2001-2010
Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa

On 7 September 2001, the General Assembly proclaimed the period 01-2010 as the Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa ( A/RES/55/284). In its efforts to address one of the most deadly tropical diseases -- which causes some 1 million deaths each year in Africa where nine out of 10 cases occur -- the Assembly called for joint comprehensive efforts by Africa and the international community to reach certain goals by 2005, the middle of the Decade.
These include ensuring that at least 60 per cent of those at risk for malaria shall benefit from the most suitable combination of personal and community protective measures, such as insecticide treated bednets; that at least 60 per cent of all pregnant women at risk for malaria shall have access chemoprophylaxis or presumptive intermittent treatment; and that at least 60 per cent of those suffering from malaria shall have prompt access to correct, affordable and appropriate treatment within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.

2001-2010
Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2001-2010)

On 8 December 2000, as the General Assembly observed the fortieth nniversary of its adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, it declared 2001-2010 the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism ( A/RES/55/146).
On 22 December 2004, the Assembly urged Member States to contribute to the United Nations efforts to usher in a world free of colonialism within the Second International Decade, giving their full support to the Special Committee on decolonization in that endeavour ( A/RES/59/134). Addressing the situation of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands, the Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the peoples of the Territories to self-determination in conformity with the United Nations Charter and the General Assembly Declaration on decolonization (resolution 1514 (XV)).
The Assembly reaffirmed that there is no alternative to self-determination, and called on the administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial governments, to facilitate political education programmes in the Territories to foster awareness among their peoples of their right to self-determination. It also reaffirmed the responsibility of the administering Powers to promote the socio-economic development and preserve the cultural identity of the Territories, and request the Territories and administering Powers to protect the environment of the Territories under their administration against environmental degradation.
The first International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, 1990-2000, was declared in 1988 ( A/RES/43/47).

2001-2010
International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World

On 15 December 2004, the General Assembly again stated that the jective of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World is to further strengthen the global movement for a culture of peace ( A/RES/59/143). It invited States to continue to expand their activities promoting such a culture and encouraged the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as lead agency for the Decade, to further strengthen its activities to promote a culture of peace.
The Assembly proclaimed the International Decade in 1998, following the observance of the International Year for the Culture of Peace in 2000 ( A/RES/53/25 of 10 November). It invited non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and groups, educational institutions, artists and the media to support the Decade for the benefit of every child of the world.

2003-2012
United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All

On 19 December 2001, the General Assembly proclaimed 2003 to 012 s the United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All ( A/RES/56/116). It reaffirmed that literacy for all was at the heart of the notion of basic education for all, and that creating literate environments was essential to eradicating poverty, achieving gender equity and ensuring sustainable development.
On 20 December 2004, the Assembly appealed to all Governments to develop reliable literacy data and information and to devise innovative strategies to achieve the goals of the Decade. It appealed to all Governments and to economic and financial organizations and institutions, both national and international, to lend greater financial and material support to efforts to increase literacy. The Assembly invited Member States, United Nations bodies and relevant intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations to intensify their efforts to implement the International Plan of Action for the Decade ( A/RES/59/149).

2005-2014
Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People

By its resolution A/RES/59/174 of 20 December 2004, the General sembly proclaimed the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, beginning 1 January 2005, with the goal of further strengthening international cooperation to solve problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and economic and social development. It asked the Secretary-General to appoint the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs as the Coordinator for the Second Decade, and invited Governments to ensure that activities and objectives for the Second Decade are planned and implemented in full collaboration with indigenous people.
The Assembly asked the Secretary-General to establish a voluntary fund for the Second Decade, urging Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute to it. It also urged that competent United Nations organs, programmes and specialized agencies, in planning activities for the Second Decade, examine how existing programmes and resources might be used to benefit indigenous people more effectively.
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/aboutPFII/members.htm

2005-2014
United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

The General Assembly, on 20 December 2002, proclaimed the 10-year period beginning on 1 January 2005 as the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development ( A/RES/57/254). The ssembly designated the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organiza­tion (UNESCO) as lead agency for promotion of the Decade, asking it to develop a draft International Implementation Scheme, clarifying the Decade's relationship with such existing educational processes as the Dakar Framework for Action adopted at the World Education Forum in 2002 and the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012).
On 22 December 2004, the Assembly requested that the Secretary-General call upon UNESCO to finalize the draft Implementation Scheme as soon as possible, preferably by the beginning of the Decade, with a view to its submission to UNESCO's governing bodies for its final consideration and adoption ( A/RES/59/237). It invited Governments to promote public awareness and wider partici­pa­tion in the Decade, including cooperation with and initiatives engaging civil society and other relevant stakeholders, especially at the beginning of the Decade.

2005-2015
International Decade for Action, 'Water for Life'

On 23 December 2003, the General Assembly proclaimed the period om 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life", commencing on World Water Day, 22 March 2005 ( A/RES/58/217). It welcomed the decision of the Commission on Sustainable Development to consider water, sanitation and human settlements as the thematic cluster in the first cycle, 2004-2005, and invites the Commission to work within existing resources to identify possible activities and programmes in connection with the Decade within the framework of its consideration of  that cluster at its twelfth and thirteenth sessions.
The Assembly invited the Secretary-General to take the appropriate steps to organize the activities of the Decade, taking into account the results of the International Year of Freshwater and the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development at its twelfth and thirteenth sessions. It also called upon the relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, regional commissions and other organizations of the United Nations system to deliver a coordinated response, utilizing existing resources and voluntary funds, to make "Water for Life" a decade for action. By its resolution A/RES/59/228 of 22 December 2004, the Assembly called on the United Nations system to step up efforts to make the International Decade a period for delivering on promises through the use of existing resources and voluntary funds.
Press Release, Preliminary Elements of a Communication Stategy prepared for the International Decade of Action 'Water for Life': 2005-2015

2008
International Year of the Potato

The General Assembly has declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato, by its resolution 60/191 of 22 December 2005. In taking this action, the Assembly affirmed the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty, and in achieving internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. It invited the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to facilitate the implementation of the Year, in collaboration with Governments, the United Nations Development Pro­gramme (UNDP), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Centres, and other relevant United Nations system and non-governmental organizations.
Previously, the Assembly had declared 2004 as the International Year of Rice, noting that rice is the staple food of more than half of the world's population ( A/RES/57/162 of 16 December 2002). Then, too, it affirmed the need to heighten awareness of the role of rice in alleviating poverty and malnutrition and reaffirmed the need to focus world attention on the role it can play in attaining internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration.

2008
International Year of Planet Earth

On 22 December 2005, the General Assembly declared 2008 as the International Year of Planet Earth ( A/RES/60/192). In so doing, it took account of the crucial role the Year could play in raising public awareness of the importance for sustainable development of the Earth's processes and resources; disaster prevention, reduction and mitigation; and capacity-building for the sustainable management of resources; as well as its important contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).
The Assembly designated the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the lead agency and focal point for the Year, to organize related activities in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other relevant UN bodies, as well as the International Union of Geological Sciences and other Earth science societies and groups worldwide.

2008
International Year of Sanitation

Deeply concerned by insufficient progress in providing access to basic sanitation services in developing countries, and conscious of the impact of the lack of sanitation on people's health, poverty reduction and economic and social development, and the environment, the General Assembly, on 20 December 2006, decided to proclaim 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation ( resolution 61/192).  The Assembly requested that the Department of Economic and Social Affairs serve as focal point for the Year.

The Assembly encouraged all States, as well as the United Nations system and all other relevant stakeholders, to take advantage of the Year to increase awareness of the importance of sanitation and to promote action at all levels.  It called upon States, as well as subregional, regional and international organizations and other relevant stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, to make voluntary contributions in support of the Year.

2009
International Year of Reconciliation

On 20 November 2006, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 2009 as the International Year of Reconciliation ( resolution 61/17).  It expressed its steadfast determination to pursue reconciliation processes in those societies affected or divided by conflicts, describing such processes as necessary for the establishment of firm and lasting peace.

The Assembly invited concerned Governments and international and non-governmental organizations to support reconciliation processes among such societies.  It also invited them to implement adequate cultural, educational and social programmes to promote the concept of reconciliation, including the holding of conferences and seminars, and the dissemination of information on the subject.

2009
International Year of Natural Fibres

Noting that the diverse range of natural fibres produced in many countries provides an important source of income for farmers and can thus play an important role in improving food security, eradicating poverty and contributing to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the Assembly, 20 December 2006, decided to proclaim 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibres ( resolution 61/189).  It invited the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to facilitate the observance of the Year, in collaboration with Governments, regional, international and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and relevant United Nations bodies.

The Assembly encouraged all Governments, the United Nations system and all other actors to take advantage of the Year to increase awareness of the importance of these natural products.  It called upon Governments and relevant regional and international organizations, and invited non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to make voluntary contributions and lend other forms of support to the Year

2010
International Year of Biodiversity

On 20 December 2006, the General Assembly declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity ( resolution 61/203).  It designated the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity as the focal point for the Year and invited the secretariat to cooperate with other relevant United Nations bodies, multilateral environmental agreements, international organizations and other stakeholders, with a view to bringing greater international attention to the continued loss of biodiversity.

The Assembly encouraged Member States and other stakeholders to take advantage of the Year to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity by promoting actions at the local, regional and international levels.  It invited Member States to consider establishing national committees for the Year, and invited Member States and relevant international organizations to support the activities to be organized by developing countries -- especially least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States -- and countries with economies in transition.

2011
International Year of Forests

Recognizing that forests and sustainable forest management can contribute significantly to sustainable development, poverty eradication and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, the General Assembly, on 20 December 2006, decided to proclaim 2011 as the International Year of Forests ( resolution 61/193).  It requested that the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, serve as the focal point for the Year, in collaboration with Governments, international, regional and subregional organizations and processes, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and relevant major groups.

The Assembly invited the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in particular, as the Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, to support implementation of the Year.  It encouraged voluntary partnerships among Member States, international organizations and major groups to facilitate and promote activities related to the Year at the local and national levels, including by creating national committees or designating focal points in their respective countries.