Commemoration of World Humanitarian Day 2025 at UN Geneva.
Annual observance of World Humanitarian Day at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). Since then, WHD has become OCHA's annual flagship campaign. Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers. This year, we call for an end to the attacks on humanitarians and civilians and impunity under International Humanitarian Law. During the occasion, we will show the importance, effectiveness and positive impact of humanitarian work. We urge those in power to #ActForHumanity.
On 19 August at 4 p.m., UN Geneva will host a commemorative event in the memory of those who paid the utmost sacrifice in line of duty and to honour the invaluable contribution of humanitarian workers.
Register to join us!
Programme
World Humanitarian Day 2025 – Commemoration Ceremony.
Tuesday, 19 August 2025, 4 p.m.
Palais des Nations, Building E, 3rd Floor
in front of the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room
(Room XX)
4 P.M. OPENING OF THE EVENT
Master of ceremony: Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director, United Nations Information Service at Geneva
Wreath laying and candle lightning ceremony by the United Nations
Laying of flowers by the survivors and families of the victims of the attack against the United Nations Mission in Baghdad of 19 August 2003, and other UN offices
Laying of flowers by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva (see statement)
MINUTE OF SILENCE
Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights (see statement)
H.E. Mr. Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
Mr. Dhafer M. Younis Al-Hussini, Human Rights Officer, survivor of the 19 August 2003 terrorist attack against the United Nations Mission in Baghdad (see statement)
Ms. Laura Johnson, Executive Secretary, UNOG Staff Union.
Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Emergency Relief Coordinator (see statement).
5 P.M. CONCLUSION OF THE EVENT.
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). Since then, WHD has become OCHA's annual flagship campaign. Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers. This year, we call for an end to the attacks on humanitarians and civilians and impunity under International Humanitarian Law. During the occasion, we will show the importance, effectiveness and positive impact of humanitarian work. We urge those in power to #ActForHumanity.
Ceremony
On 19 August at 4 p.m., UN Geneva will host a commemorative event in the memory of those who paid the utmost sacrifice in line of duty and to honour the invaluable contribution of humanitarian workers.
Register to join us!
Programme
World Humanitarian Day 2025 – Commemoration Ceremony.
Tuesday, 19 August 2025, 4 p.m.
Palais des Nations, Building E, 3rd Floor
in front of the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room
(Room XX)
4 P.M. OPENING OF THE EVENT
Master of ceremony: Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director, United Nations Information Service at Geneva
Wreath laying and candle lightning ceremony by the United Nations
Laying of flowers by the survivors and families of the victims of the attack against the United Nations Mission in Baghdad of 19 August 2003, and other UN offices
Laying of flowers by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva (see statement)
MINUTE OF SILENCE
Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights (see statement)
H.E. Mr. Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva
Mr. Dhafer M. Younis Al-Hussini, Human Rights Officer, survivor of the 19 August 2003 terrorist attack against the United Nations Mission in Baghdad (see statement)
Ms. Laura Johnson, Executive Secretary, UNOG Staff Union.
Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Emergency Relief Coordinator (see statement).
5 P.M. CONCLUSION OF THE EVENT.
The WHD is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Watch the World Humanitarian Day 2025 - UN Geneva Commemoration!
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