Theâ¯International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) was a United Nations observance that aimed to highlight the contributions of quantum science and practical applications of quantum technology.
The United Nations has a long history of pronouncing celebratory International Years. àIYQ "began as a grassroots movement" commemorating the centennial anniversary of Heisenberg's Umdeutung paper, published in 1925. A number of professional societies and other organizations joined and supported the effort to name 2025 the International Year of Quantum and, at the May 2023 UNESCO Executive Board meeting, a resolution, co-sponsored by 59 countries, to âÂÂwelcome and endorse the recommendation to proclaim 2025 international year of quantum science and technology . . . [and] recommend that the General Conference at its 42nd session adopts a resolution in this regard.â àThis 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference convened in November of that year and passed a resolution recommending âÂÂthat the General Assembly of the United Nations, at its seventy-eighth or seventy-ninth session, adopt a resolution declaring 2025 the international year of quantum science and technology.âÂÂ
In May 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) delegation from Ghana officially submitted an IYQ resolution at the 78th session of the UN in New York. àThe IYQ resolution was presented to the full General Assembly on June 7 by the Ghanaian delegation. àThe resolution was adopted by the UNGA without objection (âÂÂby acclamationâÂÂ) and was co-sponsored by over 70 countries representing over 5 billion people.
The UN resolution âÂÂDecides to proclaim 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technologyâ and âÂÂrecommends that the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology should be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications.âÂÂ
IYQ is coordinated by the IYQ Secretariat convened by UNESCO and the American Physical Society. Principles articulated as part of the mission of IYQ include "No One Owns Quantum Science" and "Everyone is Invited." In particular, UNESCO has articulated the importance of developing quantum science equitably with respect to the growing disparity between the global north and global south.
The International Year of Quantum opening ceremony was held in Paris, France in February to officially launch the year-long celebration. The event was held February 4âÂÂ5, 2025, at UNESCO Headquarters.
Throughout the year, IYQ celebrants were invited to host and share grassroots activities via the IYQ website. Over 500 events were registered, with many events featured as "Global Events," including the official IYQ closing ceremony held in Ghana in February 2026.