On June 7, 2024, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). According to the proclamation, this year-long, worldwide initiative will “be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications.”
The year 2025 was chosen for this International Year as it recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics.
Recognizing the importance of quantum science and the need for wider awareness of its past and future impact, dozens of national scientific societies gathered together to support marking 100 years of quantum mechanics with a U.N.-declared international year. The timeline of endorsements for this international year also included the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), and the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPST).
The U.N. declaration is a signal for any individual, group, school, institution, or government to use 2025 as an opportunity to increase awareness about quantum science and technology. The IYQ Steering Committee is planning global initiatives and events, particularly those that reach audiences unaware of the importance of quantum science and technology. As 2025 approaches, the website quantum2025.org will spotlight events, resources, and activities focused on quantum science.
Looking forward, quantum science and technology will be a key cross-cutting scientific field of the 21st century, having a tremendous impact on critical societal challenges highlighted by the U.N.’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including climate, energy, food safety and security, and clean water. The most important step in finding new insights and new solutions will be inspiring young people, drawn from all over the world, to be the next generation of quantum pioneers who see beyond the surfaces and screens around them and use quantum science to make a positive difference in the lives of others. This International Year is an opportunity for young people — and curious people of any age — to learn more about all the ways quantum science underpins the physical world around us, drives technological innovation, affects government policies, impacts the global economy, and influences art and culture.
“Chemical bonding and reactivity are fundamentally quantum, which is why we at IUPAC are excited to be part of Quantum Science and Technology”, say Javier Garcia Martinez, IUPAC Past President. “This global initiative brings together scientists from many disciplines and offers an incredible opportunity to deepen our understanding of the fundamentals of the molecular sciences and to imagine together the solutions we urgently need to address the most pressing challenges of our time. This is happening as we celebrate the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development, which provides another unique opportunity for humanity to advance and harness science in the pursuit of sustainable development holistically and collaboratively.”
In the lead up to 2025, any individual, group, organization, institution, or government can help aid the mission of the International Year by facilitating the creation of events or resources that will help others to improve their understanding of the importance and impact of quantum science and technology. Events and resources from around the world will be featured on this site in 2025.
<https://quantum2025.org/>