PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 21 May as International Tea Day to promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favour of the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of the importance of tea cultivation in fighting hunger and poverty. Moreover, there is an urgent need to focus on the importance of tea for rural development and sustainable livelihoods, to improve the tea value chain and to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Tea tasting events are curated experiences designed to guide attendees through the delicate nuances of various teas.
FORUM: “Tea for Better Lives.” International Tea Day 2025. The origins of tea stretch back more than 5 000 years, but its contributions to health, culture and socioeconomic development are still as relevant today. Tea is currently grown in very localized areas, and supports over 13 million people, including smallholder farmers and their households, who depend on the tea sector for their livelihoods.The observance aims to raise awareness of the key role, the sector plays in reducing extreme poverty (SDG1), fighting hunger (SDG2), empowering women (SDG5), supporting the sustainable use of the terrestrial ecosystem (SDG15), and in contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #InternationalTeaDay; #tea, #21May, #tealovers, #teaconsumers, #teadrinkers, #Farmedwithcare.
EVENT: On Wednesday, 21 May 2025 from 9.30 to 16.00 (CEST); Join us virtually to mark the World Bee Day and International Tea Day at FAO headquarters (Atrium). Under the theme ‘‘Tea for Better Lives.’’; The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has the pleasure to inform Members that the celebration of the International Tea Day 2025 will be held through a joint observance with World Bee Day, which is officially celebrated on Tuesday, 20 May. The event will be inaugurated by the FAO Director-General, Mr QU Dongyu, and will highlight tea’s significant contributions to livelihoods, sustainability, and well-being. The inauguration will be followed by an exclusive tea tasting experience,. as well as a special edition of Markets and Trade Talks—a series of short, speaker’s corner-style sessions where participants will share insights about their tea heritage, culture, and tradition. Watch the livestream Part I and Part II!
On May 21st, 2025 from 3.30 to 5pm EST, hosted by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and Tea Board of India will held a high-level event entitled “Tea for Livelihoods, Tea for SDGs” ‘in the Conference Room 08, at the UNHQ, This event will highlight how the global tea industry supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting economic and livelihood opportunities, fostering sustainable agriculture, and ensuring environmental sustainability. The event will bring together relevant stakeholders of this sector for discussions aimed at : Highlighting the role of the tea industry in eradicating poverty (SDG 1) and ensuring decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) by providing employment and income to millions, especially women and small-scale farmers. Promoting sustainable agricultural practices contributing to zero hunger (SDG 2) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). Showcasing the tea sector’s role in climate action (SDG 13) through sustainable farming practices that mitigate environmental impact. Emphasizing gender inclusivity and empowerment in tea-producing regions, advancing gender equality (SDG 5). Strengthening global partnerships (SDG 17) to promote fair trade and sustainable tea production. Panel discussions will be followed by a curated Tea tasting Experience. Read the concept note and Watch the livestream!
EXHIBITS: An exhibition will be held in the Atrium, accompanied by tasting events for tea and coffee.
INITIATIVES: Tea cultivation is attractive to smallholders in many low-income countries because it creates jobs and income throughout the year and requires relatively little investment. They are responsible for 60% of global tea production. Learn about the FAO´s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme. For further informations, send a email to International-Tea-Day@fao.org.
PODCASTS: Moving Towards the sustainable production and consumption of tea. During the ceremony, speakers have been invited to select a variety of tea and talked about its properties while linking it to a typical cultural experience. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS : Join the campaign “Tea for Better Lives.”.The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of a Drink Tea Campaign representing a consumer-friendly, business-friendly, social media-friendly approach to promoting the benefits of tea consumption. Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
We celebrate rhe Day in order to promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favor of the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty. In parallel, there is a growing recognition of the need to contribute to climate change mitigation, by reducing carbon emissions from tea production and processing. The Day aims to raise awareness of the deep cultural, heritage and economic significance of tea around the globe. The celebration is an occasion to reaffirm the commitment of all stakeholders to support smallholder tea producers and help them overcome the challenges they are facing. The Day will also provide governments and other actors at global, regional and national level an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss collective actions for a resilient, sustainable and inclusive tea sector, to the benefit of both producers and consumers.
ACTIONS
Raise awareness of the key role the tea sector plays in reducing extreme poverty (SDG1), fighting hunger (SDG2), empowering women (SDG5), supporting the sustainable use of the terrestrial ecosystem (SDG15),
Draw the attention of the world’s public and political decision-makers to the importance of tea consumption.
Remind people that drinking tea in good for the immune system and meet the major demands of countries and societies.
Tackle the hot scientific and technical issues and the difficult problems in tea plant research.
Support, guide and promote the sustainable development of tea industry.
Help tea-producing countries to integrate climate change challenges, both on the adaptation and mitigation front, into their national tea development strategies.
PARTNERS
The International Tea Day is co-hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the Fairtrade International; The Russian Association of Tea & Coffee Producers; the Tea Association of Italy (AdeMathe); The American Tea Masters Association (ITMA); The China Tea Science Society; The Tea Research Institute (TRI); The China Tea Marketing Association; The Darjeeling Tea Association; The German Tea & Herbal Association (Deutscher Teeverband); The Sri Lanka Tea Board; The Ethical Tea Partnership; The International Tea Sippers Society; The International Tea Committee (ITC); The Japanese Tea Association; The Japan Tea Central Association; The Tea Association of Canada; The United Kingdom Tea Council and The TeaUSA.