The United Nations (UN’s) International Youth Day (IYD) is annually observed across the globe on 12th August, celebrates the role of young people and recognises their contributions to society. The day raises awareness about youth-related issues and promotes their active and equal participation in all areas of life.
- The 2025 IYD holds special significance as it marks 10 years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY).
Exam Hints:
- Event: International Youth Day 2025
- When? August 12(annually)
- Purpose: To recognise contributions of youth to society
- 2025 Theme: Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond.
- Significance: 10th anniversary of the 2030 Agenda; 30th anniversary of WPAY
- 2025 Host: UN-Habitat & UN DESA in Nairobi, Kenya
Theme:
2025 Theme: The theme of IYD 2025 is “Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond.”
Focus: It highlights the role of youth as change-makers in achieving the SDGs by encouraging their active participation in local governance, innovation, and building resilient communities.
Background:
Origin: In 1991, the idea for IYD was proposed during the 1st session of the UN System’s World Youth Forum in Vienna, Austria.
- The Forum recommended declaring IYD to raise funds and promote activities supporting the United Nations Youth Fund (UNYF) in partnership with youth organizations.
Proclamation: In 1998, the 1st session of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (WCMRY) adopted a resolution proclaiming 12 August as IYD.
- The conference was hosted by the Government of Portugal in cooperation with the UN in Lisbon, Portugal in August 1998.
UNGA Endorsement: In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at its 54th session endorsed the recommendation in its resolution A/RES/54/120 titled “Policies and Programmes Involving Youth.”
First Observance: The first-ever IYD was observed on 12 August 2000.
2025 Event:
Global Event: The 2025 International Youth Day global event took place on August 12, 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, in collaboration with UN-Habitat( the United Nations Human Settlements Programme) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), uniting youth leaders, municipal officials, policymakers, UN representatives, and development experts.
Dialogue: The inaugural Youth Leadership Consultative Dialogue was held from August 4–8, 2025 in Namibia. It was organized by the Commonwealth Youth Council and hosted by the Government of Namibia.
Youth Statistics:
Population: 50% of people are 30 or younger; projected to reach 57% by 2030.
Workforce: By 2050, today’s under-25age will form over 90% of the prime-age workforce.
Employment: Youth unemployment rate at 13% in 2023, the lowest in 15 years.
Education & Health: 1 in 7 adolescents (10–19 years) experience mental disorders; nearly 60% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple paragraph.
Youth2030 Global Progress Report 2025:
Overview: The fifth edition of the Youth2030 Progress Report 2025 presents an updated assessment of how the UN Youth Strategy is being implemented across the UN system.
Transition Between Phases: This edition marks the end of Phase 1 (2018–2024) and the beginning of Phase 2 (2025–2030), covering progress from baseline years 2020 for UN Country Teams and 2021 for UN entities through 2024.
Highlights: The report outlines achievements at global, regional, and national levels in advancing the UN’s commitments for and with youth.
About United Nations Department of Economic & Social Affairs (UN-DESA):
Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs – Li Junhua
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established 1948
