The first-ever United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Hope was observed across the globe on 12 July 2025 to promote hope as a fundamental force for individuals, communities, and nations, particularly during periods of global uncertainty, conflict, and division.
- The day underscores the role of hope as a transformative power capable of bridging divides, inspiring progress, and uplifting the human spirit.
Background:
i.On 4 March 2025, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/79/270, declaring 12 July as the International Day of Hope.
ii.The resolution was introduced by the Permanent Mission of Kiribati to the UN, co-sponsored by 23 member states, and supported by 161 countries, with the aim of promoting hope worldwide to encourage peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
Significance:
The International Day of Hope is instituted to:
- Uphold the core principles of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
- Promote peace, dignity, tolerance, inclusion, and social progress.
Encourage individual and collective action that sustains resilience, compassion, and equality.
Role in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
i.The United Nations emphasizes hope as a strategic factor in achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Hope improves mental well-being and treatment adherence
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: Increases student motivation and academic success
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Encourages savings, innovation, and entrepreneurship
- SDG 13 – Climate Action: Sustains long-term environmental commitments
- SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Strengthens civic participation and reduces social polarization.
ii.The UN is also supporting the development of a Voluntary Hope Index to assess national and global progress on hope-based metrics.
i.To mark the first observance, the event organised by the High Note Global Initiative, supported by the United Nations Human Rights Office, awarded the song “We Believe in Hope” with the High Note Global Prize in 2025.
- Music composed by Jeff Beal, a five-time Emmy Award winner
- Performed by Aryana Sayeed, a renowned Afghan singer and advocate, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus
- The lyrics, written by Joan Beal, promote unity, equality, and women’s empowerment
ii.The song was originally inspired by the story of Afghanistan’s first all-female robotics team and featured in the film Rule Breakers.
iii.Previous awardees of the High Note Global Prize include artists Cyndi Lauper and John Legend.
Note: The Adult Hope Scale (AHS), developed by Snyder, measures individual levels of hope through agency and pathway scores.
