UNV Executive Coordinator's statement on IVD 2024

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The Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers, Toily Kurbanov marked International Volunteer Day 2024 in Thimphu, Bhutan. Please read his statement as follows.

Hello [ku-zu zang po la]. 

My name is Toily Kurbanov [Ni gi min Toily Kurbanov in]. 

I am the head of UN Volunteers. [UN Volunteers gi gupen in la ]

Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Speaker, Honorable Cabinet Ministers, Honorable Leader of Opposition, Dashos, UN Resident Coordinator, UN Representatives, and most importantly, Desuups and Volunteers—thank you for being here.

Standing here in front of you, I see more than just mountains; I see the people who move them.

United Nations Secretary-General's statement on IVD 2024

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The task of building a better world belongs to all people. 

On International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, we honour the women and men who devote their time, energy and skills to make our world a healthier, more peaceful and humane place for all.

Whether responding to natural disasters, supporting communities in conflict or working to alleviate poverty, the selflessness and courage of volunteers shine through. And we are reminded that even the smallest acts have the power to change lives. 

Our own United Nations Volunteers work to advance peace, justice and equality in 169 countries across the globe. This spirit of solidarity is the lifeblood of the Pact of the Future—adopted in September at the United Nations. The Pact illuminates a path forward grounded in trust and cooperation.  

Logo Competition for International Volunteer Year 2026 now open

United Nations Volunteers, Bonn
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The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. This milestone offers an opportunity to celebrate volunteers and their contributions on a global stage. 

"It's a start to a career I never imagined"

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Atsushi Murata is the first Japanese national over the age of 60 to be deployed by the United Nations Development Programme. His volunteer assignment is fully funded by the Government of Japan. At 65 and retired, Atsushi shares, "It's the start of a career I never imagined." Connecting the dots from Japan to the Republic of Djibouti in this story, and how Atsushi became a UN Volunteer.

Atsushi is from Chiba city in Japan and started his UN Volunteer assignment with UNDP on 7 December 2024. He is based in Djibouti, where he will support agricultural businesses and food security till almost the end of 2025. The project is funded through the Japanese Supplementary Budget and titled, 'Support to UN response to water and food insecurity caused by climate change and drought in Sub-Saharan Africa through the deployment of Japanese Specialists as UN Volunteers.'

Through my view—a story from Bangladesh

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Nazma Ara Begum Poppy is from Bangladesh. At the age of six, she lost her vision. The only available option for her in terms of education was a private school in the capital city, Dhaka. Other schools in her hometown of Chittagong, were not accessible to children with disabilities. Since 2023, Nazma has been a UN Volunteer National Project Support Officer with UN Women contributing to a United Nations joint initiative on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we bring you Nazma's story and what she considers important in the world around her. 

Persons with disabilities are often overlooked, and when they are considered, the focus is frequently limited to physical accessibility, such as ramps and infrastructure. While these elements are important, accessibility must go beyond the physical and extend into the virtual space.

In today’s world, digital inclusion is crucial. The fact that you’re reading my story right now is possible because of technology, but this is not the reality for many others.

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