IYQ Meaning, History, origin, and Future of Quantum Science
IYQ meaning
IYQ is a year-long global celebration of quantum science and technology announced by the UN from January 1 to December 31, 2025. This global initiative aims to inform the public about quantum physics and its applications and demonstrate the transformative potential of quantum research and technology.
Declaration and Origin
In 2025, quantum mechanics turns 100. This grassroots effort commemorated quantum theory's “annus mirabilis”—the centenary of essential basic work in 1925. The centenary honours Werner Heisenberg's matrix mechanics breakthrough, Erwin Schrödinger's wave equation, and Max Born and Pascual Jordan's mathematical framework formalisation.
For the official proclamation, these steps were taken:
A draft submitted during the October 2021 IUPAP General Assembly.
Numerous national scientific groups supported the project.
In May 2023, the UNESCO Executive Board supported the proposal, recognising quantum research's role in achieving the UN's SDGs.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2025 the IYQ by acclamation on June 7, 2024. More than 70 nations, representing 5 billion people, co-sponsored the resolution.
Goals, structure, and main points
UNESCO, the principal agency, and the American Physical Society founded the IYQ Secretariat.
The year's primary topics are:
Raising public awareness and education: The year's goals are to have broad audiences discuss quantum physics and achieve global “quantum literacy”.
Equity and Inclusion: Encouraging inclusive education and cooperation is one way to overcome the “quantum divide” in research opportunities and infrastructure between the global north and south.
Inspiration: The project emphasises gender and regional equity in STEM to inspire future generations.
In the long run, governments and organisations seek to improve international R&D cooperation, create pipelines for inclusive quantum education, and incorporate quantum innovation into sustainable development initiatives.
The IYQ mottos are “No One Owns Quantum Science” and “Everyone is Invited”.
Major Projects and Activities
The yearlong celebration includes several famous events, activities, and occasions from around the world:
On February 4–5, 2025, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris held a ceremony to launch the IYQ.
International Events: The IYQ website urged celebrants to organise and promote grassroots events. Over 500 activities included international colloquia, workshops, and regional exhibits.
This important international program honours 100 physicists, engineers, artists, and lawmakers who are advancing the field. It also honoured pioneers like Professor Raymond Laflamme.
A Quantum Resource Library including books, films, photographs, and interactive resources is available to students, teachers, and specialists at the IYQ. Open-access quantum computing courses and fellowships for African women scientists are among the IYQ's imbalance-addressing projects.
The IYQ website urged celebrants to host and share grassroots events throughout the year. Many of the over 500 events recorded were "Global Events," such the February 2026 IYQ closing ceremony in Ghana.
2025 is a time for reflection and a strategic declaration that quantum science will shape the future, especially as it advances towards "quantum utility," where quantum computers are used to solve practical problems in medicine and climate modelling.