International Day of the Tropics

International Day of the Tropics History

The International Day of the Tropics is celebrated annually to highlight the important role of tropical regions in global issues such as economic growth, social inequality, environmental sustainability, and human well-being. In Australia, the day serves as an opportunity to showcase the country's tropical regions, which include parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. These regions are home to a diverse range of ecosystems, from rainforests and savannas to coral reefs and wetlands. The day was first observed in 2016 by the United Nations General Assembly, which recognized that over 40% of the world's population resides in the tropics, which are characterized by their unique biodiversity, natural resources, and cultural heritage.

The importance of these regions was underscored in a 2018 report by the Australian government, which noted that tropical Australia generates over 60% of the nation's agriculture and mining exports, while also supporting Indigenous culture and livelihoods. However, the report also acknowledged that tropical regions face significant challenges, such as climate change, land degradation, and invasive species. These challenges require multidisciplinary solutions that take into account both the ecological and social dimensions of tropical development.

The International Day of the Tropics serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to work together towards a sustainable and equitable future for tropical regions worldwide. The International Day of the Tropics is observed annually on June 29th.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 International Day of the Tropics in Australia

• The International Day of the Tropics holds deep historical roots in Australia, as the initiative was originally spearheaded by the Australian Government in partnership with James Cook University to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities of the region.
• The observance commemorates the anniversary of the inaugural State of the Tropics Report, which was launched in 2014 by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and serves as the primary scientific benchmark for monitoring progress across the world's tropical zones.
• Tropical regions are home to approximately 80 percent of the planet's terrestrial biodiversity, including 95 percent of the world’s mangrove forests by area, which act as critical carbon sinks and natural buffers against storm surges for coastal Australian communities.
• Recent findings from the Australia’s Environment Report indicate that tropical marine ecosystems are facing unprecedented heat stress, with 2025 recording the highest sea surface temperatures on record and leading to widespread bleaching events across the Great Barrier Reef.
• The 2025–26 Australian wet season was notably defined by its intensity, featuring the rare "triple-impact" system known as Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which became only the second cyclone in recorded history to cross the coasts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia at severe intensity.
• While the tropics encompass 40 percent of the world’s total surface area, they host nearly half of the global population and possess over 54 percent of the world’s renewable water resources, yet these communities remain disproportionately vulnerable to water stress and climate-induced demographic shifts.
• Scientific research into tropical biodiversity remains a major national priority, with the Australian Institute of Marine Science receiving the vast majority of federal funding to study how rapid intensification of weather patterns affects the long-term survival of the nation's northern reef systems.
• The diversity of the tropics extends to human culture, as the region is home to the majority of the world's indigenous languages and traditional knowledge systems, which are increasingly recognized as essential for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

In the News and Trending in Australia for International Day of the Tropics

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Read a first-hand account about Carmen Rodríguez and her family's efforts to preserve Colombia's tropical dry forest.
• Browse the 2020 report on the state of the tropics. It covers a wide variety of topics including the environment, human impact, and the application of science and technology.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about the tropics in Australia. Here are our top picks:
  1. Australia's Northern Wilderness (2004) - This documentary series explores the beauty of the tropical wilderness found in Northern Australia.
  2. Kakadu: Australia's Ancient Wilderness (1994) - A documentary taking you on a journey through the tropical wetlands of Kakadu National Park.
  3. Nature's Wonderland: Australia's Great Top End (2015) - A nature documentary covering the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of Tropical Australia.
• Read a book to learn more about the tropics in Australia. Here are our suggestions:
  1. A Guide to the Tropical Rainforests of Australia by Nigel Halle
  2. Australian Tropical Rainforests: Science - Values - Meaning by Geoffrey D. Williams
  3. Tropical Rainforests of North Queensland: Their Conservation Significance by Helen T. Murphy and Peter Doughty