International Days
International days are key moments on the global calendar dedicated to celebrating, raising awareness and taking action on pressing issues that affect us all.
From honouring human rights to championing environmental sustainability, these days unite organisations, communities, and individuals worldwide. Whether it is advocating for gender equality, fostering peace, or preserving cultural heritage, international days remind us of our shared humanity and the power we hold when we stand together.
In our commitment to championing human rights and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we amplify the communication around numerous international days. On this page, you can find the list of international days that we are observing with an official statement or declaration. On our social media channels, we aim to join our partners in giving visibility to many other occasions.
And our efforts span across the world through a network of more than 140 EU delegations.
Mark the upcoming days on your calendars and give visibility to them. These are the moments when we unite for change - one celebration, one cause, one action at a time.
January
27/01 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day
February
06/02 - International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation
Combatting Gender-based Violence
12/02 - International Day against use of Child Soldiers
27/02 - World NGO Day
Human rights defenders
March
08/03 - International Women's Day
Gender Action Plan III & its key areas of EU engagement
21/03 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
22/03 - World Water Day
May
03/05 - World Press Freedom Day
17/05 - International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
21/05 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Cultural Relations
June
08/06 - World Oceans Day
International Ocean Governance
12/06 - International Day against Child Labour
Rights of the Child
13/06 - International Albinism Awareness Day (UN)
19/06 - International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
20/06 - World Refugee Day
Migration & Forced displacement
26/06 - International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
July
17/07 - Day of International Criminal Justice
August
09/08 - International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
19/08 - World Humanitarian Day
21/08 - International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief
September
15/09 - International Day of Democracy
October
10/10 - European and World Day Against Death Penalty
24/10 - United Nations Day
The EU and the United Nations
November
02/11 - International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
20/11 - Universal Children's Day
Rights of the Child
25/11 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Combatting Gender-based Violence
30/11 - Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare
Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control
December
09/12 - International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
10/12 - Human Rights Day
Human Rights & Democracy
18/12 - International Migrants' Day
Migration & Forced displacement
Related Policy Pages
In a shifting geopolitical landscape, the EU has remained a strong defender of human rights. New geopolitical rivalries only serve to underline its role as a reliable and stable partner, and a champion of the rules-based international order.
Read all about EU's activity to protect and promote the respect for Human Rights and Democracy.
Gender equality and women’s empowerment, but also diversity in the broadest sense of the word, are political objectives and priorities of the EU in all of its internal and external policy.
Find out more about EU's external policies on Gender and Diversity.
Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. The EU promotes the approach of the European Green Deal of a just transition towards sustainable, resource-efficient and climate neutral economies and energy systems.
Learn more about the EU external action on Climate & Environment.
In today’s world marked by major geopolitical and economic power shifts, multilateralism is still the most effective means to govern global relations in a way that benefits all. The EU stands committed to a renewed multilateralism fit for the 21st century.
Visit our web on the topic of Multilateral Relations.
Cultural diversity is one of the emblems of the EU and its Member States and a tool to strengthen cultural relations beyond our borders, to connect people worldwide, to share values, to improve international relations and to learn from each other’s practice.
Explore our web page dedicate to Cultural Relations.
