The world bids adieu to 2022 and looks to 2023 with cautious optimism amid significant challenges facing the global economy, including soaring inflation; an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine that has disrupted the international energy industry; elevated numbers of excess deaths around the world since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; and continued efforts from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to wage an undeclared war with the United States and to dominate the world.
As the year came to a close, the British monarchy saw a shift as Charles III acceded to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September. People around the world joined in watching the soccer World Cup in Qatar in November. The month closed with the death of the former CCP leader Jiang Zemin, who was responsible for launching a nationwide persecution of Falun Gong practitioners beginning in 1999. The year ended with the December disclosure of the “Twitter Files” which revealed to the international community how government agencies influenced Twitter to censor and steer discussions on various issues, ranging from the 2020 elections to COVID-19.
On New Year’s Eve, many people gathered in large crowds to witness fireworks and light displays in a gesture of farewell to 2022 and welcome to 2023. Most countries have, since the start of 2022, loosened many restrictions, opening the world to post-COVID normality. Here are some photos of how celebrations unfolded around the world:
Fireworks light up over Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Roni Bintang/Getty Images)
Fireworks light up the sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year’s Eve celebration in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Roni Bintang/Getty Images)
People celebrate as fireworks light up the skyline from the Taipei 101 building during New Year’s celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Revelers fly balloons during a New Year celebration in Wuhan, in China’s central Hubei Province, on Jan. 1, 2023. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Revelers attend a New Year celebration in Wuhan, in China’s central Hubei province on Jan. 1, 2023. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Revelers watch a fireworks and laser show as they celebrate the New Year next to Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on Jan. 1, 2023. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images)
People gather in front of the torii gate of Oarai Isosaki shrine to watch the sunrise on New Year’s Day in Oarai of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images)
People gather in front of the torii gate of Oarai Isosaki shrine to watch the sunrise on New Year’s Day in Oarai of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images)
People gather to celebrate New Years during the annual bell-tolling ceremony at the Bosingak Pavilion in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Members of the public look at the first sunrise of the year during New Year’s celebrations at a park in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
People take a selfie during a fireworks display on New Years Eve from the King Taksin Bridge in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 1, 2023.(Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
Fireworks show over Wat Arun Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Jack Taylor/AFP via Getty Images)
Revelers attend New Year celebrations next to the Selamat Datang (Welcome) Monument at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Jakarta on Jan. 1, 2023. (Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images)
Fireworks explode over buildings during New Year’s celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Fireworks explode over buildings during New Year’s celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Fireworks in the sky next to the lit-up Lotus Tower during New Year celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images)
Fireworks light up the sky as people react while they celebrate after counting down to the new year at Miracle Center Cathedral in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Badru Katumba/AFP via Getty Images)
People look at fireworks launching from the building of Old Mutual Tower to celebrate the new year in Nairobi on Jan. 1, 2023. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
New Year’s Eve fireworks light the landmark Burj Khalifa tower at midnight in the Gulf emirate of Dubai on Dec. 31, 2022. (Ryan Lim/AFP via Getty Images)
Fireworks light the sky during a light and drone show to celebrate the New Year in Al Wathba, near Abu Dhabi, on Dec. 31, 2022. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)
Fireworks light up the London skyline over Big Ben and the London Eye just after midnight in London, England, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Fireworks explode next to the Arc de Triomphe with “2023” projected on the building, at the Avenue des Champs-Elysees during New Year celebrations in Paris, early on Jan. 1, 2023. (Julien de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)
People gather on the Champs-Elysees as they wait for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Paris on Dec. 31, 2022. (Julien de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)
Fireworks explode over Berlin’s landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, during a New Year’s light and music show before midnight to welcome the year 2023 on Jan. 1, 2023. (Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images)
Hundreds of tourists and citizens attend a water and laser show to celebrate the New Year 2023 on the main square in Graz, Austria, on Dec. 31, 2022. (Erwin Scheriau/APA/AFP via Getty Images)
A couple kisses as fireworks are shot as part of celebrations for the New Year in downtown Rome, with the ancient Colosseum in the background, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images)
Fireworks explode over the Acropolis during New Year celebrations in Athens early on Jan. 1, 2023. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images)
People gather to celebrate the new year and await the ball drop in Times Square, New York City, on Dec. 31, 2022. (Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images)Read More
