Recognising their value, on 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). The celebration of the year, led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), increased the public awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.

Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses and recognising their potential to further achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular relevance to several Sustainable Development Goals, the observance of World Pulses Day was proposed.

In 2019, the General Assembly proclaimed 10 February as the World Pulses Day.