November 18th, 2026

The International Day of Islamic Art is observed every year on November 18 to celebrate the art and architecture created across the Islamic world over more than fourteen centuries. UNESCO proclaimed the day in November 2019 at the proposal of Bahrain, and it was first observed in 2020. Islamic art spans many regions and traditions, from Spain and North Africa to Iran, Central Asia, and South Asia, and includes calligraphy, geometric and floral ornament, ceramics, textiles, carpets, metalwork, manuscripts, and great mosques and palaces such as the Alhambra and the Taj Mahal. The day highlights both this historical heritage and the work of contemporary artists, and museums, cultural centers, and universities mark it with exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and events that promote dialogue and understanding between cultures.

The World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence is observed every year on November 18. The UN General Assembly proclaimed the day in November 2022 in a resolution led by Sierra Leone, recognizing that sexual abuse and exploitation affect millions of children in every country and social group. The day has two aims: to prevent abuse before it happens, and to support survivors on their path to healing, free from stigma and with access to care and justice. It also draws attention to the growing risks children face online, including grooming and the sharing of abuse images. Governments, schools, health and social services, faith groups, and child protection organizations use the day to raise public awareness, teach children and parents how to recognize and report abuse, and call for stronger laws and services that keep children safe.

World AMR Awareness Week, held each year from November 18 to 24, is a global campaign led by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to the medicines designed to treat them, which makes infections harder to cure and increases the risk of severe illness and death. The week encourages the responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials by the public, health workers, farmers, and policymakers, and promotes good hygiene, vaccination, and infection prevention. Governments, hospitals, schools, and community groups mark the week with campaigns, lectures, and educational events. It succeeds World Antibiotic Awareness Week and covers all antimicrobial medicines, not only antibiotics.