Observances

The United Nations observes designated days, weeks, years, decades and anniversaries, each with a theme, or topic. By creating special observances, the United Nations simulates interest in United Nations activities and programmes in these areas, and promotes international awareness and action. The majority of observances have been established by resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, although some have been designated by UN specialized agencies.

United Nations Anniversaries

The United Nations observes milestone anniversaries of key events in its history.

International Years

These are the international years currently observed by the United Nations.
The resolution establishing each international year is listed in parenthesis.

International Decades

These are the international decades currently observed by the United Nations.
The resolution establishing each international decade is listed in parenthesis.

International Weeks

These are the international weeks currently observed by the United Nations.
The resolution establishing each international week is listed in parenthesis.

International Days

These are the international days currently observed by the United Nations. New international days are established regularly. The resolution establishing each international day is listed in parenthesis.

UN Photo/Albert González Farran

A young woman at Zam Zam Camp for internally displaced in North Darfur, Sudan, participates in an event in 2012 which promoted the message, “Together to Protect Women from Violence”, as part of the Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign, which takes place between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) and International Human Rights Day (10 December) to symbolically link the spirit of both events.

United Nations Observances

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 these issues. 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 also observes anniversaries of key events in its history.