Nelson Mandela International Day

Theme: "It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity" Secretary-General's Message for 2026. Nelson Mandela International Day is marked by the United Nations General Assembly with an informal plenary meeting. The Chef de Cabinet to the United Nations Secretary-General, Earle Courtenay Rattray, will deliver remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General. Related Sites and Documents:  Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) . Watch the observance of the annual Nelson Mandela International Day - General Assembly, Informal meeting, 80th session! General Assembly

  "Mandela Day: Free at Last" is the soundtrack to the year Mandela walked free . It moves from the songs topping the charts the week of his release in February 1990, through the protest anthems that helped get him out, to the music of freedom and homecoming. Out now on major streaming platforms – click the links below to listen now on  Spotify >>  and on Apple Music >> .

This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day 2025 on 18 July will be celebrated under the theme: “ It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity. ” Nelson Mandela, in addressing the scourge of poverty, suffering and deprivation, said: "It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised." These profound words by our global icon and father of our nation are at the heart of our actions this Nelson Mandela Day in tackling poverty, fighting inequality and building a society based on justice .  The day is an opportunity for citizens to recognise their individual power to change the world for the better. We can also play a part by raising awareness and expanding the reach of Mandela’s values which include fighting injustice, helping people in need and advancing reconciliation. We can restore our nation by helping one person at a time. Every action we take has a knock-on effect , which will soon snowball into rebu...

On July 18th at the Governors Island in New York Harbor, Join the Volunteering for #MandelaDay: the annual volunteer event in honour of Nelson Mandela will take place on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Volunteers will weed and pick up trash, enjoying the spectacular scenery with friends and colleagues. Each year, individuals around the world are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time on this day to community service – in honor of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela devoted to public service and the pursuit of social justice. This year, we reflect and act under the theme: “ It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity .” The UN is also cross promoting this event and encouraging colleagues to undertake additional service projects through the ActNow campaign app. Organizers: The volunteer activity was a collaboration co-organized by the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs, the UN Department for Global Communications, the Office of the President of the U...