The United Nations stands with the people of Rwanda. And we stand with all those, everywhere, who refuse to surrender our future to fear, division, or silence.
2026 Commemorations — 32nd Anniversary
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
10:00 am – 11:30 am (EST/NY time)
Events — New York
Memorial Ceremony
General Assembly Hall
United Nations Headquarters, New York
- Secretary-General — Message
- Programme [pdf]
- Invitation card
- President of the UN General Assembly — Remarks
- Audio interview: Rwanda after the genocide against the Tutsi: ‘We recreated a new country’ Karoli Martin Ngoga, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the UN, explains the significance of the ceremony held at UN headquarters in NY.
- UN News: ‘Entire families brutally erased’: Remembering the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
- Related videos
Memorial Ceremony to mark the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations.
©United Nations, Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN, St. Ann's Warehouse (00:05:54)
Not My Words: The Actor Who Carries the Voice of Genocide
In just one hundred days, more than one million women, men, and children were murdered—primarily Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide. Long before the killing began, a wave of propaganda flooded the airwaves. Words came first—and words helped make the violence possible.
Campaign Against Hate Speech
#SayNoToHate
The United Nations is working to confront hate speech at every turn. You can, too.
Starting 16:00 CET
Events — Geneva
Palais des Nations, Geneva
The UN Office at Geneva in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN Office in Geneva marks the International Day starting at 16:00 CET. A candle lighting in memory of the victims of the genocide is followed by a survivor sharing their testimony.
Starting 10 a.m.
Events — Nairobi
UNON Complex
The UN Office at Nairobi in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission in Kenya marks the International Day starting 10 a.m. A candle lighting in memory of the victims of the genocide is followed by a survivor sharing their testimony.
Starting 5 p.m.
Events — Vienna
CR7
Vienna International Centre
The UN Office at Vienna in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN Office in Vienna marks the International Day starting at 5 p.m.
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Events — Paris
Room IV
UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
Roundtable ‘Remembering the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi: Education, memory and dialogue’.
Around the world
Commemorative and educational activities are organized by UN information centres around the world.
A permanent memorial at UN HQ honours the 1M+ lives lost in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) April 7, 2026
On this International Day of Reflection, we remember – because remembrance keeps hope alive. https://t.co/n7RTG7x5el#Kwibuka #PreventGenocide pic.twitter.com/W2YoHoqewc
Fight Racism
Many decades after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination remains. Join us in fighting racism!
Video Clips
Courtenay Rattray (Chef de Cabinet) on behalf of António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) Remarks
(00:05:55)
General Assembly President's Remarks
(00:08:35)
Annual Commemoration - NYC
(01:25:31)
Annual Commemoration - Geneva
(01:20:15)
Annual Commemoration - Nairobi
(01:55:30)
Annual Commemoration - Vienna
(00:51:14)