Nine internationally observed decades you probably didn’t know we’re currently observing
The United Nations (UN) has several days, weeks, years and decades that it observes internationally, usually in aid of some sort of initiative.
The United Nations (UN) began observing international decades all the way back in 1960, when it initiated the ‘United Nations Development Decade’.
The UN has since observed the development decade a further three times, making it one of eight decades that the UN has observed on more than one occasion.
The decades that they have observed more than once are (note that dates are as provided on the UN’s website):
• United Nations Development Decade (1960–70, 1971–80, 1981–90, 1991–2000)
• Disarmament Decade (1970s, 1980–1990, 1990s)
• Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1980s, 1991–2000, 2016–2025)
• Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1973–1983, 1983–1993, 1993–2003)
• Transport and Communications Decade in Africa (1978–1988, 1991–2000)
• International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (1990–2000, 2001–2010, 2011–2020)
• International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1994–2004, 2005–2014)
• Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997–2006, 2008–2017)
According to the United Nations’ website, they observe these days, weeks, years, and decades for the purpose of promoting the objectives of the organisation.
“The United Nations designates specific days, weeks, years and decades as occasions to mark particular events or topics in order to promote, through awareness and action, the objectives of the Organisation. Usually, it is one or more Member States that propose these observances and the General Assembly establishes them with a resolution. On occasion, these celebrations are declared by the specialised agencies of the United Nations, such as UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO, etc., when they concern issues that fall within the scope of their competencies. Some of them may be later adopted by the General Assembly.”
Currently there are nine decades being observed by the UN and its organisations, with two being observed for the third time round (note again that dates are as provided on the UN’s website).
• United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (2010–2020)
• Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020)
• United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (2011–2020)
• Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2011–2020)
• United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (2014–2024)
• International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024)
• Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (2016–2025)
• United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025)
• International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018–2028)
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