These are the international years currently observed by the United Nations. The United Nations designates specific days, weeks, years and decades as occasions to mark particular events or topics in order to promote, through awareness and action, the objectives of the Organization. Usually, it is one or more Member States that propose these observances and the General Assembly establishes them with a resolution. On occasion, these celebrations are declared by the specialized agencies of the United Nations, such as UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO, etc., when they concern issues that fall within the scope of their competencies. Some of them may be later adopted by the General Assembly.
2027
International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism
2026
International Year of the Woman Farmer
2026
International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development
2026
2025
International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
2025
2025
International Year of Glaciers' Preservation
2025
International Year of Peace and Trust
2024
2023
International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace
2023
2022
2022
International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development
2022
2022
2021
International Year of Peace and Trust
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
[WHO]
2019
2019
International Year of Moderation
2019
2017
2016
2015
2015
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
2013
2012
2012
2011
2011
2011
International Year of Forests
2010
(12 August 2010 — 11 August 2011)
2010
2010
2010
International Year of the Seafarer
2009
International Year of Reconciliation
2009
International Year of Natural Fibres
2009
International Year of Human Rights Learning
2009
2009
Year of the Gorilla [UNEP and UNESCO]
2008
2008
2008
International Year of Sanitation
2008
International Year of the Potato
2007-2008
(WMO)
2006
International Year of Deserts and Desertification
2005
2005
International Year for Sport and Physical Education
2005
International Year of Physics
2004
International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition
2004
International Year of Rice
2003
Year of Kyrgyz Statehood
2003
International Year of Freshwater
2002
United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage
2002
International Year of Mountains
2002
International Year of Ecotourism
2001
United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations
2001
International Year of Volunteers
2001
International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
2000
International Year of Thanksgiving
2000
International Year for the Culture of Peace
1999
International Year of Older Persons
|
1998
International Year of the Ocean
1996
International Year for the Eradication of Poverty
1995
United Nations Year for Tolerance
1995
World Year of Peoples’ Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War
1994
International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal
1993
International Year for the World's Indigenous People
|
1992
International Space Year
1990
International Literacy Year
1987
International Year of Shelter for The Homeless
|
1986
International Year of Peace
|
1985
Year of the United Nations
1985
International Youth Year: Participation, Development, Peace
1983
World Communications Year; Development of Communication Infrastructures
1982
International Year of Mobilization for Sanctions Against South Africa
1981
International Year for Disabled Persons
1979
International Year of The Child
1978/79
International Anti-Apartheid Year
1975
International Women's Year
1974
World Population Year
1971
International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Prejudice
1970
International Education Year
|
1968
International Year for Human Rights
1967
International Tourist Year
1965
International Co-operation Year
1961
International Health and Medical Research Year
1959/1960
World Refugee Year