International Day of the Tropics was observed on 29th June 2025, marking its 9th annual observance. Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016, the day aims to highlight the importance, diversity, and challenges of the tropical region and its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About International Day of the Tropics
Objective:
- Raise awareness about challenges faced by tropical regions
- Promote recognition of the tropics’ role in sustainable development
- Provide a platform for sharing expertise and assessing progress in tropical regions
Does Not Follow an Annual Theme
- Enables an inclusive and broad approach to understanding diverse issues
Background & History
- First observed following the release of the State of the Tropics Report on 29 June 2014
- The report was launched by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi (of Myanmar/Burma) and was prepared by 12 major tropical research institutions
- UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/267 (2016) formally declared 29 June as the International Day of the Tropics
- Second edition of the State of the Tropics Report published in 2020
What Are the Tropics?
- The tropical region lies between the Tropic of Cancer (23°27′ N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23°27′ S)
- Climatic Characteristics:
- Warm year-round with minimal temperature variation
- Two main seasons: Wet and Dry
- Rainfall pattern varies with proximity to the equator
- Geographical Coverage:
- 40% of Earth’s surface area
- 36% of global landmass
- Includes parts of South & Central America, Africa, Asia, and Australia
- Ecosystem & Biodiversity:
- Home to 80% of world’s biodiversity
- Contains 95% of global mangrove forests and 99% of mangrove species
- Tropics are culturally rich with high linguistic and ethnic diversity
Economic & Demographic Significance
- Around 40% of the world’s population lives within the tropics
- Major export-driven economies in agriculture, minerals, and raw materials
- Hosts 54% of the world’s renewable freshwater resources
- Despite this, nearly half the tropical population is vulnerable to water stress
Challenges in the Tropics
- Climate change impacts
- Deforestation and illegal logging
- Urbanisation and demographic pressures
- Water scarcity despite abundance of resources
- Environmental degradation of mangrove and rainforest ecosystems