International Human Solidarity Day 2025

The United Nations (UN’s) International Human Solidarity Day is annually observed across the globe on 20th December to raise awareness about the importance of solidarity in tackling challenges such as poverty, inequality, and injustice.

• 20th December 2025 marks the 20th observance of International Human Solidarity Day.

Theme:

2025 Theme: “Solidarity for Sustainable Development: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future” (not an official UN theme)

Focus: The 2025 theme highlights collective action to achieve the 2030 Agenda and address global health and social inequalities through inclusive cooperation.

Background:

Declaration: The UN Millennium Declaration, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 8 September 2000 following the Millennium Summit, recognized solidarity as a fundamental value of international relations in the 21st century.

Resolution: On 22 December 2005, the UNGA adopted Resolution A/RES/60/209 proclaiming 20 December as International Human Solidarity Day.

First Observance: International Human Solidarity Day was observed for the first time on 20 December 2006.

Global Agenda: In 2015, the UNs adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through Resolution A/RES/70/1.

Key UN Initiatives:

World Solidarity Fund (WSF): Established by the UNGA on 20 December 2002 and launched as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) trust fund in February 2003, the WSF works to eradicate poverty and foster human and social development in developing countries, focusing on the poorest communities.

HeForShe Movement: HeForShe is a worldwide campaign launched in 2014 that engages men and boys as partners in promoting gender equality.

• The HeForShe Alliance launched its 2025 IMPACT Report at the HeForShe Summit in New York(the United States of America, USA), held under the theme of ‘Equitable Masculinities and Safe Digital Spaces’.

Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity: Established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2005 through Resolution 2005/55, the mandate promotes and protects human rights and international solidarity and has been extended multiple times, most recently in 2023.

• Cecilia M. Bailliet of Argentina served as the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity .

Solidarity in UN System:

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Manages the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for rapid humanitarian assistance.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Implements the Global Compact on Refugees for responsibility-sharing.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): Supports children through voluntary and multi-year funding.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): Promotes civic space and international solidarity as a human right.

About United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):
President– Jurg Lauber
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 2006
Members– 47 member states