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As the catastrophic war in Sudan nears its , its devastating toll on civilians continues to grow, with suffering deepening across affected regions. Nearly 12 million people have been forcibly displaced within the country and beyond its borders. Famine has been confirmed in 10 areas, while the economy has shrunk by more than 30 percent in just two years. Humanitarian workers are also increasingly coming under attack, even as an overstretched aid system struggles under unprecedented strain but continues to deliver lifesaving assistance.
Through minimalist ceramics shaped by memory and displacement, Crimean Tatar artist Elvira Demerdzhi creates moments of calm and cultural continuity amid Kyiv’s ongoing war.
The term "unilateral coercive measures” usually refers to economic measures taken by one State to compel a change in the policy of another State. The International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures (4 December) serves as a part of global efforts to raise awareness about the negative impact of such measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. The observance emphasizes the need to promote dialogue, mutual respect, understanding, tolerance and multilateralism as the cornerstone of international relations and diplomacy.
The animated film highlights how technology can empower women and girls with disabilities while also being misused to perpetrate . It urges collective, intersectional action to ensure safe, inclusive digital spaces for all.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the that prohibits the use of chemical weapons in international armed conflicts. A century ago, after witnessing the terrible impact of chemical weapons during World War I, the international community came together to ban their use in war. On the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (30 November) we pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare over the decades. We also remember the global efforts to end the use of these abhorrent tactics.
UNMAS leads mine action efforts in Gaza, helping humanitarian partners assess explosive ordnance risks and enabling safe operations during and after hostilities. Since 2009, and especially after the October 2023 escalation, it has expanded its work to include early recovery support and risk education for civilians across Gaza and the West Bank.
COVID-19 showed how devastating pathogens can be, even in peacetime. Yet their impact is far greater when weaponized. With rapid technological advances increasing the risk of accidental or deliberate misuse, there is no margin for error and no time to waste. The (Geneva, 28-30 October) brings together top minds in health-security, emerging technologies, and biothreat policy, to explore new strategies, challenges and innovations in combating biological threats to our interconnected ecosystems.
As hospitals lie in ruins and hunger spreads in Gaza, UNFPA’s mobile clinic offers critical maternal care to women giving birth in unimaginable conditions.
Despite , initiatives like UNESCO’s Virtual Campus and Temporary Learning Spaces are reconnect with learning, hope, and academic life.
For two years, has urgently called for a as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Over 1.9 million people are displaced, with countless lives lost or shattered.
The world is witnessing a troubling erosion of our shared humanity: dialogue is giving way to violence, civilians are bearing the brunt of conflict, and international law is being disregarded. In this time of rising tensions and deepening divisions, Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of truth and non-violence carries renewed urgency. On this International Day of Non-Violence (2 October, Gandhi’s birthday), Secretary-General António Guterres calls on all people to follow Gandhi’s example—end suffering, advance diplomacy, heal divisions, and strive for a just, sustainable, and peaceful future.
Nuclear weapons offer no security, only the threat of annihilation, with . The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (26 September) reminds us of the Cold War’s central lesson: humanity once risked its survival. Sadly, the shadow of nuclear annihilation is still with us and spreading fast, fueled by divisions and mistrust, along with rising military spending, growing stockpiles, and nations using nuclear threats as coercion. Humanity is headed in the wrong direction. It’s time to chart a new course for lasting peace through disarmament.
Military spending reached a record $2.7 trillion last year, undermining diplomacy and draining resources from critical areas like hunger and poverty, warns a .
In today’s uncertain times, it’s crucial for everyone to mobilize for peace. From peacekeepers to community members and students, we all have a role to play. Speak out against violence and discrimination, volunteer, and challenge hate in your surroundings. Support socially conscious brands and donate to organizations promoting human rights. The UN plays a key role in advancing human rights and addressing root causes of violence through its Peacebuilding Commission and Sustainable Development Goals. On International Day of Peace (21 September) let our actions for peace speak louder than words.