MOBILE VERSION ⌂ Thematic calendars → United Nations Holidays
UN International Days of Observance
The UN international days are specific days set by the General Assembly and other United Nations bodies to mark particular events or topics in order to promote awareness of and action on important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights issues. By creating special observances, the United Nations simulates interest in United Nations activities and programmes in these areas. The International Days also serve as an indicator of the interest that a given subject attracts in each part of the world.
Calendar of UN International Days for 2020-2021 year
April 2020Monday 20 April - UN Chinese Language Day (United Nations)Thursday 23 April - UN English Language Day (United Nations); UN Spanish Language Day (United Nations); International Girls in ICT Day (aims to encourage and empower girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of Information and communications technology); World Book and Copyright DayFriday 24 April - International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace (A/RES/73/127. Multilateralism, process of organizing relations between groups of three or more states)Sunday 26 April - International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day (A/RES/71/125); World Intellectual Property DayMay 2020Monday 4 May - Anti-Bullying Day (The United Nations has recognized the epidemic of bullying that is gripping our schools and had dedicated May 4th as U.N. Anti-Bullying Day)Friday 8 May - Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World WarSaturday 9 May - UN remembrance and reconciliation DAY (8–9 May)Saturday 16 May - International Day of Living Together in Peace (adopted by the UN on December 8, 2017); International Day of Light (initiated by UNESCO on November 14, 2017)Wednesday 20 May - World Bee Day (On this day Anton Janša, the pioneer of beekeeping, was born in 1734)June 2020Friday 5 June - International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (UN 2017); World Environment DaySaturday 6 June - UN Russian Language Day (United Nations)Sunday 7 June - World Food Safety Day (A/RES/73/250)Thursday 18 June - Sustainable Gastronomy Day (The UN General Assembly adopted on 21 December 2016 its resolution A/RES/71/246 and designated 18 June as an international observance, Sustainable Gastronomy Day); International Bazaar (UN)Friday 19 June - World Children's Football Day (UN); International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in ConflictSaturday 20 June - Summer Solstice (International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice); World Refugee DaySunday 21 June - World Hydrography Day (The International Hydrographic Bureau was established in 1921 for the purpose of providing a mechanism for consultation between governments on such matters as technical standards, safe navigation and the protection of the marine environment. In 1970 the name was changed to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The IHO is actively engaged in developing standards and interoperability, particularly in relation to the challenges brought about by digital technologies. In 2005 the IHO adopted the concept of a World Hydrography Day, which was "welcomed" by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution A/RES/60/30 Oceans and the law of the sea. The date chosen for World Hydrography Day is the anniversary of the founding of the International Hydrographic Organization); International Day of YogaFriday 26 June - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking; United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of TortureJuly 2020Thursday 9 July - International Gun Destruction Day (or Small Arms Destruction Day established by the United Nations in 2001)August 2020Friday 21 August - International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism (adopted by the UN on October 27, 2017)Saturday 22 August - International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Violence Due to Religion or Belief (International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief - established since May 28, 2019 - UN A/RES/73/296)September 2020Saturday 12 September - United Nations International Day for South-South Cooperation; United Nations Day for South-South CooperationFriday 18 September - International Day of Equal Pay (established by the UN General Assembly on November 15, 2019. Several countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, sponsored the resolution)Wednesday 23 September - International Day of Sign Languages (adopted by the UN on November 14, 2017)Monday 28 September - International Day for Universal Access to Information (Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression); World Rabies DayOctober 2020Sunday 11 October - World Obesity Day (The first World Obesity Day took place in 2015); International Day of the Girl ChildSaturday 24 October - World Polio Day; United Nations Day (UN Day); World Development Information DayNovember 2020Friday 6 November - International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictMonday 30 November - Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (OPCW C-20/DEC.10)December 2020Saturday 5 December - International Volunteer Day (International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development); World Soil DayWednesday 9 December - International Anti-Corruption Day; International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this CrimeSaturday 19 December - Supply Day (UN)January 2021Sunday 24 January - International Day of Education (3 December 2018 A/RES/73/25. Education is key to sustainable development)February 2021Monday 1 February - Beginning of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan)Wednesday 10 February - World Pulses Day (UN: A/RES/73/251. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses are a type of leguminous crop that are harvested solely for the dry seed.)Friday 12 February - Red Hand Day (United Nations)March 2021Saturday 20 March - UN French Language Day (United Nations) and International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie); International Day of HappinessSunday 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Forests; International Day of Nowruz; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry DayWednesday 24 March - International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; World Tuberculosis DayThursday 25 March - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff MembersApril 2021Notes:
The United Nations observes designated days (weeks, years, and decades) annually declaring a theme or topic for certain days.
The lead UN agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), often a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Monday 4 May - Anti-Bullying Day (The United Nations has recognized the epidemic of bullying that is gripping our schools and had dedicated May 4th as U.N. Anti-Bullying Day)
Friday 8 May - Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War
Saturday 9 May - UN remembrance and reconciliation DAY (8–9 May)
Saturday 16 May - International Day of Living Together in Peace (adopted by the UN on December 8, 2017); International Day of Light (initiated by UNESCO on November 14, 2017)
Wednesday 20 May - World Bee Day (On this day Anton Janša, the pioneer of beekeeping, was born in 1734)
June 2020Friday 5 June - International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (UN 2017); World Environment DaySaturday 6 June - UN Russian Language Day (United Nations)Sunday 7 June - World Food Safety Day (A/RES/73/250)Thursday 18 June - Sustainable Gastronomy Day (The UN General Assembly adopted on 21 December 2016 its resolution A/RES/71/246 and designated 18 June as an international observance, Sustainable Gastronomy Day); International Bazaar (UN)Friday 19 June - World Children's Football Day (UN); International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in ConflictSaturday 20 June - Summer Solstice (International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice); World Refugee DaySunday 21 June - World Hydrography Day (The International Hydrographic Bureau was established in 1921 for the purpose of providing a mechanism for consultation between governments on such matters as technical standards, safe navigation and the protection of the marine environment. In 1970 the name was changed to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The IHO is actively engaged in developing standards and interoperability, particularly in relation to the challenges brought about by digital technologies. In 2005 the IHO adopted the concept of a World Hydrography Day, which was "welcomed" by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution A/RES/60/30 Oceans and the law of the sea. The date chosen for World Hydrography Day is the anniversary of the founding of the International Hydrographic Organization); International Day of YogaFriday 26 June - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking; United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of TortureJuly 2020Thursday 9 July - International Gun Destruction Day (or Small Arms Destruction Day established by the United Nations in 2001)August 2020Friday 21 August - International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism (adopted by the UN on October 27, 2017)Saturday 22 August - International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Violence Due to Religion or Belief (International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief - established since May 28, 2019 - UN A/RES/73/296)September 2020Saturday 12 September - United Nations International Day for South-South Cooperation; United Nations Day for South-South CooperationFriday 18 September - International Day of Equal Pay (established by the UN General Assembly on November 15, 2019. Several countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, sponsored the resolution)Wednesday 23 September - International Day of Sign Languages (adopted by the UN on November 14, 2017)Monday 28 September - International Day for Universal Access to Information (Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression); World Rabies DayOctober 2020Sunday 11 October - World Obesity Day (The first World Obesity Day took place in 2015); International Day of the Girl ChildSaturday 24 October - World Polio Day; United Nations Day (UN Day); World Development Information DayNovember 2020Friday 6 November - International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictMonday 30 November - Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (OPCW C-20/DEC.10)December 2020Saturday 5 December - International Volunteer Day (International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development); World Soil DayWednesday 9 December - International Anti-Corruption Day; International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this CrimeSaturday 19 December - Supply Day (UN)January 2021Sunday 24 January - International Day of Education (3 December 2018 A/RES/73/25. Education is key to sustainable development)February 2021Monday 1 February - Beginning of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan)Wednesday 10 February - World Pulses Day (UN: A/RES/73/251. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses are a type of leguminous crop that are harvested solely for the dry seed.)Friday 12 February - Red Hand Day (United Nations)March 2021Saturday 20 March - UN French Language Day (United Nations) and International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie); International Day of HappinessSunday 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Forests; International Day of Nowruz; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry DayWednesday 24 March - International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; World Tuberculosis DayThursday 25 March - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff MembersApril 2021Notes:
The United Nations observes designated days (weeks, years, and decades) annually declaring a theme or topic for certain days.
The lead UN agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), often a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Thursday 9 July - International Gun Destruction Day (or Small Arms Destruction Day established by the United Nations in 2001)
August 2020Friday 21 August - International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism (adopted by the UN on October 27, 2017)Saturday 22 August - International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Violence Due to Religion or Belief (International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief - established since May 28, 2019 - UN A/RES/73/296)September 2020Saturday 12 September - United Nations International Day for South-South Cooperation; United Nations Day for South-South CooperationFriday 18 September - International Day of Equal Pay (established by the UN General Assembly on November 15, 2019. Several countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, sponsored the resolution)Wednesday 23 September - International Day of Sign Languages (adopted by the UN on November 14, 2017)Monday 28 September - International Day for Universal Access to Information (Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression); World Rabies DayOctober 2020Sunday 11 October - World Obesity Day (The first World Obesity Day took place in 2015); International Day of the Girl ChildSaturday 24 October - World Polio Day; United Nations Day (UN Day); World Development Information DayNovember 2020Friday 6 November - International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictMonday 30 November - Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (OPCW C-20/DEC.10)December 2020Saturday 5 December - International Volunteer Day (International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development); World Soil DayWednesday 9 December - International Anti-Corruption Day; International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this CrimeSaturday 19 December - Supply Day (UN)January 2021Sunday 24 January - International Day of Education (3 December 2018 A/RES/73/25. Education is key to sustainable development)February 2021Monday 1 February - Beginning of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan)Wednesday 10 February - World Pulses Day (UN: A/RES/73/251. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses are a type of leguminous crop that are harvested solely for the dry seed.)Friday 12 February - Red Hand Day (United Nations)March 2021Saturday 20 March - UN French Language Day (United Nations) and International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie); International Day of HappinessSunday 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Forests; International Day of Nowruz; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry DayWednesday 24 March - International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; World Tuberculosis DayThursday 25 March - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff MembersApril 2021Notes:
The United Nations observes designated days (weeks, years, and decades) annually declaring a theme or topic for certain days.
The lead UN agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), often a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Saturday 12 September - United Nations International Day for South-South Cooperation; United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
Friday 18 September - International Day of Equal Pay (established by the UN General Assembly on November 15, 2019. Several countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, sponsored the resolution)
Wednesday 23 September - International Day of Sign Languages (adopted by the UN on November 14, 2017)
Monday 28 September - International Day for Universal Access to Information (Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression); World Rabies Day
October 2020Sunday 11 October - World Obesity Day (The first World Obesity Day took place in 2015); International Day of the Girl ChildSaturday 24 October - World Polio Day; United Nations Day (UN Day); World Development Information DayNovember 2020Friday 6 November - International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictMonday 30 November - Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (OPCW C-20/DEC.10)December 2020Saturday 5 December - International Volunteer Day (International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development); World Soil DayWednesday 9 December - International Anti-Corruption Day; International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this CrimeSaturday 19 December - Supply Day (UN)January 2021Sunday 24 January - International Day of Education (3 December 2018 A/RES/73/25. Education is key to sustainable development)February 2021Monday 1 February - Beginning of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan)Wednesday 10 February - World Pulses Day (UN: A/RES/73/251. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses are a type of leguminous crop that are harvested solely for the dry seed.)Friday 12 February - Red Hand Day (United Nations)March 2021Saturday 20 March - UN French Language Day (United Nations) and International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie); International Day of HappinessSunday 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Forests; International Day of Nowruz; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry DayWednesday 24 March - International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; World Tuberculosis DayThursday 25 March - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff MembersApril 2021Notes:
The United Nations observes designated days (weeks, years, and decades) annually declaring a theme or topic for certain days.
The lead UN agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), often a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Friday 6 November - International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
Monday 30 November - Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare (OPCW C-20/DEC.10)
December 2020Saturday 5 December - International Volunteer Day (International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development); World Soil DayWednesday 9 December - International Anti-Corruption Day; International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this CrimeSaturday 19 December - Supply Day (UN)January 2021Sunday 24 January - International Day of Education (3 December 2018 A/RES/73/25. Education is key to sustainable development)February 2021Monday 1 February - Beginning of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan)Wednesday 10 February - World Pulses Day (UN: A/RES/73/251. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses are a type of leguminous crop that are harvested solely for the dry seed.)Friday 12 February - Red Hand Day (United Nations)March 2021Saturday 20 March - UN French Language Day (United Nations) and International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie); International Day of HappinessSunday 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Forests; International Day of Nowruz; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry DayWednesday 24 March - International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; World Tuberculosis DayThursday 25 March - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff MembersApril 2021Notes:
The United Nations observes designated days (weeks, years, and decades) annually declaring a theme or topic for certain days.
The lead UN agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), often a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Sunday 24 January - International Day of Education (3 December 2018 A/RES/73/25. Education is key to sustainable development)
February 2021Monday 1 February - Beginning of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan)Wednesday 10 February - World Pulses Day (UN: A/RES/73/251. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses are a type of leguminous crop that are harvested solely for the dry seed.)Friday 12 February - Red Hand Day (United Nations)March 2021Saturday 20 March - UN French Language Day (United Nations) and International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie); International Day of HappinessSunday 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Forests; International Day of Nowruz; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry DayWednesday 24 March - International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; World Tuberculosis DayThursday 25 March - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff MembersApril 2021Notes:
The United Nations observes designated days (weeks, years, and decades) annually declaring a theme or topic for certain days.
The lead UN agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), often a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Saturday 20 March - UN French Language Day (United Nations) and International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie); International Day of Happiness
Sunday 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Forests; International Day of Nowruz; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry Day
Wednesday 24 March - International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims; World Tuberculosis Day
Thursday 25 March - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members
April 2021Notes:
The United Nations observes designated days (weeks, years, and decades) annually declaring a theme or topic for certain days.
The lead UN agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), often a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
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