UN marks International Day of Remembrance 2025, honoring victims of terrorism under the theme 'United by Hope' (Freepik)
Every year, terror acts disrupt or end the lives of thousands of innocent humans. To recognize their pain and resilience, the United Nations General Assembly declared August 21 as the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Ever since its adoption in 2017, this observance has provided an essential platform for victims of terrorism so that their travails can never be forgotten and their rights retained at the very center of the global counter-terrorism scheme.
This eighth commemoration took place on Thursday, August 21, 2025, under the theme "United by Hope: Collective Action for Victims of Terrorism."
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Carrying the spirit of the establishment of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN), this theme emphasizes collaboration and community-based support across borders. It calls for concerted action addressing the immediate and long-term needs of survivors with their input in designing counter terrorism policies for the future.
The UN has, through important resolutions such as 72/165 (2017) and 73/305 (2019), stressed that solidarity should go beyond mere symbolic gestures. With new initiatives, practical frameworks are now being adopted to facilitate the protection of victims' rights and promote global cooperation.
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The 2020 Report from Secretary General Antonio Guterres further urged countries to enhance systems for cross-border assistance and ensure that survivors have access to justice, medical care and long-term rehabilitation.
The global community increasingly recognizes that one cannot fight terrorism with security measures alone. Victims are integral to opposing extremism and building resilience in societies. Developments such as the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism and the Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism 2022 highlight how international cooperation is growing into an all-rounded support network.
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The 2023 8th Review Resolution (A/RES/77/298) reaffirms the importance of focusing on vulnerable groups such as women and children, many of whom face unique challenges including gender-based violence inflicted by terrorists. It also urges Member States to design inclusive assistance plans tailored to victims' short- and long-term needs, involving civil society and the private sector in building sustainable support systems.
The International Day of Remembrance is more than a date on the calendar; it is a call to action. By honoring the victims, giving voice to their suffering, the world today fortifies the resolve to eradicate terrorism. This year's theme, "United by Hope," reminds us that collective action is the way forward to justice, healing and lasting peace.
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