Celebrations marking the arrival of the New Year began in the Pacific nations, which were the first to turn the page on 2025, a year shaped by war and a ceasefire in Gaza, stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine, massive investments in artificial intelligence, and the turbulent return of Donald Trump to the White House.
Aggravated by climate disruption caused by human activity, extreme weather events once again affected the planet in 2025. Wildfires in Europe, drought across Africa, and deadly floods in Asia underscored a year that will officially go down in history as one of the three warmest ever recorded.
Pacific countries, led by Kiribati, were the first places on Earth to welcome the New Year as the clock struck midnight. They were followed by New Zealand, where fireworks illuminated the capital, Wellington, signaling the start of global celebrations.
In Sydney, often described as the “world capital of New Year’s Eve,” preparations for this year’s festivities were overshadowed by an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach. A minute of silence was scheduled to be observed at 11:00 p.m. local time on the iconic Harbour Bridge, which was to be lit in white as a symbol of peace. Large crowds were then expected to gather for the traditional midnight fireworks display.
Further west, Rio de Janeiro prepared for one of the largest New Year’s celebrations in the world, with approximately 2.5 million people expected to gather on Copacabana Beach to welcome the arrival of the new year.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
