United Nations Department of Public Information2018 COMMUNICATIONS GUIDANCE

As we enter 2018, we are pleased to share with you the Department of Public Information (DPI)
Communications Guidance. The accompanying one-page guidance note sets out the corecommunications themes and messages for the year while pointing to key markers in 2019 and 2020.
The 2018 Communications “at-a-glance” is bolstered by this broad overview of issues, themes andevents around which communications strategies and activities will be developed over the next year, inclose partnership with all UN system entities and with a strong focus on connecting the global agenda
with local populations through both DPI field offices and UN Country Teams. A calendar for the year
can be found at the end of the Guidance.

PEACE AND SECURITY .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 2Peacekeeping .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 2Prevention .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .3
Sexual exploitation and abuse .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .3
Crises in the spotlight .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 4Peacebuilding .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 5Preventing violent extremism andcountering terrorism .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .6
Supporting victims of terrorism  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 6Addressing large movements of refugees
and migrants .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .6
Global Compacts for Migration and Refugees 5
Humanitarian Response  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .5

Disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation
and arms control .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .8
Women and peace and security  .  .  .  .  .  .  .9
Organized crime and drug trafficking  .  .  .  . 9HUMAN RIGHTS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 1070th Anniversary of The Universal Declarationof Human Rights .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 10
Nelson Mandela Centenary  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 11
Genocide/Responsibility to Protect .  .  .  .  . 12
Combating xenophobia, promoting
inclusive societies  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 13
People of African Descent .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 13
Indigenous Peoples  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 14

Question of Palestine .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 15
Decolonization .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 15
SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT .  .  .  .  .  .  . 16
Sustainable Development Goals  .  .  .  .  .  . 16
Climate change  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 17
Gender equality and women’s empowerment 18
Financing  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 19
Youth .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 20
Economic prospects .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 20
African development .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 21
INTERNATIONAL DECADES .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 22
DPI SERVICES .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 23
2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS .  .  .  .  .  .  . 25

22 December 2018

PEACE AND SECURITY
In 2018, the demands on the international community
to prevent conflicts from escalating and spreading,and to assist nations in crisis will continue to require
a concerted and coordinated response. From Syria to
Yemen, from South Sudan to the Sahel, Afghanistan andelsewhere, only political solutions can bring about peace.

In 2018, it is likely to include the proposed Departmentof Peace Operations and a Department of Political andPeacebuilding Affairs. These two new departments will
replace the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations
and Political Affairs, with the Peacebuilding Support
Office combined with one of the two entities.

At the end of 2017 conflicts resulted in the UN and its
humanitarian partners responding to “Level 3” (mostsevere, large scale) emergencies in Syria, Iraq, Yemen
and the DRC. Global anxieties about nuclear weapons
are also at the highest level since the end of the Cold
War and there is an urgent need to prevent proliferationand promote disarmament.

We will also need to continue to call for effective
international cooperation to protect people on themove, be these refugees or migrants. With the new
global compacts, we will advocate that the benefits ofmovement should be most widely distributed and thatthe human rights of all properly protected.

We will need to communicate effectively in 2018 about
the Secretary-General’s continued reform of the peaceand security architecture. This reform will ensure the
UN is stronger in prevention, more agile in mediation,and more effective and cost-effective in peacekeeping
operations. A first step was taken in 2017 with theestablishment of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism.

DPI will also work closely with UN system entities toactivate the updated crisis communication Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP) when necessary to ensure
effective, coherent and timely communications andpublic information in times of developing or ongoing crisis
providing direction to United Nations Communication
Groups (UNCGs), both in the field and at Headquarters on
actions to take during such times.

PEACEKEEPING
As United Nations peacekeeping marks its 70th
anniversary in 2018, it remains one of the most effective
tools available in helping war-torn countries reachpolitical solutions and sustainable peace. As the missionin Liberia draws down, the legacy of peacekeeping tohelp address long-standing conflict and build peace
is a significant reminder of the role peacekeeping
can play.
However, given the rapidly evolving and highly complex
environments in many areas where they are deployed,2

peacekeeping seeks new ways of planning, sourcing andconducting UN peace operations to make them faster,
more effective and both responsive and accountable tothe needs of the people they serve.
Key priorities for the 2018 period will focus on: bolstering
capacities to support effective political solutions;ensuring critical uniformed and civilian capabilities
for mandate delivery in complex and dangerous
environments; protecting civilians and implementing
human rights-related mandates; ensuring responsible
2018 Communications Guidanceengagement with host countries and bolster the “dono harm” principle; more effective field-focus; forging
and strengthening regional and sub-regional as well as
political and operational partnerships.
In 2018, DPI in cooperation with DPKO-DFS will launcha global campaign on the “value of peacekeeping”. This
would highlight the contributions, achievements andsacrifices of peacekeepers deployed in difficult missions
around the world. For DPI this will include the use ofhuman interest stories and increased use of multimedia and social media.

courage and commitment of our peacekeepers and pay
respect to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
DPI will continue to provide advice on strategic
communications for UN peacekeeping, ensuring we build
and maintain support for one of the UN’s most visible
and important brands. We will support the departmental
priorities of DPKO-DFS and upcoming reform of the UN
peace and security architecture. Explaining mission
mandates to media and external parties will continue tobe a priority.
KEY DATES 2018

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers (29 May)
will be a key moment to communicate and amplify the

29 MAYInternational Day of UN
Peacekeepers

PREVENTIONThe Secretary-General has put prevention at the top of
his agenda. His proposed reforms include restructuring
the Organization’s peace and security architecture
to improve how the UN prevents conflict and helps
countries overcome strife and build lasting peace. The
proposed reform will be formally taken up by Member
States in the first quarter of 2018. In the lead up to andfollowing those discussions, DPI will highlight the UN’s
work on conflict prevention and “sustaining peace”,
focusing on efforts to make the peace and security pillar
more coherent, nimble and effective as well as align it
more closely with the Organization’s development andhuman rights work.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE (SEA)
Sexual exploitation and abuse committed by UN personnel
continues to be a systemwide problem. In 2017, DPI
robustly promoted a series of initiatives launched by the
Secretary-General to address this scourge which focusedon accountability and transparency. This included:
the appointment of a Victims Rights Advocate; theestablishment of a “Circle of Leadership,” which consistsof Heads of State or Government who demonstrated
their commitment to strengthen measures to prevent
sexual exploitation and abuse, and; the creationof a Voluntary Compact between the UN and Member

States which includes specific commitments to combat
and prevent sexual exploitation and abuse.
Looking forward, DPI will continue to update, improveand expand its recently launched system- wide website
on the subject: https://www.un.org/preventing-sexualexploitation-and-abuse/. For 2018, the website will
add a regular updated chart of allegations against UN
personnel systemwide, in addition to the quarterly
updates now available. DPI will promote the SecretaryGeneral’s annual report on sexual exploitation and abuse

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

3

which will likely be released in early March. Meanwhile,
DPI is developing in cooperation with DPKO, the UN
System Staff College and other UN entities a training
course for senior field-based officials on communicating
on sexual exploitation and abuse. Furthermore, DPI
will continue to strengthen internal communications
on UN efforts to address sexual exploitation and abuseutilizing iSeek and similar platforms across the system.
KEY DATES 2018
MARCH (TBC)

Secretary-General’s Reporton special measures forprotection from sexual
exploitation and abuse

CRISES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Colombia: The United Nations continues its strong
support to the peace process in Colombia. An observer
mission was established by the Security Council in 2016at the request of the Government of Colombia and the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia- People’s Army
(FARC-EP). In 2017, this gave way to a second, smaller,
operation mandated to verify the commitments in thepeace agreement regarding the reintegration of the
FARC into civilian life and the establishment of security
in the former conflict zones. That mission was further
expanded in late 2017 to include the monitoring andverification of a ceasefire between the Government ofColombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN), thesecond largest armed group in the country. DPI will
focus communications efforts on garnering support andunderstanding for the mandate of this peace operation
and any further UN efforts, in agreement with the parties
mentioned above, to consolidate a comprehensive peacein Colombia.
Libya: The United Nations continues to facilitate apolitical process in Libya aimed at finding a peacefulsolution to the crisis. On the margins of the UN General
Assembly, SRSG Salamé presented an action plan for theimmediate resumption of the Libyan political process on
the basis of extensive consultations with Libyan actors
across the country. The action plan charts a course tobring the transition to an end within the framework of
the Libyan Political Agreement. DPI will continue to assist

4

DPA and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya(UNSMIL) to highlight the UN’s efforts in that regard.
Middle East: The absence of political progress continues
to undermine prospects for a peaceful settlement to the
Arab-Israeli conflict, 50 years after the Israeli occupation
began and 70 years after General Assembly Resolution
181 proposed a partition of the land. DPI communications
priority, working alongside the Department of Political
Affairs (DPA), will be to promote the UN’s efforts in
restoring confidence and hope in the viability of a twostate solution and final status issues.
Yemen: The UN Special Envoy for Yemen and his Officewill continue efforts to promote a negotiated politicalsettlement to end the conflict. In this regard, mediation
efforts will focus on the details and sequencing of security
and political elements of an eventual comprehensive
peace agreement, as well as the development of aroadmap towards finalizing the constitution-making
process and holding general elections. The Office will
also expand efforts to promote inclusive participation in
the peace process, with an emphasis on women, youth
and civil society. Our communication efforts in 2018,
working alongside political and humanitarian partners,
aims to attract greater global attention to this conflict.
The UN will launch a new humanitarian appeal, reflecting
a worsening humanitarian and socio-economic situation,2018 Communications Guidancewith the UN estimating that nearly 21 million people are inneed of emergency aid or protection. Yemen is the world’s
largest food insecurity crisis (17 million food insecureof which 6.8 million “one step away from famine”) andaffected by the largest ever cholera outbreak
Syria: The conflict in Syria is entering its seventh year.
Amid a tenuous de-escalation, there is a window ofopportunity for progress on the political track. Thisdepends on whether the Syrians can be motivated to findcommon ground, otherwise, the risk is continued mass
displacement, terrorism and regional destabilization.
DPI’s communications priorities are two-fold: firstly,
to underscore the primacy of mediation efforts led by
the UN Special Envoy for Syria for a political transitionin accordance with resolution 2254 (2015) and the
Geneva Communiqué; secondly, to increase advocacy
for humanitarian access, protection of civilians andaccountability.
Iraq: The United Nations, through the UN Assistance
Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), continues to assist theGovernment and people of Iraq in addressing ongoingchallenges of security, political dialogue, human rights
and economic development. Our communications
priorities will include a continued focus on the politicaldevelopments, such as relations between the federal
Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government,
the planned elections, national reconciliation,
gender equality and support for the most vulnerable
communities, including through the stabilization of areas
liberated from ISIL and the voluntary and dignified returnof internally displaced persons.
South Sudan: Amidst a stalled peace process anddivisions within the region and the Security Council, theconflict in South Sudan is entering its fifth year. UNMISS
will continue to focus on delivering on its politicaland protection-of-civilians mandate to create a safe
environment. Communication efforts will be critical to
drawing attention to the escalating humanitarian andprotection crisis in the country and to build momentum
in support of the South Sudan political process while
promoting UNMISS as an impartial and credible part ofthe solution.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): The Security
Council placed two strategic priorities at the core of
MONUSCO’s mandate: support for the implementationof the 31 December 2016 political agreement to pave
the way for credible elections and the protection ofcivilians and human rights. In 2018, our communication
efforts will focus on creating a better understanding of
the Mission’s efforts and readjustments, and maintaininternational support for the Mission.
Mali: UN Security Council resolution 2364 maintained
the implementation of the peace agreement and therestoration of State authority at the centre of MINUSMA’s
mandate, including support to the gradual redeploymentof reconstituted Malian Defense and Security Forces. In
the future, it is possible that the Mission will be requested
to expand its support to the latter to include targeted
support to Malian armed forces units operating as partof the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Presidential and legislativeelections will be held in the summer and the fall of 2018.
Beyond raising awareness about the Mission’s mandate
and achievements our communications efforts will focus
on supporting the SRSG’s good offices in support of thepeace and electoral process.
Central African Republic: Following the deterioration of
the security situation in 2017, the UN Security Council
renewed the Mission’s mandate in mid-November
2017 by a year, with three key priorities at its core,
namely advancing the political and dialogue process,the protection of civilians and facilitating the deliveryof humanitarian assistance. In parallel, MINUSCA will
streamline and adjust other mandated tasks to adapt
to the evolving situation. In 2018, our communication
efforts will focus on maintaining international support for
CAR.

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

5

PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM AND COUNTERING TERRORISM
The Secretary-General considers counter-terrorism andprevention of violent extremism to be one of the highest
priorities of the UN to address a growing threat tointernational peace and security. 2017 saw the creationof a new UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) which under a mandate from the General Assembly and led by an
Under-Secretary-General - is charged with coordinating
UN efforts in this area and, more specifically, withpromoting implementation of the 2006 United Nations
Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The end of 2017
also saw the appointment of a new Counter-Terrorism
Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) Executive
Director and the renewal by the Security Council of themandate of the CTED, which supports the work of theCouncil’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).
The major planned activities of the UNOCT in 2018
include the Summit of Heads of Counter-Terrorism
Agencies called by the Secretary-General, as well as
the sixth biennial review by the General Assembly of the
UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, both planned for
June.

of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)by terrorists, promoting a gender-based approach toCounter-Terrorism (CT) and Countering Violent Extremism(CVE), and countering terrorist narratives.
The UN’s communications efforts will continue to raiseawareness about the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy and the activities of the Organization in assisting
Member States to counter terrorism and prevent
violent extremism. Communications will prioritize
positive narratives by promoting global communication
campaigns on the themes of tolerance, human rights
and non-violence. In doing so, DPI will work in close
collaboration with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism(UNOCT) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive
Directorate (CTED).
KEY DATES 201820-21 JUNE
JUNE (TBC)

Innovative areas addressed in the work programs of the
CTC and CTED will focus on preventing the exploitation

Summit of Heads of CounterTerrorism Agencies
Sixth biennial review by theGeneral Assembly of the UN
Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy

Supporting victims of terrorism
The Secretary-General has stressed the need to raisethe voices of victims of terrorism and to safeguard
their rights as part of his priorities in preventing violent
extremism. The UN office of Counter-Terrorism works tobuild solidarity with victims of terrorism worldwide. In
2018, we will continue to amplify the voices of victims
through digital and social media platforms and toprovides information and resources to victims though
the UN Victims of Terrorism Support Portal. Also in 2018,
we will observe for the first time the International Day
of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
which was proclaimed by the General Assembly in
6

October 2017. The day will aim to honour and support
the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote
and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights andfundamental freedoms.

KEY DATES 201821 AUGUST

International Day of
Remembrance of andTribute to Victims of
Terrorism2018 Communications GuidanceGLOBAL COMPACTS FOR MIGRATION AND REFUGEES
The movements of refugees and migrants across borders
remains high on many domestic and regional agendas
and continues to make headlines in the international
media. The UN continues to support the New York
Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, adopted by
Member States at the High-Level Summit in September
2016. As part of the declaration, the General Assembly
decided to develop a global compact for safe, orderly andregular migration and a global compact on refugees.
The global compact for migration will be the firstinter-governmentally negotiated agreement, prepared
under the auspices of the UN, to cover all dimensionsof international migration. The global compact is an
opportunity to improve the governance on migration,
to address the challenges associated with today’s
migration, and to strengthen the contribution of migrants
and migration to sustainable development.
In 2018, our communications will support the SecretaryGeneral’s Special Representative for International
Migration and the intergovernmental process to produce
the Global Compact for Migration. This includes thelaunch of the Secretary-General’s report at the startof 2018. Advocacy efforts, including a DPI produced
documentary, will continue through to December 2018
when the inter-governmental conference on internationalmigration will be held in Morocco with a view to adopting
the global compact.

Like the Global Compact for Migration, the Global Compact
on Refugees will require a process of cooperation andconsultation with Member States and other relevant
stakeholders. UNHCR will take the lead in developing
the Global Compact on Refugees, which envisages twocomplementary parts made up of: 1) The Comprehensive
Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) as agreed to by
Member States in the New York Declaration; and 2) a
Programme of Action underpinning the Framework thatsets out actions that can be taken by both Member
States and other relevant stakeholders to ensure its full
implementation.
By February 2018 UNHCR will prepare a draft of the
Global Compact on Refugees and formal consultation
with Member States and other relevant stakeholders willcommence. Following consultations, the Global Compact
on Refugees will be presented in the High Commissioner’s
2018 Annual Report to the General Assembly.
KEY DATES 2018
MID-JANUARY(TBC)

Report of the Special
Representative of the SecretaryGeneral on Migration

10-11 DECEMBERInter-governmental Conference
to adopt a Global Compact
for Safe, Orderly and Regular
Migration

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
With over 100 million in need in almost 40 countries
at the end of 2017, UN communication efforts willcontinue to raise the visibility of UN System responseto emergencies and global advocacy. Last year, DPI
was associated with and helped amplify through its
platforms and networks OCHA’s annual flagship “World
Humanitarian Day’ campaign”. In 2018, we will workwith OCHA to elevate the profile of humanitarian workers

and operations as well as advocate for the protection ofcivilians in conflict, and coordinate through the UNCG in
support of Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators oncommon messaging and outreach.
KEY DATES 201819 AUGUST

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

World Humanitarian Day

7

DISARMAMENT, NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION AND ARSMS CONTROLIn 2018, the United Nations will continue to work towards
a world free of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass
destruction. We will continue to promote arms regulation
for the prevention of irresponsible arms transfers andthe illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Ourcommunication efforts will help raise public awarenessand understanding of these issues by promoting theOrganization’s key events and observances. This
includes in April 2018 the second session of the
Preparatory Committee for the 2020 Review Conferenceof the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferationof Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and in June 2018 the third
United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in
the Implementation of the Programme of Action (PoA) to
Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small
Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in All its Aspects. The
NPT is regarded as the cornerstone of the global nuclear
non-proliferation regime. The PoA on SALW is meant tocounter the illicit flows of small arms and light weapons
which undermine security and the rule of law, and areoften a factor behind the forced displacement of civilians
and human rights violations.

KEY DATES 2018

KEY DATES 201822 JANUARY-30 MARCH

19 -23 MARCH

2-20 APRIL
23 APRIL-4 MAY

14-16 MAY (TBC)

8

Conference on
Disarmament begins its
2018 session
Preparatory Committee
for the Conference to
Review Progress Madein the Implementation of
the Programme of Action
to Prevent, Combat andEradicate the Illicit Tradein Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All its Aspects
United Nations
Disarmament Commission
Second session of the
Preparatory Committee
for the 2020 Review
Conference of the Parties
to the Treaty on the NonProliferation of Nuclear
Weapons
United Nations high-levelinternational conference
on nuclear disarmament toreview the progress madein this regard

14 MAY-29 JUNE

Conference on
Disarmament - Second
part
18-29 JUNE
Third United Nations
Conference to Review
Progress Made in the
Implementation of theProgramme of Action
to Prevent, Combat andEradicate the Illicit Tradein Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All its Aspects
30 JULY- 14 SEPTEMBER Conference on
Disarmament - Third part
29 AUGUST
International Day against
Nuclear Tests
26 SEPTEMBERInternational Day for the
Total Elimination of Nuclear
Weapons2018 Communications GuidanceORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
Our communications activities will continue to support
the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
on their major events. This includes the 61st Sessionof the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the 27th
Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention andCriminal Justice. We will also support awareness-raising
activities on International Day Against Drug Abuse andIllicit Trafficking, the World Day against Trafficking in
Persons and International Anti-Corruption Day andflagship key reports, such as the World Drug Report, theGlobal Report on Trafficking in Persons and the Global
Study on Homicide.
DPI will also work closely with the Vienna-based
Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board(INCB) to promote its annual report on the implementationof the international drug control conventions.

12-16 MARCH

APRIL
9-11 APRIL
14-18 MAY

26 JUNE

26 JUNE (TBC)
30 JULY
9 DECEMBERDECEMBER (TBC)

KEY DATES 2018
MARCH (TBC)

KEY DATES 2018

Launch of the annual reportof the International Narcotics
Control Board (INCB)
Commission on Narcotics
Drugs

DECEMBER (TBC)

Launch of the Global Study on
Smuggling of Migrants
Launch of the Global Integrity
NetworkCommission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal
Justice
International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
and launch of the World Drug
ReportLaunch of the 2017 World
Drug Report
World Day against Trafficking
in Persons
International Anti-CorruptionDay
Launch of the 2018 Report on
Trafficking in Persons
Launch of the Global Study on
Homicide

WOMEN AND PEACE AND SECURITY
Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of conflictand much still needs to be done on the women and peaceand security agenda. The Secretary-General’s latest
report on the subject (document S/2017/861) describedplans to achieve gender parity in the UN, noting that
only 3 per cent of peacekeepers were women. Reformof the peace and security architecture would emphasize
gender expertise, along with monitoring mechanisms
targeting women’s marginalization. In 2018, DPI will
work with DPKO and DFS to promote the work done by
women peacekeepers, build momentum for substantially

increasing their participation and support a campaign
by the Department of Field Support for attracting more
female civilian peacekeepers
KEY DATES 2018
OCTOBER

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

Report of the Secretary-Generalon Women and Peace andSecurity

9

HUMAN RIGHTS
Promoting respect for human rights, as one of the core
purposes of the United Nations and as an essential
tool for preventing conflict and advancing sustainable

development, will remain a priority focus of ourcommunications work throughout 2018.

70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTSDPI is working closely with the Office of the HighCommissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and otherinternal and external partners and stakeholders
to promote the 70th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. The year-long campaign
launched by the High Commissioner for Human Rights
on 10 December 2017, aims to promote knowledge andunderstanding of basic human rights, engage people instanding up for human rights, and reflect on the state ofhuman rights today.

In addition to thematic discussions throughout the year
to reflect on the state of human rights and challenges
ahead, a number of International Days will be used topromote the campaign, among them the International Day
for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March),
the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture(26 June), Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July),
the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples(9 August), and the International Day of Democracy (15September).

A visual identity for the campaign is available in six
languages, a campaign website managed by OHCHR(http://www.standup4humanrights.org) serves as central
information and engagement hub, and outreach material
is posted on Trello throughout the year, leading up to the70th anniversary on 10 December 2018, Human Rights
Day.
As the most translated document in the world,
available in more than 500 languages, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights provides an ideal vehicle
for communicating the enduring principles of equality,
justice and human dignity to a global audience.

Next year also marks the 20th anniversary of the
UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which
recognizes the role and guarantees the rights of those
who promote and protect human rights, and the 25th
anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programmeof Action, which led to the establishment of the Office ofthe High Commissioner for Human Rights. A high-level
plenary meeting of the General Assembly is expected tobe held in September 2018 to mark the 20th anniversaryof the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders andgive impetus to its promotion in all regions. The 25th
anniversary of OHCHR is expected to be celebrated with
events in Vienna and Geneva in June.

A participatory UN video project (www.un.org/en/udhrvideo) asks people around the world to record themselves
reading an article of the Declaration in their native
language and share their video on social media. Selectedvideos become part of a multilingual educational UN
platform (www.un.org/en/udhr-video/collection).

The UN Human Rights Prize, an honorary award given
every five years to individuals and organizations inrecognition of outstanding achievement in human rights,
is expected to be awarded in New York on 10 December
2018. It was instituted by United Nations General
Assembly resolution 2217 in 1966 and awarded for10

2018 Communications Guidancethe first time on the 20th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights in 1968.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is also a
cornerstone of Human Rights up Front, a SecretaryGeneral initiative that cuts across the Organization’s
three pillars to bring the UN System together in a waythat is mutually supportive, furthers prevention, andKEY DATES 2018
26 FEBRUARY

21 MARCH

25 JUNE

26 JUNEprioritizes human rights. In the spirit of Human Rights up
Front, the Secretary-General asked UN staff to recommit
to a culture based on a shared purpose inspired by the UN
Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The work of the Human Rights Council and its Special
Procedures, including country visits by mandate holders,will also continue to be prominently promoted.
KEY DATES 2018

37th Session of
the Human Rights
Council: Discussion
to commemorate the70th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the25th anniversary of theVienna Declaration and
Programme of Action
International Day for the
Elimination of Racial
Discrimination
25th Anniversary of
the Office of the HighCommissioner for
Human Rights
International Day in
Support of Victims of
Torture18 JULY
9 AUGUST

15 SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER (TBC)

30 SEPTEMBER

10 DECEMBER

Nelson Mandela
International Day
International Day of
the World’s Indigenous
PeoplesInternational Day of
Democracy
High-level plenary
meeting of the General
Assembly to mark the20th anniversary of
the UN Declaration on
Human Rights Defenders
International Translation
Day (in the context
of UDHR, the mosttranslated document in
the world)
Human Rights Day andUN Human Rights Prize

NELSON MANDELA CENTENARY
Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) in 2018
marks Mandela’s 100th birthday and will promote his
legacy on human rights, democracy and social justice.
We will collaborate with the Nelson Mandela Foundation
which is leading the Centenary campaign focused on
Mandela’s values, encouraging people to “Find the
Madiba in you” and #BeTheLegacy.

The Mandela Centenary can also be linked to the 70th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
given that Mandela drew strength from the landmark
document and strongly advocated for its implementation.
On the 50th anniversary of the Declaration, he asked
world leaders to “have the courage to ensure that, at last,
we build a human world consistent with the provisions ofthat historic Declaration.”

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

11

Mandela Day will stay focused on public service activities,
as per Mandela’s wish.

KEY DATES 201818 JULY

Nelson Mandela
International Day

GENOCIDE / RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECTThe theme of this year’s International Day ofCommemoration in Memory of the Victims of the
Holocaust (27 January) and outreach programme will be“Holocaust Remembrance and Education: Our Shared
Responsibility.” This theme underscores the fundamental
importance of remembering the victims of the Holocaust
and the responsibility of all communities to educate
youth on the lessons to be learned from this tragedy thatare relevant to every community–the need for respect,dignity and human rights for all.

Similarly, 2018 also features the 20th anniversary of
the Rome Statue establishing the International Criminal
Court (ICC). The anniversary is an occasion to highlightthe ICC’s important work in prosecuting and trying
individuals accused of committing the most serious
crimes of concern to the international community,
namely the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity,
war crimes and the crime of aggression, and bringing
dignity to their victims. A year-long communications
campaign led by the ICC will put victims at the centre.

The International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in
Rwanda (7 April) is a key moment to highlight the needfor the United Nations and Member States to better
protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic
cleansing and crimes against humanity, and to live up
to the responsibility to protect. DPI will work with thePermanent Mission of Rwanda and other stakeholders
as well as genocide survivors to organize events andactivities in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of
the genocide.

KEY DATES 20182018 also marks the 70th anniversary of the Convention
on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide, which was adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly on 9 December 1948, the day before
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The numberof UN Member States that have ratified the convention
currently stands at 147, and those who have not ratified
yet will be encouraged to do so. The International Day
of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the
Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime (9December) will commemorate the anniversary.

12

27 JANUARY

7 APRIL

17 JULY

9 DECEMBERInternational Day ofCommemoration in
Memory of the Victimsof the Holocaust
International Day
of Reflection on the
Genocide in Rwanda
20th anniversaryof the Rome Statue
establishing theInternational Criminal
Court
International Day ofCommemoration andDignity of the Victims of
the Crime of Genocideand of the Prevention ofthis Crime

2018 Communications GuidanceCOMBATING XENOPHOBIA, PROMOTING INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES“Together – Respect, Safety and Dignity for All” is the
UN-led global campaign to counter xenophobia anddiscrimination of refugees and migrants. The campaign isdesigned for implementation at country and community
level through a variety of tailored and context-specificactivities all aimed at strengthening the social contract
between host communities, and refugees and migrants.
Partnership is the other defining feature of the Together
Campaign, where in addition to the UN System, theUN Member States, civil society, the private sector,
influencers and individuals are called to contribute.
Looking to 2018, a revised logo of the campaign and anaccompanying engagement tool to personalize the logo
will be issued. The multilingual hub together.un.org willcontinue to engage and mobilize virtually the generalpublic and to offer a library of publicly available advocacy
products and media assets. As in the past year, DPI’s
network of field offices will continue to be instrumental

in driving the campaign through local, human-centeredstories and events.
KEY DATES 201815-16 JANUARYInternational Forum on
Migration Statistics

20 JUNE

World Refugee Day

16 NOVEMBERInternational Day ofTolerance
Human Rights Day
Inter-governmental
Conference to adopt a
Global Compact for Safe,
Orderly and Regular
Migration
International Migrants
Day

10 DECEMBER
10-11 DECEMBER

18 DECEMBERPEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT
Around 200 million people of African descent live in theAmericas. Many millions more live in other parts of theworld, outside of the African continent. Across the globe,
people of African descent are amongst the poorest andmost marginalized communities and continue to suffer
inequality and disadvantage because of the legacy ofslavery and colonialism.
The International Decade for People of African Descent(2015-2024) paves the way for cooperation among
States, international and regional organizations, andcivil society to improve the human rights situation andwell-being of people of African descent. Coordinated by
OHCHR, the overall objective of the Decade is to promoterespect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights andfundamental freedoms for people of African descent,and to promote greater knowledge of and respect for

their diverse heritage, culture and contribution to thedevelopment of societies.
In collaboration with OHCHR, DPI has issued an updated
booklet, in seven languages, providing an overview
of the Decade, as well as a brochure and an exhibit.
Multimedia material, including videos from Brazil, Cuba,
India, Portugal and the United States are available on
the website. New materials planned for 2018 include
a booklet on the human rights situations of people of
African descent and a publication on women of African
descent. A number of public events in collaboration with
OHCHR and/or external partners are also in the works.
The theme of this year’s International Day of
Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and theTransatlantic Slave Trade (25 March) and programme ofStrategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

13

outreach, is “Remember Slavery: Triumphs and Struggles
for Freedom and Equality.” This theme celebrates
the gains of people of African descent from slavery topresent while acknowledging the many struggles andchallenges that have been overcome in the movement
towards freedom and equality. It pays tribute to the men
and women who have had the courage to resist, persist
and advocate for their fundamental rights.

KEY DATES 2018
21 MARCH

25 MARCH

23 AUGUSTOCTOBER-NOVEMBER(TBC)

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER(TBC)International Day for the
Elimination of Racial
Discrimination
International Day of
Remembrance of theVictims of Slavery and theTransatlantic Slave Trade
International Day for
the Remembrance of
the Slave Trade and its
Abolition
Presentation of theannual report by theWorking Group of Experts
on People of African
Descent
OHCHR Fellowship
Programme for People of
African Descent

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Under the System-Wide Action Plan on the rights ofindigenous peoples, communications efforts continue topromote action for indigenous peoples’ rights, including
through the inter-agency working group chaired by DPI.

sustainable development in territories of indigenous
peoples, highlighting issues related to commercial
and industrial land uses and the exploitation of natural
resources.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9August) as well as the 17th session of the UN Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues are opportunities for systemwide outreach at the local, regional and global levels,
underscoring that indigenous peoples have the right tothe full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms as recognized in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and international human rights law.

KEY DATES 201823-25 JANUARY

16-27 APRIL

9 AUGUSTThis year’s Expert Group Meeting in January andPermanent Forum session in April will focus on

14

Expert Group Meeting onsustainable development
in territories of indigenous
peoples
17th Session of the UN
Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues
International Day of
the World’s Indigenous
Peoples2018 Communications GuidanceQUESTION OF PALESTINEKEY DATES 2018

In accordance with relevant General Assembly
resolutions, the Department will continue to implement
its special information programme on the questionof Palestine, aiming to sensitize public opinion to thequestion of Palestine and Middle East peace efforts,
including through the annual United Nations International
Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East and theDepartment’s five-week annual training programme forPalestinian journalists. We will also continue to support
and promote activities of the UN Committee on the
Exercise of the Inalienable Rights.

KEY DATES 2018
JANUARY /FEBRUARY(TBC)

DPI will work with the Department of Political Affairs, theUnited Nations Relief and Works Agency, the Office of theUnited Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East
Peace Process and other partners and stakeholders on
special events and other activities relating to Palestinian
issues, including during the International Day of Solidarity
with the Palestinian People (29 November).

First meeting of the UN
Committee on the Exerciseof the Inalienable Rights of
the Palestinian People
MARCH (TBC)
Capacity-building Seminar
regarding Sustainable
Development Goals for Staffof the Government of theState of Palestine
MAY-JUNE (TBC)
DPI International Media
Seminar on Peace in the
Middle East
MAY (TBC)
International Conference on
the Question of Jerusalem
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER DPI Annual Training(TBC)
Programme for Palestinian
Journalists
29 NOVEMBERInternational Day of
Solidarity with thePalestinian People

DECOLONIZATIONThe Department will continue to disseminate information
about decolonization in the context of the Third
International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism(2011- 2020). DPI will highlight the need for immediate
and full implementation of the 1960 United Nations
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial
Countries and Peoples. The work of the Special Committee
on Decolonization (also known as C-24), which is theintergovernmental body devoted to advancing the United
Nations decolonization agenda, will remain at the centreof the Department’s outreach activities with media, civilsociety and educational institutions. In line with its efforts
aimed at raising public awareness of United Nations
activities in the field of decolonization, DPI will continue
to work in close consultation with the Decolonization Unitof the Department of Political Affairs, among other UN
stakeholders towards this goal.

KEY DATES 2018
FEBRUARY (TBC)

25-31 MAY

MAY-JUNE (TBC)
JUNE (TBC)

OCTOBER (TBC)

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

Opening of the2018 Session of theSpecial Committee on
Decolonization (C-24)
International Week of
Solidarity with the Peoplesof Non-Self- Governing
Territories
Regional Seminar on
Decolonization2018 Substantive Sessionof the Special Committee on
Decolonization (C-24)
Special Political andDecolonization Committee(Fourth Committee) –Decolonization Segment
15

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALSThe Sustainable Development Goals present theoverarching framework for all of the Organization’s
work on development. They serve to galvanize
communications, and the omniscient branding has
proven to be an effective tool.
As the Secretary-General has noted, the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development offers the most practicaland effective pathway to address the causes of violent
conflict, human rights abuses and environmental
degradation. In terms of implementation, we are seeing
an increase in activity and awareness toward achieving
the Goals at the national level. Many countries have taken
action over the last two years to put the SDGs at thecentre of their development planning and many cities,
regions, and businesses have also adopted the Goals to
guide their progress. But more needs to be done.
To spur faster implementation and greater understanding,there is a need to deepen our promotion of the Goals. In the
coming year, DPI will intensify its focus on the actions—and benefits—for achieving each of the 17 SDGs. It will
also demonstrate their interlinkages with UN priorities
such as climate change, conflict prevention, gender
empowerment and human rights. The Department will
revitalize existing initiatives under its umbrella campaign“Sustainable Development Goals: 17 Ways to Transform
Our World” with SDG Advocates, Young Leaders for the
Sustainable Development Goals, SDG Pioneers and otherinfluencers continuing to play a critical role in further
amplifying the call for action. DPI will also continue
to build and strengthen partnerships, including in theadvertising, media, mobile and publishing sectors, andis working with partners inside and outside of the UN, torevitalize the SDG Strategy Hub to advance advocacy andcommunications to accelerate action on the SDGs. DPI’s
field offices along with UN Country Teams will continue
to play a key role in localizing the SDGs at the countrylevel. Individual actions are also important. A particularfocus will also be taken on personal adoption of theGoals which also move us closer to achieving them.

Effective 1 January 2018, the United Nations is launching a revised design ofIcon 10. The updated icon displays the equal sign surrounded by four arrows
and is intended to be a compass for a place where everything is equal- more accurately reflecting and symbolizing the objective of Sustainable
Development Goal 10, “Reduced Inequalities.”
The newly revised Icon #10 - along with all other icons - can be downloaded
here: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/news/communicationsmaterial/
Vector files are available upon request.
For questions, email: SDGpermissions@un.org

16

2018 Communications Guidance

KEY DATES 201823-26 JANUARY

6-9 MARCH
4 APRIL
23-26 APRIL

MAY (TBC)

16-17 MAY

21-22 MAYKEY DATES 2018
48th Annual Meetingof the World Economic
Forum
49th Session of theStatistical Commission
ECOSOC PartnershipForum
ECOSOC Forumon Financing forDevelopment
World Economic
Situation and Prospects
Report as of mid-2018
Multi-stakeholder Forumon Science, Technology
and Innovation for
the Sustainable
Development Goals
High-level meetingof the Development
Cooperation Forum

23 MAYJULY (TBC)

9-13 JULY

16-18 JULYSEPTEMBER (TBC)SEPTEMBER (TBC)
22-24 OCTOBER
3-14 DECEMBERDECEMBER (TBC)ECOSOC Special
meeting
The Sustainable
Development Goals
Report 2018
High-Level Political
Forum on Sustainable
Development
ECOSOC High-Level
Segment
Finance Summit
World Economic andSocial Survey 2018
UN World Data ForumUN Climate Change
Conference (COP 24)
Launch of World
Economic Situation and
Prospects Report 2019

CLIMATE CHANGE
The focus on climate change will intensify in 2018, as
the world embarks on a process to determine how toaccelerate climate action so that emissions will peakby 2020 and decline thereafter. The momentum andexcitement from Paris remains strong, but recent reports
show that there is still a significant gap between where
we are and where we need to be. At COP24 in Katowice,
Poland, countries will hold an important stocktaking
session aimed at increasing the level of ambition. A
conference in California will underscore the importantrole non- party stakeholders such as states, regions,cities and civil society hold in meeting the climate
challenge, and the UN System will begin gearing up for asummit on climate change in 2019.

In 2019, the case must be made for accelerated anddeeper ambition, with attention to the benefits and costsavings of taking action now. The IPCC will be issuinga special report on the impacts of global warming of
1.5 ºC above pre-industrial levels and related global
greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context
of strengthening the global response to the threat ofclimate change, sustainable development and efforts toeradicate poverty.
Climate communications in 2018 will focus on theurgency for action, combined with the benefits of taking
action now. With an emphasis on the High Level Political
Forum (HLPF) —where energy is a main theme, throughStrategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

17

the Summit in California, the General Assembly, andthe COP in Katowice, Poland, communications will lay
the foundation for the 2019 Summit, which will comeat an important moment in the run-up to 2020 whenemissions will need to peak to limit the worst impacts ofclimate change. To frame our communications aims andefforts, a UN system-wide communications strategy will
be launched in the new year.

KEY DATES 2018

KEY DATES 201831 JANUARY
21 MARCH
22 MARCH

23 MARCH
24 MARCH

Investor Summit on
Climate Risk
International Day ofForests
Launch of theInternational Decadefor Action-Waterfor Sustainable
Development
World MeteorologicalDay
Earth Hour

7-11 MAY
19 JUNE

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

13 OCTOBER
3-14 DECEMBER

13th Session of UN
Forum on Forests
World Day to Combat
Desertification andDrought 2018
IPCC Report on
Global Warming of
1.5 °CInternational Day for
Disaster Reduction
COP 24GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
Although progress has been made when it comesto education, reducing child marriages, and sexualand reproductive health, gender equality remains aworldwide challenge to fulfilling women’s and girls’
human rights and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development. These challenges will be
addressed during the 62nd Commission on the Status of
Women in March, focusing on women and girls in rural
areas. Other opportunities to promote gender equality
include International Women’s Day, the International
Day for the Girl Child, and the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women in November
which is continuing its global campaign against genderbased violence. Two reports prepared by UN Women
will be launched in 2018: Gender Equality in the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development; and Progress ofthe World’s Women: Families in a Changing World.
A significant communications effort will centre on the18Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year partnership between
the UN and the EU aimed at eliminating violenceagainst women and girls. The Initiative is working tomove the issue of gender equality into the spotlight andhighlight the need for targeted investments in womenand girls to achieve sustainable development. In 2018,
investments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacificand the Caribbean, will be deployed towards advancing
significant improvements in the lives of women and girls.
KEY DATES 2018
LATE JANUARY (TBC)

Report launch: Gender
Equality in the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable
Development

2018 Communications Guidance

KEY DATES 2018
6 FEBRUARY

11 FEBRUARY

8 MARCH
12-23 MARCH
23 MAY19 JUNE

23 JUNEKEY DATES 2018
International Day of Zero
Tolerance for Female
Genital Mutilation
International Day of
Women and Girls in
Science
International Women’sDay
62nd Commission on the
Status of WomenInternational Day to End
Obstetric FistulaInternational Day for the
Elimination of Sexual
Violence on Conflict
International Widows’
Day

OCTOBER (TBC)

OCTOBER (TBC)

11 OCTOBER
15 OCTOBER
14-16 NOVEMBER
25 NOVEMBER

Security Council Open
Debate on Women, Peaceand Security
Report launch: Progressof the World’s Women:
Families in a Changing
World (working title)
International Day of theGirl ChildInternational Day of Rural
Women
7th Global Forum on
Gender Statistics
International Day for the
Elimination of Violence
Against Women

FINANCING
Mobilizing financing for the implementation of the
Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement
remains at the heart of discussions in 2018. The SecretaryGeneral announced that he will convene a conference in
September to review progress across key international
platforms, and progress domestically by Member States.
There will be a heavy focus on taxation, particularly theirrelation to efforts to achieve the SDGs, at a conference
that will be organized by the United Nations, International
Monetary Fund, Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) in the early part of the year.
Member States will also be following implementation
efforts on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda very closely
at the Financing for Development Forum in April andduring another conference organized by ECOSOC in May.
Communications will track these processes and will
inform on progress and gaps.

KEY DATES 2018
14-16 FEBRUARY

22 APRIL
23-26 APRILMAY

SEPTEMBER

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

First Global
Conference of
the Platform for
Collaboration on
Tax - Taxation and
the Sustainable
Development Goals
SDG Investment Fair
Financing forDevelopment ForumECOSOC Special
Meeting on Tax
Cooperation
SG Conference
on Financing forDevelopment

19

ECONOMIC PROSPECTS
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
has been described as “a blueprint for building an
inclusive, sustainable fair globalization”. Achieving fair
globalization or creating equal opportunities for all calls
for a major transformation of our economies, and will
require a shift in investment to sustainable development.

inclusive, and tackling institutional deficiencies that holdback development.
KEY DATES 201823-26 JANUARYWorld Economic Forum

The World Economic Situation and Prospects Report, theUN flagship report on the state of the global economy,
continues to convey the overarching message thatrobust and inclusive growth is a prerequisite for theachievement of the 2030 Agenda.

20-22 APRILAs the world economy strengthens, the Report’s analyses
and forecasts offer policy makers greater scope toaddress some of the deep-rooted issues that continue
to impede more rapid progress towards sustainable
development: strengthening the environmental qualityof economic growth, making economic growth more

12-14 OCTOBERWorld Bank / IMF Spring
Meetings
Launch of the World
Economic Situation and
Prospects as of mid2018
World Bank / IMF Fall
Meetings
World Economic
Situation and Prospects
Report launch

MAY (TBC)DECEMBERYOUTH
Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake was appointed as
the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth in June 2017
and will prioritise making the UN more accessible toyoung people during her first full year in office. Withher guidance, DPI will work to create communications
strategies that use more youth-focused outreach tools
such as social media and video to highlight the role ofyoung people in achieving the SDGs.

in a changing world. Furthermore, 2018 will see therecognition of the second class of Young Leaders for the
Sustainable Development Goals and the advancement of
the Not Too Young to Run campaign. DPI will continue
to support the Common Future campaign to mobilise
Generation Z to take action for the goals.

KEY DATES 2018
A key moment kicking off the year will be the 2018
ECOSOC Youth Forum which will feature the role of young
people in poverty eradication and promoting prosperity

20

30-31 JANUARY
15 JULY
12 AUGUSTECOSOC Youth Forum
World Youth Skills Day
International Youth Day2018 Communications GuidanceAFRICAN DEVELOPMENT
DPI’s top communications priorities for 2018 will include
raising public awareness of significant social, economic
and political developments in Africa.

Africa’s Development Agenda 2063
The Department will work in cooperation with the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planningand Coordinating Agency, the Office of the Special Adviser
on Africa (OSAA) and the Economic Commission for Africa(ECA), and others to publicize Africa’s achievements andchallenges in the context of the continent’s Agenda 2063
and the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
DPI will identify and provide strategic communication
guidance on Africa’s key priorities. Broad communication
themes identified for 2018 include: the 2030 sustainable
development agenda; Agenda 2063, which is the Africa
Union’s 50-year framework aimed at accelerating
development, regional integration and unity in Africa; andthe NEPAD Agency’s priorities on economic development.
In cooperation with partners, the Department will also
promote various reports on Africa, including the United
Nations’ flagship reports on Africa’s development
progress and challenges, the General Assembly’s
review of the implementation of the SecretaryGeneral’s report on the causes of conflict and thepromotion of duration peace and development on
the continent, the NEPAD Agency’s annual reports on
projects implementation, the ECA’s flagship publication,“Economic Report on Africa,” and other reports that may
be issued by OSAA as well as expert group meetings.
Africa Renewal/Afrique Renouveau magazine, DPI’s flagshippublication on Africa in 2018, have special coverage ofyouth, gender, ending violence against women, agriculture,climate change, health, governance and education.

Africa Week
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD),
the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Economic

Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Office for the Special
Adviser on Africa (OSAA) in 2010 started what has now
become an annual week-long campaign in New Yorkto raise awareness of Africa’s priorities which include:
infrastructure development, trade, aid, agriculture,addressing climate change, good governance, migration,
peacekeeping and peacebuilding, education, foodsecurity, human rights, sustainable development, gender,
food security and health. The timing of Africa Week waschosen to coincide with the General Assembly’s annual
debate on Africa and to ensure that the continent’s
development will continue to attract global attention andsupport in the coming years.
During the 2018 Africa Week, DPI will collaborate
with its partners in organizing various events that will
highlight the synergies between Agenda 2063, its First
10-Year Implementation Plan and the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development. The series of events will
include high-level panel discussions with senior officials
and experts, roundtable discussions with the media andpress conferences centering around specific themes.
KEY DATES 201829-31 JANUARY
26-30 MARCH

3 MARCH
7 APRIL
25 MAYJUNE (TBC)
16 JUNE
18 JULY
22-26 OCTOBER
30 OCTOBER
18 NOVEMBER
20 NOVEMBER

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

African Union Summit
Annual conference of African
Ministers of Finance, Planningand Economy
Africa Environment/Wangari
Maathai Day
International Day of Reflection
on the Genocide in Rwanda
Africa Day
African Union Summit
Day of the African Child
Nelson Mandela InternationalDay
Africa Week
Africa Food and Nutrition
Security Day
African Statistics Day
Africa Industrialization Day
21

INTERNATIONAL DECADESThe Department of Public Information will continue to provide support to the various ongoing international decades:
International Decade for Action – Water for Sustainable Development (2018-2028):
The Decade will be launched on World Water Day (22 March 2018) and it will be observed until 21 March 2028.
Website: TBC
International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024):
http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade
United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (2014-2024):
http://www.se4all.org/decade
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (2011-2020):
https://www.cbd.int/2011-2020/
Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2011-2020):
http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/
Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020):
http://www.un.org/en/roadsafety/
United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (2010-2020):
http://www.un.org/en/events/desertification_decade/Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017):
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/resolutions/2008/poverty.pdf

22

2018 Communications GuidanceDPI SERVICESNews Platforms
DPI’s integrated and multilingual news platforms, covering the six official languages as well as Kiswahili and Portuguese,provide daily coverage year-round of the work of the Organization and the Secretary-General. The news platforms
feature audio, video, photo and text content, with coverage shared and coordinated across the languages. For more
information contact: malor@un.org

Social MediaTo aid in social media planning and posting efforts, guidance from DPI and from around the UN System is shared on aregular basis throughout the year and updated daily on the online information sharing “Trello” board: https://trello.com/
unitednationssocialmedia. Guidance includes approved messages and hashtags, multilingual content, graphics andimages and a daily calendar of events. Contact: orantes@un.org

Graphic Design and Branding Services
The Graphic Design Unit (GDU) in DPI provides creative solutions for a wide variety of public information campaigns andconferences throughout the Secretariat. Working in collaboration with clients, they create visuals such as logos, brandidentities, posters, book covers, press kits, and more.
For more information, visit GDU iSeek page at https://iseek.un.org/design or call Ziad Al-Kadri at 212-963-2190. Please
note that GDU cannot cater to individual UNIC requirements and needs. However, it may be able to advise or help answer
design-related questions as needed. Please send your questions through Ms. Helene Hoedl in ICS / DPI: hoedl@un.org

UN Intranet, iSeek
The UN Intranet, iSeek, which is now accessible anywhere in the world, is at the service of staff in the Organization, tohelp them share information and events and foster the development of public information strategic partnerships amongst
staff around the world. Potentially, 50,000 staff members around the world can access the UN Intranet, including throughmobile devices from anywhere in the world. Access iSeek mobile at iSeek.un.org and log in with your Unite Identity login
and password. This Communications Guidance for 2018 is available on the iSeek platform. For any questions regarding
access and publication of information, contact: iseek@un.org

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

23

Research support, Training and Technical Advisory on UN Information
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) expertise is available to all UN staff, Permanent Missions and external researchers.
Library staff provide knowledgeable research assistance using the extensive collection of UN documents and publications,commercial databases and print and online journals. Website: library.un.org
DHL offers a suite of UN Documentation training including an Introduction to UN Documents, General Assembly, andSecurity Council. All training provides an overview of the documentation and search strategies. Thematic training
on topics such as the Budget, Treaties, and Legal resources are also offered on a regular basis. Training is offered in
English, Spanish and French. Register: https://un.libcal.com/
DHL experts also offer technical advisory services related to content management, information architecture, digital
curation and preservation that improve discovery and retrieval of the Organization’s information products, amplifying theOrganization’s communication efforts to reach a global audience. Contact: library-ny@un.org

24

2018 Communications Guidance2018 CALENDAR OF UN SYSTEM KEY EVENTS
2018
JANUARY
15-16 JANUARY
22 JANUARY – 30
MARCH
23-26 JANUARY

23-25 JANUARY

27 JANUARYEVENTLOCATION

LEADInternational Forum on Migration Statistics
Conference on Disarmament begins its 2018session48th Annual Meeting of the World Economic
Forum “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured
World”
Expert Group Meeting on “Sustainable
development in territories of indigenous
peoples”
International Day of Commemoration in Memoryof the Victims of the Holocaust
56th Commission for Social Development

Paris
GenevaDESA, IOM, OECD
UNODA

Davos,
Switzerland

EOSG, OTHERSNew York

Worldwide

DESA/PERMANENTFORUM ON
INDIGENOUS ISSUESDPINew York

DESA

New York
New York

DESA/DPIDPANew York

UN WOMEN

Johannesburg,
South Africa
New York

DPI (UNIC PRETORIA)

Worldwide
Worldwide

WHO, DESAUNFPA, UNICEF

New York
Worldwide
New York

DESA
UNESCODESA, WORLD BANK,IMF
DESA, ILO
UNESCO

29 JANUARY – 7
FEBRUARY30-31 JANUARYECOSOC Youth ForumJANUARY – FEBRUARY First meeting of the UN Committee on the(TBC)
Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of thePalestinian People
LATE JANUARY/EARLY Launch of Report: Gender and the SDGs (TBC)FEBRUARY (TBC)
END OF JANUARY
Launch of centenary celebrations of former
President Nelson Mandela
JANUARY (TBC)
Report of the Special Representative of theSecretary-General on Migration

FEBRUARY
1-7 FEBRUARY
4 FEBRUARY
6 FEBRUARY
11 FEBRUARY
13 FEBRUARY
14-16 FEBRUARY
20 FEBRUARY
21 FEBRUARYWorld Interfaith Harmony Week
World Cancer Day
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female
Genital Mutilation
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
World Radio Day
1st Global Conference of the Platform for
Collaboration on Tax
World Day of Social JusticeInternational Mother Language Day

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

Worldwide
Worldwide

SRSG FOR
INTERNATIONALMIGRATION/DPI

25

2018

EVENT

LOCATION

LEAD

26 FEBRUARY

37th Session of the Human Rights Council:
Discussion to commemorate the 70th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the 25th anniversary of theVienna Declaration and Programme of Action
Opening of the 2018 Session of the Special
Committee on Decolonization (C-24)

GenevaOHCHR

New York

DPA

Zero Discrimination Day
2016 International Narcotics Control Board(INCB) Annual Report and Precursors Report
African Environment Day /Wangari Maathai Day
World Wildlife Day
49th Session UN Statistical Commission

Worldwide
BerlinUNAIDSINCBWorldwide
Worldwide
New York

UNEP
UNEP
DESA

FEBRUARY (TBC)

MARCH
1 MARCH
2 MARCH
3 MARCH
3 MARCH
6-9 MARCH
8 MARCH
12-23 MARCH

12-16 MARCH
12-16 MARCH
13-15 MARCH
19-23 MARCH

20 MARCH
20 MARCH
21 MARCH
21 MARCH
21 MARCH
21 MARCH
21 MARCH
21-27 MARCH
22 MARCH

26

International Women’s Day
Worldwide
62nd Commission on the Status of Women:
New York
challenges and opportunities in achieving genderequality and the empowerment of rural womenand girls
Commission on Narcotics Drugs
ViennaCommittee for Development Policy
New York
World Economic Forum on Latin America
São Paulo, Brazil
Preparatory Committee for the Conference to
New York
Review Progress Made in the Implementation of
the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat andEradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All its Aspects
International Day of Happiness
Worldwide
French Language Day
World Down Syndrome Day
Worldwide
International Day of Forests
Worldwide
International Day of Nowruz
Worldwide
International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Worldwide
Discrimination
World Poetry Day
Worldwide
Week of Solidarity with the People Struggling
Worldwide
against Racism and Racial Discrimination
World Water Day
Worldwide

UN WOMEN
UN WOMEN

UNODC
DESA
UNODA

DESA
UNFFS (DESA)
UNESCOOHCHR, DPI
UNESCOOHCHR
UN-WATER

2018 Communications Guidance

2018

EVENT

LOCATION

LEAD

22 MARCH

Launch of International Decade for Action –Water for Sustainable Development
World Meteorological Day
Annual Conference of African Ministers ofFinance, Planning and Economy
World TB Day
International Day for the Right to the Truth
concerning Gross Human Rights Violations andfor the Dignity of Victims
Earth HourInternational Day of Remembrance of the Victimsof Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
International Day of Solidarity with Detained andMissing Staff Members
Launch of the World Youth Report
High-Level meeting on Lake Chad region
Launch of the annual report of the International
Narcotics Control Board (INCB)Worldwide

UN-WATERWorldwide
Dakar, Senegal

WMO
ECA

Worldwide
Worldwide

WHO
OHCHR

Worldwide
Worldwide

WWF
DPI

TBC

DESA
UNESCOUNODCWorld Autism Awareness Day
United Nations Disarmament Commission
International Day for Mine Awareness andAssistance in Mine Action

Worldwide
New York
Worldwide

DPI, DESA
UNODA
UNMAS

ECOSOC Partnership ForumECOSOC Partnerships Forum
International Day of Sport for Development andPeace
International Day of Reflection on the Genocidein Rwanda
World Health Day
Launch of the Global Integrity Network
51st Session of the Commission on Population
and Development
International Day of Human Space Flights
17th session of the UN Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues
Global Soil Week
Chinese Language Day

New York
New York
Worldwide

DESA
DESA
DESA

Worldwide

DPI

Worldwide
ViennaNew York

WHO
UNODC
DESA

Worldwide
New York

UNOOSADESA, DPI

23 MARCH
23-28 MARCH
24 MARCH
24 MARCH

24 MARCH
25 MARCH
25 MARCH
MARCH (TBC)
MARCH (TBC)
MARCH (TBC)		

APRIL
2 APRIL
2-20 APRIL
4 APRIL		

4 APRIL
5 APRIL
6 APRIL
7 APRIL
7 APRIL
9-11 APRIL
9-13 APRIL
12 APRIL
16-27 APRIL
19-23 APRIL
20 APRIL

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

Worldwide
TBC

Worldwide
Worldwide

27

2018

EVENT

LOCATION

LEAD

20-22 APRIL
21 APRIL
22 APRIL
22 APRIL
23 APRIL
23 APRIL
23 APRIL
23-26 APRILWorld Bank – IMF Spring Meetings
World Creativity and Innovation Day
International Mother Earth Day
SDG Investment Fair
World Book and Copyright Day
English Language Day
Spanish Language Day
3rd ECOSOC Forum on Financing forDevelopment
Committee of Experts on Public Administration,
17th session
Second session of the Preparatory Committee
for the 2020 Review Conference of the Parties
to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons
World Immunization Week
World Malaria Day
World Intellectual Property Day
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance
Day
World Day for Safety and Health at WorkDay of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical
WarfareInternational Jazz Day
World Immunization Week
Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon
State of World Population Report
Launch of the Global Study on Smuggling of
Migrants

Washington, D.C.
Worldwide
Worldwide
New York
Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide
New York

WB, IMF

New York

DESA

GenevaUNODA

Worldwide
Worldwide
WorldwideWHO
WHO, RBM
WIPO

Worldwide
Worldwide

OPCW

Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide
New York
Worldwide

UNESCOUNICEFECOSOC Integration Segment
World Press Freedom Day
World Economic Forum on Africa
UN Global Road Safety Week
International Day of the Midwife
13th Session of UN Forum on Forests

New York
Worldwide

DESA
UNESCO
WEF
WHO
UNFPA
DESA

23-27 APRIL
23 APRIL – 4 MAY

24-30 APRIL
25 APRIL
26 APRIL
26 APRIL
28 APRIL
29 APRIL
30 APRIL
23-29 APRIL
30 APRIL
APRIL (TBC)
APRIL (TBC)MAY
1-3 MAY
3 MAY
3-5 MAY
4-10 MAY
5 MAY
7-11 MAY

28

Worldwide
Worldwide
New York

DESA
DESA
UNESCO

DESA

UNFPA

2018 Communications Guidance

2018

EVENT

8-9 MAY

Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for
Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second
World WarWorld Migratory Bird Day
United Nations high-level international
conference on nuclear disarmament
Conference on Disarmament - Second Part

10 MAY
14-16 MAY (TBC)
14 MAY – 29 JUNE
15 MAY
17 MAY
21 MAY
21-22 MAY
22 MAY
22-25 MAY
23 MAY23 MAY
25 MAY25- 31 MAY
29 MAY		

31 MAYMAY (TBC)
MAY (TBC)		
MAY (TBC)
MAY (TBC)
MAY (TBC)		
MAY (TBC)
MAY (TBC)
MAY (TBC)
MAY - JUNE (TBC)

LOCATION

LEADWorldwide
New York

UNEP
UNODA

GenevaUNODAInternational Day of Families
World Telecommunication and Information
Society Day
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue andDevelopment
High-level meeting of the Development
Cooperation Forum
International Day for Biological Diversity
ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development
ECOSOC Special meeting
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
Africa Day
International Week of Solidarity with the Peoplesof Non-Self-Governing Territories
International Day of United Nations
Peacekeepers

Worldwide
Worldwide

DESA
ITU

Worldwide

UNESCONew York

DESAWorldwide
New York
New York
Worldwide

CBD
DESA
DESA
UNFPA

Worldwide

DPA, DPIWorldwide(DPKO/DFS/DPI)World No Tobacco Day
DPI / NGO Conference
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal
Justice
World Urbanization Prospects
International Conference on the Question of
Jerusalem
Launch of the 2018 Global Study on Homicide

Worldwide
TBC
Vienna

WHO
DPI
UNODC

New York
TBC

DESA
DPA

ViennaUNODC

New York /Worldwide
TBC

DESA

State of the World’s Mothers Report
World Health Assembly
Launch of the World Economic Situation and
Prospects as of Mid-2018
International Media Seminar on Peace in the
Middle East

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

DPI

29

2018

EVENT

LOCATION

LEAD

MAY - JUNE (TBC)

Regional Seminar on Decolonization

TBC

DPA

Global Day of Parents
Be the Change Week
International Day of Innocent Children Victims of
Aggression
World Environment Day
UN Green Fair
The multi-stakeholder forum on science,technology and innovation for the Sustainable
Development Goals
World Oceans Day
World Day against Child Labour
11th Session of the Conference of States Parties
to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities
World Blood Donor Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Day of the African ChildInternational Day of Family RemittancesWorld Day to Combat Desertification andDrought
Sustainable Gastronomy Day
Third United Nations Conference to Review
Progress Made in the Implementation of theProgramme of Action to Prevent, Combat andEradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All its Aspects
International Day for the Elimination of Sexual
Violence in Conflict

Worldwide
New York
Worldwide

DPI
UNICEF

Worldwide
New York
New York

UNEP
UNEP, UNICEF
DESA

Worldwide
Worldwide
New York

DOALOSILO
DESA

Worldwide
Worldwide
WorldwideWHO

ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment
50th anniversary of the United Nations
Conference on the Exploration and PeacefulUses of Outer Space and the 61st session of theCommittee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space(COPUOS).

New York
ViennaJUNE
1 JUNE
4-8 JUNE
4 JUNE
5 JUNE
5 JUNE (TBC)
5-6 JUNE

8 JUNE
12 JUNE
12-14 JUNE

14 JUNE
15 JUNE
16 JUNE
16 JUNE
17 JUNE
18 JUNE
18-29 JUNE

19 JUNE

19-21 JUNE
20-21 JUNE

30

Worldwide

IFAD
UNODC

New York

FAO
UNODA

Worldwide

OFFICE OF
THE SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE ONSEXUAL VIOLENCE IN
CONFLICT, DPI
DESA

2018 Communications Guidance

2018

EVENT

LOCATION

LEAD

20-21 JUNE
21 JUNE
23 JUNE
23 JUNE
23-24 JUNE

Summit of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies
International Day of Yoga
International Widows’ Day
United Nations Public Service Day
Peacebuilding Commission Annual Session
and Peacebuilding Fund Annual Stakeholders
Meeting
Day of the Seafarer
United Nations Charter Day
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking
Launch of World Drug Report
United Nations International Day in Support ofVictims of Torture
Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
International Day of the Tropics
International Asteroid Day
UN Population Award
Sixth biennial review by the General Assembly of
the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
African Union Summit
2018 Substantive Session of the Special
Committee on Decolonization (C-24)

New York
Worldwide
Worldwide

UNOCT
DPI
UN WOMENDESA
DPA, DPI

25 JUNE
26 JUNE
26 JUNE		
26 JUNE (TBC)
26 JUNE
27 JUNE
29 JUNE
30 JUNE
JUNE (TBC)
JUNE (TBC)
JUNE (TBC)
JUNE (TBC)

JULY
7 JULY
9-18 JULY
11 JULY
15 JULY
16-19 JULY
17 JULY
18 JULY
28 JULY
30 JULY
30 JULY
31 JULY – 15
SEPTEMBERJULY (TBC)

New York

Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide

IMO

Worldwide
Worldwide

UNODC
OHCHR

UNODC

ILO

New York

UNOOSA
UNFPA
UNOCT

New York

DPA

International Day of Cooperatives
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable
Development
World Population Day
World Youth Skills Day
ECOSOC High-level segment
20th anniversary of the Rome Statue
establishing the International Criminal Court
Nelson Mandela International Day
World Hepatitis Day
International Day of FriendshipWorld Day against Trafficking in Persons
Conference on Disarmament Third Part

Worldwide
New York

DESA, DPIDESAWorldwide
Worldwide
New York
Hague

DESA, UNFPAWorldwide
Worldwide

DPI
WHOWorldwide
Geneva

UNODC
UNODA

Launch of SDGs Report 2018

New York

DESA

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

Worldwide

DESA
ICC

31

2018

EVENT

JULY (TBC)ECOSOC Coordination and Management
TBC
Meeting, under agenda item “Implementation of
the Declaration on the Granting of Independence
to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the
specialized agencies and the international
institutions associated with the United Nations”

DPA, DESAWorld Breastfeeding Week
International Day of the World’s Indigenous
Worldwide
PeoplesInternational Youth Day
Worldwide
World Humanitarian Day
Worldwide
International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute Worldwideof the Victims of Terrorism
International Day for the Remembrance of theWorldwide
Slave Trade and its Abolition
International Day against Nuclear Tests
WorldwideWHO
DESA, DPI

AUGUST
1-7 AUGUST
9 AUGUST
12 AUGUST
19 AUGUST
21 AUGUST
23 AUGUST
29 AUGUST		

30 AUGUST

International Day of the Victims of Enforced
Disappearances
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER Launch of the IPCC 1.5 degree Celsius Report
SEPTEMBER
5 SEPTEMBER
8 SEPTEMBER
12 SEPTEMBER
12-14 SEPTEMBER
13 SEPTEMBER
15 SEPTEMBER
16 SEPTEMBER
18 SEPTEMBER
21 SEPTEMBER
25 SEPTEMBER

32

International Day of Charity
International Literacy Day
United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
Global Climate Action Summit
10th anniversary of the adoption of the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
International Day of Democracy
International Day for the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer
Opening of 73rd Session of the UN General
Assembly
International Day of Peace
Opening of the UN General Assembly General
DebateLOCATION

LEAD

DESA
OCHA, DPI
UNOCT, DPI
UNESCOUNODAWorldwide

OHCHR

TBC

IPCC

Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide
San Francisco
Worldwide

UNESCOUNFCCCDESA, DPIWorldwide
Worldwide

DPA, DPIUNEPNew York

PGA

Worldwide
New York

DPI
PGA

2018 Communications Guidance

2018

EVENT

LOCATION

LEADWorldwide

UNODA

Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide

WTO
IMO
WHO
UNESCONew York

UNODA

New York

OHCHR, DPI

New York
New York
New York
New York
TBC
New York

DESA

International Day of Older Persons
World Habitat Day

Worldwide
Worldwide

DESA
UN-HABITATWorldwide
New York

DPA

5 OCTOBER
9 OCTOBER
10 OCTOBER
11 OCTOBER
13 OCTOBER
13-15 OCTOBER
14 OCTOBERInternational Day of Non-Violence
Special Political and Decolonization Committee(Fourth Committee) – Decolonization Segment
World Teachers Day
World Post Day
World Mental Health Day
International Day of the Girl ChildInternational Day for Disaster Reduction
World Bank - IMF Fall Meetings
Global Infrastructure Forum

Indonesia

UNESCOUPU
WHO
UNICEFUNISDR
WB, IMF
DESA

15 OCTOBER
15-19 OCTOBERInternational Day of Rural Women
Africa Week

Worldwide
New York

NEPAD, DPI, OSAA

26 SEPTEMBER		

International Day for the Total Elimination of
Nuclear Weapons
27 SEPTEMBERWorld Tourism Day
27 SEPTEMBERWorld Maritime Day
28 SEPTEMBERWorld Rabies Day
28 SEPTEMBERInternational Day for Universal Access toInformation
28 SEPTEMBER - 2
General Assembly, First Committee, SeventyNOVEMBER		 Second session (New York)
30 SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER (TBC)SEPTEMBER (TBC)SEPTEMBER (TBC)SEPTEMBER (TBC)SEPTEMBER (TBC)SEPTEMBER (TBC)
LATE SEPTEMBER(TBC)

OCTOBER
1 OCTOBER
1 OCTOBER (FIRSTMONDAY IN OCTOBER)
2 OCTOBER
2-10 OCTOBERInternational Translation Day
High-level plenary meeting of the General
Assembly to mark the 20th anniversary of the
UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders
World Economic and Social Survey 2018
Social Good Summit
GPP Global Citizen Festival
Finance Summit
Global Compact for Migration
CTBT Article XIV Conference

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide

ECOSOC
UNODA

33

2018

EVENT

LOCATION

LEAD

16 OCTOBER
17 OCTOBER
22-24 OCTOBER
24 OCTOBER
24 OCTOBER
24-30 OCTOBER
27 OCTOBER
30 OCTOBER
31 OCTOBEROCTOBER (TBC)

World Food Day
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
UN World Data Forum
World Development Information Day
United Nations Day
Disarmament Week
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day
World Cities Day
Launch of the 2018 Global Report on Trafficking
in Persons
Launch of Report: Progress of the World’s
Women report on families (TBC)
UNODC’s 20th Anniversary

Worldwide
Worldwide
Dubai

FAO
DESA
DESA

Worldwide

DPI

Worldwide
Addis Ababa
Worldwide
Worldwide

UNESCOAUUN-HABITATUNODCNew York

UN WOMEN

ViennaUNODC

OCTOBER (TBC)
OCTOBER (TBC)		
OCTOBER (TBC)
OCTOBER (TBC)
OCTOBER ORNOVEMBER (TBC)NOVEMBER
2 NOVEMBER
3-15 NOVEMBER
5 NOVEMBER
6 NOVEMBER
6-10 NOVEMBER
6-12 NOVEMBER
10 NOVEMBER
10-22 NOVEMBER
14-16 NOVEMBER
16 NOVEMBER
15 NOVEMBER

34

Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace New Yorkand Security
Launch of 2018 Report on Progress of the
New York
World’s Women: Families in a changing world
Presentation of the annual report by the Working New YorkGroup of Experts on People of African Descent

DPKO/UN WOMENInternational Day to End Impunity for Crimes
against Journalists
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD COP14)World Tsunami Awareness Day
International Day for Preventing the Exploitationof the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
7th Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Convention against Corruption
International Week of Science and Peace
World Science Day for Peace and Development
Fourteenth meeting of the Conference of theParties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
7th Global Forum on Gender Statistics
International Day of Tolerance
World Philosophy Day

Worldwide

UNESCO

Sharm El-Sheikh,
EgyptWorldwide
Worldwide

CBD, UNEP

ViennaUNODC

Worldwide
Egypt

UNESCO
CBD

TBCWorldwide
Worldwide

DESA
UNESCOUNESCOUN WOMENOHCHR

UNISDR2018 Communications Guidance

2018

EVENT

18 NOVEMBER
17 NOVEMBER

African Statistics Day
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic
Victims
World Toilet Day
Africa Industrialization Day
Universal Children’s Day
World Television Day
International Day for the Elimination of Violenceagainst WomenInternational Day for the Elimination of Violenceagainst Women#GivingTuesday
International Day of Solidarity with thePalestinian People
State of the World’s Children Report Launch
OHCHR Fellowship Programme for People of
African Descent
Annual DPI Training Programme for Palestinian
Journalists

19 NOVEMBER
20 NOVEMBER
20 NOVEMBER
21 NOVEMBER
25 NOVEMBER
25 NOVEMBER
28 NOVEMBER
29 NOVEMBERNOVEMBER (TBC)NOVEMBER-DECEMBERNOVEMBER-DECEMBER
DECEMBER
1 DECEMBER
2 DECEMBER
3 DECEMBER
3-14 DECEMBER
5 DECEMBER
5 DECEMBER
5-7 DECEMBER
7 DECEMBER
9 DECEMBER

9 DECEMBER
10 DECEMBERWorld AIDS Day
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
UN Climate Change Conference (COP 24)
World Soil Day
International Volunteer Day for Economic andSocial Development
Global Forum on Migration and Development

LOCATION

LEADWorldwide

AU
WHO

Worldwide

UN-WATER, UNICEF
UNIDO
UNICEF

Worldwide

UN WOMENWorldwide

UN WOMEN, DPI

Worldwide
Worldwide

DPI, UNF
DPA, DPI

TBC
GenevaUNICEFOHCHR

New York,
Washington D.C.

DPI

Worldwide
Worldwide
Worldwide
Katowice, Poland
Worldwide
Worldwide

UNAIDSILO
DESA
UNFCCCFAO
UNVWorldwide

Marrakesh,
MoroccoInternational Civil Aviation Day
Worldwide
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity Worldwideof the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of
the Prevention of this Crime
International Anti-Corruption Day
Human Rights Day: 70th Anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Strategic Communications Division • UN Department of Public Information

Worldwide
Worldwide

DESA
ICAO
OFFICE OF THE
SPECIAL ADVISER ON
THE PREVENTION OF
GENOCIDE, DPIUNODCOHCHR, DPI

35

2018

EVENT

10-11 DECEMBERInter-governmental Conference to adopt a Global Morocco
Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

11 DECEMBER
12 DECEMBER
18 DECEMBER
18 DECEMBER
20 DECEMBERWorld Mountain Day
International Day of Neutrality
International Migrants Day
Arabic Language Day
International Human Solidarity Day

Worldwide

SRSG FOR
INTERNATIONALMIGRATION/OPGAUNEPWorldwide

IOM, DESA, DPI

Worldwide

DECEMBER (TBC)

Launch of the 2018 Report on Trafficking in
Persons
Launch of the Global Study on Homicide
Global Forum on Migration and Development
Internet Governance Forum
Launch of World Economic Situation and
Prospects Report 2019

Worldwide

DESA, UNINDEPENDENTEXPERT ON HUMAN
RIGHTS AND
INTERNATIONAL
SOLIDARITYUNODC

DECEMBER (TBC)
DECEMBER (TBC)
DECEMBER (TBC)
DECEMBER (TBC)

36

LOCATIONWorldwide
TBC
TBC

LEAD

UNODC
DESA
DESA
DESA

2018 Communications Guidance