United Nations – International Years and Decades

The United Nations designates international years and decades to focus global attention on major issues, promoting cooperation, awareness, research, and partnerships. Each year or decade targets specific challenges, like the 2023 themes of Millets and Eliminating Child Labour. International decades provide a 10-year period for concerted action on critical issues such as ecosystem restoration, ocean science, biodiversity, and family farming, involving governments, civil society, and various stakeholders.

International Years

YearDesignation
2026International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
2025International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation
2024International Year of Camelids
2023International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace
2023International Year of Millets
2022International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development
2022International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development
2022International Year of Glass
2022International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture
2021International Year of Peace and Trust
2021International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development
2021International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
2021International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour
2020International Year of Plant Health
2020International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife [WHO]
2019International Year of Indigenous Languages
2019International Year of Moderation
2019International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements
2017International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
2016International Year of Pulses
2015International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies
2015International Year of Soils
2014International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
2014International Year of Small Island Developing States
2014International Year of Crystallography
2014International Year of Family Farming
2013International Year of Water Cooperation
2013International Year of Quinoa
2012International Year of Cooperatives
2012International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
2011International Year for People of African Descent
2011International Year of Chemistry
2011International Year of Forests
2010International Year of Youth (12 August 2010 — 11 August 2011)
2010International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
2010International Year of Biodiversity
2010International Year of the Seafarer
2009International Year of Reconciliation
2009International Year of Natural Fibres
2009International Year of Human Rights Learning
2009International Year of Astronomy
2009Year of the Gorilla [UNEP and UNESCO]
2008International Year of Planet Earth
2008International Year of Languages
2008International Year of Sanitation
2008International Year of the Potato
2007-2008International Polar Year (WMO)
2006International Year of Deserts and Desertification
2005International Year of Microcredit
2005International Year for Sport and Physical Education
2005International Year of Physics
2004International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition
2004International Year of Rice
2003Year of Kyrgyz Statehood
2003International Year of Freshwater
2002United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage
2002International Year of Mountains
2002International Year of Ecotourism
2001United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations
2001International Year of Volunteers
2001International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
2000International Year of Thanksgiving
2000International Year for the Culture of Peace
1999International Year of Older Persons
1998International Year of the Ocean
1996International Year for the Eradication of Poverty
1995United Nations Year for Tolerance
1995World Year of Peoples’ Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War
1994International Year of the Family
1994International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal
1993International Year for the World’s Indigenous People
1992International Space Year
1990International Literacy Year
1987International Year of Shelter for The Homeless
1986International Year of Peace
1985Year of the United Nations
1985International Youth Year: Participation, Development, Peace
1983World Communications Year; Development of Communication Infrastructures
1982International Year of Mobilization for Sanctions Against South Africa
1981International Year for Disabled Persons
1979International Year of The Child
1978/79International Anti-Apartheid Year
1975International Women’s Year
1974World Population Year
1971International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Prejudice
1970International Education Year
1968International Year for Human Rights
1967International Tourist Year
1965International Co-operation Year
1961International Health and Medical Research Year
1959/1960World Refugee Year

International Decades

International DecadeDesignation by UN
International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development2024–2033
International Decade of Indigenous Languages2022–2032
United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing2021–2030
Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism2021–2030
Second Decade of Action for Road Safety2021–2030
United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration2021–2030
United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development2021–2030
Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace2019–2028
United Nations Decade of Family Farming2019–2028
International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development2018–2028
Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty2018-2027
United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition2016–2025
Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa2016–2025
International Decade for People of African Descent2015–2024
United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All2014–2024
Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism2011–2020
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity2011–2020
Decade of Action for Road Safety2011–2020
United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification2010–2020
Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty2008–2017
Decade of Recovery and Sustainable Development of the Affected Regions (third decade after the Chernobyl disaster)2006–2016
International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”2005–2015
United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development2005–2014
Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People2005–2014
United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All2003–2012
International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World2001–2010
Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa2001–2010
Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism2001–2010
Decade for The Eradication for Poverty1997–2006
Decade for Human Rights Education1995–2004
Decade of the World’s Indigenous People1994–2004
Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination1993–2003
Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa1991–2000
Second Transport and Communications Decade in Africa1991–2000
United Nations Decade Against Drug Abuse1991–2000
Fourth United Nations Development Decade1991–2000
International Decade for the Eradification of Colonialism1990–2000
United Nations Decade of International Law1990–1999
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction1990–1999
Third Disarmament Decade1990S
World Decade for Cultural Development1988–1997
Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination1983–1993
United Nations Decade for Disabled Persons1983–1992
International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade1981–1990
Third United Nations Development Decade1981–1990
Second Disarmament Decade1980–1990
Industrial Development Decade for Africa1980s
United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace1976–1985
Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination1973–1983
Second United Nations Development Decade1971–1980
Disarmament Decade1970s
United Nations Development Decade1960–1970

 


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