The United Nations (UN’s) Nelson Mandela International Day (Mandela Day) is annually observed across the globe on July 18 to recognize Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s lifelong dedication to conflict resolution, human rights, race relations, gender equality, and reconciliation.
- The day commemorates the birth anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize winner (1993), Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the first Black President of South Africa.
- July 18, 2025, marks the 107th birth anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born on July 18, 1918.
Theme:
The 2025 theme for Nelson Mandela International Day is “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”, emphasizing collective action against inequality, aligning with Mandela’s vision.
Background:
i.On 10 November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/64/13, proclaiming 18 July of every year as Nelson Mandela International Day.
ii.The resolution recognises Nelson Mandela’s significant contribution to the global struggle for democracy, the promotion of social justice, poverty eradication, and the advancement of a culture of peace.
iii.The first observance of UN Nelson Mandela International Day was held on 18 July 2010.
UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize:
i.On 6 June 2014, the UNGA adopted resolution A/RES/68/275, establishing the UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.
ii.This honorary award is presented once every five years to two individuals (one male and one female) from different regions, in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
iii.The inaugural prize was awarded in 2015, followed by the second edition in 2020.
iv.The UN Nelson Mandela Prize 2025 was awarded to Brenda Reynolds (Saulteaux First Nation, Canada) and Kennedy Odede (Kenya).
The Nelson Mandela Rules:
i.On 17 December 2015, UNGA adopted the revised UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners through resolution A/RES/70/175.
ii.These rules were officially renamed as the “Nelson Mandela Rules” to honour Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy and commitment to human rights and dignity.
iii.The UNGA expanded the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day to promote humane conditions in prisons, raise awareness that prisoners are part of society, and acknowledge the critical role of prison staff in rehabilitation and justice.
iv.The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) acts as the custodian of the Nelson Mandela Rules.
- UNODC leads a global annual campaign on the theme #PrisonersMatter to promote awareness and the implementation of these standards for dignified treatment of prisoners.
Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace (2019–2028):
Declared via UNGA resolution A/RES/73/1 on September 24, 2018, following the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at UN Headquarters, New York (United States of America, USA), ushering in a dedicated decade of global peace initiatives.
About Nelson Mandela
i.Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa.
ii.He was a prominent anti-apartheid activist, politician, and the first Black President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
iii.He was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected President in 1994.
iv.He served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
v.He passed away on 5 December 2013.
Awards and Honours:
i.1990: Conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, by the Government of India (GoI) for his contributions to Public Affairs.
ii.1991: Awarded the UNESCO Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize.
iii.1993: Joint recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize along with Frederik Willem de Klerk (South Africa) for efforts in ending apartheid and establishing democracy in South Africa.
Books by/about Nelson Mandela:
- Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
- No Easy Walk to Freedom
- The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
2025 Events:
i.On July 18, 2025, the UNGA Informal Plenary was held at UN headquarters, New York, USA and the annual Governors Island volunteer drive, co-organised by the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, UN Department for Global Communications (DGC), President of UNGA, and the Permanent Mission of South Africa, in partnership with Randall’s Park Alliance .
ii.Every year on Nelson Mandela International Day, people worldwide are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes to community service.
- This honours Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of service to humanity, as a human rights lawyer, prisoner of conscience, peacemaker, and the first democratically elected President of South Africa.
