International Day of Friendship2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/65/275
About International Day of Friendship
International Day of Friendship is the United Nations observance held on 30 July to promote friendship among peoples, countries, cultures and individuals as a way to support peace and build bridges between communities.
The UN framing is wider than celebrating personal friendships. It connects friendship with dialogue, solidarity, mutual understanding, reconciliation and respect for diversity, with particular emphasis on involving young people in community activities.
Why International Day of Friendship matters
The observance treats friendship as a social practice that can reduce distance between communities. Listening across differences, creating opportunities for people to meet and resisting dehumanizing stereotypes fit the purpose better than symbolic messages alone.
Schools and community groups can use the day to create inclusive activities that bring people from different backgrounds together without pressuring anyone to disclose personal experiences or relationships.
History of International Day of Friendship
The UN General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Friendship in 2011 through resolution 65/275.
The initiative follows the UN culture-of-peace framework, which emphasizes non-violence, dialogue, understanding, solidarity and respect for human rights and diversity.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Republic of Paraguay
At the General Assembly meeting that adopted the Day, the representative of Paraguay introduced draft resolution A/65/L.72; a later President of the General Assembly statement also credits Paraguay with introducing the resolution in the sixty-fifth session.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution 65/275
First documented observance
The Secretary-General’s 30 July 2011 message explicitly calls it the first International Day of Friendship.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day of Friendship
Organize a small cross-cultural conversation, shared meal or collaborative project with clear ground rules for respectful participation.
Pair classrooms, clubs or community groups for a joint activity that encourages curiosity about another culture or community.
Write a note of appreciation to someone whose friendship has helped bridge a difference in age, background, language or perspective.
Support a local program that reduces isolation or creates safe opportunities for social connection.
Use the day to practice disagreement without hostility by discussing a low-stakes issue and focusing on listening before responding.
International Day of Friendship Facts
International Day of Friendship is observed on 30 July.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed the day in 2011.
The UN resolution connects friendship with peace, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
The observance encourages activities involving young people and different cultures.
It is a UN international observance, not automatically a statutory public holiday.
International Day of Friendship Messages
Wishing everyone observing International Day of Friendship a day of connection, kindness and meaningful time with the people they value.
On International Day of Friendship, may the people who matter to us feel seen, heard and appreciated in ways that go beyond a single day.
International Day of Friendship is a reminder that strong relationships are built through attention, patience, respect and ordinary acts of care.
May International Day of Friendship create space for honest conversation, gratitude and time together.
Mark International Day of Friendship with something simple and sincere: listen well, say what you appreciate and make time for the relationship.
International Day of Friendship Quotes
“Friendship and multilateralism are based upon respect and dialogue.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
President of the United Nations General Assembly — International Day of Friendship, 30 July 2020 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/65/275 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations General Assembly — A/65/PV.88, Paraguay introduces draft resolution A/65/L.72 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Secretary-General — International Day of Friendship, 30 July 2011 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day of Friendship (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Friendship?
30 July The documented recurrence rule is: 30 July.
Does International Day of Friendship fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day of Friendship an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day of Friendship?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Republic of Paraguay.
Is International Day of Friendship international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is International Day of Friendship?
It is observed every year on 30 July.
Who established International Day of Friendship?
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed it in 2011 through resolution 65/275.
Is the day only about personal friendships?
No. The UN framing also emphasizes friendship between peoples, countries and cultures as a way to support peace, dialogue, solidarity and reconciliation.
Other observances on July 30
These observances are also listed on July 30, 2027.
Independence Day
Vanuatu government, Electoral Office and Parliament sources verify July 30 Independence Day, the 1980 sovereignty transition and continuing public-holiday recurrence.
Martyrs’ Day
South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the government declared 30 July Martyrs’ Day to honor John Garang and others who died in the struggle for independence.
National Support Public Education Day
National Day Calendar identifies July 30 as an annual observance and attributes its creation to Chris Janotta, founder of SOS Million Teacher March.
National Talk in an Elevator Day
National Day Calendar and elevator-industry company TK Elevator independently define the recurrence as the last Friday in July rather than a fixed month/day.
Paperback Book Day
University of Alabama Press states that Paperback Book Day is celebrated each year on 30 July and marks the 1935 first Penguin paperbacks.
Throne Day
Official Kingdom of Morocco portal