Decades
The United Nations designates specific International decades as occasions to mark particular events or topics in order to promote, through awareness and action, the objectives of the Organization. Usually, it is one or more Member States that propose these observances and the United Nations General Assembly establishes them with a resolution. Some of them may be later adopted by the General Assembly.
2021–2030
United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (A/RES/73/284)
2021–2030
International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (A/RES/72/73)
2019–2028
Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace (A/RES/73/1)
United Nations Decade of Family Farming (A/RES/72/239)
2018–2028
International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" (A/RES/71/222)
2018-2027
Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (A/RES/72/233)
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))
These are the international decades currently observed by the United Nations.