Skip to main content
Alley of Flags

Upcoming Events

On the occasion of Human Rights Day on 10 December, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone celebration called Human Rights 75 (#HumanRights75).
Join us for two events at taking place at UN Geneva on 11 and 12 December 2023.  More info here.
Co-hosted by Switzerland and UNHCR, the Global Refugee Forum 2023 will take place in Geneva from 13 to 15 December 2023, with an advance day for side events on 12 December 2023.
The Forum will be the opportunity to build on the progress made by States and stakeholders towards the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees.

UNITED NATIONS OBSERVANCES AND SPECIAL EVENTS

The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. The United Nations observes designated days, weeks, years, and decades, each with a theme, or topic. By creating special observances, the United Nations promotes international awareness and action on these issues. Each international day offers many actors the opportunity to organize activities related to the theme of the day. Organizations and offices of the United Nations system, and most importantly, governments, civil society, the public and private sectors, schools, universities and, more generally, citizens, make an international day a springboard for awareness-raising actions. The majority of observances have been established by resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, although some have been designated by UN specialized agencies. The United Nations also observes anniversaries of key events in its history.

Similarly, the UN Office at Geneva organizes several special events throughout the year where world leaders, diplomats, experts, civil society and young people gather to address pressing international issues. These events serve as platforms for discussion, collaboration, and decision-making on topics such as peace, sustainable development, human rights, and climate change, advancing the UN's mission to promote global cooperation and find solutions to our planet's most critical challenges.

Past Events

Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January

01 February 2021

International Mother Language Day 2021

23 November 2021

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021

30 November 2021

Arabic Language Day 2021

06 December 2021

World Braille Day 2022

11 January 2022

Holocaust Remembrance Week 2022

17 January 2022

International Mother Language Day 2022

10 February 2022

French Language Day 2022

15 March 2022

International Translation Day

13 September 2022

Spanish Language Week 2022

17 December 2021

Arabic Language Day 2022

30 November 2022

Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January

13 January 2023

International Mother Language Day 2023

10 February 2023

World Down Syndrome Day 2023

14 March 2023

French Language Day 2023

14 March 2023

English Language Day 2023

21 April 2023

International Day of Sign Languages 2023

16 September 2022

World Stroke Day at UN Geneva (FR)

03 November 2023

YAS 2023

06 November 2023