PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly in 2005 by the resolution 60/209 identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the Twenty-first century, and in that regard decided to proclaimed December 20th as International Human Solidarity Day. Human solidarity on a global scale would be needed to combat poverty and starvation, conflict, and environmental degradation causing climate change, as these ills have consequences for the entire world. Disease and epidemics were destroying the most productive groups in society. The day is a moment to reaffirm a simple but powerful idea: global challenges can only be addressed when people and nations act together. In a world shaped by inequality, conflict and climate pressures, solidarity remains a cornerstone of international cooperation. Global initiatives and national policies were needed to support economic solidarity, a dimension of solidarity evident in the activities that had evolved as a means for societies and groups to address social, economic or environmental challenges inadequately met by government or the market.
FORUM: “Acting Together for a Shared Future.” International Human Solidarity Day 2025. Solidarity is the principle that recognizes our common humanity and the interconnectedness of our destinies. It highlights the need for collective effort, cooperation, and mutual understanding to solve complex challenges such as poverty, hunger, climate change, and conflict. This day serves as an opportunity to celebrate achievements made through solidarity and to recommit to building a more just and equitable world. To promote human solidarity, it is important to actively engage in your community, and get involved in different activities and events. This means helping out and supporting causes that help people who are in need. By doing this, we can bring people from different backgrounds together and help them understand each other better. It’s also important to support local projects that help address homelessness, education, and health. In this way, we show compassion for our community members, making sure every individual is cared for. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #SolidarityDay, #20December, #HumanSolidarityDay, #TheWorldWeWant, #PromotingSolidarity, #LeaveNoOneBehind.
EVENTS: On December 20th, the United Nations system organizations will hold a virtual event to discuss the values of unity, kindness, and diversity to mark the International Human Solidarity Day 2025 at the UNHQ. This special day reminds us that we are all part of the same human family. It teaches us the importance of working together and helping each other. The observance is closely linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which places people and planet at its center. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals depends not only on national action, but also on global partnerships that support poverty eradication, reduce inequalities and ensure that no one is left behind. Across the UN system, solidarity takes practical form. Humanitarian mechanisms such as the Central Emergency Response Fund deliver rapid life saving assistance during crises. International cooperation supports refugees and host communities through frameworks like the Global Compact on Refugees, while agencies such as UNICEF rely on collective support to protect children, particularly in fragile and emergency settings. Solidarity also means safeguarding civic space and human rights, enabling civil society to act peacefully in pursuit of justice and equality. The celebration of the Day is both a reflection and a call to action. It invites governments to uphold international commitments, encourages public dialogue on shared responsibility, and highlights the power of cooperation to build a more just and inclusive world. In an interconnected world, solidarity is not optional. It is essential. When we work together in solidarity, we can overcome any problem or difficulty. The celebration of this day will encourage us to think about how we can make the world a better place for everyone. Register to participate!
PUBLICATIONS: We suggest that yoy read “Solidarity, tackling the development challenges of today.” published by the UNDP and “Social impact measurement for the Social and Solidarity Economy” published by the OECD Global Action Promoting Social & Solidarity Economy Ecosystems.
PODCASTS: The United Nations Development Agenda, which was defined by the global conferences and summits since the 1990s, was firmly embedded in the principles of solidarity. It was pointed out that new forms of solidarity were emerging that went beyond the provision of Official Development Assistance (ODA), and were contained in some of the initiatives on innovative sources of financing for development. Listen to the audio-podcats!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Join the campaign “Develop a culture of solidarity and a spirit of sharing.”!, The promotion of the concept of solidarity on a global scale can transform the contemporary world. Together, we can promote the importance of solidarity to maintain peace and security around the world. Get the brochure!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
PARTNERSHIPS
Celebrate our unity in diversity
Engage discussions on the narrow and broad concepts of solidarity.
sensitize the public about the importance of solidarity to Build solidarity between human beings.
Lead people to do something about the world’s problems because in a global village, one’s poverty becomes another’s problem.
Foster debate on ways to promote solidarity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
provide opportunities to build a global solidarity movement to face current global challenges by creating right platforms.
Conduct business in pursuit of social, environmental and community goals.
Remind governments that they must respect their commitments to international agreements
Develop partnerships based on common interest and solidarity.
Invite individuals to enlarge their circle of concern beyond the current generation.
Create a fund that would allow individuals to personally contribute a small sum of money per year to help others live a dignified life.
Invest in today for future security.
The International Human Solidarity Day is co-organized by the United Nations Secretariat, United Nations General Assembly Second Committee, the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the Permanent Representatives of UN Missions, the United Nations Specialized Agencies.
With the collaboration of ASEAN Community, the Commonweath Secretariat, the Economic Commission of western African States (ECOWAS), The Economic Community of Central African States '(CEEAC/ECCAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), .The Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank.
With the participation of cooperative enterprises, mutual societies, voluntary and civil society organizations, foundations and associations.
Solidarity is embedded in the United Nations Charter and was formally recognized as a fundamental value of international relations in the Millennium Declaration.
Convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for the fight against poverty, the General Assembly proclaimed December 20th as the International Day of Human Solidarity.
By resolution 57/265, on 20 December 2002, established the World Solidarity Fund, which was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme. Its objective is to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing countries, in particular among the poorest segments of their populations. The Launch of the International Human Solidarity Day was opened by the Chair of the Second Committee, followed by a statement from the president of Economic and Social Council. The members of United Nations General Assembly Second Committee stressed that embracing the value of Solidarity would be critical in order to reach the Millennium DevelopmentGs, particularly where poverty and hunger are concerned. He also reaffirmed the commitment of ECOSOC to pursue efforts to build solidarity within the international community, and create an environment favourable to developing countries in its impact on poverty alleviation.
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