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. 

2021-2030

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

2019-2028

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

2018-2028

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

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))