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United Nations Department of Public Information

2017 COMMUNICATIONS GUIDANCE

The new year, 2017, starts at the United Nations with a new Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and a fresh approach
to the key pillars of the work of the United Nations - peace and security, human rights and development. Against a
background of ever more complex global challenges, Mr. Guterres has set a marker that the UN, as the "cornerstone of
multilateralism," must be ready to change and reform the way it works if it is to be able to tackle the conflicts, threats
and megatrends of today. This is a time of increasing inequalities and of fears and anxieties, when peoples and their
leaders need to reconstruct relations in a spirit of caring and solidarity, supportive of universal values.
Mr. Guterres has emphasized thatthe Organization needs to strengthen its ability to communicate better about what it does
in ways that everyone understands. This will require continuing to reform our communications strategy, consolidating a
"digital first" approach, making the best use of technological progress and putting a revitalized emphasis on multilingual
platforms that have the ability to reach a global audience.
In his address to Member States on 12 December, Mr. Guterres outlined three strategic priorities for change- in the UN's
work for peace, in its support for sustainable development, and in its internal management.
On the peace and security front, the Secretary-General said more effort needs to be devoted to preventing crises by
addressing the root causes and supporting strengthened institutions, resilient societies, and full respect for human
rights. When prevention fails, more must be done to resolve conflicts via mediation, arbitration and creative diplomacy.
A continuum must be created, from conflict prevention and resolution, through peacekeeping, peacebuilding and
development, to ensure that peace is sustained. This will require reform of the UN's strategy and structures for peace
and security, as well as for countering the threat of terrorism.
Secondly, the UN will strengthen development's position at the centre of its work to support the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals. This will require needed reforms of the UN development system at Headquarters and
country levels and a closer link between the humanitarian and development spheres as crises erupt. Implementing the
Paris Agreement on climate change will be a critical facet of that process.

JilnecC1tf Pre>>.UWI
Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)
Cases of SEA, and in particular those committed by
peacekeepers, continue to damage the reputation of the
United Nations. In a major step towards accountability
and transparency, the Secretary-General has started
to name countries whose uniformed personnel are
implicated in SEA allegations. In 2016, the SecretaryGeneral appointed Jane Holl Lute as Special Coordinator
~~~~~~~~"---~-~-------~----~---

on improving the UN's response to SEA. In 2017, we

will continue to underscore the UN's commitment to
stamping out all cases of SEA and to demonstrate greater
transparency and accountability in the handling of cases.
DPI will continue to advocate for a more proactive
communications stance, and encourage UN senior
leadership to speak out on SEA issues more frequently.

---------------~~~--

PEACEBUILDING
The need for a comprehensive approach to addressing
all stages of conflicts will be more vital than ever in 2017.
A formal review of the UN's peacebuilding architecture
in 2016 outlined how the entire UN system, with the
Peacebuilding Support Office and the Peacebuilding
Commission in key roles, should implement an agenda
of "sustaining peace". The Secretary-General has been

tasked with reporting on progress on this agenda at

a high-level gathering during the 72nd Session of the
General Assembly. The participation of women and youth
in peace processes will be especially critical and our
communications need to stress this, including in the
lead-up to the release of a progress study on Youth,
Peace and Security due in December 2017.

WOMEN AND PEACE AND SECURITY

Despite greater support for women and girls in conflictaffected countries by UN programmes and agencies, and
more inclusive peace processes, much still needs to be
done on the women and peace and security agenda. Mr.
Guterres noted that "the protection and empowerment of
women and girls is paramount. Gender equality is key to
development, and there is growing evidence of its critical
role in building and maintaining peace." In 2017, DPI will
support the Security Council and the Secretary-General
as they take the women and peace and security agenda
forward. The International Day for the Elimination of
Sexual Violence in Conflict (19 June) will raise awareness
of the need to end conflict-related sexual violence, to
stand in solidarity with survivors around the world and to
pay tribute to all those working on the front-lines, often
at great personal risk, to eradicate this scourge.

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24JANUARY

UN General Assembly, Security

Council, Economic and Social
Council, Peace Building
Commission session on Sustaining
Peace and the 2030 Agenda
MAY
Global Conference on Preventing
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (tbc)
JUNE
Fifty-year anniversary of the
occupation of Gaza and the West
Bank including East Jerusalem
31 OCTOBER
Anniversary of Security Council
Resolution 1325 on Women and
Peace and Security
6-1 0 NOVEMBER UN Police week
9 DECEMBER
Second anniversary of Security
Council Resolution 2250 on Youth,
Peace and Security

Strategic Communications Division UN Department of Public Information

rnf\ifc\~ v(e~s.LOM
ADDRESSING lARGE MOVEMENTS OF REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS
The ongoing forced displacement of populations is a
global crisis that has dominated the international agenda
and media headlines in 2016. The General Assembly
hosted a high-level summit to address large movements
of refugees and migrants. All 193 Member States, in
adopting the New York Declaration, came together
behind a single plan committing to a more humane and
coordinated approach. In 2017, communications will
focus on two tracks of work. Firstly, to ensure pressure
is maintained on Member States to honour their

commitments and work towards adopting two Global

Compacts on Refugees and Migrants in 2018. Secondly,
to roll out the "Together" initiative - a UN-Ied global
campaign that aims to change negative perceptions
and attitudes towards refugees and migrants and to
strengthen the social contract between host countries
and communities, and refugees and migrants. "Together"
is an exciting communications opportunity for the whole
of the UN system. More details are on page 10.

-~~~~~--~~---------~------------------------------~---------

---------------'

---------

--------~-

CRISES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The list below highlights many of the rapidly evolving
conflicts and political crises on which the UN will continue
to focus its efforts in the new year. Further guidance and
strategies will be forthcoming for each, reflecting the
engagement of the new Secretary-General.
Syria: The conflict in Syria is entering its sixth year amid
a dramatically deteriorating situation and continued
divisions within the Security Council. Our communications
priorities are two-fold: firstly, to underscore the importance
of the intense diplomatic efforts by the UN's Office of the
Special Envoy for Syria, alongside partners, to bring about
a negotiated political solution; secondly, to work alongside
OCHA, UNHCR, WHO and other humanitarian actors to call
for sustained support for one of the most dire crises the
world has seen.
Yemen: The UN Special Envoy for Yemen will continue
mediation efforts to revive the peace talks between the
Houthi rebels and the Government based on a new peace
initiative. Our communication efforts in 2017, working
alongside political and humanitarian partners, will aim
to attract greater global attention to this conflict. The
UN will launch a new humanitarian appeal, reflecting a
worsening humanitarian and socio-economic situation,
with the UN estimating at the end of 2016 that over 18

million people are in need of humanitarian aid and half

of Yemen's governorates are in urgent need of food.
Iraq: The United Nations, through the UN Assistance
Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), continues to assist the
Government and people of Iraq in addressing
ongoing challenges of security, political dialogue and
reconciliation, human rights and economic development.
One of our communications priorities will be a continued
focus on the military operations in Mosul, where DPI
has established a crisis communications coordination
group to exchange information and ensure that the UN's
messages remain consistent.
Middle East: The absence of political progress continues
to undermine prospects for a peaceful settlement to the
Arab-Israeli conflict, 50 years after the Israeli occupation
began and 70 years after General Assembly Resolution
181 proposed a partition of the land. Our communications
priority, working alongside the Department of Political
Affairs (DPA), will be to promote the UN's efforts in
restoring confidence and hope in the viability of a twostate solution and final status issues.
Libya: The UN continues to seek a solution through
diplomacy and mediation between the warring sides in

2017 Communications Guidance

lnnif(l~ p~~5 .UW1

the country. We will continue to assist DPA and the United
Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to highlight
the UN's efforts towards a political process, including
the possible re-establishment of the Mission in Tripoli,
security conditions permitting.
South Sudan: With Government and opposition forces
continuing to clash in various parts of the country, the
protection role of peacekeepers remains under the media
spotlight. At the end of 2016, the UN Mission in South
Sudan (UNMISS) was protecting over 200,000 internally
displaced persons in its camps, while around 1.6 million
people remained displaced across the country. The UN will
continue to voice concern over human rights violations
and hate speech, and will need communications support
to manage expectations for the planned deployment of a
4,000-strong Regional Protection Force in 2017.
Mali: The Security Council placed the implementation
of the peace agreement and the gradual restoration of
State authority at the centre of the UN Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
mandate, providing additional resources and calling for
a more robust posture. The stabilization of Mali remains
jeopardized by a series of challenges, including attacks
by violent extremist groups against Malian forces,
MINUSMA and international forces, as well as clashes
between communities and signatory groups to the peace
agreement. In 2017, our communications efforts will
focus on creating a better understanding of the Mission's
mandate among the Malian public, as well as to build
international support for the Mission.
Central African Republic: The Security Council renewed
the Mission's mandate in July 2016, with the key
strategic objective of working towards the sustainable
reduction of armed groups while maintaining its core
tasks of protection of civilians, facilitating the delivery
of humanitarian assistance and the protection of human
rights. Within a fragile security situation, MINUSCA
continues to assist in the maintenance of rule of law and

the fight against impunity through its Urgent Temporary

Measures mandate. In 2017, our communication efforts
will focus on maintaining international support, in
particular on the disbursement and implementation of
the pledges following the donors' conference in Brussels
in November 2016.
Cote d'lvoire: In 2017, we expect a successful completion
of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'lvoire (UNOCI)
within the timeline set by the Security Council and a
smooth assumption of the UNOCI residual tasks by the
United Nations Country Team. Our efforts will focus
on promoting the success of UNOCI and of the United
Nations as a whole in Cote d'lvoire over the past years,
including lessons learned and good practices.
Colombia: The United Nations has strongly supported
the peace talks between the Government of Colombia
and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of ColombiaPeople's Army (FARC-EP). In 2016, the Security Council
established a political mission of unarmed international
observers to monitor and verify the laying down of arms
and as part of the tripartite mechanism to monitor and
verify the bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
A total of around 400 observers will be deployed by
early 2017. We will focus our communications efforts on
garnering support and understanding for the mandate
of the UN's most recently established peace operation,
particularly in relation to the tripartite Monitoring and
Verification Mechanism (MVM).
These unfortunately are not the only crises in the
spotlight: the Democratic Republic of the Congo/Great
Lakes region, Somalia and Afghanistan are among
those crises that will require sustained engagements by
communicators across the UN system in 2017.

Strategic Communications Division UN Department of Public Information

---------limerC1~ Pff.>S.~
HEALTH CRISES AND OUTBREAKS
DPI continues to work in close partnership with the World
Health Organisation, ensuring the UN has a consistent
voice on health security issues.

Cholera in Haiti: Working with the Haitian Government

and partners, the UN has helped reduce the annual
number of cases by 90% since the peak in 2011. As of
November 2016, there were nearly 800,000 cases of
cholera and almost 9,300 deaths. The Secretary-General
apologized to the people of Haiti and announced a twotrack approach to address cholera. Track One involves
intensifying the Organization's support to reduce and
ultimately end the transmission of cholera, improve
access to care and treatment, and address the longerterm issues of water, sanitation and health systems
in Haiti. Track Two involves developing a package that
will provide material assistance and support to those

Promoting respect for human rights, as one of the core

purposes of the United Nations, will remain a strong
focus of our communications work throughout 2017. As
Secretary-General Guterres emphasized in his address
to Member States on 12 December, "we want the world
our children inherit to be defined by the values enshrined
in the United Nations Charter: peace, justice, respect,
human rights, tolerance and solidarity."
The year-long "Stand up for someone's rights today"
campaign
http://www.standup4humanrights.org,
launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights on Human Rights Day 2016, provides
a framework for communicating the need for greater
freedoms, stronger respect and more compassion. The
campaign encourages everyone to make a difference for
human rights - in the workplace, on the sports field, or
at school. We will continue to support and promote this

Haitian communities and families most directly affected

by cholera. In 2017, the communications priority will
be to promote the UN's efforts to combat the disease,
harnessing both DPI and MINUSTAH platforms and social
media tools.

Zika response: The Zika virus and its associated

consequences remain asignificant, enduring public health
challenge requiring intense action. Given the long-term
nature of the disease and its associated complications,
the issue has been escalated to a sustained programme
of work for WHO and partners, from the previous status
of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
In 2017, communication efforts will focus on both public
health risk awareness, and fund-raising for much needed
research and development.

campaign, calling on people around the world to take a

stand and step forward to defend the rights of a refugee
or migrant, a person with disabilities, an LGBT person, a
woman, a child, indigenous peoples, a minority group, or
anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence.
"Together - Respect, Safety and Dignity for All," the
UN-Ied global campaign that aims to change negative
perceptions and attitudes towards refugees and migrants
(see below), will continue to provide a platform for
promoting non-discrimination, solidarity and inclusion.
Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) and Human
Rights Day (1 0 December) present prominent occasions
to highlight the values of human dignity, equality, justice
and compassion and call on States to fulfill their human
rights obligations.

Strategic Communications Division UN Department of Public Information

IitnexC1rt Pee}> .LOM

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also
provides opportunities for communicating the need
for advancing and realizing the human rights of all.
With equality and non-discrimination at the core of the
Sustainable Development Goals, communications on
human rights will aim to make a stronger linkage to the
sustainable development agenda.
The work of the Human Rights Council and its Special
Procedures, including country visits by mandate holders,
will continue to be prominently promoted, along with the
upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (in 2018) which we will start to highlight
in 2017.

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Start of the third cycle of the

Human Rights Council's Universal
Periodic Review (first session of
the Working Group)
Nelson Mandela International Day
(limited seed funding is expected
to be available to UNICs)
Human Rights Day (limited seed
funding is expected to be available
to UNICs)

COMBATING XENOPHOBIA, PROMOTING INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES

"Together - Respect, Safety and Dignity for All" is the
UN-Ied global campaign that aims to change negative
perceptions and attitudes towards refugees and
migrants and to strengthen the social contract between
host countries and communities, and refugees and
migrants. It was with the aim of addressing the toxic,
xenophobic and often racist narrative toward refugees
and migrants taking hold in many parts of the world
that the Secretary-General launched "Together" on 19
September 2016 during the UN Summit on Refugees and
Migrants. In the New York Declaration emanating from
the Summit, Member States unanimously welcomed the
initiative and committed to implementing it.
"Together" will promote existing campaigns and global
action in support of non-discrimination and acceptance
of refugees and migrants. It will run at least until 2018,
when Member States are expected to adopt two Global
Compacts on Refugees and Migrants. The core values of
the United Nations and the determination to "leave no one
behind" are at the centre of the campaign, which is closely
linked to the SDGs, in particular to Goals 16 and 17.
"Together" will build empathy and provide a platform
10

for stories about and by migrants and refugees and of

host communities that have benefitted from the inclusion
of refugees and migrants. It will tell stories of children
on the move. It will engage and mobilize global citizens
to show support for refugees and migrants, creating a
strong, persuasive narrative of solidarity, and showcase
the shared benefits of migration to economies and
nations, while also acknowledging legitimate concerns
of host communities.
"Together" will harness the creative community,
influencers and technology partners to break existing
frames and support innovative products and outreach
tools to reach more effectively the target audiences.
The network of Information Centres and other UN field
offices form the backbone of the "Together" architecture,
and will be provided with public information tools and
products that they will adapt and tailor to fit contextspecific circumstances and needs. In 2017, "Together"
is expected to reach maximum visibility with a myriad of
Together-branded activities led by UN field offices and at
UN Headquarters. The multilingual hub together.un.org
will engage and mobilize virtually the general public.
2017 Communications Guidance

JnnexCttj Pee>> .LOM

DEMOCRACY
Continuing outbreaks of violence and conflict in many
parts of the world reinforce a truth seen time and
again: that where societies are not inclusive, and where
governments are not responsive and accountable,
peace, equality and shared prosperity cannot take hold.
The annual observance of International Democracy Day
on 15 September provides the international community
with an opportunity to underscore the need to do more to

empower individuals, focusing on the billions of people

who are underprivileged, marginalized, jobless, and
without hope. More needs to be done to ensure they are
heard and can take an active part in their future.

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15 SEPTEMBER

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International Day of Democracy

HUMAN RIGHTS UP FRONT

Human Rights up Front (HRUF) is a Secretary-General
initiative, launched in 2013, to strengthen UN preventive
action aimed at addressing serious concerns that cut
across the Organization's three pillars of peace and
security, development, and human rights, and especially
issues with grave human rights consequences. The
initiative seeks to bring the UN System together in a
way that is mutually supportive, helps prevention, and
prioritizes human rights. In the worst situations, the
initiative also seeks to prevent the most serious lifethreatening violations.
HRUF aims to bring about a cultural change within the UN
system, so all staff and UN entities conduct their work with
an awareness of their wider responsibility to support the
UN Charter and overall UN mandates. It encourages staff

to take a principled stance and act with moral courage

to prevent serious and large-scale violations of human
rights, and pledges Headquarters support for those who
do so. The initiative seeks operational change, providing
for coordinated action across the UN's three pillars both
in the field and at Headquarters, and better early warning
and response mechanisms, as well as change in UN
engagement with Member States, envisaging proactive
collaboration with national authorities with regard to
identified and potential concerns, and early engagement
to prevent large-scale human rights violations. DPI will
continue working as part of the Secretariat-wide Human
Rights up Front team to help raise understanding of and
support for this initiative among internal and external key
audiences.

QUESTION OF PALESTINE
In accordance with relevant General Assembly
resolutions, the Department will continue to implement
its special information programme on the question
of Palestine, aiming to sensitize public opinion to the
question of Palestine and Middle East peace efforts,
including through the annual United Nations International
Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East and the
Department's five-week annual training programme
for Palestinian journalists. DPI will also continue to
support and promote activities of the UN Committee on
14

the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian

People (the Committee) and collaborate with DPA's
Division for Palestinian Rights (DPR).
The year 2017 has an added significance for the
question of Palestine as it marks the 50th anniversary
of the Israeli occupation that began in 1967. In this
connection, the General Assembly has requested the
Committee to focus its activities throughout 2017 on
efforts and initiatives to end the Israeli occupation, and
2017 Communications Guidance

JnnecC1ft ~~)S.LOM
to organize activities in this regard, in cooperation with
Governments, relevant organizations of the UN system,
intergovernmental organizations and civil society, aimed
at raising international awareness and mobilizing efforts
as a contribution to the achievement of a just, lasting,
comprehensive and peaceful solution to the question of
Palestine in all its aspects.
Throughout the year, DPI will strive to work with DPR,
UNRWA, UNSCO and other partners on special events
and other activities relating to Palestinian issues. It is
expected that the observance of the 50th anniversary
will culminate at a high-level event at UN Headquarters

JANUARY I
FEBRUARY(TBC)

FEBRUARY (TBC)

MARCH (TBC)

First meeting of the UN

Committee on the Exercise of
the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People
UN Committee on the Exercise
of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People Delegation
Speaking Tour in Latin America
(Nicaragua and Central America/
the Caribbean)
Capacity-building Seminar
regarding Sustainable
Development Goals for Staff of
the Government of the State of
Palestine

in New York, which is being tentatively planned for early

June 2017. Additional activities will be organized in the
context of the International Day of Solidarity with the
Palestinian People (29 November).
In conducting communications activities on the question
of Palestine, it will be important to have in mind that the
year 2017 will also mark the 70th anniversary of historic
General Assembly resolution 181 of 29 November 1947,
which proposed a partition of the land, envisaging
independent Arab and Jewish States and a special
international regime for Jerusalem.

MAY-JUNE (TBC)

MAY(TBC)
JUNE (TBC)

SEPTEMBERNOVEMBER (TBC)

NOVEMBERDECEMBER (TBC)
29 NOVEMBER

[DPI]International Media
Seminar on Peace in the Middle
East
International Conference on the
Question of Jerusalem
UN high-level event and civil
society forum to commemorate
fiftieth anniversary of the Israeli
occupation
UN Annual Training Programme
for Staff of the Government of
the State of Palestine (New York
& Geneva)
[DPI] Annual Training Programme
for Palestinian Journalists
International Day of Solidarity
with the Palestinian People

DECOlONIZATION
DPI will continue to disseminate information about
decolonization in the context of the Third International
Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (20112020). Using both traditional and new information and
communications technologies, it will highlight the need
for immediate and full implementation of the 1960 United

Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence

to Colonial Countries and Peoples. The work of the
Special Committee on Decolonization (also known as
C-24), which is the intergovernmental body devoted to
advancing the United Nations decolonization agenda,
will remain at the centre of the Department's outreach

Strategic Communications Division UN Department of Public Information

15

Jime..-C1rt PiE>>.LOM
activities with media, civil society and educational
institutions. In line with its efforts aimed at raising
public awareness of United Nations activities in the field

23 FEBRUARY

Opening of the 2016 Session

of the Special Committee on
Decolonization (C-24)

25-31 MAY

International Week of Solidarity

with the Peoples of Non-SelfGoverning Territories

MAY-JUNE (TBD)

Regional Seminar on
Decolonization

12-23 JUNE

2016 Substantive Session

of the Special Committee on
Decolonization (C-24)

of decolonization, DPI will continue to work in close

consultation with other UN stakeholders towards this
goal.

JULY (TBD)

2 -10 OCTOBER

ECOSOC Coordination and

Management Meeting, under
agenda item "Implementation of
the Declaration on the Granting
of Independence to Colonial
Countries and Peoples by
the specialized agencies and
the international institutions
associated with the United
Nations"
Special Political and
Decolonization Committee
(Fourth Committee) Decolonization Segment

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have had
a strong first year since entry into force, rallying global
action, with many countries already aligning their national
plans with their development planning. DPI's umbrella
campaign, "Sustainable Development Goals: 17 Goals to
Transform Our World," will continue to raise awareness
of the Goals, communicating what they are, highlighting
the bold actions and commitments that governments, the
private sector and civil society are taking to integrate the
SDGs into their action plans, and sharing how individuals
can take action on the Goals.
To reach scale on this awareness, partnerships will
continue to play a critical role in communicating the
SDGs and will remain a core tool in reaching the widest
possible audience. For 2017, DPI will continue to
16

strengthen existing partnerships, while leveraging new

ones in the advertising, mobile phone, entertainment and
media industries.
It will also be increasingly necessary to demonstrate
progress to eliminate poverty by 2030, reduce inequalities
within and among countries, tackle climate change
impact, and ensure all people have, among others,
opportunities for decent work, education, food security
and access to water and sanitation. A key moment for
highlighting SDG implementation will be in July when
countries once again meet at the High-Level Political
Forum on Sustainable Development to demonstrate the
robust actions that they are taking to implement the
Goals.

2017 Communications Guidance

JilnerU~ P~>.UJM
Other key markersfor2017 include the Ocean Conference,
which is directly aimed at supporting implementation
of SDG Goal 14, and for which DPI is preparing a full
communications package, including a visual identity.

people will continue this year. Women's economic

empowerment will be a theme throughout 2017 and
empowering youth, particularly by allowing their voices
to be heard by decision-makers, will remain a central
objective, as well as elevating the importance of youthled solutions to global issues.

The special focus on gender equality and on young

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17-20 JANUARY
7-10 MARCH
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15-16 MAY

22-25 MAY
23-27 MAY
5-9 JUNE
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SEPTEMBER

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UN World Data Forum

47th Annual Meeting of the
World Economic Forum
48th Session of the UN
Statistical Commission
ECOSOC Partnership Forum
Multi-stakeholder forum
on science, technology and
innovation for the Sustainable
Development Goals
ECOSOC Forum on Financing
for Development
2nd UN Environment Assembly
The Ocean Conference
Expo 2017

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Global Sustainable
Development Report

JUNETBD

SDGs in action week

JULYTBC

Sustainable Development
Goals Report
World Economic and Social
Survey 2017

JULYTBC
10-14 JULY
17-19 JULY
SEPTEMBER TBC

High Level Political Forum on

Sustainable Development
ECOSOC High-level segment

6-17 NOVEMBER

SDG Moment - 72nd UNGA

General Debate
UNFCCC COP 23

TBD

15th Session of UNCTAD

CLIMATE CHANGE
There is a need to keep climate change high on the
international agenda in 2017 as the work of implementing
the Paris Agreement gets under way. Actions over the
next five years will largely determine whether emissions
will peak in time to keep global average temperature
rise to under 2C this century. Climate communications
will focus on the climate science, political developments
relating to the implementation of the Paris Agreement,
and preparations for 2018, when countries will meet to
review their commitments on climate change. COP 23,
which will take place in Bonn, Germany, in November,
will be instrumental in gauging parties' commitment
to accelerating action. Also important for climate
communications is the need to further integrate climate

action messaging into broader communications efforts

to highlight the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
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Strategic Communications Division UN Department of Public Information

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THE OCEAN CONFERENCE

The General Assembly has mandated a conference
to support the implementation of SDG Goal 14 on 5-9
June. The conference will be held at UN Headquarters
in New York. It aims to raise the profile of the many
threats to the world's oceans, ranging from land-based
pollution to coral bleaching, overfishing, marine habitat
degradation, ocean acidification and the impacts of
climate change, as well as the importance of healthy
oceans to sustainable development and the achievement
of the SDGs. The conference will bring together Member
States, civil society and business groups to highlight
the perilous state of the world's oceans, as well as new
commitments, partnerships and solutions. Working with

the Conference Secretariat, the President of the General

Assembly and the UN System, DPI will coordinate the
implementation of a communications strategy aimed
at raising global awareness of the state of the world's
oceans and galvanizing public support to achieve
Sustainable Goal14. The strategy will emphasize public
engagement, media outreach, and the involvement of
stakeholder and civil society groups.

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World Environment Day

The Ocean Conference

5JUNE
5-9 JUNE

GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

Working for and with women and girls remains a priority
for the UN, including through Sustainable Development
Goal 5. One of the priority themes for gender equality in
2017 will focus on women's economic empowerment,
including through the presentation of the UN SecretaryGeneral's High Level Panel final report. Major events, such
as the 61st session of the Commission on the Status of
Women and International Women's Day, will underscore
the rights of women in the changing world of work. The
International Days for the Girl Child and the Elimination
of Violence against Women will also be opportunities
to raise awareness on progress in achieving gender
equality.

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6 FEBRUARY

11 FEBRUARY
8MARCH
13-24 MARCH
23MAY
19 JUNE

23JUNE
11 OCTOBER
15 OCTOBER
25 NOVEMBER

18

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International Day of Zero

Tolerance for Female Genital
Mutilation
International Day of Women and
Girls in Science
International Women's Day
61 st Commission on the Status of
Women
International Day to End Obstetric
Fistula
International Day for the
Elimination of Sexual Violence on
Conflict
International Widows' Day
International Day of the Girl Child
International Day of Rural Women
International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against
Women

2017 Communications Guidance