Each year, on 29 August, we observe the International Day against Nuclear Tests to respect the victims of the past and to remind the world of the persisting threat these tests pose to the environment and international stability.

More than 2,000 nuclear tests have been conducted over the past seven decades – from the South Pacific to North America, from Central Asia to North Africa.  They have harmed some of the world’s most vulnerable peoples and pristine ecosystems.

The International Poster Competition is a joint project of Yad Vashem and The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme and endorsed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. It is open to all organizations who wish to participate around the world.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples - Wednesday 9 August 2017 

Nelson Mandela continues to inspire the world through his example of courage and compassion, and his commitment to social justice and a culture of freedom and peace.

I had the honour of meeting Nelson Mandela several times, including during South Africa’s transition. Each time, I was struck by his wisdom, his compassion, and above all, his humility.

One of the most important lessons we can learn from Nelson Mandela is that to make progress, we must look forward, however difficult that may be.

Upon taking up my duties as Secretary-General in January of this year, my very first act was to issue an appeal for peace -- a call on citizens, governments and leaders everywhere to put peace first.

“Our Oceans, Our Future”

June 5^th, 2017. Toyama, Japan/Busan, Republic of Korea: Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme puts forward voluntary commitment of the UN Ocean Conference to strengthen regional cooperation to achieve ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals.

“Investing in Peace Around the World”

For nearly 70 years, UN peacekeeping has proven to be one of the international community’s most effective investments in peace, security and prosperity. 

Demand for UN peacekeepers has risen steadily over the years, and deployment is now near an all-time high. Peacekeeping has had a positive impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.

19 May 2017 (Moscow, Russian Federation) – Mr. Toily Kurbanov, Deputy Executive Coordinator, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme will visit Moscow on 25 and 26 May. Mr. Kurbanov will meet official counterparts and volunteer organizations to discuss global partnership priorities between the Russian Federation and UNV. Mr. Kurbanov will also deliver a keynote speech at the research symposium on volunteerism organized jointly by UNV and Higher School of Economics (HSE) University.