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 >> .

Take the ActNow x Mandela Day challenge – to limit global warming and take care of our planet. ActNow is the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability. Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet. By changing our habits and making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we can tackle the climate emergency and build a more sustainable world. As Nelson Mandela said, "We must never forget that it is our duty to protect this environment." Download the app and join the challenge (or team)! >>

Virtual Concert - "Madiba" & Album launch On Saturday, July 18, starting at 9:30 a.m. EST (New York) / 3:30 p.m. SAST (South Africa) the Concert - "Madiba" was held. Get the  Card and Poster >> Watch the livestrean on  UN WebTV >>  or on  YouTube (Premiere) >>

  Conversation - "The heart is a muscle". Saturday, July 18th; Starting at 9:00 a.m. EST (New York) / 3:00 p.m. SAST (South Africa). Conversation entitled - "The heart is a muscle". Get the  Poster >> ! Watch the livestream on  UN WebTV >>  or on  YouTube (Premiere) >> !

The Office of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi will be leading UN agencies and members of the Diplomatic corps in the Celebration of Mr. Kennedy Odede, the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize Laureate. Mr. Odede is the first Kenyan to receive this prestigious award and shared the 2025 Prize with Ms. Brenda Reynolds, a social worker of Saulteaux heritage in Canada, who has made a lasting impact on the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. Mr. Odede's organization, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), a renowned Kenyan grassroots organization provides critical services to urban informal settlements, reaches over 2.5 million This follows the presentation of this award on 18 July, International Mandela Day, by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the 79th session of the General Assembly, Philémon Yang, to the two laureates at a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York. Key speakers: Mrs. Zainab Haw...

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...

Resolution A/RES/64/13 recognizes Mandela's values and his dedication to the service of humanity in: conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups; the fight against poverty; the promotion of social justice. Programme: Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly Statement by H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations Keynote by H.E. Ms. Naledi Pandor, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa Awarding of the 2025 UN Mandela Prize to Ms. Brenda Reynolds and her remarks Awarding of the 2025 UN Mandela Prize to Mr. Kennedy Odede and his remarks Remarks from Member States Related Sites and Documents:  More information about the Mandela Prize . Watch the Nelson Mandela Day 2025 commemoration!

   The Nelson Mandela Moot Court Competition is an annual event in which students from around the world come together in Geneva to argue a hypothetical human rights case. The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition is the only global moot court competition explicitly dedicated to human rights. It is co-organised by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Academy on Human Rights, Washington College of Law, American University, and the United Nations Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB), at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Watch the 17th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition! Human Rights Council

On Friday, 18 July 2025, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council will present a concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day. On this occasion, prepare to be captivated by the music of Wouter Kellerman, a three-time Grammy Award-winning South African flautist, producer, and composer, who has also earned nine South African Music Awards. The event will open with insightful remarks from H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, and Ndaba Mandela, Founder & Chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity. Honouring the enduring legacy of the former South African President and his commitment to peace, freedom, and service, the music program will feature two powerful musical tributes composed by Wouter Kellerman: "The Long Road", an extraordinary flute solo that serves as a biographical homage to Nelson Mandela's journey, and "Madiba", a musical prayer, spe...

  Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life showed how one person can transform oppression, struggle and subjugation into reconciliation, social justice and unity. Just as Madiba’s life was a triumph of the human spirit, his legacy is a call to rekindle our global commitment to peace, justice and human dignity. This year’s theme reminds us that the power to end poverty and inequality is in all our hands. Mandela believed in the power of collective, grassroots action. He knew that ordinary people could bend the arc of history, and that lasting change started not in capitals and boardrooms, but in neighbourhoods and communities. Mandela’s life of service and progress continues to inspire our own efforts at the United Nations, as we celebrate our 80th anniversary. On this important day, and every day, let us all be guided by Madiba’s lifelong commitment to freedom, justice, equality and the rights that belong to every person on earth. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, Message on the o...

At the UN Headquarters, on July 18th, starting at 10:00 a.m. (EST); The United Nations General Assembly marks Nelson Mandela International Day with an informal plenary meeting under the Theme: “ It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity ”  Speakers: H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang (President of the General Assembly) H.E. Mr. António Guterres (UN  Secretary-General) .  Message 2025 H.E. Ms. Naledi Pandor (Former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa) Ms. Brenda Reynolds, 2025 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize laureate Mr. Kennedy Odede, 2025 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize laureate Chairpersons of regional groups

As Mandela said: It is in your hands to make of the world a better place . And so, every year on Mandela Day, we ask people around the world to take action and inspire change by making a difference in their communities. If you would like to donate your own time to public service , here are some things you can do to take action and inspire change : Make a new friend. Get to know someone from a different cultural background. Only through mutual understanding can we rid our communities of intolerance and xenophobia. Read to someone who can’t. Visit a local home for the blind and open up a new world for someone else. Help out at the local animal shelter. Dogs without homes still need a walk and a bit of love. Help someone get a job. Put together and print a CV for them, or help them with their interview skills. Many terminally ill people have no one to speak to. Take a little time to have a chat and bring some sunshine into their lives. Get tested for HIV and encourage your partner to do ...