The Week Ahead with the UN in the Caribbean: 18-24 March 2024

18 March 2024, the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, will inaugurate the 38 Regional Conference of FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean in Georgetown, Guyana, at 1 PM (GMT-4).

The event will extend for four days, 18 - 21 March, and will be attended by government officials of the thirty-three FAO Member Nations, ministers of Agriculture and ministers of other sectors, the Holy See, organisations and specialized agencies of the United Nations System, intergovernmental organisations, civil society organisations, private sector organisations, academia and research institutions, parliamentarians, observers, and non-member countries.

The FAO Regional Conference is an official forum where Member Nations of the region meet to discuss challenges and priority issues related to food and agriculture to promote regional coherence on global policy issues. Click here for details on following the conference live or securing media accreditation.

International Day of Happiness

Wednesday 20 March, we observe the International Day of Happiness which recognises happiness as a fundamental human goal. This year, the UN will launch the World Happiness Report 2024 to mark the observance. Learn more about the observance and the report launch here.

French Language Day

Salut! Wednesday 20 March, we observe French Language Day. The UN celebrates six “Language Days” each year, dedicated to the six official languages ​​of the United Nations, which are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. These days provide an opportunity to raise awareness among the international community of the history, culture and use of each of these languages. Learn more here.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Thursday 21 March, we observe International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination under the 2024 theme of, “A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent”. Learn about the commemorative event taking place at the UN General Assembly Hall and more here.

This observance also marks the beginning of the UN's "Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination", lasting 21 - 27 March 2024.

International Day of Forests

Thursday 21 March, we observe International Day of Forests which celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. The 2024 theme is "Forests and Innovation". Click here to learn more from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Click here to register for the broadcast of FAO's Hybrid event: "How innovation is driving change in forestry".

On this day, the UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Yeşim Oruç will deliver remarks at an event hosted by the Guyana Forestry Commission celebrating the theme for 2024. Guyana is one of the most densely forested countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

World Down Syndrome Day

Thursday 21 March, we observe World Down Syndrome Day with the 2024 call to action: "End the stereotypes". Learn more about this observance and the 13th World Down Syndrome Day Conference (WDSDC) taking place at the United Nations headquarters in New York here.

World Poetry Day

Thursday 21 March, we observe World Poetry Day. This UNESCO observance celebrates one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity. In partnership with the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, The National Library of Jamaica will host a signature event at Devon House, formal lawns, Kingston, to form solid bonds with Jamaica’s literary community, launch their new anthology, award poetry prizes, and celebrate the tenure of Olive Senior, Poet Laureate of Jamaica 2021-2024. Follow the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean on social media for more details on this event and participation.

International Day of Nowruz

Thursday 21 March, we observe International Day of Nowruz which marks the first day of spring in temperate climates.

UN Outreach at University of Guyana Open Day & Job Fair

Thursday 21 - 22 March, the United Nations in Guyana will do public outreach from a United Nations booth at the University of Guyana's Open Day & Job Fair 2024. 

World Water Day

Friday 22 March, we observe World Water Day under the 2024 theme: "Water for Peace". Click here to learn more.

World Meteorological Day

Saturday 23 March, we observe World Meteorological Day with the 2024 theme “At the Frontline of Climate Action”. This year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the UN, will host a ceremony, broadcast live from Geneva, Switzerland, to shine the spotlight on climate action and launch a new joint campaign with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The ceremony will feature a range of speakers that includes Matthew Wilson, Ambassador And Permanent Representative of Barbados to The United Nations Office At Geneva. Click here to join the webcast.