United Nations International Decades

Each decade, the United Nations (UN) designates a topic or theme to focus on in order to raise awareness, promote action and unite countries to actively participate. 

 

2025-2034

United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms   ( A/RES/78/314 )

This decade seeks to address the adverse impacts of sand and dust storms on human health, the environment, agriculture, and socio-economic development through enhanced international cooperation and coordinated action.

Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences   ( A/RES/78/321 )

Recognizing the critical role of the cryosphere (glaciers, ice sheets, snow, permafrost, and sea ice) in the Earth's climate system, this decade aims to promote research, monitoring, and the dissemination of knowledge to understand and address the impacts of cryosphere change.

Second International Decade for People of African Descent   ( A/RES/79/193 )

Building on the first decade (2015-2024), this decade continues the efforts to promote and protect the human rights of people of African descent, combat racism and racial discrimination, and foster social justice and inclusion.

2024-2033

International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development   ( A/RES/77/326 )

This decade emphasizes the importance of scientific research and its application in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to strengthen the science-policy interface and promote the use of evidence-based solutions for global challenges

2022-2032

International Decade of Indigenous Languages   ( A/RES/74/135 para. 24 )

This decade aims to draw global attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and mobilize stakeholders to support and revitalize these languages, which carry rich cultures, knowledge, and histories.

2021-2030

International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development   ( A/RES/72/73 )

Coordinated by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), this decade seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the ocean's health and achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It promotes international cooperation in ocean research and innovation.

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration   ( A/RES/73/284 )

Co-led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this decade is a global push to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. It emphasizes the crucial role of healthy ecosystems in addressing climate change, ensuring food security, and protecting biodiversity.

United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing   ( A/RES/75/131 )

This decade, led by the World Health Organization, aims to foster collaboration across sectors to improve the lives of older people, their families, and communities. It focuses on changing how we think, feel, and act towards age and aging, ensuring older people can participate fully in society, delivering integrated care, and providing access to long-term care for those who need it.

Second Decade of Action for Road Safety   ( A/RES/73/284 )

This decade aims to significantly reduce road traffic deaths and injuries globally through a comprehensive approach that includes improved road infrastructure, safer vehicles, enhanced road user behavior, and improved post-crash care.

Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism   ( A/RES/75/123 )

This decade continues the United Nations' efforts to raise awareness about the continued existence of colonialism in all its forms and to promote the speedy granting of independence to all remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories.

 

2019-2028

United Nations Decade of Family Farming   ( A/RES/72/239 )

Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace   ( A/RES/73/1 )

 

2018-2028

International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development"   ( A/RES/71/222 )

 

2018 - 2025

Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty   ( A/RES/72/233 )

 

2016-2025

United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition   ( A/RES/70/259 )

Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa   ( A/RES/70/293 )

 

2015-2024

International Decade for People of African Descent   ( A/RES/68/237 )

2014-2024

United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All   ( A/RES/67/215 )

2011-2020

Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism   ( A/RES/65/119 )

United Nations Decade on Biodiversity   ( A/RES/65/161 )

Decade of Action for Road Safety   ( A/RES/64/255 )

2010-2020

United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification   ( A/RES/62/195 )

2008-2017

Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty   ( A/RES/62/205 )

2006-2016

Decade of Recovery and Sustainable Development of the Affected Regions (third decade after the Chernobyl disaster)   ( A/RES/62/9 )

2005-2015

International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”  ( A/RES/58/217 )

2005-2014

United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development   ( A/RES/57/254 )

Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People   ( A/RES/59/174 )

2003-2012

United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All   ( A/RES/56/116 )

2001-2010

International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World  (A/RES/53/25)

Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa   (A/RES/60/221)

Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism   (A/RES/55/146)

1997-2006

Decade for The Eradication for Poverty  (A/RES/50/107)

1995-2004

Decade for Human Rights Education    (A/RES/49/184)

1994-2004

Decade of the World's Indigenous People    (A/RES/48/163)

1993-2003

Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination    (A/RES/48/91)

1991-2000

Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa    (A/RES/44/237 A/RES/47/177)

Second Transport and Communications Decade in Africa   (A/RES/43/179)

United Nations Decade Against Drug Abuse    (A/RES/S-17/2)

Fourth United Nations Development Decade (A/RES/45/199)

1990-2000

International Decade for the Eradification of Colonialism  (A/RES/43/47)

1990-1999

United Nations Decade of International Law   (A/RES/44/23)

International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction  (A/RES/42/169)   (A/RES/44/236)

1990s

Third Disarmament Decade   (A/RES/43/78 L A/RES/45/62 A)

1988-1997

World Decade for Cultural Development    (A/RES/41/187)

1983-1993

Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination   (A/RES/38/14)

1983-1992

United Nations Decade for Disabled Persons  (A/RES/37/53)

1981-1990

International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade   (A/RES/35/18)

Third United Nations Development Decade  (A/RES/35/56)

1980-1990

Second Disarmament Decade  (A/RES/35/46)

1980s

Industrial Development Decade for Africa  (A/RES/35/66 B)

1978-1988

Transport and Communications Decade for Africa  (A/RES/32/160)

1976-1985

United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace   (A/RES/3520 (XXX))

1973-1983

Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination  (A/RES/2919 (XXVII)

1971-1980

Second United Nations Development Decade  (A/RES/2626 (XXV))

1970s

Disarmament Decade  (A/RES/2602 E (XXIV))

1960-1970

United Nations Development Decade  (A/RES/1710 (XVI))