2025 Theme: Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development
As the world prepares for the in November 2025, the International Day of Families (IDF) will spotlight the pivotal role of family-oriented policies in advancing sustainable development. Held under the theme ¡°Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development¡±, the event will highlight key insights from national and regional initiatives, emphasizing the role of families in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Family Policies and the Second World Summit for Social Development
The Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar (4-6 November 2025) presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen commitments to poverty eradication, decent work, and social inclusion. The Summit builds on the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration, which recognized families as the foundation of society and underscored the need for work-family balance and equal partnerships within households.
The IDF 2025 observance will emphasize the importance of integrating family-focused policies into national development agendas to address megatrends such as technological transformation, demographic shifts, urbanization, migration, and climate change.
Celebrate International Day of Families 2025 with Us!
Date and time:15 May, 1:15 ¨C 2:30 pm (EST)
Venue: UNHQ, New York, CR8
Join UN experts, academics, and civil society representatives on 15 May at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the International Day of Families, focusing on policy solutions for sustainable development in anticipation of the Second World Summit for Social Development. Follow the .
Background
During the 1980's, the 51Ó°Ôº began focusing attention on issues related to the family. In 1983, based on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development in its resolution on the Role of the family in the development process () requested the Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family, as well as of effective ways of meeting those needs.
In its resolution of 29 May 1985, the Council invited the General Assembly to consider the possibility of including in the provisional agenda of its forty-first session an item entitled ¡°Families in the development process¡±, with a view to consider a request to the Secretary-General to initiate a process of development of global awareness of the issues involved, directed towards Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and public opinion.
Later, based on the recommendations of the Commission for Social Development, formulated in its 30th round of sessions, The Assembly invited all States to make their views known concerning the possible proclamation of an international year of the family and to offer their comments and proposals.
The Council also requested the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-third session a comprehensive report, based on the comments and proposals of Member States on the possible proclamation of such a year and other ways and means to improve the position and well-being of the family and intensify international co-operation as part of global efforts to advance social progress and development.
In its resolution of 9 December 1989, The General Assembly proclaimed The International Year of the Family.
In 1993, the General Assembly decided in a resolution () that 15 May of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
On 25 September 2015, the 193 member states of the 51Ó°Ôº unanimously adopted the , a set of 17 goals aiming to eliminate poverty, discrimination, abuse and preventable deaths, address environmental destruction, and usher in an era of development for all people, everywhere. Families and family-oriented policies and programmes are vital for the achievement of many of these goals.
Did you know?
- Family farms make up about 80% of farms worldwide, playing a vital role in food security, rural jobs, and ecosystem sustainability¡ªespecially in developing countries.
- Family farmers in developing countries face declining crop yields from climate change, increasing poverty and food insecurity as extreme weather reduces both food production and purchasing power.
- Low-income families in developing countries are hit hardest by climate change due to their reliance on natural resources and weak infrastructure, leaving them less able to cope with extreme weather.
- Families can cut their carbon footprint by adopting eco-friendly habits¡ªlike saving energy, reducing waste, and eating less meat and dairy¡ªpotentially lowering food-related emissions by up to 73%.
Youth in Action
Climate change has increased levels of uncertainty about our future. Young people¡¯s unprecedented mobilization around the world shows the massive power they possess to hold decision-makers accountable. Their message is clear: the older generation has failed, and it is the young who will pay in full ¡ª with their very futures.here.
