KATHMANDU, May 15: Countries around the world are celebrating the International Day of Families today under the theme "Families and Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development." The observance raises awareness about family-related issues and promotes understanding of the social, economic, and demographic processes that affect families.
The United Nations launched this observance to highlight the role of families and family-focused policies in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ending poverty, discrimination, and abuse, ensuring access to care, and addressing environmental degradation.
60th National Children's Day being celebrated across Nepal toda...
In the 1980s, the United Nations shifted its focus towards family-related issues. In 1983, the Commission for Social Development, acting on a recommendation from the Economic and Social Council, submitted a proposal to the Secretary-General regarding families' role in development. On May 29, 1985, the Council asked the General Assembly to include the topic "Families in the Development Process" in the provisional agenda of its 41st session.
Responding to the Commission's recommendations, the UN General Assembly declared December 9, 1989, as the International Year of the Family. In 1993, the Assembly officially proclaimed May 15 as the annual International Day of Families.
In November 2025, Qatar will host the ‘Second World Summit on Family-Oriented Policies for Social Development,’ with a focus on sustainable development. The UN says the summit will emphasize families' role in achieving the SDGs by 2030. On September 25, 2015, all 193 UN member states committed to cooperation and collaboration to meet those goals.
The United Nations Headquarters in New York is hosting various programs today to commemorate the occasion.
