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

A Nelson Mandela International Day commemorates Mandela’s birthday and his lifetime of service to humanity. This year’s theme reminds us that it is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality. YouTube short: "When Mandella called me Sir" >

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) >>

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Madiba’s extraordinary life was a triumph of the human spirit. He endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division — but of reconciliation, peace and unity. Today, Madiba’s legacy is now our responsibility. We must carry forward his commitment to peace, justice and human dignity. One of the central lessons of Mandela’s life was that power is not a personal possession, to be hoarded. Power is about lifting others up. It is about what we can achieve with one another, and for one another. Power is about people. In every facet of his life, Nelson Mandela demonstrated the power of collective, grassroots action to drive change and progress, and deliver power to the powerless. This same spirit can be found in today’s winners of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. Ms. Brenda Reynolds is a Saulteaux member from Fishing Lake First Nation in Canada. She is a social worker, who t...

  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