2025 has been proclaimed an international year devoted to four different themes.
The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation https://www.un-glaciers.org/en accompanied by the proclamation of the 21st March of each year as the World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025.
Glaciers are crucial for regulating the global climate and providing freshwater, essential for billions of people. However, due to climate change, driven mainly by human activities since the 1800s, these vital resources are rapidly melting. The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to highlight the importance of glaciers and ensure that those relying on them, and those affected by cryospheric processes, receive the necessary hydrological, meteorological, and climate services.
International Year of Peace and Trust
The General Assembly has adopted a resolution to declare 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust (https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4043298).
The resolution calls on the international community to resolve conflicts through inclusive dialogue and negotiation in order to ensure the strengthening of peace and trust in relations between UN member states as a value that promotes sustainable development, peace and security, and human rights.
In a separate resolution, the General Assembly declares Nov. 15 as the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight Against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime.
The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
The year 2025 was chosen for the International Year of Quantum Science as it recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics.
The International Year of Cooperatives 2025
The purpose of this international year is to underscore the vital role cooperatives play in sustainable development. This year’s theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World” underscores the enduring global impact of cooperatives, positioning them as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. https://2025.coop/
New UN Decades
Furthermore, 2025 marks the beginning of three UN Decades 2025-2034. They are:
- The United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/stories/un-declares-2025-2034-decade-combating-sand-and-dust-storms
- The Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/united-nations-general-assembly-approves-decade-action-cryospheric-sciences-2025-2034
- The Second International Decade for People of African Descent. https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2024/12/second-international-decade-people-african-descent-renews-call-recognition-justice