in combat, whether at work or on days off, displaying the main traits of the Russian people – solidarity, mercy and firmness.

I would like to address our military personnel – everyone who is on duty, who is on the front lines fighting for truth and justice. You are our heroes. Our hearts are with you. We are proud of you and we admire your courage.

I am well aware that now you feel the love of those nearest and dearest to you, the powerful, sincere support of millions of Russian citizens, the support of the entire people.

We have proved over and over again that we are able to tackle the most difficult tasks and we will never back down as there is no force that can divide us, make us forget the memory and the faith of our fathers, or stop our development.

Friends,

At all times, the New Year celebrations have been associated with bright hopes and the sincerest wish to bring joy to loved ones.

The upcoming year of 2024 has been declared the Year of the Family in our country. And a truly big family is definitely a family where children grow up, where parents are given attention, and treated with warm-heartedness and care, and where everyone loves and respects each other.

Devotion to the Motherland is nurtured via such kinship of all generations, love of home.

I would like to convey my very best wishes for the new year to all Russian families. After all, the history of our huge, wonderful and beloved Motherland is shaped by the history of each family. We – the multinational people of Russia – decide and create its fate.

We are one country, one big family. We will ensure the steady development of the Motherland, the well-being of our citizens, and we will become even stronger.

We are together. And this is the most reliable guarantee of the future of Russia.

Happy New Year, friends! Happy 2024!

President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

Новогоднее обращение к гражданам России.

31 декабря 2023 года - 23:55 P.M. - Москва; Кремль.

New Year's 2024 Message.

Message of the United Nations Secretary-General tor New Year 2024.

"2023 has been a year of enormous suffering, violence, and climate chaos. Humanity is in pain. Our planet is in peril. 2023 is the hottest year on record. People are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger. Wars are growing in number and ferocity. And trust is in short supply. But pointing fingers and pointing guns lead nowhere. Humanity is strongest when we stand together. 2024 must be a year for rebuilding trust and restoring hope. We must come together across divides for shared solutions. For climate action. For economic opportunity and a fairer global financial system that delivers for all. Together, we must stand up against the discrimination and hatred that are poisoning relations between countries and communities. And we must make sure new technologies such as artificial intelligence are a force for good.
The United Nations will keep rallying the world for peace, sustainable development and human rights. Let's resolve to make 2024 a year of building trust and hope in all that we can accomplish together. I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year".

António Guterres.

International Day of Epidemic preparedness 2023; December 27th.

FORUM: "Enhance collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future." International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic affected hundreds of millions of lives, caused millions of deaths and inflicted devastating impacts on humanity. After three years of unprecedented global efforts, on 5 May the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing however, that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EpidemicPreparedness, #27December, #InternationalDayofEpidemicPreparedness.

EVENTS: On December 27th, the World Health Assembly (WHA) and World Health Organization (WHO) will hold a webinar to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2023. The Secretary-General said these efforts are making progress and recalled that the High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held in September, concluded with a robust political declaration which complements negotiations underway towards a pandemic accord. The pandemic accord will help to create a safer and healthier world with a universal system of response to disease eruptions, he added.

STATEMENTS: "This first-ever global agreement aims to enhance collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future " said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his end-of-year message.

Statement from the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the International Day of Epidemic preparedness 2023; December 27th. 

COVID-19 is no longer the international public health emergency it was, but it is still circulating, and its devastating effects are still with us. Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures. Many healthcare systems are struggling. Millions of children are threatened by disease after missing out on routine childhood vaccinations. And three years after the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed, billions of people remain unprotected – overwhelmingly in developing countries.

When the next pandemic arrives, we must do better. But we’re not yet ready. We must prepare and act on the lessons of COVID-19.

Working together, the world must improve surveillance of viruses, strengthen health systems, and make the promise of Universal Health Coverage a reality. We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. And we must strengthen the World Health Organization’s authority and financing.

These efforts are making progress. The High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September agreed a robust political declaration. This complements the negotiations on a pandemic accord in Geneva.

On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, I urge countries to build on this momentum by delivering a strong, comprehensive accord, focused on equity, by next year’s World Health Assembly in May.

Together, let’s act on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

International Human Solidarity Day 2023; December 20th.

FORUM: “A call for unity and action.” International Human Solidarity Day 2023. Solidarity is the principle that recognizes our common humanity and the interconnectedness of our destinies. It highlights the need for collective effort, cooperation, and mutual understanding to solve complex challenges such as poverty, hunger, climate change, and conflict. This day serves as an opportunity to celebrate achievements made through solidarity and to recommit to building a more just and equitable world. To promote human solidarity, it is important to actively engage in your community, and get involved in different activities and events. This means helping out and supporting causes that help people who are in need. By doing this, we can bring people from different backgrounds together and help them understand each other better. It’s also important to support local projects that help address homelessness, education, and health. In this way, we show compassion for our community members, making sure every individual is cared for. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #SolidarityDay, #20December, #HumanSolidarityDay, #TheWorldWeWant, #PromotingSolidarity, #LeaveNoOneBehind.

EVENTS: On December 20th, the United Nations system organizations will hold an event to celebrate unity, kindness, and diversity during the International Human Solidarity Day 2023 at the UNHQ. The Observance of the International Human Solidarity Day is a special day that reminds us that we are all part of the same human family. It teaches us the importance of working together and helping each other. When we work together in solidarity, we can overcome any problem or difficulty. This day encourages us to think about how we can make the world a better place for everyone.

SUMMIT

International Migrants Day 2023; December 18th.

FORUM: “Act today for a better tomorrow for all: Improving the health of migrants to unleash the power of migration.” International Migrants Day 2023. Migration has always been a part of human history, with people moving for various reasons. This phenomenon continues to shape our world as more individuals seek better opportunities and escape conflicts, violence, climate change, and environmental degradation. Migrants bring a multitude of skills that can benefit and enrich host countries and communities. They can serve as agents of change, creating opportunities for progress and contributing to social and economic growth. Their contributions to the health and well-being of the society they live in are invaluable. For instance, migrant health workers were indispensable to the frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, many countries are increasingly relying on migrant workers in their health care systems. To unleash the full potential of migration as a solution to global challenges, it is vital to prioritize the physical and mental health and well-being of migrants.

 

WHO advocates for specific actions to achieve this:

• Reorient health systems into integrated and inclusive health services and programmes for migrants, in line with the principles of primary health care and universal health coverage, keeping people healthy in all life stages, not only when they are sick.
• Address the root causes that may affect the well-being of migrants, including social determinants of health, such as poor housing and working conditions, lack of education, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, food insecurity, and vulnerability to violence.
• Invest in comprehensive data collection and monitor health determinants, status and outcomes of migrants to assess accountability for progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other goals and global targets.
• Promote high-quality global research, strengthen knowledge production, and build research capacity to understand and address the health needs of migrants and shape responsive policies and practices worldwide.
• Remove barriers to universal health coverage (UHC), including discrimination, cultural and language factors, and unaffordable costs, ensuring that migrants, including those in irregular situations, receive legal and social protection through national health systems and insurance schemes.
• Include migrants in national public health strategies, including preparedness and response, as equitable and appropriate health services for all migrants yield positive outcomes for the society as a whole.
• Address the shortage or lack of health professionals, services, and programmes that can cater to the cultural and linguistic needs of migrants, such as training competent health care professionals who can provide culturally sensitive care.
• Build sustainable, consultative structures and mechanisms that optimize migrants’ involvement in health projects.

Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalMigrantsDay, #18December, #MigrantsDay, #safeMigration, #RegularMigration, #OrderlyMigration.

Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on International Migrants Day 2023; December 18th.

Migration is a fact of life and a force for good. It promotes the exchange of knowledge and ideas and contributes to economic growth. It enables millions of people to pursue opportunities and improve their lives.

At the same time, poorly governed migration is a cause of great suffering. It forces people into the cruel realm of traffickers, where they face exploitation, abuse, and even death. It undermines trust in governance and institutions, inflames social tensions, and corrodes our common humanity.

On International Migrants Day, we highlight the urgent need for safe migration governance rooted in solidarity, partnership, and respect for human rights.

Five years ago, the international community adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. This has become an important reference point and resource for Member States to assess actions, enhance cooperation, and expand rights-based pathways for migration.

Yet such measures remain the exception, not the norm. Today and every day, we must work towards a more humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including communities of origin, transit, and destination.

Together, let us secure a safer and more prosperous future for all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

EVENTS: On December 18th, the UN Migration, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and the specialized agencies will host a webinar to mark the International Migrants Day 2023 from the IOM Headquater in Switzerland. The World Health Organization (WHO) will join the International Organization for Migration (IOM), along with global partners and communities to hold an event that will not only celebrate migrants but also willl serve as a catalyst for advocating their rights and uniting the global community in harnessing the transformative power of migration.

FESTIVAL: Health for All Film Festival - In 2024, WHO will continue to celebrate the power of audiovisual storytelling for health with all those interested in public health narratives! The 5th Health for All Film Festival calls for submissions from 1 November 2023 to 31 January 2024. This year, there is a Special Migrants and Refugees Health Film Prize. We invite public health institutions from around the world, nongovernmental organizations, communities, activists and students in public health, film schools, and other relevant domains to submit their original short films that shed light on the impact of migration and displacement on the physical and mental health and well-being of people on the move. Short films can also raise awareness on the rights and unique health needs of these populations, and showcase how access to health care for these populations contributes to their better health and well-being. Independent filmmakers, production companies, and TV broadcasters are also invited to participate. A multilingual social media kit with visuals is also available at the bottom of the page to further promote this call and invite submissions of short films on migrants and refugees health before 31 January 2024. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Health for All Film Festival website.

From November 27th to December 1st 2023 was held the Fourth WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health. On the first four days, technical discussions will focus on core sub-themes under the overarching umbrella of the social determinants of migrant health: Health literacy - Recording; Working conditions - Recording; Housing and living conditions - Recording; Food and nutrition - Recording. The last day will be devoted to a panel discussion on the overarching topic of this year's school. [Recording].The full programme of the School is available here.


STATEMENTS: Watch the video statement of Mrs. Amy Pope, IOM Diretor-General on International Migrant’s Day 2023; December 18th.

Arabic Language Day 2023; December 18th.

FORUM: “Arabic – the Language of Poetry and Arts.” Arabic Language Day 2023. This edition will highlight language's importance in reuniting for a constructive dialogue, shaping perceptions, and cultivating understanding in the current global landscape marked by uncertainties and turbulence. Through this year’s theme UNESCO will shed a light on the numerous contributions of Arabic to humanity’s cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as to knowledge production. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #ArabicLanguageDay, #18December, #Arabiclanguage, #Multilingualism.

Statement from the Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Arabic Language Day 2023, December 18th.

In this 11th World Arabic Language Day, and as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the inclusion of Arabic among the official languages of the United Nations, our Organization honours a language spoken by nearly 450 million people worldwide and which has an exceptional linguistic and cultural heritage.A link between continents, the Arabic language draws its depth, influence and diversity from a thousand-year-old history, at the crossroads of exchanges. Today, as in the past, it is enriched by the contributions of other cultures, thus conveying thinking of extraordinary historical significance.From this context conducive to the flourishing of words and ideas, over the centuries seminal works have been created, such as those of the poets Abū Nuwās and Omar Khayyam, the poetess al-Khansā', the philosopher and physician Avicenna, and the philosopher Averroës.This year, with the theme of the Day, “Arabic – the Language of Poetry and Arts”, UNESCO pays tribute to the women and men who perpetuate the poetic and artistic brilliance of this living language, helping to renew it.While working for cultural diversity in general, UNESCO is committed to promoting the Arabic language in particular. Through the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Programme to Strengthen the Arabic Language in UNESCO, for example, we encourage the use of Arabic within our Organization. More extensively, we seek to promote its practice and increase its dissemination, by supporting cultural exchanges and events, and by increasing the number of Arabic translations of UNESCO publications.In 2021, the inscription of Arabic calligraphy on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was also a strong initiative of the Organization, enabling us to make better known the aesthetic splendour of this language which is also an art. On this World Arabic Language Day, UNESCO calls for a celebration of a language and the cultures that it enriches. More broadly, our Organization is keen to emphasize the extent to which we need plural ways of considering and reflecting the world, through linguistic diversity: this is an invaluable asset and a sustainable prerequisite for peace.

Ms Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

رسالة من المديرة العامة لليونسكو، السيدة أودري أزولاي، بمناسبة اليوم العالمي للغة العربية، 18 كانون الأول/ديسمبر2023

EVENTS: On December 18th; The celebration of World Arabic Language Day 2023 will be held from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.This year’s commemoration coincides with the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of Arabic as one of the six UN official languages. To pay tribute to the poetic and artistic brilliance of the Arabic language, UNESCO will bring together researchers, academics, youth, and heads of international institutions. The UNESCO organizes round table discussions and cultural performances. Applicants to the Prize for Arab culture must have contributed significantly towards the development, dissemination and the promotion of Arab culture in the world.The winners of the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture will be announced. The event will serve as a solid platform to delve into the discussions on the Arabic language's influence on shaping knowledge, societal transformations through poetry, and its impact on the arts, while fostering cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. The Roundtables within this initiative will center on:

• Philosophy and Poetry: The Contribution of Arabic Poetry to Knowledge Shaping and Social Transformations
• Arabic Language and Arts: Broadening Scopes of Cultural Diversity
• ‘Arab Latinos!’: The Arabic Imprint in Latin America and the Caribbean

Side Event: Additionally, as part of this initiative, a side event will be organized to reflect on the initial outcomes and highlights of the forthcoming publication focused on the role of Arabic in social inclusion and its preservation within the Arabic-speaking communities of Europe while promoting their integration into host societies. To register, please click here

EXHIBITION: Witness the exhibition showcasing the achievements in advancing the Arabic language under ‘Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Programme for the Arabic Language at UNESCO’ from the 18th to the 22nd December. The programme has fostered intercultural dialogue, enriched linguistic diversity through its projects and initiatives, promoted knowledge production and dissemination in Arabic, and, last but not least, endorsed the annual flagship event: World Arabic Language Day.

International Universal Health Coverage Day 2023; December 12th.

FORUM: "Health for All, Time for Action." International Universal Health Coverage Day 2023. This year, UHC Day presents an opportunity to revitalize commitments towards accelerating UHC as countries recover from the devastating economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries in all Regions needs to make significant progress on the UHC service coverage index, which measures population coverage of essential health services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and service capacity and access. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Timeforaction, #Healthexpenditure, #InvestinHealth, #healthForAll, #UHC, #12December, #UHCday, #UniversalHealthCoverage.

EVENTS: On Decembe 12th, the World Health Assembly (WHA), the Regional offices of the World Health Organization and the Global Health Council with host an event to mark the International Universal Health Coverage Day 2023. The theme for this year’s UHC Day is “Health for All: Time for Action”, and invites us to emphasize the need for immediate and tangible steps in creating the world we want. It calls for reflecting on a decade of progress, challenges, and opportunities in advancing UHC. The campaign urges our leaders to enact policies that guarantee equitable access to essential health services without financial hardship and will build on the momentum and outcome from the second United Nations High-Level Meeting on UHC in September 2023: a renewed action-oriented political commitment that will refocus political attention and financial investments on accelerating progress.

• Pan American Health Organization will host a forum on how to Invest, Innovate and Implement PHC to Achieve Universal Health.
• South-East Asia Region will held a Webinar on UHC-Now More Than Ever.
• European Region will organize the Tallinn Charter 15th Anniversary Health Systems Conference: Trust and transformation – resilient and sustainable health systems for the future.
• Western Pacific Region will launch the Report entitled - Progress towards universal health coverage: improving financial protection.

WEBINAR: Progress towards UHC: improving financial protection in the Western Pacific Region. On Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 12:30–13:30 Manila time, WHO will host a webinar to share findings from the new report, Progress towards universal health coverage: improving financial protection in the Western Pacific Region. Speakers will include: Lluis Vinals Torres, Director, Division of Health Systems and Services for the WHO Western Pacific Region; Ding Wang, Health Economist, WHO Western Pacific Region; and experts from countries in the region. Register for the event

• On December 11th 2023, from 14:30 – 16:00 was held a conference entitled Global Spending on Health: Coping with the Pandemic.
• On December 11th, 2023,from 14:00 – 16:00 a panel discussion entitled ''Delivering quality care to everyone,everywhere, at all times.'' was held.
• On December 11th, 2023, from 14:00 – 15:30, an event entitled '' Shaping our health future: young leaders and parliamentarians unite for UHC was held.

PUBLICATIONS: The world is off track to make significant progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) (SDG target 3.8) by 2030 as improvements to health services coverage have stagnated since 2015, and the proportion of the population that faced catastrophic levels of out-of-pocket (OOP) health spending has increased. Read the followingsuggested reports:

1. Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2023 Global monitoring report.
2. Operational framework for building climate resilient and low carbon health systems.