Recent Current Affairs related to UN

World Bicycle Day:

Day – June 3

Theme 2026 – “Cycling for a Greener Future“

Observed since – 2018

Initiated by – Leszek J Sibilski, a Polish-American social scientist

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), and Zimbabwe as non-permanent members of the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a 2-year term (2027-2028). This marks the first-ever term for Kyrgyzstan in the UNSC.

The new members will replace the outgoing members Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia, whose terms end in 2026. They will join the existing non-permanent members Colombia, Bahrain, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberia, who will serve until 2027.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers:

Day – May 29

Theme 2026 – “Invest in Peace”

Observed since – 2003

Commemorating – The 78th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, which began in 1948 with the deployment of military observers to the Middle East under the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).

Khalilur Rahman, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, has been elected as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He will serve a 1-year term, succeeding Annalena Charlotte Alma Baerbock.

Major Abhilasha Barak, an Indian Army officer, has been conferred the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. She served as the Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the Indian Battalion under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

She is the third Indian peacekeeper to receive this global award, after Major Suman Gawani (2019) and Major Radhika Sen (2023). It is to be noted that She is the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the history of the Indian Army.

World Football Day:

Day – 25 May

Observed by – 2024

According to the “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026” report released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), the GDP growth of India for FY27 is revised down to 6.4% from the previous projection of 6.6%. The growth forecast for FY28 is also reduced to 6.6%.

PM Narendra Modi has been conferred the prestigious FAO Agricola Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The award recognises his contributions to food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.

It is one of the highest honours given by the FAO to individuals for their role in advancing global food security, improved nutrition, and agricultural development.

Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War:

Day – May 08, 09

Observed since – 2005

Commemorating – The surrender of Nazi Germany in WWII

Also known in Europe as – Victory day

The United Nations (UN) has launched a report titled “The Global Forest Goals (GFG) Report 2026” during the 21st session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) in New York.

The report states that global forest cover decreased from 4.18 billion hectares (ha) in 2015 to 4.14 billion ha in 2025, representing an annual net loss of 4.12 million ha. It is to be noted that 16 million ha of primary forests were lost between 2015 and 2025. South America accounted for the most share of primary forest losses recorded during the decade.

India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized United Nations (UN) agency, have launched an 8-year Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for the 2026–2033 period.

The initiative, announced during the ‘IFAD–India Partnership for Rural Prosperity’ event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, aims to strengthen the rural economy of India and promote inclusive, climate-resilient development.

Additionally, IFAD and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have signed a strategic partnership agreement to strengthen rural finance systems and support innovation in the agriculture and allied sectors.

World Press Freedom Day:

Day – May 03

Theme 2026 – “Shaping a Future at Peace”

Observed since – 1994

Robert Edward Turner III (Ted Turner), a philanthropist and the founder of Cable News Network (CNN), passed away at the age of 87.

According to the 13th edition of the “World Migration Report 2026” released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a UN-related agency, India is the leading recipient of remittances in the world by receiving over $137 billion in 2024, making it the only country to cross the $100 billion milestone. It is followed by Mexico, Philippines, France, and Pakistan. The USA remains the primary source of global remittances with outflows exceeding $100 billion, followed by Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Germany.