» The United Nations
observes designated days, weeks, years, and decades, each with a theme, or
topic.
» By creating special
observances, the United Nations promotes international awareness and action on various issues.
» Since 1959 the UN has
designated International Years in order to draw attention to major issues and
to encourage international action to address concerns which have global
importance and ramifications.
» The majority of
observances have been established by resolutions of the United Nations General
Assembly, although some have been designated by UN specialized agencies.
» The United Nations (UN)
dedicates an entire calendar year to focus on particular topics or themes. Many
countries actively participate in promoting these years.
The following
is the list of years designated to date by United Nations (UN)
Year
|
Name
|
2017
|
International
Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
|
2016
|
International
Year of Pulses
|
2015
|
International
Year of Light and Light-based Technologies
|
2015
|
International
Year of Soils
|
2014
|
International Year of Solidarity
with the Palestinian People
|
2014
|
International
Year of Crystallography
|
2014
|
International
Year of Family Farming
|
2014
|
International
Year of Small Island Developing States
|
2013
|
International Year of Water
Cooperation
|
2013
|
International
Year of Quinoa
|
2012
|
Alan Turing
Year
|
2011
|
World Veterinary Year 2011
|
2011
|
International
Year for People of African Descent, recognized by UNESCO,
proclaimed by UN on December 18, 2009
|
2011
|
International Year of Chemistry,
recognized by UNESCO
|
2011
|
International
Year of Advanced Skills
|
2011
|
International Year of Forests
|
2010
|
International Year of Youth
|
2010
|
International Year of Biodiversity
|
2010
|
International
Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
|
2010
|
International
Year of Communications
|
2009
|
International
Year of the Shark
|
2009
|
Year of the Gorilla
|
2009
|
International
Year of Reconciliation
|
2009
|
International Year of Natural
Fibres
|
2009
|
International Year of Astronomy
(proposal accepted by 33rd session of the UNESCO General Conference,
proclaimed by United Nations 62nd General Assembly)
|
2008
|
International Year of Sanitation
|
2008
|
International Year of the Potato
|
2008
|
International Year of Languages
|
2007
|
Year
of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Colombia
|
2007 – 2008 –(2009)
|
International Polar Year
|
2007 – 2008
|
International Heliophysical Year
|
2007
|
International
Year of the Scout
|
2007
|
Year of the Dolphin (extended to
2008)
|
2006
|
International
Year of Deserts and Desertification
|
2005
|
World Year of Physics (declared
by IUPAP)
|
2005
|
International Year of Microcredit
|
2005
|
International
Year for Sport and Physical Education
|
2004
|
International Year of Rice
|
2004
|
International
Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition
|
2003
|
European
Disability Year
|
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 for the Culture
of Peace
|
1999
|
International Men's Day
|
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 Victims of the Second World War
|
1994
|
International Year of the Family
|
1994
|
International
Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal
|
1993
|
International
Year of 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
|
International Youth Year
|
1985
|
Year of the
United Nations
|
1984
|
Year of
Women in South Africa [16]
|
1983
|
World
Communications Year
|
1982
|
International
Year of Mobilization for Sanctions against South Africa
|
1981
|
International Year of Disabled
Persons
|
1979
|
International Year of the Child
|
1978 - 1979
|
International
Anti-Apartheid Year
|
1975
|
International Women's Year
|
1974
|
World Population Year
|
1971
|
International
Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination
|
1970
|
International
Education Year
|
1968
|
International
Year for Human Rights
|
1967
|
International
Tourist Year
|
1965
|
International Cooperation Year
|
1961
|
International
Health and Medical Research Year
|
1959 - 1960
|
World Refugee Year
|
Frequently
asked:
UN international
year of sustainable energy for all- 2017
UN international
year of quinoa- 2013
UN international
year of soils- 2015
UN international year 2016 - International Year of
Pulses
UN international year 2017- International Year of Sustainable
Tourism for Development
See
also:
