A woman holds up a booklet with a photo of Nelson Mandela hoding up his fist and his wife's had, while surrounded by people.

18 July 2013 © UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré


2020 Commemorative Events

UN General Assembly Meeting — NYC/Virtual

UN Headquarters & Virtual, 20 July —

Programme PDF document of the annual observance and recognition of the Mandela Prize laureates (Provisional)

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual commemoration was marked virtually. The event was attended by the 2020 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize laureates, Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis of Greece and Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté of Guinea.

Speakers:
  • H.E. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (President of the General Assembly)
  • H.E. Mr. António Guterres (UN Secretary-General)
  • Representative of the City of New York
  • H.E. Ms. Naledi Pandor (Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa)
  • Chairpersons of regional groups:
    • Burkina Faso (on behalf of the African States)
    • Cyprus (on behalf of the Asia-Pacific States)
    • Estonia (on behalf of the Eastern European States)
    • Saint Lucia (on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean States)
    • Israel (on behalf of the Western European and other States)
    • The United States (as host country)
Mr. Guterres attends to an unveiling of the Mandela Statue gifted by the Republic of South Africa. 2018. © UN Photo/Cia Pak

Resources

Messages and press releases:
Multimedia:

 

photo card with the Mandela quote: '国产AV is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish.'
photo card with the Mandela quote: 'No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.'
photo card with the Mandela quote: 'As long as poverty, injustice, and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.'
photo card with the Mandela quote: 'We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.'
Card announcing the Mandela Annual Lecture with a photo of a woman wearing protective attire during COVID-19 times.

Tackling Inequality
A New Social Contract for a New Era

This year, coinciding with the date of the Nelson Mandela International Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers the at 9:00 a.m. EDT (18 July).

In his speech, "Tackling the Inequality Pandemic: A New Social Contract for a New Era," the Secretary-General takes aim at the various layers of inequality that are being exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.


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