UN Communications Priorities 2021

Communicating for a World Where Everyone Thrives in Peace, Dignity and Equality on a Healthy Planet

RESPOND TO COVID-19 AND RECOVER BETTER

The top priority for UN communications is the response to and recovery from the pandemic. Through the As the world attempts to heal, our communications will provide hope on how we can recover better to build ‘Verified’ initiative we will tackle misinformation and build confidence in health messaging and vaccination. a more equal, inclusive, sustainable, safer and healthier planet. Our campaign ‘It’s Possible’ will serve as a We will mobilize resources to support equitable access to a people’s vaccine. We will tell personal stories mantra during recovery and offer solutions to get the planet back on track to achieving the 2030 Agenda for that show the impact of COVID-19 on lives and livelihoods. Sustainable Development and the Agreement. We will amplify the call to re-imagine global financing frameworks and put them at the service of humanity.

As the world tries to recover, we will demonstrate multilateralism at work and position the UN as leading on the following priority themes:

MOBILIZE FOR THE PLANET FIGHT INEQUALITY, STAND FOR INCLUSION REALIZE GENDER EQUALITY

We will frame COVID-19 as a catalyst for transforming humankind’s With COVID-19 preying on the most vulnerable and wiping away dec- Our platforms will put women and girls front and centre as we strive to relationship with the natural world. We will amplify the call for a Global ades of progress, we will put a spotlight on rising poverty and inequality. prevent COVID-19 from wiping out a generation of progress towards Coalition for Carbon Neutrality, the urgent need to address diminishing We will listen to audiences who express discontent and frustration. gender equality. We will tell individual stories of women acting as biodiversity and the deteriorating state of the oceans. Our climate com- We will be a voice for fairer, more equal societies, promoting trans- agents of change and leading the recovery. We will showcase women munications lab will show recovery as a positive, with investments in a parency and speaking out against corruption during the recovery. We leaders, particularly in peace and security. We will demonstrate that green and sustainable global economy producing jobs, reducing emis- will position the UN as a beacon for inclusion, engaging audiences on the UN is walking the talk with its own representation and internal culture. sions, and building resilience to climate impacts. We will inspire action issues that matter to them – racism, gender, diversity, the rights of We will amplify major events and initiatives, including the 65th Commission by shining a spotlight on countries, cities, companies and citizens already minority groups including LGBTI, indigenous, persons with disabilities, on the Status of Women and UN Women’s Generation Equality. leading on climate, while offering our audiences, particularly youth, oppor- older persons and people on the move. We will amplify the Secretary- tunities to take individual actions for a healthier planet. We will position General’s Common Agenda and its vision for global governance and the UN as an authoritative source on climate science as well as the global multilateralism that works for everyone, everywhere. leader pressing for urgent action in the lead-up to COP 26 in Glasgow, as well as the global conferences on Biodiversity and Oceans.

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS OUR COMMUNICATIONS WILL ALSO SUPPORT THE UN AGENDA ON

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS PEACE AND SECURITY

COVID-19 has driven us farther off-course from achieving the vision and We will highlight the UN’s role in preventing, mediating and stopping We will position the UN as the voice of human rights for all, including promise of the 2030 Agenda. We will amplify the Secretary-General’s conflict including the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire speaking out against racism and racial discrimination. Reinforcing the call for all sectors of society to get involved in a ‘Decade of Action’ during the pandemic. We will build support for UN using Secretary-General’s call to action, we will amplify the stories of human to mobilize around the SDGs. In particular, we will spotlight the Food emotive storytelling. We will showcase the role of the UN as a conven- rights advocates and be a leading voice on countering the spread of Systems Summit and Sustainable Transport Conference. Our commu- ing platform for counter-terrorism and the non-proliferation of nuclear hate speech, and on the sanctity of religious sites. We will encourage nications will be designed both to educate and motivate, building a weapons. We will demonstrate the life-saving impact humanitarian work- specific actions of solidarity. global movement of implementation. Working with our offices around ers make every day, while generating empathy for the record 235 million the world, we will commission inspiring stories of impact and pro- people worldwide in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. gress, creating momentum for further actions.

OUR APPROACH

WHAT? WHY CARE? WHAT NOW? AUDIENCE TRUST

We lead the narrative We design storytelling We develop campaigns We strive to position UN content by providing timely, communications to get and content that highlight a source for accurate, trusted authoritative information target audiences to care, solutions and encourage information issued for the global on UN priority issues. proactively reaching them specific actions. public good. We lead efforts to fight on platforms they use. the scourge of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS FORECAST GRID | 2021

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

18-26 TBC 11 7 24 - 1 June TBC 17 13 27 WHO Cities and One year anniv World Health Day World Health Release of national World Patient Int Day for Disaster Int Day of Epidemic Exec Board Pandemics report declaration of (WHO) Assembly (WHO) immunization data Safety Day (WHO) Risk Reduction Preparedness COVID-19 (UN Habitat) Public Health (WHO-UNICEF) (UNDRR) (WHO) Emergency of Int RESPONSE TBC Concern (WHO) 24-30 Launch of Research World Roadmap (DSG) Immunization Week (WHO)

14 19 (TBC) 23 22 10 1 TBC 7 TBC 1-12 TBC Adaptation Gap Report: Blueprint to World Mother Earth Day Global Dialogues HL launch of Assessment Report Int Day Clean Air UN Global UN Climate Caring for Climate Report (UNEP) tackle the climate, Meteorological Day (UNEP) for CO2 emissions Climate Change (IPCC) for Blue Skies Sustainable Conference COP26 (UN Global biodiversity (WMO) reductions (ICAO) impact on plant (UNEP) Transport (UNFCCC) Compact) and pollution health study (FAO) Conference (DESA) 25-26 emergencies 22 Global Adaptation (UNEP) 28 UNICEF 16 TBC Summit (UNEP) Earth Hour Climate Report 5 Int Day TBC Climate Action World Environment Preservation Emissions Gap to Tackle Global 22-26 Day & launch UN of Ozone Report (UNEP) Hunger initiative UN Environment TBC Decade Ecosystem Layer (UNEP) (WFP) Assembly (UNEP) State of the Global Restoration (UNEP) Climate Report TBC MOBILIZE 2020 (WMO) 28-30 Innovate4Cities 17 Youth4Climate Conference (UN- FOR THE World Day event: Driving Habitat, GCoM) PLANET to Combat Ambition (WB, Desertification and OSGEY, EOSG) Drought (UNCCD) TBC Climate TED Countdown 30-2 Summit Action TBC Pre-COP26 Protected Planet (UNFCCC) 2020 Report (UNEP) TBC UNGA: HL Dialogue TBC on Energy (DESA) Maritime Zero- & Low-Emission Innovation Forum (IMO, UNEP)

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS | FORECAST GRID 2021 | ■ = Major Events | Italics = External Event 1 / 7 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

28 3 3 17-30 8 TBC Launch UN Decade Biodiversity and World Wildlife Day UN Biodiversity World Oceans Day Ocean Conference of Ocean Science Food report (UNEP) (CITES) Conf (CBD) (UNESCO) (DESA, OPGA) MOBILIZE for Sustainable FOR THE Development (UNESCO) 10 22 Biodiversity HL Event on Int Day Biological & Oceans Biodiversity Diversity & TBC (UNESCO) Biological Diversity Water Pollution Outlook Report Report (UNEP) (CBD)

25 21 7-8 17 TBC 9 TBC 17 TBC Anniv of SG call to Int Day Elimination ECOSOC Youth Int Day Against Launch of Int Day of SG Report on the Int Day for Human action on Human of Racial Forum 10th anniv Homophobia, Multidimensional Indigenous Peoples Common Agenda Eradication of Development Rights (EOSG) Discrimination (DESA, OSGEY) Transphobia & Poverty Index (DESA) (EOSG) Poverty (DESA) Report (UNDP) (OHCHR) Biphobia (UN (UNDP) Women) TBC 12 FIGHT UN Permanent Int INEQUALITY, Forum on 21 (DESA) Indigenous Issues World Day STAND FOR (DESA) Cultural Diversity INCLUSION for Dialogue & 15-16 Development LGBTIQ Youth (UNESCO) Forum (OSGEY)

TBC NextGen Assembly (EOSG)

6 1 Women’s History 23 19 18 4-10 World Space 25 Int Day Zero month (UN Women) Int Day to End Int Day Eliminate Int Equal Pay Day Week: Women in Int Day for Tolerance to Obstetric Fistula Sexual Violence (ILO, UN Women) Space (UNOOSA) Elimination of Female Genital (UNFPA) in Conflict (SRSG/ Violence against 8, 15-26 Int Mutilation (UNFPA) Women’s Day; SVC) Women & 16 days Commission on 11 Int Day of the campaign Status of Women 28 Girl Child (UNICEF) (UN Women) REALIZE 11 + UN Women at 10 Menstrual Hygiene TBC Int Day of Women Report (UN Women) Day (UN Women) Generation Equality GENDER & Girls in Science Forum - Paris (UN 15 Int Day of (UN Women, Women) Rural Women EQUALITY 29-31 Generation UNESCO, ITU) Equality Forum - (UN Women) Mexico City (UN Women) 31 SC Resolution 1325 on Women, TBC Launch Gender Peace & Security Inequality Index anniv (UN Women) (UNDP, UN Women)

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS | FORECAST GRID 2021 | ■ = Major Events | Italics = External Event 2 / 7 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

11 9 3 7-8 13 TBC 5 6-15 12 9 4, 31 15 1 Launch of Voices Safer Internet Day Africa Environment ECOSOC Youth World Economic 40 years since first HL Political Forum Int Youth Day Int Day to Protect World Habitat Day; World Population World AIDS Day platform (ILO) (UNICEF) and Wangari Forum 10th anniv Situation and cases of AIDS on Sustainable (DESA) Education from World Cities Day Prospects (DESA) (UNAIDS) Maathai Day (DESA, OSGEY) Prospects Report mid Development + SDG Attack (UNESCO, (UN Habitat) (UNEP) year update (DESA) Progress Report UNICEF) 24 TBC 12 (DESA) 19 12 Int Day Education World Social Report 12-15 (TBC) World Day against 4 World Toilet Day Int Universal Health (UNESCO) (DESA) 18 Financing for 17 Child Labour & 10 Nansen Refugee (UN Water, UNICEF) Coverage Day HL Event on Water Sustainable World Conf Education Event for Int Year 11 World Suicide Award (UNHCR) (WHO) (UN Water) Development for Sustainable (ILO) World Population Prevention Day 26 TBC Forum & Report Development Day (DESA, UNFPA) (WHO) 20 World Economic Launch UN Decade (DESA) (UNESCO) 3-6 Universal Children’s 18 Situation and on Ecosystem 22 16 UN World Data Day (UNICEF) Int Migrants Day Prospects Report Restoration World Water Global Report on 14 27 Forum (DESA) (IOM, DESA) (DESA) (UNEP, FAO) Day; World Water 22 25 Domestic Workers Global report on World Tourism Day Development HL Dialogue on Africa Day (AU, & 10th Anniv AIDS (UNAIDS) (UNWTO) 20 Report (UN Water) Desertification, OSAA); Africa Convention (ILO) 3-8 Africa TBC 28 Land Degradation Dialogue Series UNCTAD Industrialization World Space Forum Decade of Action and Drought (DGC) 15-16 30 Quadrennial Day (UNIDO) 2021 (UNOOSA) event & activation 25-26 (OPGA) 18 & 20 UN Global Compact World Maritime Day Ministerial Conf SDGs (SG) SDG Global Global Trends Leaders Summit (IMO) Festival of Action 31 Report & World 23 (SDG Action) World No-Tobacco Refugee Day 5 World AIDS Report Day (WHO) (UNHCR) 28 TBC World Teachers’ (UNAIDS) 70th anniv SDG Moment Day (UNESCO) 1951 Refugee (EOSG) TBC 25 Convention TBC World Employment Day of the Seafarer (UNHCR) 7 World Migration & Social Outlook (IMO) TBC State of World’s Report (IOM) Trends report (ILO) Trade and Children Report Development (on Mental Health) TBC Report (UNCTAD) (UNICEF) TBC TBC World Population Internet 10-year anniv of Prospects report Governance Forum U-Report (UNICEF) (DESA) 10 (DESA) World Mental Health Day (WHO) TBC HL Debate on Digital Cooperation 18-20 & Connectivity Int Conf Nuclear (OPGA) Power in the 21st Century (IAEA)

All SDGs All SDGs SDG OF THE MONTH

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS | FORECAST GRID 2021 | ■ = Major Events | Italics = External Event 3 / 7 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

TBC 3 21 TBC 24, TBC TBC TBC 22 16, TBC 5 Report World’s Biodiversity and Int Day of Forests Global Report on Anniv SC Food Systems State of Food Global Conference World Food Day World Soil Day Land & Water Food report (UNEP) (FAO) Food Crises (FAO, Resolution 2417 Summit Pre- Security & Nutrition on Aquaculture (FAO); Cost of a (FAO) Resources for Food WFP) on Armed Conflict Summit (IFAD, FAO, in the World (FAO, (FAO) Plate of Food Index & Agriculture (FAO) & Food Insecurity; WFP, EOSG) IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and Study (WFP) SDGs 10 2020 Nobel Peace WHO) TBC Food World Pulses Day Prize award TBC Nutrition for (FAO) ceremony (WFP) 18 UNGA: Food TBC Growth Summit Systems Sustainable Systems Summit Report State (WFP, UNICEF, Gastronomy Day (IFAD, FAO, WFP, of Food and Gov of Japan) TBC (UNESCO, FAO) EOSG) Agriculture (FAO) World Forestry Congress (FAO)

1 19-21 7-12 4 15 2-4 TBC 2-27 15 1-7 9, TBC UNITAMS fully Munich Security UN Congress on Mine Awareness SG Protection of Special GA session Biennial Mtg Small Review Conf Int Day of UN Police Int Anti-Corruption operational (DPO) Conference Crime Prevention Day (UNMAS) Civilians Report against corruption Arms and Light Treaty on Non- Democracy (DPPA) Week(DPO) Day; and Conf & Criminal Justice (OCHA) (PGA, UNODC) Weapons (ODA) Proliferation of UN Convention (UNODC, Kyoto) Nuclear Weapons against Corruption 1 (ODA) 21 (UNODC) New SC Members: 28 21-26 Int Day of Peace , Ireland, 15 HL Global Conf on Counter-Terrorism (DGC) Kenya, Mexico, 10th anniv conflict Youth-Inclusive Week including HL 19 24 in Syria & Pledging Peace Processes event (UNOCT) World Humanitarian Libya elections conf (OCHA, (DPPA, UNDP, Day (OCHA) 26 (DPPA) UNHCR) UNFPA, UN Int Day Total 22 Women) 26 Elimination Nuclear Treaty Prohibition Int Day Against 21 Weapons (ODA) TBC of Nuclear 18 & 30 Drug Abuse & Illicit Int Day Global Weapons enters 2020 INCB Annual 29 Trafficking; 2021 Remembrance & Humanitarian PEACE & into force (ODA) Report; and Int Day of UN World Drug Report Tribute to Victims TBC Overview; CERF 60th anniv Peacekeepers (UNODC) of Terrorism Chiefs of Defence Pledging Conf SECURITY Convention on (DPO) (UNOCT) Conference (DPO) (OCHA) Narcotic Drugs (INCB) TBC Peacekeeping 25 Ministerial Mtg Anniv Yemen (DPO) conflict & Pledging conf (OCHA)

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS | FORECAST GRID 2021 | ■ = Major Events | Italics = External Event 4 / 7 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

27 25 21 TBC 3 18 9 22 1 2 3 Int Day of Anniv of SG call to Int Day for UN Permanent World Press Int Int Day of HL Mtg 20th anniv Int Day of Older Int Day End Int Day of Persons Commemoration action on Human Elimination Forum on Freedom Day Day & Prize award Indigenous Peoples Durban Declaration Persons (DESA) Impunity for Crimes with Disabilities in Memory of the Rights (EOSG) of Racial Indigenous Issues (UNESCO) ceremony (PGA) (DESA) & Programme of against Journalists (DESA) Victims of the Discrimination (DESA, UNHQ) Action (OHCHR) (UNESCO) Holocaust (DGC) (OHCHR) TBC 17 15-16 9 Opening Human 7 Int Day Against LGBTIQ 29 Genocide Rights Council 25 Int Day Reflection Homophobia, Youth Forum Int Day Solidarity Prevention Day (HRC) Int Day on 94 Genocide Transphobia & (Copenhagen); with Palestinian (OSAPG) Remembrance against the Tutsi in Biphobia (UN and Free & Equal People (CEIRPP) Victims of Slavery Rwanda (DGC) Women) campaign (OSGEY) HUMAN and Transatlantic 10 RIGHTS Slave Trade (DGC, TBC Human Rights Day OHCHR) 23 Ethics of AI global (OHCHR) Int Day for recommendations Remembrance of (UNESCO) the Slave Trade (UNESCO)

31 Debut: Int Day for People of African Descent (OHCHR, DGC)

1 9-11 7, 11 14 1 11 SG New Year Spring Meetings of Elections for PGA Start 76th session Postponed Expo UNICEF 75th anniv message (EOSG) WB & IMF (D.C.) & ECOSOC (OPGA); of UNGA (OPGA) 2020 begins (DGC) Election for SC non-perm members 19 10, 17 20 18 24 OCHA 30th anniv 75th anniv first ICJ 75th anniv 60th Anniv death UN Day (DGC) UNGA mtg 23 Dag Hammarskjöld (London) & first UN Public Service SC mtg 25 Day & World Public UN Int Day of Sector Report 21 Multilateralism (DESA) UNGA: High Level FOCUS 28 & Diplomacy for Debate starts SG speech to GA Peace (DPPA, (OPGA) on 2021 priorities UNESCO) (EOSG)

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS | FORECAST GRID 2021 | ■ = Major Events | Italics = External Event 5 / 7 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

1 6-7 TBC 13-16 8 7 24-5 30-31 TBC TBC Trading under ASEAN Summit WEF Annual G7 Summit Africa Integration Paralympics (IOC, G20 (Rome) ASEAN Summit Time Person African Continental Summit Meeting Day (AU) Tokyo) (includes of the Year Free Trade Area (Singapore) SDG Media Zone & begins (AU) 28-1 Refugees Team) TBC Mobile World 23-8 Nobel Prize TBC Congress Barcelona Summer Olympic announcements EXTERNAL 20 Arab League (GSMA) (IOC, Tokyo) Inauguration Summit (includes SDG US President Media Zone & TBC Refugees Team) TED Countdown Summit 25-29 World Economic Forum: Davos Agenda (Virtual)

14 3 8 12 TBC 13 TBC 18 6 TBC TBC 7 15 TBC Adaptation Gap Biodiversity and UN Women Financing for World Economic Global Trends SDG Progress Assessment Report SG Report on State of the World’s World Population Human Report (UNEP) Food report (UNEP) at 10 Report Sustainable Situation and Report (UNHCR) Report (DESA) (IPCC) Common Agenda Children Report Prospects (DESA) Development (UN Women) Development Prospects Report (EOSG) (on Mental Health) Report (UNDP) Report (DESA) mid year update (UNICEF) 26 TBC (DESA) 26 14 23 World Economic World Social Report 22 2021 World Drug Global report on TBC World AIDS Report TBC Situation and (DESA) World Water Report (UNODC) AIDS (UNAIDS) Education and TBC (UNAIDS) Global Prospects Report Development 15 refugees report Emissions Gap Humanitarian (DESA) Report (UN Water) SG Protection of (UNHCR) Report (UNEP) Overview (OCHA) TBC Civilians Report TBC TBC TBC Global Synthesis (OCHA) World Population State of Food World Migration TBC Report (UNEP) TBC Prospects report Security & Nutrition TBC TBC Report (IOM) Water Pollution State of the Global (DESA) in the World (FAO, Trade and Report State Report (UNEP) Climate Report 22 IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, Development of Food and UN 2020 (WMO) Biological Diversity WHO) Report (UNCTAD) Agriculture (FAO) Outlook Report REPORTS (CBD) TBC TBC Greening the Blue Report on the TBC Report (UNEP) Future of Diversity World Employment (ILO) & Social Outlook Trends report (ILO) TBC World Social Protection Report TBC (ILO) Planet 2020 Report (UNEP) TBC Global Report on Child Labour (ILO)

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS | FORECAST GRID 2021 | ■ = Major Events | Italics = External Event 6 / 7 MILESTONES IN 2021 INT YEARS IN 2021

75th anniv first meetings of UN General Assembly & Security Council (Jan) Int Year of Health Workers (WHO)

75th anniv ICJ (April) Int Year of Peace and Trust

75th anniv UNESCO (Nov) Int Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development (UNCTAD/UNESCO) 75th anniv UNICEF (Dec) Int Year of Fruits and Vegetables (FAO) 70th anniv 1951 Refugee Convention (UNHCR) Int Year for Elimination of Child Labour (ILO) 65th anniv UNSCEAR (June) Year of Security Culture (ICAO) 60th anniv WFP

60th anniv Convention on Narcotic Drugs (INCB) () INT DECADES STARTING IN 2021

60 years since death of Dag Hammarskjöld (18 September) 2021-30: UN Decade of Ocean Science for DGC Strategic Planning updates Sustainable Development (UN-Oceans) the grids throughout the year. 55th anniv UNDP (Jan)

2021-30: UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UNEP, FAO) 50th anniv Man And Biosphere programme (UNESCO) Contact Jon Greenway 2021-30: UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (WHO) 40 years since first report cases of AIDS (June) ([email protected]) and Iona Allan ([email protected]) 35 years since Chernobyl Disaster (26 April) INT DECADES ONGOING IN 2021

35th anniv Declaration on the Right to Development (4 ) 2019-2028: Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace (PGA) 30th anniv OCHA (Dec) 2019-2028: UN Decade of Family Farming (FAO, IFAD) 25th anniv UNAIDS 2018-2028: Int Decade for Action “Water for 20th anniv Durban Declaration (OHCHR) Sustainable Development” (UN Water)

20 years since 9/11 attacks 2018-2027: 3rd UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty

10th anniv UN Women 2016-2025: UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (FAO, WHO)

10th anniv ECOSOC Youth Forum 2016-2025: 3rd Industrial Development Decade for Africa (UNIDO)

2015-2024: Int Decade for People of African Descent (OHCHR, DGC)

2014-2024: UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)

DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS | FORECAST GRID 2021 | 7 / 7